Upon leaving school Tom joined the John Deere Turf Tech Apprenticeship, a three-year programme in land-based service engineering focusing on horticultural machinery, followed by a fourth-year diploma.
His commitment and skill were quickly recognised, leading to a pivotal opportunity to begin his career as a Service Technician. In this role, he was tasked with setting up a commercial workshop, before advancing to After-Sales Manager.
Tom’s career then took a new direction as a Commercial Manager for a French electronics manufacturer, where he developed his commercial acumen. This role laid the foundation for his subsequent position at Timberwolf, where he spent four years, first as UK Sales Manager and then as Export Manager, overseeing global sales and expanding market reach.
Reflecting on his new chapter at the Howardson Group, Tom says, “From leaving school and studying fine turf equipment through my apprenticeship, it feels like coming home. I’m excited to work with the best in the business, especially with brands like Dennis, SISIS and Hunter Grinders, which are market leaders in professional turf care machinery.”
As Regional Sales Director, Tom’s role centres on ensuring consistent and exceptional customer experiences worldwide. “My job is to support and develop our routes to market outside the UK. I want to ensure that a customer buying our equipment in Vietnam, for example, has the same experience as a customer purchasing from a local dealer in Derby,” Tom explains. This involves building infrastructure, training dealers, and fostering direct relationships with key clients. “We need to make sure our dealers have all the tools, training, and knowledge they need to provide unparalleled customer service.”
Tom has also been struck by the significant investments the Howardson Group has made to lay strong foundations for growth. “I didn’t quite realise the scale of investment in the business to give it structure and set it up for future success. It’s inspiring and motivates me to contribute to pushing the company to the next level,” he says.
For Tom, exceptional customer service is at the heart of Howardson Group’s operations. “Customer service is 100% at the core of what we do. We want every interaction to be memorable so that when customers are in the market, we’re the first brand they look to,” Tom states. He underlines that the company’s dedication to innovation ensures there’s no reason for customers to look elsewhere.
Tom is also impressed by the company’s rich history and the loyalty of its employees. “Many staff members have been with the business for over 30 years. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships with customers are unparalleled. I’ve seen firsthand how these relationships go beyond transactions; customers are not just numbers—they are friends,” Tom adds.
Looking ahead, Tom’s vision is to expand global market coverage and deepen customer connections in every territory. “Success for me means having increased visibility and strong relationships within key market segments, especially in regions where we’re less known,” he explains. “Attending and hosting educational events and exhibitions to showcase who we are and what we stand for is also vital.”
Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending quality time with his young family, friends, and participating in various sports.
The Howardson Group is excited to welcome Tom Worthy as he leads the charge in expanding the company's global reach, upholding their legacy of excellence, and forging lasting relationships with customers worldwide.