News
By Colin
Posted: December 17, 2025
Hello, I hope you are all well and looking forward to the Christmas break.
It’s been a mixed year in many ways for us at CAT Driver Training. Fair weather through the months of Spring coupled to a very dry summer found us busy from as early as February.
The win of a significant new motor industry client in the Summer quarter of 2024 produced a high-volume demand for engineer training through the Spring and Summer. As the months progressed, the much publicised budget loomed and the challenges within the motor industry found our automotive industry footfall reduce through October & November, but interestingly, is now building back for January.
As I begin to focus on the wonderful distraction of Christmas and family time, I conclude we’ve had a productive year. It has felt like a long one!, but in a good way. Let’s shine a little more light on what we’ve all been up to.
Welcome to our end of year Christmas Newsletter.
The CAT instructors belong to a variety of associations and organisations relevant to the driver training industry. On Friday 5th December Helen, Steve and I attended the Driving Instructor Association Annual Conference in Coventry. I have been a member since 2005, when I became an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
Although primarily catering for the new driver and learner market, they have a voice within Government via the Driving & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), lobbying for the ADI and driver training profession. I used the services and guidance from the DIA during Covid to ensure CAT complied with the ever-changing government advice and legislation for in car driver training.
The conference was insightful and interesting as expected. Guest speakers form the DVSA and several driving psychologists kept us engaged - with a new driving psychology course found to book up for next year.
If you have a new driver in the family there is hope for test booking times and availability next year. I can confirm that the DVSA are launching a new system to improve the process and remove the touts and bots from the equation. There does however seem to be a continuing fly in the ointment - which is examiner recruitment and retention - an ongoing issue.
I was let loose at Donington for a track day in November with family and friends in the Puma ST for its first foray on a race circuit. Having lived its life at UTAC to date, as the ST has a track pack and LSD - all standard Ford spec and runs on Pilot Sport 4s Michelin’s it works well as an occasional track tool - yes it was wet and Donington does not have the long straights of Spa, but I had a great day in what is a family 4 door with 200 BHP. My ethos is and always will be, you don’t need an out and out performance marque to enjoy yourself on the occasional track day.
Ooh! nearly forgot, the only change I made to the standard spec was EBC Yellow Stuff pads front and rear, and a brake fluid change. Yes, the brakes did get hot and needed 30 mins in the pits to cool between sessions, but that’s to be expected on this sector of vehicle. I drove home with a firm pedal and lots of pad material left. As a foot note, Yellow Stuff pads have the R90 designation meaning they are road legal.
This question comes up sufficiently I felt it warrants an explanation.
The business processes we employ are in the main designed by Jo. For 8 years Jo worked for an investment bank on the trading floor, creating and managing the administration for selling of bonds. She brought this life experience of process and exactness into CAT.
From time to time our business systems are audited. All part of the procurement scrutinization process you would expect to experience when working with OEM’s and Tier 1 and 2 service providers to the automotive industry.
We know how many clients we have welcomed because we have an accurate and constantly updated record. Each client is presented with a certificate reflecting their course attendance, the certificate number is logged and recorded. That number currently stands at 8048 and counting. This ensures when audited we achieve a rating of “Very Good”.
We regularly sign Non Disclosure Agreements to ensure client and project confidentiality - this is the reason we do not advertise on a regular basis who we work with within the motor industry. We respect each client request for anonymity and confidentiality. At the end of each course delegates receive their certificate and complete a course assessment form to evaluate our performance. Automotive industry delegates are not asked to write a Trustpilot or Google review, as this could compromise our confidentiality agreement with them. Some delegates choose to of their own accord and generally remain anonymous.
Once GDPR became a mainstream business expectation, Jo became the matriarch GDPR figure head for the business. Permission for what we can discuss regarding confidentiality is sought from Jo. Without doubt this respectful and compliant approach to client information influences our marketing strategy as we are not able to “shout” about what we do. On the flip side, clients respect their information is safe with us - that can, and does win respect and increased business in the long run.
When our clients attend a course not associated with the motor industry, every customer receives a certificate and an automated request from Trustpilot electronically to file a review. We also ask if they have a google account to do the same.
At CAT there is no selection process around who is sent a review invitation - each of you receive the invite automatically. I am extremely grateful when clients do take the time to complete a review. I don’t know your views, but when looking for a service or purchase for myself, personally I do not trust somewhere that has no independent review procedure. As consumers I think we have all become savvy around who we spend our money with - independent reviews have become an expected norm in a purchasing process and I respect that. It can also seem they don’t have the confidence in their own services as there is a review process but it’s not advertised openly. That then makes me wonder if they are selective in who they invite for a review?
These are all traits you find in the general marketing of goods and services and the driver training world is no different. However, Jo and I have always chosen honesty and transparency for our business, and that’s the reason CAT as a brand, has the Trustpilot logo front and centre on our website. Thank you to our clients for all of the reviews written, currently numbering 1263 - all 5 stars, baring a literal handful of 4’s and a 3.
If you are reading this newsletter as a new client to CAT Driver Training, please take the time to read our reviews, it will give you the CAT story and what to expect when you join us. Our clients tell our story far better than I, or we, can. For me they represent 20 years of great memories, friendships and confirmation of how hard the CAT team work to ensure you achieve your objectives, learn lots and have a great time.
I will begin my summary with a big thank you to Sunbelt Rentals for entering the Race of Remembrance and raising over £10,000 for Mission Motorsport. It was a privilege to be asked to organise the commissioning of the car and to assist in the organisation of the weekend.
I joined Mark Hoad and professional racing driver Jake Hill - BTCC Champion 2024 with the driving duties, for the 12-hour endurance race held at Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit over 3 days in November.
We finished on the podium, second in class, 4 seconds behind the leaders. A great result for all concerned, and fantastic to stand on the podium with Jake and Mark after such a sterling team effort. Thanks go to RABsport - our support team - for providing us with a reliable and competitive car #545 for the duration of the race. Brilliant race strategy too - great work guys.
I’ll let the pictures do the talking - lots of smiling faces and moments of positive reflection. We had a blast - thank you Mission Motorsport. I’m hoping we can repeat it all next year, but 4 seconds quicker, no make that 5 seconds.
Jo and Lynne will be launching the 2026 Porsche Club GB group days on the 17th December. If you are planning on joining us for the first time or continuing your structured learning with us on a follow-on course, please make sure you contact us promptly to avoid disappointment and secure your place.
In the club format you have 3 course options:
This years pot will be smashed on Friday 19th December live on Facebook at 10:00 hrs. If you are not aware of our annual fundraiser, here’s the deal:
We have currently raised in the last 6 years £10734 for charity. Be sure to join us.
Our over grip limit courses have been in high demand this year with the final one for the year being delivered on December 20th for a new racing driver preparing for next season. If you are planning on booking Road Level 4, Track Level 3 or Race Level 3 early next year, please book with Jo and Lynne in good time. These courses require the exclusive use of the Dynamics Pad at UTAC Millbrook and demand for this circuit at present is high. Our advice is to book a minimum of 6 weeks in advance if you can, to secure your date and avoid disappointment.
Lucy our marketing consultant often reminds me that clients like to know about the people and the personalities behind a business - that is an area that I’ve always personally struggled with, but have learned like most of us have to, if we want to promote our business on social media, to be more vocal and unreserved.
Within the team we have a variety of interests and pastimes which are many miles away from the life we lead at CAT. Amongst us we have a dog trainer, a charity worker who helps with the horses and riding lessons for disabled children, a retired chorister, a cat rescue volunteer, a carp fisherman, a retired stained-glass maker, a netball coach and a fully qualified accountant.
You could have some fun working out who’s who. By the way, I’m the carp fisherman, here’s a picture from my final session in 2025.
So you see, it’s not all hard work. We know how to make our lives fulfilling and meaningful outside our commitment to you, and all come with diverse life experiences and the motivation to enjoy the world. In my eyes that’s what keeps us all fresh and motivated when we are working - we are a mixed bunch with a shared passion for training, coaching and customer service.
Being honest, I wasn’t sure how this year would play out for CAT. We are a small but significant service provider within the automotive industry, and not immune from the changing tides and challenges the big players are experiencing. We are all aware of the many challenges businesses are facing at present.
Although the motor industry has kept a tight hand on the purse strings, it’s great to get to December and feel satisfied the year has been a busy and productive one.
Our Road, Track and Race itineraries have kept us busy all year with the odd dip in traffic around the school holidays, but that’s not unusual. So thank you to all of our clients new and returning for your continued support. We know you have many choices for training providers out there. To see new faces, many of you return to complete your Academy programmes, and also travel from as far afield as India, Hong Kong and California for race instruction, is hugely satisfying for the whole team. Thank you.
That just leaves me to wish you all seasons greetings however you celebrate, a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous and healthy 2026 from the whole CAT Team.
Regards Jo, Lynne, Helen, Steve and Colin
Call: 01234 757 633
Email: info@catdrivertraining.co.uk
Attend a course & feel your knowledge & technique has not developed, you've not been taught new skills, or not been treated with respect & professionalism, your money will be refunded. It’s as simple as that.
The CAT Team look forward to working with you.
Colin Hoad
CAT Driver Training is the fast way to develop & improve authentic dynamic driving skill, technique & knowledge from the Best. OEM recognised driver training for individuals & the motor industry. As the leading UK based independent advanced performance driving skills company, we exist to make your driving experience even better. Explore your cars potential, fulfill your own. Coaching advanced road & track skills, safety driver training courses for individual driving enthusiasts & advanced driving for all facets of the motor industry. The only training company resident within UTAC's Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, within easy reach of London, & all surrounding counties: Hertfordshire; Buckinghamshire; Oxfordshire; Nottinghamshire; Cambridgeshire; Norfolk; Suffolk; Essex; & Surrey. Clients travel from the World over & the UK to learn from the authentic evidence based dynamic driving & vehicle dynamic experts. | All Rights Reserved | Copyright 2005 – 2025
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