The Blend 2025 saw garage owners and technicians from across the UK come together in a whirlwind of innovation, connection and generosity, as the event celebrated its biggest attendance ever.
This year’s conference saw over 500 people descend on The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham for the dynamic sessions and practical insights delivered by industry peers and experts. Spread across two floors and featuring 20 dynamic sessions, the event was the largest and most ambitious Blend to date.
The event also raised over £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.
Community spirit
Attendance this year was up by 19% compared to 2024’s event, highlighting the growing interest in The Blend and its opportunities for sharing of expertise and networking. Those present were treated to 34 expert presentations and 16 trade exhibitors, all engaging in a fun and vibrant event.
“It is 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.”
Dilsons 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 is not just about the sessions. It is the conversations in the hallways, at the trade stands, and over coffee that make it so valuable. I have learned from people who have been there before me and even shared a few pearls of wisdom with others along the way.”
The Blend Awards 2025
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.
The winners of The Blend Awards 2025 were:
Garage of the Year – Multilocation garages
Sponsored by Castrol and The Race Group
· Castle Garage Ashby
Garage of the Year – garages with 5+ Staff
Sponsored by LKQ Euro Car Parts
· Aldershot MOT Centre Ltd
Garage of the Year – garages with 1-4 Staff
Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts UK & Ireland
· Intelligent Auto
Staff Recognition Award
Sponsored by Pagid UK & ROI
· Gavin Watson from Autocentre Chorley
Community’s Garage of the Year
Sponsored by GSF Car Parts
· EAC Telford Ltd
Innovators Award of the Year
Sponsored by Automechanika UK
· EAC Telford Ltd
Community Member of the Year
Sponsored by 1TEC Auto Hub
· Nikki Cowan from Cartopia
“This event is about people as much as it is about business,” added Dilsons. “It is about learning and growing together. The energy, insight, and camaraderie on display this year set another new benchmark, and we are 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/.
