I joined Goodyear in 1997 switching my careers for more stability. I got the opportunity to work for Hi-Q as it was at the time, and started sweeping the floors and making the tea at Acocks Green store, before being let loose on car tyres and exhausts. As I progressed through the mechanical side and onto the bigger commercial tyres I also learnt how to use the retail system at the time. I was always willing to learn and the people were always willing to teach, and I also took things into my own hands by paying and attending night school to better my computer knowledge. There were always opportunities to help out at other stores or openings, and I was only too willing to go to help as I felt supported through my working journey. I was lucky to attend some real good internal courses and again have the people in the company who supported me and guided me though, and still today we still have those types of people that are willing to help. I got my opportunities and feel like I took them, I first went into development as a trainee manager, and then becoming an Assistant Store Manager to an Assistant Zone Manager before becoming a fully fledged Store Manager. In 2006, TruckForce was created, and I am happy to say I became the youngest at that time, in the newly created role, Hub Manager. In 2014 I became a TruckForce Regional Manager which is where I am today. I am proud not only of my achievements but the Company achievements as well, especially the creation of TruckForce. It wasn’t easy but so rewarding and something I was part of that I will always cherish.

I have spent just under 25 years in total working for Goodyear over two long stints, I started my career in 1988 working for Tyreservices GB which was a Goodyear equity business at the time. I started as a trainee after leaving college and my role consisted of sweeping floors and making tea, along with the team involving me in everything happening in the centre from fitting tyres of all descriptions along with lots of mechanical work, I was enthusiastic, willing to learn and the business was more than happy to reward my enthusiasm with training and development opportunities galore. My first significant achievement was becoming a qualified MOT tester just prior to my 21st birthday, this was highly unusual at the time, and I was very proud soon after to be offered a promotion to Assistant Branch Manager at a local store in a neighbouring town. My career continued to develop and grow with the Hi-Q network until 2003 when I chose to pursue opportunities outside of the business and joined a competitor, I have no doubt the development offered by Goodyear was instrumental in opening this door for me. Ten years later I felt that I needed a new challenge and when I was fortunate enough to secure my role as Field Training Officer for Goodyear it was the equivalent of "coming home" to where I belonged, I started my working life with this business and fully intend to end my career in the same place. For a second time Goodyear have given me training, development, and opportunity to progress which I have grabbed with both hands. To sum up I would say that working for Goodyear is a win/win situation............we enjoy the safety and security of working for a global brand along with the comfort and ease of working within the Goodyear family and the "One Team" ethos.