Growth through collaboration drives LKQ UK and Ireland's conference

Chief Executive of LKQ UK and Ireland, Kevan Wooden, has outlined his commitment to increasing customer connectivity and outstanding service through one engaged team – delivering market-leading profitable growth across the aftermarket.  

Kevan was speaking at the business’ annual two-day Leadership Conference, hosted at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel. The event was attended by approximately 800 colleagues, customers and suppliers – with VIP speakers including Olympic rower Ben Hunt-Davis and customer service expert, Geoff Ramm.   

The group-wide conference focussed on supporting customers through unrivalled service and best-in-class product ranges, to deliver first time, on time, every time – while supporting colleagues by recognising their success and cultivating an engaged and supportive culture.   

In his keynote speech, Kevan Wooden, CEO of LKQ UK and Ireland addressed colleagues, customers and suppliers, saying: “This year’s conference is all about ‘Growing Together’ and how we can strengthen relationships and share insights to set the stage for another successful year. With our industry-leading logistics capabilities and the best team in the business, we’re making it easier than ever to trade with us. ‘Growing Together’ means listening to our customers, understanding their needs, and delivering the best service. This is our unique opportunity as a group of businesses. Each of our trading brands plays a crucial role in our success, strengthening our ability to support across sectors and helping us grow in size, capability, expertise and market influence.”  

Day one of the conference saw Kevan Wooden and Andy Southby, Chief Commercial Officer for LKQ UK and Ireland, recap the key milestones of the previous year and give teams a glimpse of what’s in store for 2025.   

Guests also heard from Donna Fearnley, Group HR Director at LKQ UK and Ireland, on the business’ people-first approach including its annual engagement surveys and People Adding Value Everywhere (PAVE) internal taskforce, which is responsible for the business’ internship and apprenticeship programmes as well as its community and charity work.   

Colleagues also heard from LKQ’s key customers and partners on best practice supplier-customer relationships, spanning the four businesses in the group and the different aftermarket subsectors they serve – including Alex Lindley, Director at Garage Hive and Managing Director at Lindleys Autocentres, Mark Darvill, Managing Director at Hillclimb Garage, Sarah Petty, owner of J Petty Motors, Dave Jenkins, British Truck Racing Driver,  Marc Holding, Managing Director of The Vella Group and Robert Parton, Managing Director of Aqueduct Maraina and President of British Marine.  

Speaking about the conference, Kevan added: “The Leadership Conference brought our colleagues, suppliers and customers together to reflect on our success and progress in the past year and discuss how we can grow together in 2025 and beyond.   

“Our winning formula of combining our culture and values with our plan to invest in our proposition and streamline the way we work, will see us continue to deliver market-leading profitable growth as one engaged team – especially as we come into 2025 with a new operating structure that brings us closer to our customers and allows our people to play to their strengths.”