Meet the McMillan Specialist Cars Team

With over 40 years as a Porsche specialist, George McMillan has an international reputation for automotive knowledge. With his vast experience, he has been involved in applying his knowledge in education and ran the Toyota Academy at Northern Regional College, regarded by many as the ‘most advanced motor-training centre in Ireland’. Based at the Toyota Training Academy in Burnaston, George has also trained Toyota Technicians throughout the UK and from the main Toyota Training centre in Zaventem, Brussels, lectured at various Toyota locations throughout Europe working on various projects in Belgium, Portugal, Spain and France.

George also worked for many years on the Toyota/Lexus Technician & Apprentice Accreditation programme, a framework for which Motor Vehicle Technicians can work to & achieve an appreciation for courses attended/passed etc. The IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) programme is closely based on this.

He has been obsessed with motorsport since, as a boy, he collected and devoured car magazines, progressively focusing on the technical content. The obvious career choice was taken and he joined the local motor industry. Beyond the day job he took part throughout Ireland in auto-tests and rallies, many with his wife Fiona as navigator. His engagement with auto-testing continues to this day. While still taking part in the Irish Autotest Championships, he now helps the sport thrive through McMillan Specialist Cars annual sponsorships of events.  

Now heavily involved with hybrid, electric and emerging technologies and with other makers, in any year he will travel to many countries, road-testing new models, getting a forensic knowledge of their details and preparing the service directions for the dealerships.

Sean Donnelly has been involved in the Retail Motor trade all of his career and has operated in every aspect of the business.

Starting as an apprentice Motor Vehicle Technician at 16, Sean gained experience in every position in the service department, from Service Advisor to becoming Service Manager at the age of 23. In 1998 he moved to Charles Hurst where he took on the role of Service Manager for Land Rover. 

In 2001 Sean took on the role of General Manager in the Accident Repair Centre. Then housed in the large Charles Hurst complex on Boucher Road in Belfast, the Centre was moved to an offsite facility in Dunmurry. Here Sean managed the transfer from using the very toxic two-pack cellulose paint system to the much more environmentally friendly water-based system.

After four years of group accident management, Sean then returned to Land Rover as Aftersales Manager and oversaw the business winning many accolades for profit return and customer service within the group. 

After 16 years with the Charles Hurst Group, Sean joined the Donnelly Group as Head of Business at JLR in Dungannon. He oversaw all aspects of that business with great success, culminating in the winning of UK Retailer of The Year in 2019.

Sean joined McMillan Specialist Cars as General Manager in 2020, bringing his 33 years of knowledge and skills with him. This has helped George develop the business even further, branching out into new and used car sales, improving both our levels of customer service and levels of sales through the workshop and parts departments

Paul Started his career with Philips Garages Belfast in 1986 and went on to work with many of the major automotive manufacturers, including Ford, becoming an RS specialist with Irish Road Motors in Linenhall Street in Belfast.

In 1999 Paul made his firm move into the premium brand sector with Audi and the Isaac Agnew Group. Paul honed his skills as a technician here, rising to the position of senior diagnostic technician.

Paul then entered the world of Premium Supercars with Charles Hurst and the Aston Martin Brand in 2005. He worked his way through the ranks of technician level quickly, achieving the pinnacle position in the workshop as Master Technician.

In 2015 Paul became an independent motor vehicle consultant travelling all over the UK sourcing and advising on the purchasing of vehicles, helping customers achieve lifelong goals in owning a particular vehicle or adding to another customer’s collection or simply providing advice on another customer’s next daily transport.

Throughout his career, Paul has become renowned for his wide knowledge and experience and also his meticulous attention to detail.

This is why Paul plays an exceptionally important role in our team, ensuring that the quality of all our work meets the very highest standards, ensuring our reputation as the leading independent Specialist Car Repairer remains intact.