Karl Vella M.B.E. began his career in his home town of Skelmersdale doing a variety of jobs from working in a clothing factory, to fitting tyres.

He quickly realised that what he really wanted to do was repair motor cars. After a few years working for other people within the accident repair industry he decided to set up in business for himself in Southport in 1986. With the help of just one apprentice his reputation for quality and attention to detail soon saw a steady increase in business.

He now owns 5 strategically placed bodyshops in the North West of England. The site he owns in Skelmersdale was previously occupied by one of his former employers, and is home to his largest bodyshop. Combined, the 5 bodyshops have an annual turnover of around £12 million pounds, repair in excess of 12,000 vehicles per year, and employ more than 160 people.

Karl has won numerous bodyshop awards for his dedication to the investment in training of young people. It was this dedication which made him worthy winner of the Bodyshop Training Award at the Bodyshop Industry Awards 2004.

Karl Vella received his M.B.E. in November 2006 for his contribution to training young people. Karl is still heavily involved in training young people, and is now the UK expert in vehicle body repair at the World Skill Olympics, which promotes world-class competency standards in the industrial trades. For the World Skill Olympics in 2009 he was nominated as the chief skills expert.

In 2009, he was named the ABP Club Industry Knight for that year.

To see Karl's LinkedIn profile, click here