Fix Auto Wrexham’s Llinos Evans Crowned Bodyshop Manager of the Year

Llinos Evans of Fix Auto Wrexham became the toast of the vehicle repair industry last night after being crowned Bodyshop Manager of the Year during the 2026 Bodyshop Magazine Awards.

For Llinos, who first joined the Welsh operation as a receptionist in 2015, to walk away with arguably the industry’s blue riband award marks a remarkable career journey and is a shining example of what can be achieved from the humblest of beginnings through hard work, determination and the right support.

Describing her achievement purely as “incredible”, she received the award from Bodyshop Magazine editor Simon Wait during the glittering ceremony where more than 450 people from across the industry gathered at The Belfry near Birmingham.

Speaking immediately after collecting her award, she paid tribute to business owner Lee Hitch and Director Richard Edwards, recognising the support and opportunities that have helped shape her career.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to have received this award. When I first joined Fix Auto Wrexham as a receptionist in 2015, I could never have imagined where the journey would take me, so to be recognised in this way is incredibly special.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with some fantastic people who have supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout my career and I’m hugely grateful to Lee and Richard for the opportunities and support they’ve given me. No one achieves something like this on their own, and this award means a great deal to me and to the whole team at Wrexham.”

Lee concluded: “Llinos’s achievement is remarkable but so well deserved. We are exceptionally proud of her and the whole team who continue to support the business. Tonight truly is an incredible moment for us and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Llinos’s success was a standout moment in an evening of celebration for Fix Auto UK, with the Group once again making its mark in the prestigious 30 Under 30: Rising Stars awards, securing five recipients.

Leading the celebrations was Tayla Bennison, Paint Technician at Fix Auto Redcar, who was the first of the Fix Auto UK representatives to take to the stage and collect her award from Murat Ustuner of 3M, who has sponsored the award for the past decade. She was followed by Elizabeth Berry, Accounts Administrator at Fix Auto Caldicot; Georgia Bunting, Client Relations Executive at Fix Auto UK; Madison Godfrey, Paint Technician at Fix Auto Colchester, and Aria McTaggart, Apprentice VDA at Fix Auto Ayr.

Fix Auto UK’s Commercial Director, Rob Pugh, himself a previous 30 Under 30: Rising Stars recipient, said: “It was fantastic to see Fix Auto UK so strongly represented at this year’s Bodyshop Magazine Awards with five finalists and I couldn’t be prouder of all those who were recognised.

“Llinos’s success is particularly special, she has worked her way to becoming the UK’s Bodyshop Manager of the Year. Her journey is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and the right support.

“Congratulations to our five 30 Under 30:Rising Stars. I know personally how wonderful it feels to receive the award so to have so many colleagues recognised, alongside our finalists across the main award categories, is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the brilliant people and teams we have across our network. It was a proud night for Fix Auto UK, and one we can all celebrate.”

There was further cause for celebration, with Fix Auto UK represented as a finalist in all but one of the main award categories. Kai Price-Jones of Fix Auto Oswestry was shortlisted for Apprentice MET Technician of the Year while Hannah Keats, of Fix Auto Mid Devon, was a finalist for Apprentice Panel Technician of the Year. Freddie Martyn of Fix Auto Basingstoke was shortlisted for Apprentice Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) Technician of the Year, while Fix Auto Wrexham was also a finalist in the Medium Bodyshop of the Year category.