After a series of intense and fiercely contested semi-finals at Delphi Academy in Warwick last weekend, five Top Technician finalists have been revealed, each vying for the UK’s most prestigious title in automotive diagnostics.
The Top Technician 2025 finalists are David Weston of Kia UK Ltd, Matthew Deakin of Four Cross Garage, John Hall of John Hall Auto Electrician, Kristopher Williams of Fords of Winsford, and John Fountain.
Each has demonstrated exceptional diagnostic skill, technical knowledge, and problem-solving ability under pressure, earning their place in a competition that continues to set the benchmark for excellence.
“These technicians are among the very best in the industry,” said Top Technician Head Judge, Ian Gillgrass. “The semi-finals are designed to push them to their limits, testing practical skills and real-world problem-solving. Only those who combine knowledge with a structured process make it through to the final, where they’ll come up against an even tougher set of challenges.”
At the semi-finals on Saturday 4th October, entrants faced hands-on tasks designed to replicate genuine vehicle faults, from diesel and petrol issues to electric vehicle problems. Many challenges included unexpected complications to test both technical knowledge and diagnostic process, all under the pressure of a 20-minute time limit.
Third-time semi-finalist James Leach described the experience: “The competition shows me areas where I need to work harder or think differently. That’s the real value. It gives you a benchmark for your knowledge, highlights where you can develop, and pushes you to keep progressing as a technician.”
Top Technician finalists 2025
– David Weston of Kia UK Ltd
– Matthew Deakin of Four Cross Garage
– John Hall of John Hall Auto Electrician
– Kristopher Williams of Fords of Winsford
– John Fountain
Top Technician finalist, John Fountain, has been entering Top Technician since 2016. “The semi-finals are stressful, but they’re a benchmark of quality,” he said. “You need to look at what’s in front of you, take a deep breath, and go back to basics. It’s a real opportunity to push yourself, and your business.”
John Hall, owner of John Hall Auto Electrician, has taken part in six Top Technician events, including both semi-finals and finals, and last year he also won Top Garage, showcasing his expertise both as a technician and a business leader.
“Follow the process, and you’ll get to the end,” he said. “Top Technician isn’t about tripping you up, it’s about testing real-world skills and raising standards across the industry. Whether you win or not, being a finalist is a badge of achievement and a chance to push yourself further.”
The Top Technician 2025 finalists will return to Delphi Academy for the grand final on 15 November 2025, where they will face a series of even more demanding diagnostic tasks.
With 50-minutes allocated per challenge, each finalist will be evaluated on technical knowledge, problem-solving, and diagnostic process, with the aim of identifying the most skilled and consistent technician.
The competition will conclude at an awards ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry on 15 November, where the 2025 Top Technician champion will be crowned alongside the Top Garage and Top Apprentice winners. The evening promises a celebratory drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner, with tickets available to book online here: Top Technician & Top Garage Awards Evening 2025 Tickets, Sat 15 Nov 2025 at 18:15 | Eventbrite.
Follow the Top Awards on social media for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live announcements from the finals.
