FIRST CLASS HONOURS FOR FIX AUTO AFTER OFFERING LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT COURSE TO ITS NETWORK

Almost 60 delegates representing Fix Auto franchisees from across the country will soon be heading back to the classroom after enrolling on an Institute of Leadership and Management – or ILM – programme, following the network’s decision to roll out a bespoke programme aimed at bringing through the next generation of bodyshop leaders.

The move follows a successful pilot scheme undertaken by 10 delegates representing Fix Auto Dagenham, Fix Auto Stevenage and Fix Auto West Hampstead who each received their nationally recognised ILM qualifications in December 2015.

Specifically tailored for the repair network by Suffolk-based ABA Training, the six-month long course will develop individuals’ skills across key areas such as team leadership, communication, time management, project management, objective setting, and presentation skills, and will result in a formal ILM qualification for each delegate.  In order to facilitate demand, six regional venues will be utilised.

Fix Auto UK’s Head of Marketing Tom Hadfield, who has spearheaded the delivery of the programme, said: “We have been delighted by the network’s response to our proposal to run a bespoke national ILM course.

“During our recent regional meetings, we were able to demonstrate the tangible benefits the programme brought to our pioneers from the South East, which clearly made a compelling case to our network.  Fix Auto’s mantra is ‘Working Together’ and to that end we are grateful for the foresight of those three bodyshops in the South East for piloting the course, allowing it to be shared with our wider network.”

He added: “‘Creating the Future’ was the theme of our 2015 National Conference and this is an initiative designed to create future leaders and managers.  Bodyshops naturally invest time and money in training workshop staff to ensure they use the latest techniques and equipment, and yet those in customer facing and management positions are often overlooked. The ILM programme addresses that, and it is great to consider that we will have almost 70 people within the network holding the qualification before the end of 2016.”

Anne Howes, ABA Training Director and course tutor, said: “We are delighted to be involved in helping to further develop the leadership skills and needs of those candidates involved with Fix Auto UK and to see the benefits being disseminated through the teams.

“The ILM is part of the City and Guilds suite of nationally recognised qualifications aimed at all levels of supervisors and managers, so when we were first approached by Fix Auto we were able to look into the needs of the individuals and their respective bodyshops and tailor our programme delivery and course modules accordingly.”

Paying tribute to Fix Auto Dagenham, Fix Auto Stevenage and Fix Auto West Hampstead, she added: “We wouldn’t be doing this national programme today had it not been for the foresight of those three initial bodyshops. Those individuals who showed a desire to learn and acquire new skills have to be congratulated and we are looking forward to the other franchisees gaining similar benefits as those pioneering candidates.”

Notes to Editors:

• Fix Auto UK is part of a global franchised network of more than 360 bodyshops.
• Fix Auto UK carries out more than 120,000 body repairs per year for leading motor insurance companies, fleets, and retail customers.
• Fix Auto UK, Lyndale House, Harcourt Way, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1WL. Tel: 0116 3265401. 

Please Note:
For further information please contact Mark Richards on 07774 861596.
Email: mark@mrpr.co.uk