February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 AFTERMARKET 5 www.aftermarketonline.net Commenting on the decision to sponsor Top Technician and Top Garage 2020, Helen Robinson, Corporate Communications Director at Euro Car Parts, said: “As the UK’s leading distributor of car and LCV parts, we know we have an important role to play in helping technicians and garages adapt to change and prepare for the future. This goes above and beyond the supply of parts, and includes investment in training, partnerships, and the quality of independent workshops’ premises. “Independent repairers must continually improve the products and services they offer if they want to remain competitive, and highlighting best practice through Top Technician and Top Garage is key to this. It’s a great opportunity for us to spend time with repairers and garage owners from across the UK, accessing real-time insight from the front- line and understanding how we can provide not just products, but resources, insight and ongoing support. Helen added: “Good luck to everyone who takes part this year – we look forward to an exciting few months of challenges, and ultimately, to seeing who will take home the top prizes.” Top Technician 2020 and Top Garage 2020 are sponsored by Snap-on, VARTA, TechMan and Euro Car Parts. They come to you in association with ABC Awards, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Obituary: Geoffrey Atkinson OBE Former Ben CEO Geoffrey Atkinson OBE passed away on 14 January, following a short illness. Geoffrey led Ben from 1978 until he retired at the age of 65 in 2004, and was instrumental in developing and implementing Ben’s first five-year plan in 1978, and achieved an annual income of £1.5m for the charity by 1983. For his work he was awarded an OBE in 2000. He was responsible for the acquisition and subsequent conversion of a host of care centres, day care centres and care homes right across the country during his tenure. Geoffrey also retained his commitment to Ben during retirement, as he and his wife, Tina Steele, Ben’s former Fundraising Director, took part in a skydive in 2009 to raise money for the charity, jumping out of a plane raising £16,000. In addition to his wife Tina, Geoffrey leaves three children and nine grandchildren. His funeral takes place on Friday 14 February at 12 noon. For details please contact Tina at: tsteele47@aol.com . Sponsored by: ECP back as Top Technician/ Top Garage 2020 sponsor A manager at Morris Lubricants who joined the company as a graduate in 2016 has gone on to win a national industry award. Owen Lloyd, 27, from Shrewsbury was named the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA) Young Employee of the Year. The accolade follows Owen’s promotion to Group Purchasing Manager at Morris Lubricants and its sister company GB Lubricants in Gateshead during 2019. One of the first two graduates to join Morris Lubricants’ new graduate recruitment programme in in 2016, Owen spent a year working in different departments to gain a greater understanding of the company. He then secured a full-time role as a buyer in the company’s procurement team and was promoted last year. “Morris Lubricants has been investing in training for myself and other young employees for many year,” said Owen. Manager wins UKLA award tca /ac .uko.ctf www ies essor c e and ac car car , t , equipmen ools or t f t of sale ca oinP es tial r en t of 11,000 pot on et in fr G talogue .mamso 10 226 3529 10 ellers