Kevin Hooper

Privileged to have been a major part ot the panel, body and paint of 2025 SUMMERNATS 37 Top Judged Elite winner -

XW Falcon Ute "ENDLESS" (numerous other show, custom and race cars too)

Since moving to Australia from the UK, I have focused and honed my skillsets, this is due to being in a more hands-on position.

It has been rewarding to apply myself in a car scene which I'm so passionate about as I was unable to in the UK due custom cars not being as desirable. Classic cars are more commonplace and accessible.

Liaising with clients, suppliers and industry colleagues has been so beneficial to understand the sector dynamics.

• Lead small team of specialists automotive body repairers, repairing custom, classic and late model prestige marques including award winning full rotisserie restorations
• Worked on all aspects of repairs, restoration operations including panel beating, fabrication, modification, spraying, refinishing, fit and trimming on cars, boats, motorhomes and caravans
• Estimated and undertook assessments on all types of vehicle body repair, accident or corrosion, advising on best refinishing and cost based outcome
• Worked closely with insurance companies, negotiating between loss adjusters and client to ensure best outcome for all parties
• Worked alongside other specialist automotive workshops to undertake custom fabrication or unique modifications to customers requirement
• Continuously researched and implemented trending repair technologies and materials relevant to substrate material
• Worked to industry and technical standard, striving to utilise latest product systems to ensure highest standards and cost efficiency
• Negotiated specialist options and cost to enable the safe repair of rare/classic/custom vehicles, keeping the vehicle from being an uneconomical write off
• Assessed accident damaged vehicles and estimated repair costs to luxury prestige marques, using factory and industry specific repair techniques
• Partnered with top London event companies, prototyping venue design and prop refinishing, completing projects to extremely tight deadlines
• Worked in conjunction with classic car clubs and hire car companies
• Oversaw outsourced safety checks to UK government standards
• Managed all aspects of the business administration, book-keeping, insurance, banking, employees and contractors
• Worked hands on for ultimate quality control and drive employee passion for success

• Assessed required vehicle repairs, reporting to business owner and liaised with insurance companies
• Worked hands on repairing vehicles due to accidents or corrosion to ensure quality control and budget set by business owner/customer
• Estimated all costings to every aspect of vehicle repair or refinish
• Carried out all aspects of repair/restoration work, panel beating, corrosion repairs, strip down, refit and all aspects of spray painting
• Researched parts availability on rare marques, sourcing parts, consumables and workshop stock
• Liaising with customers and assessors/insurance companies to achieve best repair/write off options

• Represented photographers commercially, arranging photographic portfolio viewings, photo shoot production, costings and budget management
• Photographed commissioned portraits and interior shots for UK national media including, Sunday Times and Observer on Sunday magazine
• Assisted fashion, beauty, editorial and advertising photographers with all aspects of shoot management, costings and pre and post production
• Produced advertising and editorial shoots working closely with advertising and creative agencies, including budget management

• Designed and oversaw engineering of custom built unique large format cameras
• Integral member of photographic team, working across advertising, editorial and film production, including control and maintenance of all technical equipment
• Assisted in pre and post production estimates and costings for all still and moving image shoots
• Managed all aspects of lighting, set build, film and print process and production
• Managed monthly image syndication and usage licensing
• Assisted in above-the-line advertising shoots, including liaising with agents, art directors, copywriters
• Assisted in advertising photographic shoots for Hollywood Movie company, Paramount Pictures
• Assisted in pre production and test shoot of worldwide UNHCR commercial

• Team member responsible for co-ordinating and producing photographers' portfolios, stock library image control and worldwide promotion and syndication of photo essays, portraits and stock images
• Assisted in organising and print/frame production for photographic exhibition - 'Edge of Madness'- Tom Stoddart and Alistair Thain at the Royal Festival Hall, London, UK and Oksnehallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Photographed commissioned stock images predominately in London
• Comprehensive support for all aspects of programme production, including research, studio operation, presentation and administrative duties