Network Employee of the Year Winners
REGION ONE WINNER
Customer Services Manager at Fix Auto Glasgow
ELAINE BOYLE
I would like to nominate Elaine, and take this opportunity to recognise the exceptional leadership she has demonstrated since her promotion to Customer Services Manager. Over the past year, Elaine has led the team from strength to strength, embodying the values of our business every step of the way. Her ability to navigate challenges with grace and efficiency is truly remarkable, and she consistently drives the team forward with determination and professionalism. As a driven, high-performance family business, we achieve our goals by engaging our people and maximizing opportunities. Elaine’s leadership has been a prime example of this, as she fosters a culture of engagement, collaboration, and growth within her team. No matter the obstacles, Elaine consistently handles each situation with professionalism, taking everything in her stride while leading by example. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving significant improvements within the team, and as a result, our Trustpilot rating has risen to an excellent level—a clear reflection of the positive impact she has made, both internally and externally. Elaine’s unwavering commitment to excellence, along with her dedication to supporting and developing her team, has played a pivotal role in these achievements. Her approach to leadership not only aligns with our core values but also creates a positive, proactive environment that benefits both her team members and our customers.
NOMINATED BY RONNIE STEWART
REGION TWO WINNER
WAYNE WINWOOD
Painter at Fix Auto Hartlepool
What can I say about Wayne? He truly has come into his own as a key member of the team here in Hartlepool. A painter – he really is a credit to the trade and his skill with a spray gun is exemplary. However, it’s his willingness and energy outside of the spraybooth to assist in the day-to-day running of the bodyshop and to ensure we continue to delivery an exceptional customer journey really has singled him out for this nomination. Wayne regularly steps up to help with our quality control and has even climbed into the wagon to help with deliveries and collections. However, it is his motivation to help and support our apprentices that he really has come into his own. This is a guy who clearly loves his trade and is keen to pass on his skills to the next generation. One apprentice was really struggling but, under Wayne’s close mentorship and guidance, he really has flourished and is now qualified and an integral member of the team while, another, is following suit and will soon be qualified too. Wayne hasn’t been asked to step into this role, or any other that he takes on, he’s just driven by the desire to help his colleagues and the business and that really is credit to him.
NOMINATED BY STEVE GIBSON
REGION THREE WINNER
SCOTT FARRINGTON
Bodyshop Manager at Fix Auto Lichfield
This year has been an undeniably fantastic year for Scott. Put simply, if I owned a Fix Auto UK site, I would want him at the helm! He’s attended every workshop and meeting – he’s what Sir Clive Woodwood described as a true ‘sponge’! Having attended our meetings, he has implemented every recommended changes and constantly reviews how Fix Auto Lichfield performs and indeed, looks.
Some of the key areas where he has implemented our methods include completing his ‘Break Even’ along with overhauling the structure of his morning meeting to our DOC. Scott has transformed this area and his team is now fully on board and supporting him. Crucially, all accountabilities lie in the right departments for such numbers – in being honest, Scott has not only adopted the DOC, but he’s adapted it for his ’shop and in doing so, further improved it! The performance of the business – mainly surrounding Lichfield’s K2K and Lead Time off the back of this, is now exceptional.
Scott realised Lichfield was in need of a makeover and put a business plan together that convinced owner Andy Johnson to invest approximately £350,000 to transform the site – his level of detail was impressive and even included just how the investment would be repaid and over what timeline. In essence, he gave the owner no excuse for agreeing to what is a sizeable investment that will undoubtedly transform the business and the site! I haven't seen a bodyshop manager do this kind of planning and business proposals in a long while. Scott has played a large part in its planning including designing a new and efficient bodyshop layout. He’s worked closely with the architects to redevelop what will be a new and much improved Fix Auto Lichfield. Scott is also a major driving force in securing VM approvals and is on the first steps to securing these new future deals. Scott as changed and matured in many ways over the years and as listened to all of the coaching we have provided. He always wants to be part of the next new ideas from us because he recognised the improvements we bring to the business.
In summary, I cannot recall the last time I’ve worked with a bodyshop manager as focused on what the future should look like and make plans to improve the business for the long-haul - this certainly is going to be a ’shop to keep an eye in 2025 and beyond.
NOMINATED BY STEVE LAWRENCE
REGION FOUR WINNER
JOHNNY BENFORD
Parts Manager at Fix Auto Basingstoke
Johnny is an invaluable member of our team, consistently demonstrating exceptional dedication and a willingness to go above and beyond in every aspect of his role. His commitment to excellence is evident in his proactive approach, ensuring that all tasks—whether within or beyond his typical responsibilities—are completed with efficiency and expertise. His extensive knowledge and problem-solving skills are instrumental to our business operations, making him an indispensable asset. He not only excels in his primary role but also embraces additional challenges with enthusiasm. His innovative thinking and ability to generate new ideas have significantly contributed to the success of our parts department, leading to a notable increase in gross profit. Beyond his core duties, he willingly engages with customers, fostering strong relationships that enhance our overall service experience. His adaptability and positive attitude make him a trusted and respected colleague, always ready to support the team in any capacity. In addition to his professional capabilities, he is a genuinely great person—approachable, reliable, and committed to both his colleagues and the company’s success. His dedication, innovation, and teamwork make him truly deserving of this recognition.
NOMINATED BY MARK WHITE
REGION FIVE WINNER
Parts Manager at Fix Auto Weston Super Mare
KARL BRIGHT
NOMINATED BY ANNA BELOVA AND BECKY ATKINS
Karl has many attributes that he has brought to his role as the Manager of the site. His main attributes which set him apart from other employees are: - Adaptable, ambitious, pragmatic, reliable, knowledgeable, loyal, compassionate, committed, trustworthy, attentive, hands-on, likeable, patient, empathetic, passionate, talented, popular, capable and inspiring.
Karl joined the business as the “YTS” painter and has worked for the business for over 25 years progressing to the Site Manager. He was able to do this by showing his commitment and his aspirations to develop with the business. He works closely with all of the employees and they all respect and admire him. He has fantastic working relationships with everyone who meets him and always finds the correct approach to deal with any situation. He genuinely cares not just for the business but also his team. He values each and every one of them and encourages them to strive for the best that they can be. His people skills are second to none! He is calm under pressure which keeps everyone else calm in a very busy working environment. He has helped streamline the process on how work moves through the garage and the audit results, and the profit results of the business reflect how effective these changes have been. Karl gets exceptional feedback from customers as he goes that extra mile to ensure that he manages the customers’ expectations, if not exceed them. Nothing is too much trouble for Karl and there is not a job to little for him to undertake. His knowledge and his characteristics make him a great asset as a manager and as a director it is fantastic to know that your business is in safe and trustworthy hands and know that he is committed to caring, growing and improving the company.