Volks Centre Cairns | BMW | Mercedes

Meet the Volks Centre Cairns and Smithfield team

All our mechanics are carefully selected and trained to the highest German standard. Meet our qualified mechanics across two great locations in Cairns and Smithfield.

Nadim Sheik
Local Owner & Director

Born in St. Neots, England, Nadim has always had a deep passion for anything mechanical from a young age. He completed his apprenticeship and all his training at a locally owned, family-run workshop in his hometown, where he spent 10 years gaining extensive experience and refining his skills in the motor trade. After a decade of learning and growing in the industry. Nadim and his wife, Elizabeth, made the life-changing decision to relocate to Cairns, Australia in December 2015.

Nadim joined Volks Centre Cairns in January 2016 as a mechanic, and in 2017, less than two years later, in middle of 2017, he transitioned into a management role, becoming the Service and Workshop Advisor for the Cairns location. Nadim has always thrived to keep up to date with the latest technology in the German Automotive sector, and has an expertise for Diagnosing problem faults, programming, coding and cloning of electronic control modules, and is a local specialist in the modifications and performance tuning of German Manufactured Vehicles. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, going to the gym, watching his sons play rugby league and spending quality time with his family.

Liz Sheik
Client Relations Specialist

As a primary point of contact at Volks Centre, Liz is likely the first friendly face or voice you’ll encounter. Serving as the vital bridge between our clients and the workshop, she ensures every enquiry is addressed and every booking is seamlessly confirmed.

Liz is a cornerstone of our team, working closely with our office staff to maintain a smooth flow of operations. Her dedication to clear communication and prompt service ensures that your needs are always met with efficiency and care. When she isn’t at Volks Centre, Liz loves embracing the outdoors, whether she’s practicing yoga, hiking, or simply enjoying quality time with her family.

Jake Pressley
Branch Manager

Originally from Kent, England, Jake’s passion for German engineering is evident both in his work and his personal life as a multi-performance Volkswagen owner. After joining the Volks Centre team as a Qualified Mechanic in 2020, Jake’s deep technical expertise and hands-on experience with various German makes and models saw him rise to his current role as Branch Manager.

As one of the first points of contact for our clients, Jake leverages his extensive knowledge as a technician to provide cost-effective, reliable solutions for vehicle repairs. When he isn't at the shop, Jake is usually immersed in his other great passion: music and DJing.

Ryan Crow
Branch Manager

As a branch Manager at Volks Centre, Ryan is a fundamental part of our team, overseeing the care of high-end and performance vehicles. He brings over 22 years of industry experience across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, having built a deep well of expertise as a Parts Interpreter Manager, Service Advisor, and Workshop Manager.

Factory Trained in the Volkswagen and Skoda brand while maintaining a broad knowledge of other makes, Ryan is often the first point of contact for our clients. His professionalism and technical insight ensure your vehicle is in expert hands. During Ryans free time he enjoys outdoor adventures, exploring FNQ and Motorsports.

René Raith
Senior Technician

Born in Austria, René completed his apprenticeship at a Volkswagen dealership and brings over 20 years of experience in the German branded automotive repair and maintenance industry. Whether it's a complete engine rebuild, complex electrical diagnosis and repairs or fabricating custom-made components from scratch. René is equipped to tackle any challenge—no job is too big or complicated for him.

René has been a valuable member of the Volks Centre Cairns team since 2015. His motivation and expertise make him an essential part of the business, and he holds a vast wealth of knowledge in his field. Outside of work, René channels his skills into the productions of some extraordinary projects as one of his hobbies.

Loedolff Visser
Senior Technician

Originally from South Africa and now based in Cairns, Loedolff worked as a dedicated mechanic for Audi for over 8 years, where he completed his apprenticeship. He also gained valuable experience working on Mercedes Benz heavy diesel trucks before joining the Volks Centre team in 2020.

Loedolff is an exceptional all-rounder and a true specialist in the automotive industry. As a key member of our Smithfield mechanical team, he continually strives to expand his knowledge and stay on top of the ever-evolving motor trade. His expertise allows him to efficiently diagnose even the most complex mechanical and electrical issues. Outside of work, Loedolff enjoys riding his motorbike around the beautiful Cairns region on weekends.

Ladislav Prochazka
Senior Technician

Originally from Prague in the Czech Republic, Ladislav brings a wealth of knowledge to the Volks Centre team with nearly 30 years of experience in the motor trade.

As a Mercedes-Benz-trained specialist, he offers a high level of technical expertise and precision. In his free time, Ladislav enjoys exploring Cairns and making lasting memories with his family.

Fredi Markvard
Senior Technician

Originally from Estonia and now calling Cairns home, Fredi brings a decade of mechanical expertise to the team. Having completed the majority of his training at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Estonia, he possesses a specialized skill set alongside a broad range of experience working on all types of engines.

When he isn't in the workshop, Fredi spends his time exploring the outdoors through hiking and riding his motorcycles.

Logan Moss
Qualified Technician

Born and Schooled in Cairns, a true local. Logan joined Volks Centre Cairns in 2018 as an apprentice with minimal experience in the automotive industry. Since then, he has successfully completed his apprenticeship. As a qualified technician Logan has continually expanded his expertise in the German automotive sector.

Over the years, Logan has established himself as a dedicated and skilled member of the team, consistently delivering high-quality work driven by his passion for the trade. He’s now skilled at diagnosing faults accurately and tackling complex tasks, demonstrating his commitment to mastering the inner workings of vehicle components and systems. In his time off, some interests of Logan include working on his own personal performance car, DJing, fishing and enjoying quality time.

Billy Holiday
Qualified Technician

Billy joined our Cairns workshop in 2021 and has now completed his training as is a fully qualified mechanic, specializing in German-made vehicles. Over the past five years, Billy has developed a strong hands-on understanding of the motor trade, building both his knowledge and passion. With training and a natural keen eye for detail, he ensures that every customer's vehicle receives the proper maintenance and care it deserves, always meeting the highest standards.

Outside of work, Billy enjoys exploring the off-road tracks of Far North Queensland going four-wheel driving and also spending time working on cars with his friends.

Eric Pittroff
Senior Technician

Originally from Germany, Eric was factory-trained in the Idar-Oberstein region at a local Audi and Volkswagen dealership. With 14 years of experience under his belt, he brings a high level of technical expertise and specialised knowledge to the Volks Centre team.

During his time off, Eric enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with his friends.

Andre Schwabe
Senior Technician

Originally from Burgdorf, Germany, Andre is a factory-trained BMW technician with over 10 years of experience.

A highly driven and competitive member of our workshop, he brings precision and technical expertise to every vehicle he works on. Outside of the garage, Andre stays active by boxing, riding motorbikes, and hiking.

Hamza El Goufifa
Qualified Technician

Originally from Milan, Italy, Hamza joined the team with six years of industry experience, having been factory-trained at Volkswagen.

His sharp attention to detail and technical skill are clear in every job he takes on. Outside of the workshop, Hamza keeps active and stays sharp by boxing.

Axel Bor
3rd Year Apprentice

Axel joined the Volks Centre team as an apprentice in 2024 and has been making impressive progress ever since. With a strong motivation to succeed and a natural aptitude for learning, he approaches every task with enthusiasm and a commitment to mastering his craft.

Outside of work, Axel keeps his passion for mechanics alive by building project cars. He also values his downtime, enjoying catching up with friends and spending quality time with his family.

Finley Brown
3rd Year Apprentice

Finley joined Volks Centre in early 2026 as a third-year apprentice, bringing with him a couple of years of training from an Audi dealership.

We are excited to have him under our wing and to mentor him through the final stages of his qualification. Unsurprisingly, Finley’s passion for cars extends well beyond the workshop, as he spends most of his free time working on or around vehicles.

Leon Sheik
1st Year Apprentice

Leon recently joined the Volks Centre team, and despite being new to the automotive industry, he has already made impressive strides.

His strong attention to detail and eagerness to learn from his peers' expertise have made him a standout addition. Outside of work, Leon stays active by fishing, playing Rugby League, and training in Muay Thai.