The Judges

The world class international expert judges for the 2023 Valletta Concours

Chief Judge

JEREMY JACKSON-SYTNER

In 2012, after some 30 years as an award-winning advertising agency creative, Jeremy Jackson-Sytner conceived the ‘royal’ concours at Windsor Castle. An event so spectacular that in its first year it won both ‘Best Concours’ and a Personal Achievement Award at the Octane International Historic Motoring Awards. In one giant leap the UK had a world-class concours to equal the very best—alongside Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este. The Concours of Elegance moved on circus-like year by year from Royal Palace to Royal Castle, on a journey from St James’s Palace in London, to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, to Hampton Court Palace in Surrey and back to Windsor Castle again. As curator of the Concours Jeremy had the privilege of travelling the globe visiting remarkable concours, gaining a unique insight into the world of concours. Along with the privilege to be an Honorary Judge at concours in Delhi, Valletta, Amsterdam and Essex. Early in 2021 Jeremy left the Concours of Elegance to launch ‘Mr. Concours’, a consultancy established to help oil the wheels of gaining entry to and partaking in concours d’elegance. As well as providing strategic advice and planning to those people wanting to start their concours events—mainly what not to do! With his other hat on, Jeremy has been organising exclusive motoring adventures since 1985—tours for great people with great cars. Everything from Grand Tours, to bespoke family European tours, to driving weekends in France. Their signature event, the annual Grand Tour is now in its 36th year. In 2015 he organised the Highland Tour, a two day adventure through the breathtaking Scottish countryside which was awarded Best Tour of 2015 at the Octane International Historic Motoring Awards. In 2021, Jeremy moved palaces and became Concours Curator of the Salon Privé Concours d’Élegance at Blenheim Palace.

Judge

GARY AXON

Gary Axon has more than 25 years experience working at a senior level in the international automotive sector. His experience includes brand and product strategy, as well as managing the PR and media operations of a major European premium-segment car brand, plus heading-up Goodwood’s Motorsport Press, PR and Communications division for many seasons. In addition to substantially growing Goodwood’s media awareness, reputation and editorial coverage around the world, he has also successfully targeted new global audiences, including lifestyle, digital and luxury press. Gary has introduced new initiatives and attractions to Goodwood’s key motorsport events – the Festival of Speed and Revival – in order to positively broaden the Brand’s international standing, with increased sponsor, media and public appeal. Today he remains a senior motorsport content consultant to Goodwood, defining its concours and road car content, as well as managing the communication strategy and PR promotional programmes for a number of global brands and events in the automotive and related luxury sectors. Gary also regularly writes for a number of leading specialist classic car and motor racing titles in the UK and Europe, assists some luxury vehicle makers and classic car specialists with their communication strategy, and is a content advisor and judge for a number of historic motor racing and concours d’elegance events.

Judge

PETER STEVENS

During last 30 years Peter Stevens has worked both as a consultant designer and as an ‘in-house’ design director, among Peter’s best known designs are the McLaren F1 road car, the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW, the Lotus Elan, the 1988 Lotus Esprit and X300, Jaguar’s XJR-15, and the 2003 Subaru Impreza, P1 road car and Legacy Outback, Isuzu’s 4200R concept car, and the MG ‘Z’ car, sporting saloons. Peter was also responsible for the MG TF and SV-R composite bodied MG high performance sports car. During his career, Peter has worked with many of the world’s leading automotive companies, including Aston Martin, Automobili Lamborghini, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Rivian Automotive, Subaru, TATA and many others. As a past Visiting Professor to the vehicle design department at the Royal College of Art (RCA), Peter continued a lifetime commitment to the college. He was one of the first two students on the vehicle design course at the RCA, and graduated as a master of design in 1972. His contribution to the course has been consistent since 1976, although he has changed his roles, first becoming visiting lecturer, then outside assessor then Visiting Professor and now occasional lecturer. Working with the Brabham F1 team, Peter was responsible for the graphics and later the upper body shape of the Formula One cars for a number of years. The look of the BT49, 50 and 52 was his responsibility. Peter was consultant designer for interior, exterior, upper-surface aerodynamics, and homologation, on the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW LM99 sports prototype. Peter worked with Prodrive as a consultant on presentation, design and aerodynamics. He was responsible for aerodynamics and exterior design for the rally series-winning Subaru Impreza WRCs. He worked as a consultant for Toyota on their GT1 Le Mans project where he was responsible for the cockpit ergonomics and road car design and homologation. Peter project managed the record breaking MG ZT-T estate car’s 226.509 mph run at Bonneville in 2003. More recently he has been involved in a number of electric and hybrid vehicle projects, funicular railways, advanced cable car design. Peter’s own choice of cars is very much ‘blue collar’; quite possibly his close association with the high-end of high performance vehicles has caused him to be more interested in the simplicity and inclusivity of more basic and less flamboyant cars. There is a 1928 Ford Model ‘A’ Roadster Pickup, a classic original ‘Hot Rod’ 1928 Model ‘A’ Ford chassis with a 1925 Ford ‘T’ roadster body and period tuning parts, probably built in 1935, a class record holder at Pendine Sands at 84.7 mph, a 1961 Citroen 2CV AZU Fourgonnette, a 1972 Fiat 500R, and, one a designed earlier, a Subaru Legacy 3.0 liter Outback.

Judge

TONI COBUCCI

ITALY

Toni Cobucci, President of the Old Car Club Molise di Campobasso for the last seven years. A fanatic of vintage and classic cars, 30 years ago he started his first restoration on his first car, which he still owns, a FIAT 500 multipla.

Judge

PHILIP PORTER

Philip Porter is the author of more than 30 motoring and motor racing books, including a number on Jaguars. He has owned his classic Jaguar XKs for nearly 50 years and his two historic E-types - 9600 HP, the oldest E-type in existence which was a prototype and the press launch car at Geneva, and 848 CRY, the 12th RHD Roadster which was raced in ‘61 and in the film The Italian Job - for 40+ years. He was the co-founder of The International Jaguar XK Club and The Jaguar E-type Club. He also founded and runs Porter Press International, one of the world’s leading motoring book publishers.

Judge

ALLAN WINN

NEW ZEALAND

A New Zealander by birth, he holds a degree in mechanical engineering and a post-graduate diploma in journalism. In a 29-year career in publishing, he spent 9 years as Editor of Flight International, and a further 5 years as Publisher of that magazine and Airline Business. From 2003 to March 2018, he was Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum in Surrey, where he was responsible for a collection of 35 aircraft ranging from early pioneers up to Concorde (and the world’s only operational Concorde simulator). He gave particular attention to celebrating Brooklands’ role as the most productive aircraft manufacturing site in Europe, expanding its already substantial education service aimed at inspiring youngsters to study science, technology and engineering subjects, and highlighting its wealth of motor-racing heritage. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers & Coach Harness Makers. He is a past Chairman of the Aviation Club of the UK. His spare time is taken up with being a competitor and official in vintage motorsport: he and his wife Jacqui and their 1929 3-litre Bentley live in Surrey.

Judge

JOHN MAYHEAD

John Mayhead is a journalist and commentator specialising in the classic and vintage car market. Well known within the industry and an experienced concours judge, he has been the UK editor of the Hagerty Price Guide for the past seven years, developing it into the country’s primary source of classic car values. John’s love of classic motoring started with Alfa Romeos, owning, driving and restoring models of many different types. Porsches are another passion, as are early MGs and this season he will be hillclimbing his 1946 MG TC. He is also a keen historian of the pre-war racing and record-breaking scene. His job allows him to experience some of the most exclusive cars in the world, but John is always engaged more by a fascinating story and a car that proudly displays its history rather than an expensive, immaculate restoration. Photo credit: Amy Shore

Judge

PHILIPPE MULDERS

NETHERLANDS

Philippe Mulders was born in maastricht in the Netherlands and around cars as soon as he could sit in one. His family owned a GP Bugatti allready in the early 1950ties. After completion of his degree in mechanical engineering, and a year in racing in uk. he became the protegé of dealer Jack Braam Ruben, this way re-entering the classic car world as a profession over only a hobby, Dealing in mainly pre war automobiles. - still ownes his first car (alfetta 2000gtv) - set up the junior jury for concours at the palace, and is member of the main jury there for years now. - was the first to show antique cars at a classic art fair (cologne fine art) - even in his free time you will find him driving his collection in events all around the globe. - specializes in pre war automobiles, Bugatti in particular

Judge

PETER A. RUSSELL

Peters enthusiasm for restoring and driving vintage cars has gone hand in hand with a business restoring period oak framed buildings. Attention to detail, authenticity and history have always been key for both. With the advent of Goodwood Revival in 1998, the motoring interest evolved into its own business, designing and building period garages, racing pits and film sets. Consultancy work and judging has followed for Pebble Beach, Goodwood, Brooklands and Cartier , plus participation in various concours. He still owns his first car...an Austin7 of course

Judge

JAMES ELLIOT

James Elliott has been writing for and editing classic car magazines for more than 20 years. The Octane editor-in-chief is a lifelong enthusiast who, among the 50 or so classics that he has owned, has bought everything from stately Rover P5B Coupé to racy Lancia Delta Integrale and outrageous Piper P2. In the course of his work he has driven many of the most desirable road and race cars ever created including an original Le Mans Bentley, Jaguar D-type and Ferrari 250GTO. Especially knowledgable about the Lotus and Triumph marques, he has previously been a judge at some of the world's leading concours d'elegance.

Judge

VALENTINA CROCE

ITALY

Valentina croce was born in milan and after finishing her study in economics, ended up helping a family friend organizing a classic car rally for the local Bugatti club. This triggered her interest in this vibing world, and she managed to make it her business. From veyrons crossing patagonie through the international bugatti rally in japan she has now done up over 15years of experience in super high end classic car events, and counting! - She won coup des dames in the Mille Miglia in japan as a driver - Organised the 50the anniversary of lamborghini in italy with over 400 cars entered - was a jury member of the 2022 ICE st moritz

Judge

CHRISTOPHER HANCOCK

Christopher Hancock a self-confessed ‘Petrol Head’ living in the UK. Starting at the age of 10 helping to build Ford ten Buckler Specials. His first Classic Car was a 1936 Morgan, bought as a box of bits in 1965. He has owned a series of Vintage Cars specialising in Daimlers. He officiated for the Daimler Owners Club as the world registrar for sleeve valved cars, owning three dated from 1924 to 1927. He has competed in Vintage Sports Car Club trials and now officiates as a scrutineer for Trial and Rally cars. He currently owns a 1927 2 litre Lagonda and a 1934 Austin 7.

Judge

MARK GRENSIDE

Mark Grenside has spent far too much time and money on cars and regrets nothing! He has owned a wonderful selection, most of which he now could not afford or had he kept them all he could have retired! These include a Cobra 289, Porsche 911 RS, 964RS, 928GT, Eagle Lightweight E-Type, Ferraris Dino, 575, 308,456, Lancia Evo Integrale, Fulvia 1600HF, Lotus, Elan Sprint, BMW Z8 and for Malta a manual Pagoda 280 SL. He has been a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club since it started, raced in that and other tracks and attended nearly every Club member and Revival Event. He has judged events both in the UK and abroad. He and his wife have completed in over 16 Grand Tour Events as well as a two-week race around New Zealand. Originally working in TV ( he began his career with The Muppets) he has moved through nearly every aspect of media from music, films to eventually being an owner in a worldwide TV channel.

On the shores of Lake Como at Villa d'Este.jpeg

Judge

JAMES NICHOLLS

UK / ITALY

Anglo-Italian James Nicholls is a writer, photographer, auctioneer, and broadcaster living in Sydney, Australia. A member of The Guild of Motoring Writers and the International Association of Press Photographers, his stories and images have appeared in magazines around the world including Motorsport, Octane, Robb Report, The Spectator, and Magneto for which he is the Australian Editor. He is the writer, presenter, and executive producer of ‘Car Chronicles’ on Discovery Turbo Channel, and ‘Overdrive’ on YouTube. He is the founder of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance (a finalist at the International Historic Motoring Awards in London in November 2022 and 2021 and 2019), and, has been a regular member of the Jury at Chantilly Arts & Elegance in France, the Zoute GP in Belgium, the ASINautic Show in Trieste, The 21 Gun Salute in Delhi where he is also the M/C, as well as at the official Ferrari 70th Anniversary Concorso d’Eleganza at Maranello. Amongst other engagements he has been a guest speaker at the Dubai International Motor Show, is an International Ambassador for the Bernina-Gran Turismo, part of the International St Moritz Automobile Week, and Suixtil the heritage motoring clothing brand, and is a Delegate for the Riva Historical Society. He has recently completed a book on the Bristol 408 to be published in 2023 by Amberley Publishing in the UK. He is an expert on popular culture particularly related to classic cars and spies, brought to fruition in his novel Signed, Sealed and Delivered published in 2018. A certified member of the Auctioneers & Valuers Association of Australia, he is the founder of Halcyon Auctions having previously acted as an adviser to Australia’s leading international and domestic auction houses including Sotheby’s Australia, Bonhams & Goodman, Mossgreen, and Theodore Bruce founded in 1878. His achievements at auction include the most successful classic car public auction by dollar value outside of Europe or the USA; the highest price for a road going car at public sale in the Southern Hemisphere; and numerous record prices including world records for the Lamborghini Miura P400, Riley Imp, Holden, and an Australian Race Car.

Judge

MICHAEL QUINN

His grandfather was Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar Cars. He is a Patron of the Jaguar/Daimler Heritage Trust; member of the Royal Automobile Club, and on the Steering Group for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run; Honorary Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers; Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers & Coach-Harness Makers; member of the IMI and FMI; and chairs the Sir William Lyons Charitable Trust. His mother, Pat, was at once married to Ian Appleyard and as husband/wife team they won the first ever Alpine Rally ‘Coup des Alps’ as they finished un-penalized three times in a row between 1950 and 1952. They drove to victory in the 1952 Tulip Rally, won the RAC Rally in 1951 and 1953, and in 1953 they finished 2nd overall in the inaugural European Rally Championship. Their car is still probably the most famous Jaguar XK120 of all time, registered NUB 120, which now resides in the Jaguar Heritage Trust Museum at Gaydon. He says “I have been fortunate enough to represent my grandfather and Jaguar on many occasions; deputising for him at Le Mans in 1983; accepting my grandfather’s induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Geneva in 2001, and in 2005 in Detroit; driving in the Alpine Rally in NUB 120; driving in the Mille Miglia for Jaguar Heritage in a C-type; demonstrating XJ13 around Le Mans (and through Windsor Castle!); several new-product launches; and twice organising 50-year celebrations of the Le Mans wins.” Owns several classic cars and motorcycles and competes in historic motorsport, most recently racing his E-type in the pre-’63 category at the Goodwood Revival & Members Meetings, Le Mans Classic and others, and prior to that an F3 Ralt RT1, C Type, D Type, XK140, and a Lister Jaguar. Michael worked for many years at the Kensington Jaguar main dealer RA Creamer & Son, which had three Royal Warrants for Services to the Royal Household, before setting up in business in 2019 with his own specialist Jaguar operation ‘Quinn Lyons’ located in north London.