From completing an apprenticeship in vehicle parts distribution to becoming the owner and Managing Director of a nationally recognised independent garage, Tim’s career has taken him through higher education, marketing, universities and the automotive industry.
His journey began with an apprenticeship at what was then South Hereford Garages. After three years in full-time employment, Tim made the decision to return to education and study the HND Business at Herefordshire College.
“The course gave me a broader understanding of finance, marketing, people and operations, but it also taught me to look at a problem properly before acting.”
After completing his HND, Tim progressed to university in Cardiff. He then secured a marketing graduate work placement with GoWales at a Cardiff-based IT franchise company, which led to his first post-graduate full-time position.
His career subsequently took him through a cosmetic surgery franchise, Glamorgan University and Swansea University, where he worked in adult learning, before bringing his experience back to Herefordshire and returning to his family business, Oldfields Garage Services in Leominster.
Today, Tim is the owner and Managing Director of Oldfields, having bought the business from his parents.
Under his leadership, the business has developed into a modern independent garage with a strong focus on customer service, technical standards and team development. Oldfields has received national recognition through a number of major industry awards, while Tim also contributes to the wider automotive sector through writing, speaking, judging and advisory roles.
Alongside the garage, Tim runs Oldfields Automotive Consulting and is developing LiveStandard, a software platform designed to help businesses manage standards, procedures, knowledge and training.
Putting business theory into practice
For Tim, one of the most valuable aspects of studying HND Business was learning how to apply theory to real-world decisions.
“The most important thing I learned was how to apply business theory to real decisions.”
That approach has continued to influence the way he runs Oldfields, particularly when making decisions that affect customers, employees and the long-term future of the business.
Tim particularly enjoyed the breadth of the course, including the Marketing and Supply Chain modules.
“A successful business is not built on one subject alone; finance, marketing, leadership and customer service all have to work together.”
He also valued the opportunity to discuss ideas, challenge his own thinking and connect what he was learning to real businesses.
Tim believes one of the strengths of his experience at Herefordshire College was that it gave him a route into higher education without there being a single expected path.
“The College offered me a valuable bridge between school and university, with accessible tutors and a learning environment where I could develop both academically and personally.”
Having since returned to the College, Tim has also seen how it has continued to develop.
“I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to go back into the College since leaving and, from what I’ve seen, huge progress is visible in facilities, accessibility and support.”
He also remembers his tutors as approachable, knowledgeable and supportive, particularly appreciating the fact that they treated students as adults and encouraged them to think beyond simply learning from a textbook.
Building a business and investing in people
Tim says the HND helped him see Oldfields as a business that could be developed, rather than simply a job he was returning to.
It also shaped his approach to developing the people around him. Oldfields continues to invest in apprenticeships, technical training and career progression, something Tim sees as an important part of creating opportunities for others.
“I have seen how the right learning environment can build confidence and open up opportunities.”
Tim’s career has certainly not followed a straight line, and that is something he encourages current and future students to embrace.
His advice is simple: make the most of the people around you, ask questions and look for opportunities to build skills.
“Your career does not have to follow a perfectly straight line; concentrate on building useful skills, taking opportunities and doing each stage well.”
He also encourages students to connect what they are learning to real businesses and situations, because that is when knowledge becomes something they can carry forward into their careers.
“If you have opportunities to do things that round or improve your skills, take them. You never know where it might lead.”
Although Tim did not initially plan to return to the family business, he always knew he wanted to run his own business one day. Looking back, he sees his HND Business as a key step on the journey that ultimately led him there.