Photo D&D Autos – Malcolm Triggs Go4 Marketing and Public Relations Ltd
Ashford-based independent garage D&D Autos has achieved a remarkable new victory, earning the prestigious title of Best in the UK for Workplace Health & Wellbeing at a leading industry ceremony.
The celebrated garage took home the Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award at the Aftermarket Top Garage 2025 Awards, continuing a stunning run of success with a hat trick of wins over the last three years of the high-profile competition. This year’s focus was clearly on the outstanding support D&D Autos provides to its dedicated team.
The recent win builds on their past triumphs, including securing the overall Top Garage Award (10+ employees) last year. Service Adviser Kevin Shilling also demonstrated consistent excellence, earning a Finalist Award this year after narrowly missing the top Service Adviser crown in both 2024 and 2025.
A joyous contingent of fifteen employees attended the presentation evening in Coventry to collect the three awards won this year. Operations Manager Lorraine Fuller left the event feeling deeply inspired, noting that the garage will be encouraging one of their promising younger trainees to compete in the newly introduced Top Apprentice category next year, aiming to mentor the next generation of industry stars.
Lorraine and her brothers Matthew and Richard are the second generation of the family run business set up by founder Derek Pestridge and his wife Margaret. Lorraine said the business had taken on a number of apprentices in recent years, with all of them staying on after qualifying. “It’s another category I think we have a great chance of doing well in,” she commented.
Staff wellbeing at D&D Autos, based in Moat Way, Ashford, is one of the responsibilities of Kimberley Pestridge, who also looks after HR and training. She is a trained mental health first aider and operates an ‘open door’ policy that encourages staff to talk about any issues that are bothering them.
“We understand that our employees are our most important resource and we have always set out to be a good local employer,” said Kimberley. “We organise team and family events and workplace challenges, and we make it clear that we are here to support our people if they need help. We are also well aware that staff retention is important, which is why we do our best for them.
“We are proud that our efforts have been reflected in winning the workplace health and wellbeing award.”
The awards were sponsored by Ben Support for Life, a charity that was set up 120 years ago to support the automotive industry.