Top Industry Experts Gather to Judge 2024 Bodyshop Awards: Unveiling Innovations and Trailblazers in UK Repair Sector

Coventry, UK – This year, the annual Bodyshop Awards are set to unveil the outstanding talents and innovations within the automobile repair industry, with a gala scheduled for September 19, 2024, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The competition, celebrated for its rigor and impartiality, will this year be adjudicated by a diverse panel of ten expert jurors from across the sector.

The jury, convening at the Eyebox Training and Conference Centre on July 18, comprises specialists from various areas of vehicle repair, ensuring a broad and comprehensive evaluation of entries. These experts are tasked with casting their votes across multiple categories excluding the technical ones which are judged differently.

Simon Wait, the editor of Bodyshop Magazine, emphasized the independence and prestige of the event. “We are thrilled to assemble such a knowledgeable jury at the Eyebox,” he said, “Thanks to the Morelli Group for providing their excellent facilities. With 28 years of history, this awards ceremony stands as a keystone event in the UK’s car repair calendar, and I am confident in the jury’s capability to fairly evaluate the various innovative entries submitted this year.”

Voting on ‘jury day’ covers various non-technical award categories such as Small, Medium, and Large Bodyshop of the Year, in addition to recognitions like Technology and Innovation, Work Provider, Technical Training Provider, and more. Jurors must abstain from voting on any category where a conflict of interest arises, to maintain the integrity of the judging process.

The technical awards are decided through a set of practical assessments overseen by three different organizations, conducted at specific training and research facilities. These include awards for apprentices and technicians skilled in panel and paint, vehicle damage assessment, and advanced technologies.

Highlights of the ceremony will not only include the awards presentation but also the recognition of ’30 Under 30: Rising Stars’, celebrating the up-and-coming talents in the industry. This acknowledgment spotlights the future leaders and innovators in the automobile repair field.

Gratitude was also extended to this year’s sponsors whose support enhances the event’s quality and reach. Platinum partners such as 3M, Axalta, and Vizion Network, alongside Gold and Silver partners, play a pivotal role in ensuring the ceremony’s success.

In addition to sponsorship for the event itself, specific sponsors have been instrumental in providing essential resources for the competition segments, furnishing items such as panels, paints, and consumables crucial for the hands-on assessments for participants.

As the Bodyshop Awards continue to serve as a showcase for excellence and innovation in the vehicle repair industry, the collaborative and supportive environment fostered by sponsors, organizers, and participants alike highlights the community’s dedication to advancing the standards and practices within this sector. With months still to go before the ceremony unfolds, the anticipation and enthusiasm among the industry’s professionals continue to build.