In our latest episode of On The Ramp, we were joined by Mark Field, Chief Executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). What started as a chat about parts tariffs quickly turned into a wider, honest look at the future of independent garages—and why now is the time to reframe our value, push standards, and demand our place at the table.
YouTube – https://youtu.be/JqXHc9l53VQ?si=ltpphik98JvfbK_s
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tZM0ZZghVWfutvTMUFXvg?si=b1b8d569ca644dc3
“Not Just a Parts Game Anymore”
Mark didn’t grow up in the trade. He didn’t come from a technical background or wrench in hand. But what he did have was a knack for storytelling and a keen eye for real businesses doing real things. Having spent decades in PR, publishing, and aftermarket media, Mark’s route into the IAAF was far from conventional—but maybe that’s what’s needed to challenge old narratives.
Historically, the IAAF was seen as a federation primarily for suppliers and motor factors. But under Mark’s leadership, the shift has been towards something more inclusive—something the independent garage sector has long deserved. “Our suppliers want to talk to garages. Distributors are always talking to garages. So why aren’t we?” Mark asked. Fair point.
Tariffs, Costs and the Knock-On Effect
Fresh off a BBC interview about U.S. tariffs on Chinese parts, Mark warned that even if you’re not directly exporting or importing, the ripple effect is very real. A part built in China, routed through the U.S., and sent back to the UK can rack up costs from multiple tariffs. The aftermarket, as ever, isn’t exempt—it’s absorbing the cost and passing it down the line. “It’s always us who end up paying,” he said bluntly.
The Real Skills Challenge
But the most animated part of the conversation came when we turned to skills—or more accurately, the perception problem. “It’s not a skills gap. It’s a skills challenge,” Mark said. And he’s spot on. The issue isn’t a lack of people, it’s how we onboard, inspire, and retain them.
He told us about visiting colleges where students had signed up to automotive courses and had already mentally checked out. “80% were thinking about leaving before they even started.” Why? Because no one had shown them the full picture. No one had reframed the trade.
Reframing the Trade
There’s a growing number of independents looking beyond the tools, beyond the ramps, and asking deeper questions about branding, data, and long-term strategy. Garages are hiring marketers. They’re investing in training—not just technical but soft skills, business intelligence, and customer comms. And the IAAF is looking to support that.
From working with government on Right to Repair, to pushing for better onboarding and clearer legislation post-Brexit, the IAAF is positioning itself as a proper representative body for independents, not just the top of the supply chain.
Free to Join, But That’s Just the Start
Garage association with the IAAF is free, and that matters. But Mark is clear: “We don’t just want numbers. We want engagement.” Because when lobbying for legislative change, being able to show a government department that you represent the full weight of the supply chain—including thousands of garages—matters. It’s how you get taken seriously.
What Now?
We finished the chat talking about Motivate, a new initiative launching at Automechanika Birmingham, designed to bring colleges and the trade together in a meaningful way. “There’s a whole supply chain that wants to talk to you,” Mark said. And for once, it feels like we’re not just talking—we’re doing.
So if you’re a garage owner, a technician, a parent of someone looking at a career path, or someone who’s just starting to get serious about the business side of what you do, now’s the time to lean in. Get involved. Raise the bar. And leave the industry better than you found it.
