eStar Truck & Van has been named one of the Top 50 Inspiring Workplaces in the UK & Ireland for 2026, climbing 17 places from 2025 to achieve 28th overall, following the awards held in London last night (21 May).
The Inspiring Workplaces Awards are widely recognised as one of the leading global benchmarks for workplace culture, celebrating organisations that put their people first across leadership, wellbeing, inclusion, employee voice and experience.
This year’s rise marks a significant milestone for eStar, reflecting continued investment in culture, leadership and colleague experience across its network of Mercedes-Benz Truck and Van dealerships.
Judges praised eStar’s leadership and culture, highlighting the strength of management “right from the top” and the organisation’s ability to embed values into everyday behaviours, performance management and decision-making.
They also noted the quality of communication, inclusion, and development across the business, alongside initiatives that demonstrate a genuine commitment to colleague wellbeing and support.
One judge commented: “Management is evidently strong… having leaders who are inspiring and approachable is half the battle won and it looks very much like you have cracked that.”
Judges were particularly impressed by the link between wellbeing and performance, as well as the strength of colleague relationships and low employee turnover. “eStar’s clear focus on wellbeing and how it strengthens performance and culture is great to see… colleagues clearly feel seen and supported.”
The business was also recognised for tackling the realities of workshop environments head-on, introducing more flexible approaches to support autonomy and wellbeing in a traditionally rigid sector.
Kate Clay, HR Director at eStar Truck & Van, said: “Our people are our biggest asset, and this recognition reflects the consistent focus we’ve placed on creating an environment where colleagues feel supported, valued, and able to perform at their best.
“We’ve worked hard to build a culture where the Directors and Senior Leadership Team are visible, values are lived day-to-day, and wellbeing is taken seriously – not just talked about. To see that translate into both colleague feedback and independent recognition like this is something the whole team should be proud of.”
With over 300 colleagues and seven sites across the North West and North Wales, eStar continues to invest in both its people and its customer proposition, supported by its recent integration into Daimler Truck’s Own Retail Europe network.
The latest Inspiring Workplaces recognition adds to a growing list of industry recognitions (almost 75 to date) and reinforces eStar’s position as not only a leading commercial vehicle partner, but also an employer of choice in the sector.
For more information about eStar Truck and Van, please visit www.estar.ltd.
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Notes to Editors:
eStar, established in 2020, is part of Daimler Truck Own Retail Europe, with locations across, Deeside, Knowsley, Stoke-on-Trent, and Trafford Park.
As a Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer, eStar is well-placed to serve the business and lifestyle community across all aspects of owning and maintaining trucks, vans, coaches, and buses.
With extensive experience across electric and alternative fuels, the team at eStar is committed to supporting customers every step of the way along their journey to delivering greener products, services, and people.
For press enquiries, please contact Caroline Burnell, Head of Marketing and Communications at eStar, via 07876 217056 or caroline.burnell@estar.ltd