Chairman of the McLaren Group, Ron Dennis, received the MIA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry at the House of Lords on Tuesday.

The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, presented Dennis with the award in recognition of his exceptional career, during which he earned the accolade of the most successful team principal in Formula 1 history, and has overseen the significant growth and diversification of the McLaren Group.

Over 300 guests from Government, Parliament and motorsport were hosted by MIA President, Lord Drayson, at the prestigious event.

Ron Dennis CBE joins an elite group of previous MIA Award winners, including last year’s winner, John Surtees, Adrian Newey, Ross Brawn, Sir Frank Williams, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Bernie Ecclestone, to name but a few.

Under Ron Dennis' direction, McLaren has built upon its reputation as a world beating Formula 1 team, to become a global group of high technology companies, all based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre.

McLaren is today focussed upon the development and application of ground breaking technologies in a range of disciplines and has established world class expertise in data management, modelling and simulation, materials science, high performance design and electronic systems.

Amongst its many activities, the company is currently designing and manufacturing FAA approved engine control units for aircraft, helping GSK to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing operations, working alongside doctors to improve the monitoring of children in intensive care and helping to improve the energy efficiency of data centres.

Ron Dennis has also overseen the creation of McLaren Automotive, which is a world leader in the design, engineering and production of high technology cars which set new standards of performance and fuel efficiency. McLaren pioneered the use of light weight carbon fibre first in Formula 1, then in production cars and has manufactured more carbon fibre cars than any other company in the world.

"First and foremost this is somewhat of a surprise," said Dennis. "Inevitably when you are fortunate enough to win awards like this, you think about the circumstances behind it and I have always had tremendous teams of people to work with. But it's nice to see that such a prestigious organisation recognises the contribution that I have made to succeed, both on and off the track, and for that I feel very honoured."

"The outstanding career of Ron Dennis epitomises all that is good about British motorsport engineering," added Chris Aylett, Chief Executive of the MIA added. "From 1972 when he formed his first racing team, to becoming a significant shareholder and Chairman of the McLaren Group, Ron's achievements are testament to his skills and abilities. As he built McLaren into a successful business group, his efforts contributed greatly to the success of many other suppliers in the Motorsport Valley community and this award is a justifiable recognition for that progress, and richly deserved."