The Blend 2025 concluded in a whirlwind of innovation, connection, and generosity, drawing record-breaking attendance and energising garages from across the UK and Ireland with dynamic sessions and practical insights.
This year’s conference not only marked the largest gathering in The Blend’s six-year history but also raised more than £44,000 for automotive industry charity Ben. The total included contributions from the conference itself, the Blend’s charity hike, and an end-of-evening auction ‘takeover’ hosted by Dean Lomas of DC Lomas and Matt Jeffreys of St John’s Garage and RPM Malvern, whose spirited energy helped boost the final total.
Hosted at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on Saturday, 18 October, the sold-out event drew over 500 attendees, a 19% increase on last year, who came together to hear from 34 expert speakers and explore the offerings of 16 trade exhibitors.
Spread across two floors and featuring 20 dynamic sessions, the event was the largest and most ambitious Blend to date, showcasing both the rapid growth of the conference and the passion of its community.
“It’s incredible to see the community grow year on year,” said Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend. “Seeing everyone come together, support one another, and share knowledge is what makes this event so special.”
Ray opened the conference by emphasising the importance of community voices on stage, highlighting the many first-time speakers and giving special recognition to industry veterans Andy Crook and James Dillon for launching The Blend’s ‘Speaker Circle’, a new initiative supporting speakers through webinars and rehearsal sessions.
Garages spent the day absorbing practical insights from sessions covering business growth, customer service, mental health, cybersecurity, digital strategy, and emerging automotive technologies.
“Famously, this sector has been a very lonely place, but that’s changing,” said garage owner Nikki Cowan of Cartopia, this year’s Community Member of the Year. “The Blend isn’t just about the sessions. It’s the conversations in the hallways, at the trade stands, and over coffee that make it so valuable. I’ve learned from people who’ve been there before me and even shared a few pearls of wisdom with others along the way.”
The day concluded with The Blend Awards 2025, hosted by comedian Troy Hawke. Winners included garages recognised in the Garage of the Year categories, the Staff Recognition Award, and Blend Community Awards for Innovator and Community Member of the Year.
“This event is about people as much as it is about business,” said Ray Dilsons. “It’s about learning and growing together. The energy, insight, and camaraderie on display this year set another new benchmark, and we’re already looking forward to making next year even bigger and bolder.”
The Blend will return to the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 10 October 2026, with British advertising executive, behavioural economist, and author Rory Sutherland confirmed as evening host.
For more information on The Blend and to register interest for next year’s event, visit: https://www.theblend.events/.
The Blend Awards 2025
Garage of the Year – Multilocation garages
Sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group
Garage of the Year – garages with 5+ Staff
Sponsored by LKQ Euro Car Parts
Garage of the Year – garages with 1-4 Staff
Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts UK & Ireland
Staff Recognition Award
Sponsored by Pagid UK & ROI
Community’s Garage of the Year
Sponsored by GSF Car Parts
Innovators Award of the Year
Sponsored by Automechanika UK
Community Member of the Year
Sponsored by 1TEC Auto Hub
Produced by Autotech Communications.
The Penygroes Service Centre located in South Wales was founded in 2014 by Jonathan. He has extensive 17 years of experience in the industry. However, Jon found himself doing a lot of manual labour for data management to keep a finger on the pulse of the business. Therefore, joined Garage Hive's garage management software in March 2021 and has already seen a significant improvement in his garage, an increase in gross profit and has achieved a great NPS® Score.
Tom and Kayleigh runs their garage TR Autos in Yeovil, Somerset. They joined Garage Hive last year. Tom has two decades of industry experience , both practical and technician side and now business as TR Autos was founded in 2008; since then the team has grown, practices have moved away from paper diaries to garage management software, their productivity has increased and they also have moved into bigger premises.
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