Tributes after death of Tony Lowe, former RMI Federation director

Motor repair executives have paid tribute folllowing the recent death of Tony Lowe, who was a board member of the Retail Motor Industry Federation from 2003 to 2018.

Lowe was managing drector of bodyshop group Impact Repair Centre in the Midlands and sat on the RMI's main board plus its National Association of Bodyshops (NAB), where from 2005 he fought to attract crash repairers into membership after almost 50% of its bodyshop members pulled out following a mass resignation of its bodyshop consultancy group in 2004.

David Cresswell, chairman at the Auto Body Professionals Club (ABP Club), said: "Sad news has reached ABP of the death of Tony Lowe at the age of 65".

Graham Threlfall, a former head of the NAB, said: "One of the industry's true champions and personally I have lost a great true friend....We have lost a true legend, one of the nicest guys in the world."

Mick Whitehead, managing director at M&M Group, said: "There's a bodyshop being built up there as we speak, good night and god bless friend."

Karl Vella, chairman at The Vella Group, added: So sad to hear this news. He will be missed, he had a great sense of humour, didn't take himself too seriously and cared about the industry."

Barry Whittles, director of React Accident Repair Group, said: "Tony was a true gent and a passionate advocate for raising standards within the collision repair industry."