Aftermarket Magazine September 2025

Top awards 23 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2025 Garage staff wellbeing is under the spotlight at this year’s Top Awards, with a dedicated award designed to recognise workshops that prioritise the mental and physical health of their teams. Run in collaboration with Ben, the automotive industry charity, the Health and Wellbeing Award is now in its third year and fast becoming one of the most meaningful benchmarks of good practice in the sector. The award recognises garages that not only meet their duty of care, but actively foster positive working environments, promote good mental health, and invest in long-term employee wellbeing. And for extra food for thought, Ben will also be on site at the Top Awards finals on Saturday, November 15, serving its popular ‘Big Breakfast’ in partnership with the Otley Burger Company. Competitors and guests can enjoy a hearty selection of bacon and sausage sandwiches, loaded bagels, hash browns, and drinks, with donations welcomed to support Ben’s vital charitable work. Ellen Plumer, head of awareness and experience at Ben, said: “There are more garages than ever doing the right thing for their people and this award is about giving them the recognition they deserve. “We’re proud to be working with the Top Awards again to spotlight those raising the bar.” Garages vying for the award undergo a two-stage evaluation process. The first step is a comprehensive self-assessment, measured against Ben’s established health and wellbeing framework, which examines areas such as support services, workplace culture, policy compliance, and longterm wellbeing initiatives. Shortlisted entries then progress to the award’s judges, Ben’s Ellen Plumer and Mark Darvill, MD of Hillcrest Garage, who assess how these practices are embedded into day-to-day operations. Ryan Fuller, MD of the Top Awards, said: “The Health and Wellbeing Award isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a core part of what makes a great garage business and we’re proud to work with Ben to champion that.” The Ben Health and Wellbeing Award is open to all Top Garage entrants as part of the 2025 competition. This year’s Top Awards contests — Top Technician, Top Garage, and Top Apprentice — are already well underway. The top 10 scorers from a series of online assessments will go forward to the semi-finals at the Delphi Academy in Warwick on Saturday October 4. There, they will face a series of timed, live diagnostic challenges set by expert judges. Finalists will return to the Academy for the final round on Saturday November 15, where they will tackle a full day of advanced tasks under the clock, testing their skills to the max. The winners and runnersup will be announced later that evening at a glamorous awards gala dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Coventry. Luke Garratt of Delphi Academy, Top Awards sponsor, said: “Achieving a Top Award demands dedication and hard work, as entrants must navigate a challenging series of assessments, practical tests, and expert evaluations. “This rigorous process ensures that only those who consistently set the highest standards and push the industry forward are recognised.” Ben serves up health & wellbeing in partnership with Top Awards Tim Benson, MD of Top Garage 2024 finalist Oldfields Garage Services

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