We’re delighted to share that John Revell, Bodyshop Manager at Activate Accident Repair (AAR) Sunderland, has been named in Bodyshop Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list for 2026 , which celebrates 30 individuals under the age of 30 who have achieved remarkable success in the collision repair industry.

John joined the repair industry following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, working his way up from mechanic to vehicle damage assessor before taking the lead at AAR Sunderland while still in his twenties.

We caught up with John to find out how it feels to be recognised, what has shaped his journey so far, and what’ winning this award means for the future of the Sunderland site’s next for the Sunderland site.

How does it feel to be recognised for this award? 

It’s honestly a little overwhelming! I always give my best at work, and it feels really special to be recognised in this way. 

To think that the work I’ve been doing is strong enough for other people to recognise it is such a rewarding feeling and I’m very grateful.  

What inspired you to join the repair industry? 

It all started from a young age – my father and grandfather have been in the motor trade for 70-80 years by now, so it felt very natural to follow in their footsteps. 

I’ve grown up around cars; it’s all I’ve ever really known so joining the industry myself was always the direction I was going to take with my career. 

Tell us about your career journey so far? 

I started as a mechanic, then I’ve been in a few vehicle damage assessor roles, but I’ve always wanted somewhere to call my own space. 

Activate Group gave me that opportunity with Aactivate Repair Sunderland, and I’m very proud to lead the team there. Being given that responsibility happened quite quickly, and a huge part of the reason I’ve been able to succeed is thanks to the people around me. They make me look good! 

Having a great team helps me to achieve what I’ve been able to with Sunderland, and I believe that a manager is only as good as the people they have supporting them. You can’t do it on your own. 

What’s your favourite part of your job? 

I enjoy the challenge and having the responsibility to make a real difference. There are lots of different aspects to it – you have to answer questions, push to achieve targets, and balance the pressure of running a bodyshop and looking after your people. 

I have a natural instinct to be the best and the highest achieving, which has led to developing a mentality that naturally strives for better. Responsibility and pressure go hand in hand, but I definitely enjoy the challenge that this brings. 

Can you share any advice for people who want to succeed in this industry? 

You have to go to work each day and know where you want to be and what your ambition is. Find an area you want to devote yourself to and be passionate about your work. 

When you go the extra mile, do your best and try to overachieve, your hard work will pay off eventually and you’ll get closer to reaching your goals.  

Do you have a mentor who has supported you during your career journey? 

I have to mention Lee Johnson, Regional Manager. I was very young when I started here, but he saw something in me and really helped me to reach my potential and get to where I am today. 

I would also say that everyone around me supports me to continue growing as a leader on a daily basis. I’m part of one big team, and we all work together to achieve our goals as a site. 

What do you think helped you stand out for this award? 

It’s really not typical to find someone my age in bodyshop management. People will often go through all the ranks of a bodyshop and master each craft over several years, so managers usually begin in their 30s and 40s. 

I started this role when I was in my mid-twenties, so I think this helped me stand out. Luckily, I’ve had so much support at Activate Group to handle the responsibility and I’ve worked really hard to be the best manager I can be for Sunderland. I’m so proud of my team for helping me on this journey – it’s truly been a team effort.  

How do you think winning this award will impact your future career goals? 

My personal view is that if you can achieve one award, you can achieve more. Being rewarded and recognised proves that your hard work is paying off, and this award has given me a big boost to go even further in the future. 

Last year, AAR Sunderland won Fastest Growing Bodyshop Group Site at the ABP Club Night of Knights awards. I’d love to achieve more awards for the site – it would be fantastic to be recognised again for something based on our customer feedback or site performance. 

My team is a big part of why I’ve been able to achieve the 30 under 30 award, so my next goal is for them to be recognised for all their fantastic work that makes Sunderland such a successful site!