Ben and Top Awards partner to raise health and wellbeing standards in garages

Garage staff wellbeing is under the spotlight at this year’s Top Awards, with a dedicated award designed to recognise workshops that prioritise the mental and physical health of their teams.

Run in collaboration with Ben, the automotive industry charity, the Health and Wellbeing Award is now in its third year and fast becoming one of the most meaningful benchmarks of good practice in the sector.

The award recognises garages that not only meet their duty of care, but actively foster positive working environments, promote good mental health, and invest in long-term employee wellbeing.

“There are more garages than ever doing the right thing for their people and this award is about giving them the recognition they deserve,” said Ellen Plumer, Head of Awareness and Experience at Ben. “We’re proud to be working with the Top Awards again to spotlight those raising the bar.”

Garages vying for the award undergo a two-stage evaluation process. The first step is a comprehensive self-assessment, measured against Ben’s established Health and Wellbeing Framework, which examines areas such as support services, workplace culture, policy compliance, and long-term wellbeing initiatives.

Shortlisted entries then progress to the award’s judges, Ben’s Ellen Plumer and Mark Darvill, Managing Director of Hillcrest Garage, who assess how these practices are embedded into day-to-day operations.

“The Health and Wellbeing Award isn’t just a nice-to-have,” said Ryan Fuller, Managing Director of the Top Awards. “It’s a core part of what makes a great garage business and we’re proud to work with Ben to champion that.”

The Ben Health and Wellbeing Award is open to all Top Garage entrants as part of the 2025 competition.

The Top Awards are a highly respected industry programme that recognises true garage excellence across the UK. Spanning categories such as Top Technician, Top Garage, and Top Apprentice, the awards honour individuals and businesses who demonstrate exceptional skill, professionalism, and innovation in vehicle servicing and repair.

The semi-finals and finals will take place at Delphi Academy in Warwick later this year. Known for its state-of-the-art facilities, Delphi Academy plays a key role in hosting the live practical challenges that test the skills of finalists across all categories.

“Achieving a Top Award demands dedication and hard work, as entrants must navigate a challenging series of assessments, practical tests, and expert evaluations,” said Luke Garratt of Delphi Academy, Top Awards sponsor and host of the finals. “This rigorous process ensures that only those who consistently set the highest standards and push the industry forward are recognised.”

Ben will also be on site at the Top Awards finals on Saturday 15 November at Delphi Academy in Warwick, serving its popular ‘Big Breakfast’ in partnership with the Otley Burger Company. Competitors and guests can enjoy a hearty selection of bacon and sausage sandwiches, loaded bagels, hash browns, and drinks, with donations welcomed to support Ben’s vital charitable work.