Hello!
As the summer gears up, so too does the energy across our industry — and here at AutoRaise, it’s been a month of powerful momentum.
We’ve welcomed a wave of incredible new investors who are putting real weight behind the need to build a future-fit workforce. We’ve attended NBRA’s very first Breakfast Club, bringing repairers and training providers together in a spirit of openness and collaboration. And we’ve had the privilege of helping young people like Layton take their first meaningful steps into the trade.
All of this is driven by a single, urgent mission: to ensure the vehicle repair industry not only survives, but thrives — fuelled by skilled, passionate people who can take us forward.
Thank you to everyone who’s standing with us. Let’s keep going.
Emma Speed, Managing Director of AutoRaise
A Wave of Support for the Next Generation
We’re proud to share some big news: a powerful wave of new investment has landed at AutoRaise — and it’s coming from some of the most respected names in the sector.
LKQ Euro Car Parts, LV= General Insurance, esure, S&G Response, Solus ARC, BASF, Vizion, Aviva and Repairify have all stepped up to support our mission, joining a growing movement committed to tackling the skills crisis head-on.
This isn’t just about money. It’s about momentum.
Together, these investors are helping us open more doors for young people through apprenticeship opportunities, expand our bursary programme, and provide essential resources for employers across the UK. With their backing, we’re launching targeted outreach campaigns that show just how exciting and future-proof a career in repair can be.
As our MD, Emma Speed, put it:
“The skills crisis affects every corner of our industry — and solving it requires bold, united action. We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these outstanding businesses.”
This is a moment of real progress. A signal that industry leaders aren’t waiting for change — they’re investing in it.
To all our new and existing supporters: thank you. Your belief in the next generation is driving everything we do.
CarFest 2025
We’re proud and excited to have teamed up with DEBRA UK and Ben Automotive Industry Charity ahead of CarFest 2025 (22nd–24th August 2025, on Stand CF16).
To help raise awareness of the work the three charities do, we’re kicking things off with this awesome giveaway:
3 x pairs of tickets to CarFest 2025 – for any day of your choice (Friday, Saturday or Sunday)!
Winners will be picked at random on Monday 18th August 2025.
Let’s celebrate the industry, support these great causes, and have some fun while we’re at it!
Coffee, Collaboration & a Shared Mission
Last week saw the launch of NBRA’s brand-new Breakfast Club — an exciting event series created to bring the industry together for open, honest conversations over coffee and pastries. AutoRaise was proud to support and take part in the very first gathering, hosted at the fantastic LKQ Academy in Tamworth, in partnership with Ageas UK and LKQ Bodyshop Division (UK & ROI).
Our MD Emma Speed joined bodyshops, training providers, and colleges from across the region for a morning of discussion focused squarely on apprenticeships — what’s working, what’s not, and where the real opportunities lie to engage and retain new talent.
The event created space for meaningful dialogue between those already investing in apprentices and those who are still figuring out where to begin. One of the standouts? Hearing directly from apprentices about their own journeys — the good, the challenging, and the game-changing impact of having the right support.
We were also thrilled to see LKQ commit to hosting eight apprentices this October for a dedicated Sustainability Day, offering young people hands-on exposure to the environmental side of modern vehicle repair.
Thank you to NBRA for bringing this to life — and to all the repairers, educators, and partners who joined in shaping a more open, collaborative future. We’re looking forward to the next one already!
“We have to be bold — because the industry can’t afford for us not to be.”
Brilliant to see our very own Emma Speed, Managing Director at AutoRaise, featured in ARC360 this month.
In this candid interview, Emma reflects on what it really takes to tackle the skills crisis — and why collaboration, investment, and clear vision matter now more than ever.
It’s not just about filling vacancies. It’s about creating a future the next generation wants to be part of.
Creating Opportunity: Layton’s Journey into Auto Repair
When Darren reached out to AutoRaise about his son Layton, he was looking for a chance — just one opportunity to help his son find his place in the world of work.
Layton, a young man with learning challenges, had recently completed a work experience placement with BMW. Despite his enthusiasm and work ethic, it didn’t lead to anything more. But Darren believed in his son’s potential — and so do we.
At AutoRaise, we know talent comes in many forms. With the help of our brilliant partners at Alton Car Centre, we were able to set Layton up with a new work placement — one that would allow him to explore every aspect of the vehicle repair process.
Over the course of his time at Alton, Layton got stuck into all three key areas of body repair: panel, paint, and trim. And he shone. His supervisors praised his attitude, his focus, and above all, his genuine interest in learning more about the industry. It was in panel work — repairing damaged panels alongside the panel beater — that Layton really found his spark.
Now, the next chapter begins.
We’re actively working to find Layton a suitable apprenticeship that will support his development and continue to build on his strengths. This is exactly what AutoRaise is here for: creating life-changing opportunities, one young person at a time.
If you’re an employer who can offer Layton — or someone like him — a pathway into the trade, we’d love to hear from you. Because when the industry comes together to lift up the next generation, everybody wins.
Do you have a story you’d like to share with our network? Contact Wendy on our newsdesk: wendy.th@autoraise.co.uk
