bodyshop award winner ‘couldn’t be happier’

Fix Auto Chelmsford apprentice Lewis Williams was named Apprentice MET Technician of the Year during the bodyshop magazine 2020 Awards.

The 20-year-old scooped the accolade during the prestigious event, which was postponed from last year due to the pandemic and staged virtually with a live online broadcast to more than 450 people.

In addition to Lewis’ success, Rob Pugh, head of strategy and communications for Fix Auto UK, officially received his award after being named as an industry “rising star” as part of the publication’s 30 under 30 series created to recognise the younger generation within the industry.

The 25-year-old was nominated for his outstanding work since joining Fix Auto UK’s senior management team in 2019 by Louise Woolacott, owner of Fix Auto Mid Devon.

Meanwhile, Fix Auto Penzance, which won the Small Bodyshop of the Year title in 2017, was also a finalist in the Independent Bodyshop of the Year category and Ross Avis, of Fix Auto Crawley, was among the Apprentice Panel Technician of the Year finalists.

Williams said: “I couldn’t be happier. When I heard my name called out, I just couldn’t believe it. I was obviously hopeful but you just never know. All I could do was my best for the judges.”

Danny Ashwell, managing director of Fix Auto Chelmsford, added: “We are absolutely delighted, as a business and especially for Lewis. He has shown a natural flair for the job from day one and his skills are way beyond his years. He has worked tremendously hard and thoroughly deserves the award. As a business, it’s the first major industry award we have ever one so it’s extra special.”

Simon Wait, bodyshop magazine editor, said: “The feedback from our judging panel was that his workmanship would have placed him as a serious contender in the seniors’ category. You really have to give him and the team around him credit for what he has achieved.”