Tina Drayson (CCM Garages), Kirsty Watson (Autocentre Chorley), Claire Cleevely (Cleevely Group), Samantha Lomas (DC Lomas), Diana Whetton (PW Auto Repairs)

Tina Drayson of CCM Garages will moderate a candid conversation on juggling family life with business demands. Panellists Kirsty Watson of Autocentre, Claire Cleevely of Cleevely Group, Diana Whetton of PW Auto Repairs, and Samantha Lomas of DC Lomas will offer first-hand experiences and practical strategies.

Jay Wheatley from Absolutely Automotive

Whether you’ve just launched your garage or are thinking about selling, an exit plan is essential. This talk delves into planning for your business from day one, as well as actionable advice for those looking to sell.
Learn how to prepare your business for a smooth exit, identify potential pitfalls during and after the process, and understand the surprises sales agents don’t mention.

Danny Tregaskes from The Motor Ombudsman

Driving higher standards of work and customer service in automotive.
Giving consumers added protection, peace of mind and trust during the vehicle purchase and ownership experience, the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution for when things go wrong and information on latest consumer dispute trends across the UK automotive space.

Tim Benson from Oldfields Garage

Whether you want to win awards, improve your reputation, or simply benchmark yourself against the best, this talk will give you actionable ideas you can start using straight away. Come and find out how your garage can stand out for all the right reasons and why recognition is worth striving for!

Edward Cockill from Uckfield Motor Services

My story and how becoming a bit selfish has changed my life and garage for the better.

Mark Webb from Garage Vitals

Ellen Plumer (Ben Charity) , Tim Benson (Oldifields Garage), Mike Shaikly (Shaikly Motor Company), Andy Wells (Auto Works HQ), Dawn Metcalfe (Garage Hive, coLaunch)

To move beyond theory’s and tick-box’s, and offer real-world, business-led insight into what actually improves workplace wellbeing shared by leaders who’ve been there, done it, and seen the results.

Dean Lomas from DC Lomas

How cash flow disappears and workload of overwhelming.
And the importance of having young people join our business.

Laurence Abbott from Autotech Group

Are you leaving your (digital) workshop door unlocked? In an era where cybercrime lurks behind every digital interaction, it’s alarmingly naive to assume that smaller businesses, including independent garages and workshops, are exempt from such threats. Our session will cover the risk to garage owners (and their staff) of not securing their online accounts and IT equipment. We'll use real world examples of how this can lead to negative financial impacts and reputation loss. Delegates will leave with 5 key tips to protect their business from cybercrime attacks.

Maisie Raine from The race Group and Alex Vere from Garage Services Online

Explore how digital strategy can drive consumer engagement and fuel workshop growth.

Michael Shaikly from Shaikly Motor Company

Prioritise and focus and build the right customer base for your business.
This simple powerful approach can transform your business and create a calmer more profitable environment for you and your team.

Tom Cockings from Robert Cockings Motor Repairs

Answers to many questions and highlights the importance of both sides of the story. Which is the best diagnostic tool? Which one has the best coverage? Which one is the cheapest? Does it do everything I need it to do? How can I afford to use OEM tools? Are there any cheaper alternatives to OEM tools?

Prashant Chopra from Autogem Invicta

It is almost 11 years since Tyre pressure monitoring systems became standard fitment. Battery failures are now rife resulting in those pesky dashboard lights but also MOT failures. The wait for the market to grow is officially over. Whether you are engaged with TPMS or not, this is a live interactive training session not to miss.

Tim Guidotti from The Fleet Guy

The word ‘Fleet’ often conjures up strong emotions in garage owners. For most people; it is one of the most mis-understood areas of the motor trade. Fleet Work is not only a source of consistent, profitable, and stress-free work – there has never been greater opportunity for independents than now! Come and listen to The Fleet Guy, Tim Guidotti, explain how you can seize on this opportunity, future-proof your garage and make a lot of money on the way!

Louise Davies from LKQ Euro Car Parts
The automotive landscape is changing - and so are customer expectations!  In this session, Louise Davies explores how subscription-based models and 1TEC Auto Hub - Fleet can help independent workshops stay competitive, build recurring revenue, and secure long-term customer relationships.  Discover how embracing this shift can futureproof your business and create sustainable growth in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Mat Watson

Garage Hive Development Team
Ever wondered who’s behind the code? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at our development team — how we work, what we care about, and the process that turns ideas into the software you use every day.

Garage Hive Training and Support Team