Month: January 2025

ARC360 News – Friday 31 January 2025

31 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words

ARC360 conference draws leading sector wide interest 

More than 20 major insurance brands and over 50 of the sectors leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. 

Set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year, ARC360 will discuss the business-critical areas to impact the industry bringing together industry leaders to share experience, insight and knowledge. Full story

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing.

Komoo has opened its latest site located in Stansted. This is the first opening of 2025 and the 17th in total.

Mustoe’s Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs has unveiled Fix Auto Bristol Central, which will be Stellantis and Suzuki approved. Meanwhile, the business has also secured Renault/Dacia approval for the Caldicot, Monmouthshire area.

Activate Group has announced its Hampton site passed its initial stage 2 BS 10125:2022 audit last week.

ECF Accident Repair Group has retained BS10125 2022 structural aluminium approval coupled with another successful ISO 9001 audit.

Steer Automotive Group has made donations to six incredible initiatives through our Steer Community Fund. They include the St Mary in the Marsh Project Fund, The Association of the Veteran’s Hub Newport, and the Honeypot Children’s Charity.

FMG Repair Services has introduced cutting edge ADAS recalibration equipment from Repairify at all of its UK-wide bodyshops.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is urging independent garage owners to prioritise succession planning after noticing an increasing number considering closing because no one is in place to manage the company in the future.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland is launching a consultation to seek views on changing the frequency of MOT testing from one year to two years (Biennial) for some private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles.

Volvo Cars takes full ownership of Novo Energy

Volvo Cars and Northvolt AB have signed a share purchase agreement relating to Northvolt’s shares in NOVO Energy AB, leading to Volvo Cars taking full ownership of NOVO Energy AB, subject to approval by relevant authorities. Full story

JLR invests £65m in sustainable expansion of luxury paint operations for bespoke vehicle personalisation

JLR is investing £65m in sustainably expanding its special paint facilities globally to meet growing demand for personalised luxury vehicles and reduce the environmental impact of its most carbon intensive manufacturing processes. The company has seen demand for personalised colour options, where clients can choose from hundreds of Bespoke Paint and elevated palette options across its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, more than double since FY22. Full story

Mitsubishi Motors opts out of Honda-Nissan merger

Mitsubishi Motors has decided not to participate in a proposed merger between Honda Motor and Nissan Motor. Instead, the company will focus on increasing collaboration with both firms in technology development, particularly in software, EVs, and other advanced technologies. Full story

BYD UK continues rapid growth in 2024

BYD is celebrating another year of phenomenal growth in the UK. The company, which officially launched in the UK in March 2023, increased its volume by 658% to over 8,700 cars in 2024 – making it the UK’s fastest growing car brand. Full story

European new car market growth in 2024 driven by hybrids and Chinese brands

Europe’s new passenger car market grew by 0.9% last year. This is according to new data from JATO Dynamics, which found that 12,909,741 new passenger cars were registered across Europe-28 in 2024. Despite the slight uptick in registrations, 2024 was the fifth year of muted registrations figures when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Europe’s car market has shrunk by almost 2.9 million units since the arrival of the pandemic in 2020. Full story

Secure Gateways: Unlocking their role and impact on the automotive industry

In the automotive industry, a secure gateway is a system designed by the vehicle manufacturer to protect a car’s internal systems from unauthorised external access. It also prevents aftermarket tools from gaining entry to sensitive data and software within the vehicle. From a technology standpoint, secure gateways are becoming commonplace in vehicles and access to them is being made harder by the manufacturer. Full story

Copart UK becomes a Silver Partner of The Carbon Literacy Project

Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling Copart UK has announced that it has become a Silver Partner under The Carbon Literacy Project’s Partner Scheme. By becoming a Silver Partner, Copart has demonstrated its commitment to tackling climate change through supporting the vital education and action delivered by The Carbon Literacy Project. Full story

Apprenticeship Central gears us for National Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeship Central is urging bodyshops to tackle the skills crisis in the industry by tapping into the apprenticeship talent pipeline. The industry recruitment specialists focuses on helping repairers fill the skills gaps in key roles, from Paint Technicians, Panel Technicians, MET Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Vehicle Damage Assessors, and Business Support Administrators. Full story

Minister rules out graduated driving licence for young drivers

The Government has again ruled out introducing a graduated driving licence for young drivers. Speaking in a debate in Parliament, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood told MPs she is “determined” to take action to cut the number of young drivers, aged between 17-24, killed or seriously injured. “Improving road safety is one of my department’s highest priorities,” she said. Full story

FISITA welcomes Thatcham Research as a Corporate Member

Thatcham Research has joined FISITA as a Corporate Member. FISITA iscommitted to promoting excellence in mobility engineering by cultivating international engagement and peer group collaboration within a pre-competitive environment, bringing businesses together to ensure mobility remains sustainable and accessible to all. Full story

Somerset Bridge extends alliance with AX as exclusive outsourced claims handling and repair management partner

Somerset Bridge Group has extended its partnership with AX Automotive three years after the accident management specialist gained exclusivity for its entire non-fault outsourced requirements. Delivering an innovative insurance provision focused on underwriting, broker and claims handling services, the partnership now incorporates its seamless provision of claims handling, vehicle rental, repair management and total loss expertise. Full story

New Generation in Claims survey – the story so far

ILC’s New Generation in Claims programme in collaboration with Consumer Intelligence and UCAS is ready to ‘go live’ with one of the largest surveys of its kind, focusing on early career perceptions of the insurance claims industry, in the coming weeks. Full story

Public warned misleading claims adverts could cost them thousands

The public must be vigilant when searching for their insurer online, warns the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), as it’s revealed that victims of paid ad spoofing scams could be facing up to £13,000 in unsolicited fees. Paid ad spoofing scams involve unscrupulous firms paying for search engine ads that mimic those of genuine insurers. Full story

Ten plead guilty to £320,000 ‘crash for cash’ fraud

An organised crime group that pocketed over £320,000 through a ‘crash for cash’ scheme have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Raju Patel and Kamlesh Vadukul, the ringleaders of the group, submitted claims on insurance and to a vehicle repair finance service, for road traffic collisions that were deliberately induced or had never taken place. Full story

A study on real-world effectiveness of model year 2015–2023 ADAS

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) continues to improve as it cuts rear-end crashes in half. The latest study by the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS), pairing auto manufacturer equipment with police crash report data covering 98 million vehicles and 21.2 million crashes, is the largest and most comprehensive study of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to date. Full story

Car owners can save more than £300 with one Aldi product

Whether it’s from a parking error or a roadside bump, denting a car can be a stressful and costly mistake with repairs costing drivers £335 on average. To help shoppers save on costly repairs, Aldi has announced it is launching its latest range of must-haves for motor repairs.

Among the new products, its £6.99 Dent Repair Kit has been developed to help drivers fix dents themselves. Full story

Cogent Hire has appointed Darren Entwistle as Business Development Director.

Harps Joseph has been named Head of Product at cinch.

Lookers has appointed former VW Group UK boss Alex Smith as new Chair.

NBRA seeks feedback on EDAM administration

30 January 2025
Bodyshop, Finance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, wellbeing and Words

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing.

It has taken legal advice and is now urging any repairers with unpaid invoices, vehicles still on site or repairs that have not yet commenced to contact the NBRA at bodyshops@rmif.co.uk with relevant details.

It has also created a survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8ZPGS67 to assist bodyshops provide the necessary information, and will then collate the details before deciding on the best way to present a coordinated and centralised response.

EDAM Group, which provided drivers with credit hire and post-accident repair services, reported losses of £2.8m for the year ending 31 March 2023.

Charles Trent unveils green Parts Portal

30 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words

Charles Trent has launched its innovative B2B Parts Portal to help businesses source and order high-quality green parts.

The portal provides instant access to Charles Trent’s live database of over 100,000 quality-assured green parts, all available for next-day delivery.

With features such as detailed part images, part number look up and the ability to upload Audatex Reports or Autoflow parts estimates, repairers can now identify and order multiple parts in under 90 seconds.

This seamless process ensures businesses save time and reduce lead times while gaining confidence in the quality and compatibility of the parts ordered.

Jordon Trent, Customer Service Director, said, “We believe repairers shouldn’t have to wait for answers about green parts availability, pricing, or lead times. That’s why we’ve developed a user-friendly platform that gives instant real-time access to our entire stock, allowing repairers to easily find and order green parts.

“Searching for the right parts is simple – search by part number, registration, and part type, or upload an Audatex or Autoflow parts assessment to quickly identify all the parts needed for a repair in one go.

“Our platform lets you browse detailed images to confirm grading and select from available options for added convenience. And the best part? Order before 3 pm and your parts will be delivered the next day.”

Copart UK becomes a Silver Partner of The Carbon Literacy Project

29 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, People, Salvage, Supplier, vehicle sales and Words

Copart UK has become a Silver Partner under The Carbon Literacy Project’s Partner Scheme, demonstrating its commitment to tackling climate change by supporting the charity.

The Carbon Literacy Project’s Partner Scheme allows organisations like Copart to provide the financial backing required to expand its reach and impact.

Copart achieved Gold level Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) accreditation in record time, certifying over half of their UK teammates as Carbon Literate, and are making excellent progress towards Platinum.

Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK & Ireland, said, “Becoming a Carbon Literate Organisation is an integral strand of our ongoing Plan-Net-Zero, which also includes a commitment to operating the ‘Greenest Fleet on the Street’, the setting of science-based targets, and the continued expansion of our UK recycling and green parts capabilities.

“As we head towards Platinum, where we’ll certify 80% of our workforce, we’re delighted to have this opportunity to partner with The Carbon Literacy Project and make a tangible contribution to increasing Carbon Literacy training at the scale necessary to truly tackle climate change.”

Emma Richards, Head of Project Development at The Carbon Literacy Project, added, “We are honoured that Copart has made the decision to sponsor The Carbon Literacy Project and, in doing so, has become a Silver Partner. By offering their financial support, Copart is facilitating a necessary scale-up in the delivery of Carbon Literacy and action against climate change and is helping to create a low-carbon future for all.”

Apprenticeship Central gears us for National Apprenticeship Week

29 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Supplier, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words

Apprenticeship Central is urging bodyshops to tackle the skills crisis in the industry by tapping into the apprenticeship talent pipeline.

The industry recruitment specialists focuses on helping repairers fill the skills gaps in key roles, from Paint Technicians, Panel Technicians, MET Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Vehicle Damage Assessors, and Business Support Administrators.

To inspire the sector to act, it is celebrating Apprenticeship Week from 10-15 February by offering reduced prices on its two core services – RECRUIT and RETAIN.

RECRUIT is a robust candidate search and employment solution, managing multi-channel recruitment campaigns to attract young, local talent both online and through partnerships with local schools and colleges.

RETAIN delivers support for employers in retaining young apprentices by addressing the unique challenges of managing and mentoring the next generation.

The company said, “With the average age of skilled technicians nearing 50, investing in young talent is no longer optional—it’s essential. This National Apprenticeship Week, businesses have the opportunity to strengthen their commitment to apprentices and demonstrate dedication to nurturing the next generation of skilled workers. Whether you need help recruiting new talent or retaining your current apprentices, reach out to the team to discuss how to take advantage of the savings on offer.”

ARC360 conference draws leading sector wide interest 

29 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

More than 20 major insurance brands and over 50 of the sectors leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. 

Set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year, ARC360 will discuss the business-critical areas to impact the industry bringing together industry leaders to share experience, insight and knowledge. 

The leading insurers already confirmed to attend include:  Ageas Insurance Ltd, Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe, Allianz, Arch Insurance, Aviva Insurance, Broker Direct plc, Collingwood Insurance Services Ltd, Covéa Insurance, Direct Commercial Ltd, Direct Line Group, esure, First Central Services UK Ltd, Hastings Direct, Inshur Inc, LV= General Insurance, Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd, NFU Mutual, Sabre Insurance plc, Tesco Underwriting, Trinity Claims and Zurich Insurance. 

Some of the leading repairer brands set to attend include: Autocraft Telford Ltd, Castle Coachworks (Northampton) Ltd, Chaplane Accident Repair Centre, ChipsAway, Drive Motor Retail Ltd, Edenbridge Accident Repair Centre Ltd, Evolution Repair Group, Fix Auto UK,  Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre, Halo Accident Repair Centre Ltd, HB Accident Repair Network Ltd, Ipswich Accident Repair Centre, KC Autos, Mustoe’s Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs, Peggs Accident Repair Centre, Rapid Repair Network, Steer Automotive Group Ltd, The Vella Group, and Zeus Accident Repair Centre Ltd. 

Titled: A new era – the changing dynamics of a sector, the event will provide attendees with an understanding of the current market dynamics, the impacts they are having and what it means for the future of business; an insight into what is top of insurer priorities and what solutions you can offer; chance to contribute to how we all have a role to play in making the industry ‘future fit’; interaction with industry experts on how their specific sectors are evolving and the opportunities it is creating; and the ability to align with the opportunities the future industry will bring. 

The event is supported by ARC360 Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Entegral, Enterprise, NWVA, Mirka, S&G Response and Solera Audatex, along with Partners e2e, Prasco and Repairify, and Vehicle Manufacturer Partner Stellantis. Event sponsors include Activate Group and Thatcham Research.  

To find out more about the event – including the sponsorship opportunities available and how to purchase tickets – contact Liane on liane@iloveclaims.com 

For a full insight into last year’s occasion, click here to read the Better Tomorrow post-event publication. https://iloveclaims.com/previous_events/arc360-2024-future-technology/ 

Secure Gateways: Unlocking their role and impact on the automotive industry

27 January 2025
Bodyshop, Finance, Mobility, Technology and Words

In the automotive industry, a secure gateway is a system designed by the vehicle manufacturer to protect a car’s internal systems from unauthorised external access. It also prevents aftermarket tools from gaining entry to sensitive data and software within the vehicle.

From a technology standpoint, secure gateways are becoming commonplace in vehicles and access to them is being made harder by the manufacturer.

This is totally understandable because the data within these vehicles is a commodity, and it has led to dealers being very reluctant to release the software that can make the relevant diagnostics available. This means technicians are now hamstrung when it comes to the work they can perform, and, in turn, hampers their ability to diagnose and repair the vehicle to the standard it was when it came off the production line.

This results in the vehicle being off the road for a longer period of time, which is not what the customer or the business wants.

In addition, it is important to remember that there is a financial cost to the repairer because the inability to access secure gateways to do the work restricts revenue streams and drives more work to the main dealers.

However, to combat this financial pinch, repairers are looking for an effective solution that will enable their technicians to easily access secure gateways and perform their jobs effectively.

This is where Repairify’s products and services come onto a business’ radar. Our technology offers garages and bodyshops access to every OEM manufacturer diagnostic tool as well as the support of a fully trained OEM technician for remote assistance without having to purchase the expensive tools themselves, especially when working on multiple brands.

Although secure gateways play an essential role in safeguarding vehicle data, their impact extends beyond just protection because they have an effect on the claims and repair process. Since secure gateways can be locked to allow only specific tools to interact with them, businesses lacking the proper access are forced to outsource work to dealer sites equipped with the correct tools. This not only increases key-to-key times, but it can also lead to delays of several weeks before a vehicle is serviced.

Secure gateways will continue to protect vehicle systems and data. However, it’s crucial for technicians and businesses to understand the limitations of access and ensure they have the right tools and solutions to perform the necessary work efficiently and effectively.

ARC360 News – Friday 24 January 2025

24 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

Major names revealed for ARC360 conference

Paul Llewellyn, Head of Claims (Motor), Ageas; Peter Randhawa, Director of ESG & Special Projects, Steer Automotive Group; and Victoria Turner, CEO, National Accident Repair Group are three of the major names set for ARC360’s conference agenda in May.

Taking place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon – the conference is again set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year. Full story

Motofix Exeter is undergoing an £850,000 upgrade with a focus on sustainability. This includes new roofing and cladding to tackle heat loss and improve energy efficiency, LED motion-sensitive lighting and upgraded STL energy-efficient spraybooth technology.

Komoo has announced that the full organisation has achieved carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS 2060.

Mustoe Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs has announced it has become an official Renault/Dacia Approved Accident Repair Centre for the Caldicot, Monmouthshire

Summers Accident Repair Centre has increased its vehicle manufacturer approvals to 12 with Hyundai Motor joining its portfolio.

Gemini ARC has announced thatrecently qualified, Vitaly Simonenko, a past apprentice from Gemini Manchester, has received a Mac Tools toolbox, generously donated by LV= General Insurance through its latest Toolbox Design Competition.

Liam Fussell has started a new position as Group Technical Manager at Page Automotive Group.

ALLDATA Europe will host workshop owners and technicians at Colchester-based Shaikly Motor Company in March to explore repair solutions, share industry expertise and tackle the technical and business challenges shaping the automotive aftermarket.

Volkswagen Passat secures Safety Award victory thanks to well-rounded safety performance

Automotive Risk Intelligence company Thatcham Research is announcing the winner of the What Car? Safety Award 2025. After a rigorous judging process by a panel of experts from Thatcham Research, What Car? and Euro NCAP, the Volkswagen Passat was crowned 2025’s safest car at last night’s What Car? Car of the Year ceremony. Full story

Hyundai Motor Group expands testing and R&D facilities in Europe

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is bolstering its leading role as an innovator and driver of change in the automotive industry by expanding its research and development (R&D) facilities in Europe by more than 25,000 sqm. Full story

NIO recognised in Corporate Knights’ 2025 Global 100

On January 22, 2025, Corporate Knights, a renowned independent media and investment research company based in Toronto, Canada, has released its 2025 Global 100, the ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations. NIO has once again earned a place on this prestigious list, ranking 13th out of 8,359 evaluated companies worldwide. Full story

Suzuki opens doors to new dealership in Cheltenham

Suzuki GB PLC has opened a new dealership in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, operated by Baylis Group. The dealership offers over 500 used cars and has created up to 15 new jobs. Full story

Jaguar Land Rover to axe up to 200 workers in fresh blow for car giant

Up to 200 workers at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Halewood site could be set for redundancy before the end of this financial year, as the company has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme. The Merseyside factory is offering eligible employees the chance to leave, which includes an early retirement programme. Full story

Canoo Inc. Announces Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Filing

Canoo Inc, a high-tech advanced mobility and energy company, has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The filing, made with the US Bankruptcy Court for Delaware, will result in the federal appointment of a Bankruptcy Trustee to oversee the liquidation of the Company’s assets and the distribution of proceeds to creditors. Full story

Trump considers 10% tariff on China from February

US President Donald Trump has said he is considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods as soon as 1 February.Trump said discussions with his administration were “based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada.” Full story

Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog Team join AutoRaise as Patrons

AutoRaise has welcomed Richard Hammond and his team at The Smallest Cog as Patrons of the charity. This partnership marks a significant step forward in inspiring and supporting young talent in the vehicle repair industry, reinforcing the value of apprenticeships as a sustainable solution to the sector’s skills shortage. Full story

2024 in Motor Claims, and Projections for 2025

With 2024 now behind us, insurers have their sights set firmly on what 2025 will bring for their motor claims supply chains, repair partnerships, and policyholder expectations. 

With EVs firmly entering the mainstream, repair capacity challenges easing, and premium prices stabilising, the year ahead will likely bring new challenges, and equally opportunities for insurers and their partners to navigate. Full story

Walking the Sahara Desert for BEN

On 26 February Martyn Rowley, Executive Director, NBRA and VBRA, will walk 100km across the Sahara Desert to raise funds for automotive charity Ben. He will join Karen Jakes, Group Product Manager – Automotive & Repair at Thatcham Research, and nine other automotive industry leaders, on the five-day trek in temperatures likely to exceed 35°C. Full story

Apprenticeship Central unveils exclusive National Apprenticeship Week promotion

This National Apprenticeship Week, Apprenticeship Central is stepping up to encourage businesses to make a meaningful investment in the future of their workforce. From 10-15 February, bodyshops will be able to take advantage of reduced prices on Apprenticeship Central’s core services: RECRUIT and RETAIN. Full story

Admiral data reveals pothole claims in the UK rose by 62% in the past two years

The latest data from our UK business, Admiral Car Insurance, reveals that the number of pothole-related claims continued to climb in 2024 and was 14% higher than 2023 – with a whopping 62% rise in the last two years. Admiral’s data shows pothole related claims have increased by 175% since 2016, and 2024 is set to be a record year for them. Full story

50% Increase in drug driver deaths – AA Charitable Trust

There has been a 50% jump in drivers killed in collisions where the driver was under the influence of drugs, according to The AA Charitable Trust. Between 2022 and 2023 drivers killed under the influence of drugs increased from 96 to 144 – the highest for five years. Full story

The IMI celebrates automotive excellence as it announces shortlist for Annual Awards

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the shortlist for its Annual Awards, with winners to be announced at the IMI Annual Dinner held at the Intercontinental Hotel on Park Lane on 12th March 2025. This highly anticipated industry event celebrates excellence and honours the talented individuals and influential organisations shaping the future of the automotive sector. Full story

Defaqto names Admiral a ‘Trailblazer’ for innovation in electric vehicle cover

With an increasing number of consumers looking to insure electric cars, the insurance market is responding with many providing specific benefits that relate to these vehicles. Now a pioneer of this market has been identified by Defaqto. Full story

German courts dismiss Stellantis appeal around access to vehicle data

Courts in Germany have dismissed an appeal by Stellantis against a ruling that said barriers imposed by vehicle manufacturers on access to vehicle repair data is illegal. The Higher Regional Court of Cologne (HRCC) found in favour of Belron company Carglass last May when it ruled that independent repairers should have access to essential OEM repair data. Full story

Adrian Serjeant has been appointed Commercial Manager at Auto Plas Bumper Recycling.

James Daye has been named CV & LIC Business Development Manager at LKQ Bodyshop Division.

Apprenticeship Central unveils exclusive National Apprenticeship Week promotion

22 January 2025
Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words

This National Apprenticeship Week, Apprenticeship Central is stepping up to encourage businesses to make a meaningful investment in the future of their workforce.

From 10-15 February, bodyshops will be able to take advantage of reduced prices on Apprenticeship Central’s core services: RECRUIT and RETAIN.

RECRUIT delivers a robust candidate search and employment solution, managing multi-channel recruitment campaigns to attract young, local talent both online and through partnerships with local schools and colleges. This service is designed to streamline the hiring process and connect businesses with enthusiastic, qualified apprentices ready to contribute to the industry.

RETAIN supports the long term success of apprenticeships by acting as a vital link between apprentices, bodyshop contacts and training providers. It ensures that progress is monitored, challenges are addressed and communication remains open across all stakeholders. Through regular reviews, the service provides apprentices with a trusted outlet to raise personal or workplace concerns and for the team to manage any safeguarding issues. The goal is to develop highly skilled, valued team members who are ready to make meaningful contributions upon completion of their apprenticeship.

This week-long promotion is a prime opportunity for businesses to strengthen their commitment to apprentices and demonstrate dedication to nurturing the next generation of skilled workers.

Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog Team join AutoRaise as Patrons

22 January 2025
Bodyshop, Environment, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, wellbeing and Words

AutoRaise has welcomed Richard Hammond and his team at The Smallest Cog as Patrons of the charity.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in inspiring and supporting young talent in the vehicle repair industry, reinforcing the value of apprenticeships as a sustainable solution to the sector’s skills shortage.

As Patrons, The Smallest Cog team will bring their expertise, influence, and passion for craftsmanship to elevate AutoRaise’s mission of securing the future of the industry.

This collaboration will highlight the importance of technical apprenticeships as a pathway to meaningful careers, engage with industry stakeholders to foster innovation and opportunities for young talent, and promote diversity and inclusion within the vehicle repair sector.

A shared mission

AutoRaise connects apprentices with training providers, bodyshops, and industry mentors to ensure every apprentice receives the support they need to succeed.

By joining as Patrons, The Smallest Cog will participate in initiatives that raise awareness about the transformative power of apprenticeships, contribute to the development of structured training programmes that prepare apprentices for the evolving demands of the industry, and inspire the next generation by showcasing the craftsmanship and career potential within the sector.

Director of the Smallest Cog, Richard Hammond, said, “The future of the vehicle repair industry depends on the passion and skills of the next generation. AutoRaise is doing incredible work to pave the way for young people to join this trade, and I’m proud to be part of their evolving journey. Together, we can ensure this industry remains vibrant, innovative, and accessible for years to come.”

AutoRaise MD Emma Speed added, “Having The Smallest Cog team as Patrons is a tremendous step forward for AutoRaise. Their influence and dedication to craftsmanship align perfectly with our vision of fostering young talent and securing the future of the automotive repair industry.”

Dave Sargeant, Chair of AutoRaise added, “Welcoming Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog as Patrons amplifies our message and brings invaluable support to our mission.”