The Karl Vella Group was established by current chairman Karl Vella MBE, who opened his first bodyshop in Southport in 1986. With the help of just one apprentice, Karl Vella built a reputation for quality and attention to detail, which soon resulted in a steady increase in business.

This year, the group celebrates its 25th anniversary, and has expanded to a network of five strategically placed car body repair centres in Skelmersdale, Preston, Blackburn and Cumbria in addition to the original site in Southport, which has grown significantly.

The Karl Vella bodyshop group now has a turnover of over £12 million, and employs over 175 people who carry out car body repairs to over 12,000 vehicles per year.

Karl Vella’s personal commitment to developing young people’s skills and training was recognised in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, when he was awarded an MBE.

With Karl’s son David Vella becoming Operations Director in 2009, the company expanding into additional automotive services in 2010 and launching its fast turnaround Express facility for minor accident damage in early 2011, the Karl Vella Group is well positioned to remain at the forefront of the industry for the next 25 years.