The Blend 2025 has marked the largest gathering in its six-year history and raised more than £44,000 for automotive industry charity Ben.
The total included contributions from the conference itself, the Blend’s charity hike, and an end-of-evening auction ‘takeover’ hosted by Dean Lomas of DC Lomas and Matt Jeffreys of St John’s Garage and RPM Malvern.
Hosted at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on Saturday, 18 October, the sold-out event drew over 500 attendees, a 19% increase on last year, who came together to hear from 34 expert speakers and explore the offerings of 16 trade exhibitors.
Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend, said: “It’s incredible to see the community grow year on year. Seeing everyone come together, support one another, and share knowledge is what makes this event so special.”
Ray opened the conference by emphasising the importance of community voices on stage, highlighting the many first-time speakers and giving special recognition to industry veterans Andy Crook and James Dillon for launching The Blend’s ‘Speaker Circle’, an initiative supporting speakers through webinars and rehearsal sessions.
Garages spent the day absorbing practical insights from sessions covering business growth, customer service, mental health, cybersecurity, digital strategy, and emerging automotive technologies.
Garage owner, Nikki Cowan of Cartopia, this year’s Community Member of the Year, commented: “Famously, this sector has been a very lonely place, but that’s changing. The Blend isn’t just about the sessions. It’s the conversations in the hallways, at the trade stands, and over coffee that make it so valuable. I’ve learned from people who’ve been there before me and even shared a few pearls of wisdom with others along the way.”
The day concluded with The Blend Awards 2025, hosted by comedian Troy Hawke. Winners included garages recognised in the Garage of the Year categories, the Staff Recognition Award, and Blend Community Awards for Innovator and Community Member of the Year.
Ray added: “This event is about people as much as it is about businesses. It’s about learning and growing together. The energy, insight, and camaraderie on display this year set another new benchmark, and we’re already looking forward to making next year even bigger and bolder.”
The Blend will return to the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 10 October 2026, with British advertising executive, behavioural economist, and author Rory Sutherland confirmed as evening host.
