Building on the excitement from earlier announcements, The Blend 2025 has unveiled its full speaker lineup, set to make it the most comprehensive conference for independent garage owners and managers from across the UK and Ireland.
The event will take place on Saturday 18 October at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, bringing together industry experts, successful garage owners, and innovators to share insights that could transform garage businesses.
Digital strategy takes centre stage in a presentation from Maisie Raine of The Race Group and Alex Vere from Garage Services Online. Their session, “Stand Out from the Crowd Online: Driving Profitable Work to Your Business,” will explore how garages can leverage digital platforms to engage customers more effectively, increase bookings, and drive sustainable growth.
Tim Benson of Oldfields Garage will present “How to Put Yourself in the Frame: Seven Steps to Make Your Garage Award-Ready.” Drawing on years of experience, Tim will offer practical guidance for garages seeking to enhance their reputation, win awards, or benchmark themselves against the best. Attendees can expect actionable ideas they can implement straight away to ensure their business stands out.
Mark Webb of Garage Vitals will lead a session titled “OEM Diagnostic Tools, What’s Changing?” As automotive diagnostics continue to evolve, Mark will provide a clear overview of the latest developments in OEM tools and technology, helping garages make informed decisions and stay ahead of industry trends.
Tom Cockings of Robert Cockings Motor Repairs returns to address the pressing question of “The Diagnostic Divide: OEM vs Aftermarket.” His session will cover the key considerations around coverage, cost, and practicality, helping garages evaluate which tools offer the best balance of performance and value for their workshops.
A second engaging panel discussion has now also been confirmed. “Not Another Wellbeing Talk – No Fluff, Just Solutions” will feature Ellen Plumer of Ben Charity, Tim Benson, Mike Shaikly, Andy Wells of Auto Works HQ, and Dawn Metcalfe of Garage Hive. Moving beyond theory, the panel will share real-world strategies that improve workplace wellbeing and deliver tangible results.
Event director Ray Dilsons said: “This complete lineup combines deep industry knowledge with practical, actionable advice. Attendees will leave armed with tools, strategies, and inspiration to strengthen their businesses for the future.”
Registration opens at 8:30am before the day officially begins at 9:10am. The conference programme will run through a packed schedule of presentations, panels, and interactive sessions, concluding at 5:30pm.
The day will then continue with the evening dinner, starting at 6:45pm, which will also feature The Blend Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements across the independent garage sector.
With over 300 delegates expected, tickets are selling quickly. Independent garage owners are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets, including full conference access and the evening networking event, are £150 + VAT and available online at www.theblend.events/tickets. Any surplus proceeds will be donated to the automotive charity Ben, supporting vital work across the industry.
