Pat Scoops Top Prize

Easi-Drive’s high flyer Pat Scott is off to sunnier climes after scooping a free holiday abroad!

Pat who has worked for the accident management company for three years was awarded the generous prize after winning a competition to name the company’s new headquarters in Wythenshawe.

Commenting, technical claims handler Pat said: “We had an internal contest to name our new official home and I suggested New Acre House which seemed to win the public vote! I am thrilled to have won the holiday and can’t wait to head to the sunshine!”

Pat plans to take her trip in May this year.

Good Causes to Benefit from Timely Invoice

Insurance companies can lend a helping hand to good causes with timely payments to invoices from accident management specialists, Easi-Drive.

The Manchester-based company has said that if insurers pay their invoices within 30 days of receipt, they will donate one per cent of that invoice to their national community giving fund, wheelsforgood.

The fund, which stands at £60,000 for 2010, was created by founder and managing director Simon Bellamy, and is all about providing charities, good causes and community groups ‘with the wheels’ to make a difference.

Bellamy predicts that the fund will aid all sorts of projects from helping kids get mobile, restoration of vehicles to supporting young mechanics through apprenticeship programmes.

So far the fund has helped improve the race track of a BMX club in Royston, helped Whizz Kidz provide wheelchair training for ten children from Manchester, supported advanced driving courses for 17 to 26-year-olds in Stockport, and provided mini-buses for community groups like the Brownies.

Simon Bellamy said: “We have calculated if all our insurance companies embraced the scheme and ensured payment reached us within 30 days the additional funds raised will be in excess of £150,000, which could make a huge impact on our chosen charitable causes and groups.

Anyone interested in applying for assistance through the fund should visit our website http://www.wheelsforgood.com/

He added; “As one of the leading suppliers of like for like replacement vehicles we already know from conversations with people that so many charities and local projects are desperate for assistance with transport. We will endeavour to help as many projects as we can over the next 12 months and by working together with insurers on a joint commitment to wheelsforgood we can do great things for the communities we care about.”

For all the insurance companies that get involved, Easi-Drive is also offering the chance for them to nominate a cause close to their heart to benefit from the wheelsforgood fund, and to also be involved in the giving process.

Anyone interested in applying for assistance through the fund should email publicrelations@easidrive.com or call on 0870 330 9770.

Easi-Drive's Community Giving Campaign

Leading accident management specialist, Easi-Drive, have pledged their support to fund 20 young drivers wanting to improve their skills on the road as part of their community giving campaign WheelsForGood.

The company has linked up with the IAM & Stockport Advanced Motorists to invite applications for fully funded places on the IAM ‘Skill For Life’ driving course, which covers all types of road situations including motorway driving and helping students to develop driver skills in anticipating and dealing with a potential accident situation.

Research by the road safety charity has shown that young drivers aged between 17 and 26, were the most ‘at risk’ group behind the wheel, but financial constraints on them meant that there was a poor sign up rate for their ‘Skill for life’ courses.

So when charity bosses saw the launch of Easi-Drive’s WheelForGood campaign – a £60,000 bursary fund created by co-founder Simon Bellamy to give something back to the community in which the business operates - in the local press, they applied for funding.

Simon Bellamy said: “We are keen to promote road safety and good driving practice, so this was an ideal opportunity to help young people’s skills behind the wheel in the town where I was born and grew up. And as wheels are at the heart of what we do, it seems fitting that our corporate giving strategy should be based around this theme.”

Perry Freeman, Chairman of Stockport Advanced Motorists, said: “We are really pleased of the support Simon and the money he is donating on behalf of Easi-Drive to put 20 young drivers through the course, especially as his business centres on cars and driving.

“The course gives younger drivers a valuable insight into driving at a much higher skill level. Advanced Driving gives the driver a great deal of extra knowledge about how to deal with difficult road situations.

“For example, maybe, you’ve even been driving for a little while, but do you know all the hidden hazards on the motorway? Would you know how to deal with a ‘tailgater’ in a safe and efficient manner so as not to be pushed into making an unsafe manoeuvre? How would you react after the incident?”

Places on the course, which normally costs £139 each, are now available on a first come first served basis.

In addition, after passing the IAM Skill for life course, most insurance companies will offer young drivers upto 25 per cent off their insurance.

Applicants must be aged between 17 and 26 and hold a full UK driving licence, have had a minimum of three months driving experience and have regular access to a car during the week and at weekends. The car must be taxed, MoTd and insured and the driver must have a license appropriate to that class of vehicle.

Courses are run from the Old Rectory in Stockport (Home of Stockport Advanced Motorists) for approximately six sessions. Practical on the road sessions are done in the students own car with a qualified ‘Observer’ (Driving Coach).

Anyone wishing to apply for a place on the course should apply in writing to info@stockportadvancedmotorists.org.uk including their name, age, address, and why they want to do the course.

Easi-Drive Recognised in Sunday Times’ Fast Track 100

Manchester based accident management firm Easi-Drive has received national recognition for its impressive growth, making it onto the Sunday Times’ Fast Track 100 list.
The business came in at number 51 in the Fast Track 100 league table. The annual list, compiled in association with the Sunday Times, ranks Britain's 100 fastest-growing private companies, based on sales growth over a three year period.


The firm which handles all aspects of non fault motor claims, has seen its turnover rocket from less than £750,000 in 2003 to an expected £25million for 2009/10. Staff levels have almost doubled in the last 12 months and the company now employs over 120 people including a UK-wide sales force across its HQ on Sharston Industrial Estate and its depots in Luton and Bristol.

Founder and managing director, Simon Bellamy, said: “It is an honour to receive this national recognition. The business has grown significantly over the last few years and it is testament to the hardwork and dedication of the team who provide a trusted and quality service to our customers.”

Today, Simon runs the firm with his brother Daniel Bellamy and co-director Gareth Berry who joined the helm in 2005. Simon has significant ambitions for the Wythenshawe-based company. Despite the recent economic downturn, business is booming for Easi-Drive. It is bucking all the trends, increasing its workforce, moving premises and investing in new infrastructure.

During the last 12 months Easi-Drive has dealt with over 10,000 accidents, assisting clients back on the road and into replacement vehicles. Handling all aspects of non-fault claim work including credit repair, replacement hire (with an unrivalled range of domestic and commercial vehicles) and claims for compensation and injury. Easi-Drive has worked tirelessly to establish an excellent and trusted reputation with the industry. Its vehicle portfolio includes everything from taxis and ambulances to quad bikes and supercars including an Aston Martin.

Cash Reward for Employee of the Quarter Puts Wheels in Motion for Caribbean Holiday

Claire Glover, from Davenport in Stockport, has scooped a cash prize for her outstanding efforts to the business over the last three months.
Claire, a senior claims handler, picked up the employee of the quarter award from Manchester-based accident management firm, Easi Drive.

The 23-year-old has been with the company for five years and has been rewarded with a £300 holiday voucher. Nominated by her colleagues it is the second time she has received the honour. Claire plans to banish those winter blues with a trip to the Dominican Republic in the offing.

Commenting on her award, Claire said: “I am happy that my colleagues have noticed and appreciate the work I do for the company, I now have £300 to put towards my holiday next year. It is nice to know that despite being really busy that my hard work is recognised by the people I work with including the management team.”

Easi-Drive Toasts Three Years of 100% Invoice Payment

Easi-Drive Accident Management is celebrating three years of a service which has helped see the company develop as an industry leader.

Since 2006, the Manchester-based firm has been paying 100 per cent of invoices within just 10 days. It’s a rare benefit, and one that the founders think makes their outfit one-of-a-kind.

And in days when you can buy sat navs in supermarkets and groceries in garden centres - Easi-Drive is staying at the forefront - a one-stop-shop that clients increasingly demand.

Company director Gareth Berry explains: “The client's priorities may not be the advantages of our repayment system, but for bodyshops with cash flow to deal with and tight margins, it makes a tremendous difference. “And it’s an unusual thing to offer.” When you put it together with all our other services, I believe it makes us unique within the industry.”

They also cover repairs, replacement vehicles and ‘out of pocket’ expenses under one roof.

Gareth added: “And as far as replacement goes - we can get anything. At the moments we’ve got an Aston Martin V12 Vantage and a horse box out - and in the past we’ve replaced ambulances, 52-seater coaches and a hearse.”

For further information visit http://www.easidrive.com/ or call 0870 330 9770.

The Award Goes To

And the Easi Drive Accident Management sponsored award for vehicle manufacturer networks goes to ...Ford Motor Company!

Congratulations to Ford Motor Company, which picked up the ABP Club Night of Knight’s award for Vehicle Manufacture Networks.This was the category (out of 11) sponsored by Easi Drive at the Auto Body Professionals Club’s third annual event.

The night was a triumph, with 394 delegates – a 21 per cent increase on last year.

Twenty-four of the top 30 bodyshop groups were represented at the evening, attended by guest speaker Debra Searle MBE, who captivated every single person in that room.

If reports are to be believed, Debra’s speech is the first and only time a convention of bodyshop industry folk has sat still and total silence, as they heard about her determination to row solo across the Atlantic in three-and-a-half months – through hurricanes and utter loneliness.

Debra stayed on to present the Night of Knights Awards.

Congratulations to all 11 winners.