Rik Pickering Secures Second VDA League Victory
This week at Lloyd Bodyshop Colne we celebrate Assisant Manager, Rick Pickering, on finishing 1st in the VDA League for the second-year running!
The VDA League is a brilliant initiative focused on driving productivity, efficiency and continuous improvement across our Bodyshop’s. Each month, Vehicle Damage Assessors from across the Lloyd network compete across a range of performance categories — making this back-to-back win an incredible achievement.
Read on to hear about this fantastic achievement...
Congratulations Rik! How did it feel to secure your second VDA League title?
"Thankyou. It was great to be top again, after winning in 2024 my goal was to not only finish top again for 2025 but by a big margin which I achieved."
What are the key areas you’ve focused on to improve your productivity and efficiency this year?
"I wouldn’t say there’s any specific areas. However, I always go back to the five key principles of estimating on every estimate with consistency being at the top."
How important has the support from your team been in achieving this success?
"Very. Mostly from my manager Matt Heap, the support and the platform he gives me makes it a great atmosphere to work in."
How do you ensure quality remains high even when working under pressure?
"Customers expect and deserve quality every time and that’s what we do here at lloyd Colne as standard. I am often the first person a customer sees when they come on site, so it is important that starts with myself, every time. I also have all the tools needed to be a very good VDA, so pressure isn’t really something that affects me."
Are there any new skills or knowledge you’ve developed recently that made a difference?
"The knowledge needed to repair vehicles to not only the highest standard but also returning them to pre accident condition is always growing. With more and more technology and safety features on new cars, there is always new knowledge to gain."
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone aiming to win the VDA League?
"I would say never treat an estimate as just another estimate. On every assessment I carry out I almost treat it as my first, double checking that everything needed to repair a customer’s vehicle safely is included."
The Colne team couldn’t be prouder of Rick’s dedication, consistency and passion for his craft.
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