The winners of 21 awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Liverpool next month with Wales’ largest repair group amongst the final four in both the Bodyshop of the Year and Outstanding Commitments to Training & Apprenticeships categories. The event takes place at the city’s Rum Warehouse venue on Thursday 26^th February when the achievements of companies and individuals working across the claims sector will be celebrated.

With bodyshops in Cardiff, Pontypridd, Bridgend, Newport, Merthyr and Hereford, iRG has enjoyed a successful 12 months during which it has been strengthening its insurer relationships and securing several manufacturer approvals with more in the pipeline. Delivering high-quality repairs with outstanding service to match has been paramount and reflected in the company’s reputation as highlighted by the positive feedback received on online platforms such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews together with the customer service scores being recorded for its work providers.

People are the cornerstone of any successful organisation and iRG has continued to demonstrate its commitment to the well-being and engagement of its own 133-strong workforce – more than half of whom have been with the business for over five years. From health to money matters, the group has introduced a wide range of initiatives to ensure its teams are not only happy in their work but in their home lives too – indeed this supportive culture was recognised when iRG won the Staff Wellbeing Award in the NBRA (National Body Repair Association) Greener Bodyshop Awards.

Reinforcing its employee focus, iRG has been recognised for its efforts to further the continuous professional development of its staff with its Modern Claims Award shortlisting for the training and apprenticeships accolade. This has resulted from the strengthening of its training pathway across the business - not only in the core bodyshop disciplines of MET, Panel and Paint but in areas such as Customer Service, Accounts, Parts and Workshop Control too. iRG has also invested in an online training platform called Improve which all staff can use as an aid in their career development.

Looking to the future, the company has a successful record in introducing apprentices to the world of employment. Working closely with the likes of REMIT and Cardiff and Vale College, iRG has a well-established programme in place for its apprentices that combines day release learning with workplace training where they are partnered with a mentor. Thirteen young people are currently going through their apprenticeships with the learning of those undertaking the bodyshop disciplines supplemented with additional courses in subjects including Bonding and Riveting, Air Conditioning Handling, Electric Vehicle, Plastic Repairs and 4-Wheel Alignment and ADAS.

“We’re delighted to be shortlisted for the two Modern Claims Awards and, as one team across six sites, proud to achieve this recognition,” said Lee Wallbank, iRG’s Managing Director.

“We genuinely believe that iRG Repair Group represents a modern, resilient and forward-thinking bodyshop group, aligned with the evolving demands of manufacturers, insurers, fleets and customers alike. What’s more, we’re committed to attract new talent and apprentices to our industry but will continue to constantly invest and develop our current staff to ensure a bright future for the company and them too.”