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interview

Mr Kwik-Fit

JAMES HASTINGS meets business guru, entrepreneur and Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer

There aren’t many grandfathers like Tom Farmer. When his grandson told him he had to write a school project on Egypt, grandpa took him on a weekend trip to see the pyramids.

There aren’t many interviewees like Tom Farmer. The day after our meeting, he was due at The Vatican to discuss an art restoration project before jetting off to visit the Dalai Lama at the exclusive Golden Temple.

“The thing is, I need a haircut,” Mr Farmer explains apologetically when I arrive at his Edinburgh office. “The wee girl round the corner said she could fit me in at a quarter past, if you don’t mind coming along.”

Five minutes later, I’m conducting part one of my interview while Sir Tom Farmer CBE, one of the richest men in the UK, the man who founded the Kwik-Fit empire, Chairman of Hibernian Football Club and a life-long Christian, receives a £10 short back and sides.

The ‘wee girl’ clipping frantically, may not be aware of it, but she is about to have probably the most important 20 minutes of her business life. For the man with the bright blue towel stuffed into his collar is what is known in business circles alternatively as a captain of industry, a mover and shaker, a financial guru, a business whiz-kid and a people motivator.

While the hair fell around his feet, Tom Farmer talked candidly about his philosophy for success, how to turn people into achievers and even offered some advice on the troubles currently plaguing Marks and Spencer. Business executives, especially in America, would pay handsomely for this sort of advice. The barber got it for free.

Sir Tom Farmer won’t give his age, but he is certainly in his mid-60s, although he looks 15 years younger. Born the youngest of seven children into a devout but poor Catholic family, he left school aged 14 without a single qualification, and started selling tyres to garages in Leith, Edinburgh’s once notorious docklands.

By the time he turned 29, the born entrepreneur was a millionaire. He decided to sell his business and emigrate with wife Anne and two small children, to live the good life in San Francisco.

“I did get bored quite quickly,” he smiles. “I was used to working seven days a week, winning new customers, doing deals, opening new shops. San Francisco was lovely, but I had nothing to do."

It was in the States he encountered a business concept he immediately knew would be a winner back in Scotland. American motorists used drive-in garages, where exhausts and tyres could be checked and replaced. The Farmers sold up, returned to Edinburgh and Kwik-Fit was born. The company spread across the UK and Europe and six years ago he sold it in a multi-million pound deal.

"I’m often asked if I have regrets in life and like Edith Piaf the answer is no, but there are some things I wish I’d done differently,” he adds.

The walls of his office are covered in pictures of his children and grand-children, even the cushion covers bear images of the Farmer clan, and provide a clue to what's coming next.

“I wish I’d taken more time to smell the flowers. Back then, I’d stay in the office until 8pm, not because I had to, but just because I fell into the habit. It’s only now when I look at the grand-children I realise what I missed with my own.

“I travelled a lot then, but was always home for birthdays, anniversaries, that sort of thing. When they got older, my children never raised it with me and I consider them to be my best friends now. I admire the attitude of young people in business today. Yes, they want to succeed and make money, but they work to live, not live to work and that’s how it should be.”

Tom Farmer has been attending church as long as he has been in business. He met Anne at a church dance and they still attend the same church each Sunday. They’ve been married 39 years and he speaks of Anne with genuine love. “I’ve been asked countless times to name the biggest influence in my life and I reply Anne, my wife. If you want to be happy and succeed, find yourself an Anne.”

He laments the passing of the days when a family's entire spiritual and social life revolved around a close-knit Christian church community.

"I admire today's generation enormously," he said. "Look at the way they responded to the tsunami disaster. Young people are motivated and have an inbuilt desire to help others. I never had that world outlook when I was their age, but I did benefit from a wonderful spiritual and social upbringing from devout Christians. I wish it was possible to combine that experience of the church with the vitality of today's youth. I still believe the Church is strong today, if just different from my era. People always want to emphasise the negative.”

Throughout his business life, Tom Farmer has been repeatedly asked how he squares his great wealth (he has his own private plane) with his Christian beliefs.

"I’d be sitting in the chapel when they read the Gospel passage about the rich young man and the eye of the needle and think everyone was pointing at me saying: 'There's no chance wee Tommy's going to heaven’," he laughs. "Of course, the richness Jesus mentioned wasn't just money, but things like power, position and responsibility. A politician, for example, is a rich young man because he or she has enormous influence.

"I've never felt bad about having or making money. There's nothing in our faith which says it’s wrong or that you must give it all away. I have a responsibility to use my money wisely and I think I do. If we have a lot, we should use it to help others, not just keep it to ourselves.

"I ran a very successful business which provided many, many people with a job and income. I supported other businesses, my suppliers, and all of that was beneficial for individuals and society."

He is reluctant to reveal what projects he does support, but he is known to be a generous backer of numerous causes. When I name a few, he politely requests I don’t mention them in this article. One very public event which he was happy to be associated with was the Nativity scene he paid for in Edinburgh city centre.

He doesn't flaunt his wealth and if you met him on a train, you'd easily think he was just another smartly dressed businessman, not a multi-millionaire who owns a football club and private jet.

While his life may be more balanced today from a work point of view, (he still does a five-day week) Sir Tom’s ambition has not diminished. He also finds his spiritual life more balanced. After Kwik-Fit he set up another garage business called Farmer Auto Care, currently with 12 branches. These are run on a co-ownership basis, enabling people to run their own business without the huge start-up costs.

"Over the years I was asked whether I could combine a business ethic with my Christian beliefs," he said. "I believe the best businesses are those which were started by people of faith and motivated by the great commandment, to love your neighbour. Look at Marks and Spencer or Sainsburys which has Quaker roots.

"I always tried to love my neighbour in all my dealings and you know what, it works. Treat people as you would yourself, and stand by to be amazed."

He prays regularly. "I'm at that stage in life where my awareness of God is higher than it’s ever been. I'm more comfortable with my religion. There was a time when I went to church just to set the children an example. Now I love going and get so much from it. I'm there because I want to be there.

“I take great comfort from my Christian upbringing and the teaching that God is a forgiving God. I think of heaven as much like this world, only without the tragedy and poverty, but I also believe in Hell. Yes, God is forgiving, but there are some people who in their life deliberately set out to harm others. I do believe in Hell and it won't necessarily be empty.”

A few years ago, the entire Farmer clan flew to New Zealand to be with Tom's sister Mary as she lay dying. He lost a brother on the same date, 16 January.

He says: "One day, Mary propped herself up in bed and said she wanted us to make sure we had some PMA everyday. I asked what that was and she replied: ‘Positive Mental Attitude’. There are too many cynics in the world, too many people not enjoying their lives.

"I love mine. I plan to live until I'm 100.”

James Hastings is a freelance journalist based in Glasgow

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		interview Mr Kwik-Fit JAMES HASTINGS meets business guru, entrepreneur and Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer There aren’t many grandfathers like Tom Farmer. When his grandson told him he had to write a school project on Egypt, grandpa took him on a weekend trip to see the pyramids. There aren’t many interviewees like Tom Farmer. The day after our meeting, he was due at The Vatican to discuss an art restoration project before jetting off to visit the Dalai Lama at the exclusive Golden Temple. “The thing is, I need a haircut,” Mr Farmer explains apologetically when I arrive at his Edinburgh office. “The wee girl round the corner said she could fit me in at a quarter past, if you don’t mind coming along.” Five minutes later, I’m conducting part one of my interview while Sir Tom Farmer CBE, one of the richest men in the UK, the man who founded the Kwik-Fit empire, Chairman of Hibernian Football Club and a life-long Christian, receives a £10 short back and sides. The ‘wee girl’ clipping frantically, may not be aware of it, but she is about to have probably the most important 20 minutes of her business life. For the man with the bright blue towel stuffed into his collar is what is known in business circles alternatively as a captain of industry, a mover and shaker, a financial guru, a business whiz-kid and a people motivator. While the hair fell around his feet, Tom Farmer talked candidly about his philosophy for success, how to turn people into achievers and even offered some advice on the troubles currently plaguing Marks and Spencer. Business executives, especially in America, would pay handsomely for this sort of advice. The barber got it for free. Sir Tom Farmer won’t give his age, but he is certainly in his mid-60s, although he looks 15 years younger. Born the youngest of seven children into a devout but poor Catholic family, he left school aged 14 without a single qualification, and started selling tyres to garages in Leith, Edinburgh’s once notorious docklands. By the time he turned 29, the born entrepreneur was a millionaire. He decided to sell his business and emigrate with wife Anne and two small children, to live the good life in San Francisco. “I did get bored quite quickly,” he smiles. “I was used to working seven days a week, winning new customers, doing deals, opening new shops. San Francisco was lovely, but I had nothing to do." It was in the States he encountered a business concept he immediately knew would be a winner back in Scotland. American motorists used drive-in garages, where exhausts and tyres could be checked and replaced. The Farmers sold up, returned to Edinburgh and Kwik-Fit was born. The company spread across the UK and Europe and six years ago he sold it in a multi-million pound deal. "I’m often asked if I have regrets in life and like Edith Piaf the answer is no, but there are some things I wish I’d done differently,” he adds. The walls of his office are covered in pictures of his children and grand-children, even the cushion covers bear images of the Farmer clan, and provide a clue to what's coming next. “I wish I’d taken more time to smell the flowers. Back then, I’d stay in the office until 8pm, not because I had to, but just because I fell into the habit. It’s only now when I look at the grand-children I realise what I missed with my own. “I travelled a lot then, but was always home for birthdays, anniversaries, that sort of thing. When they got older, my children never raised it with me and I consider them to be my best friends now. I admire the attitude of young people in business today. Yes, they want to succeed and make money, but they work to live, not live to work and that’s how it should be.” Tom Farmer has been attending church as long as he has been in business. He met Anne at a church dance and they still attend the same church each Sunday. They’ve been married 39 years and he speaks of Anne with genuine love. “I’ve been asked countless times to name the biggest influence in my life and I reply Anne, my wife. If you want to be happy and succeed, find yourself an Anne.” He laments the passing of the days when a family's entire spiritual and social life revolved around a close-knit Christian church community. "I admire today's generation enormously," he said. "Look at the way they responded to the tsunami disaster. Young people are motivated and have an inbuilt desire to help others. I never had that world outlook when I was their age, but I did benefit from a wonderful spiritual and social upbringing from devout Christians. I wish it was possible to combine that experience of the church with the vitality of today's youth. I still believe the Church is strong today, if just different from my era. People always want to emphasise the negative.” Throughout his business life, Tom Farmer has been repeatedly asked how he squares his great wealth (he has his own private plane) with his Christian beliefs. "I’d be sitting in the chapel when they read the Gospel passage about the rich young man and the eye of the needle and think everyone was pointing at me saying: 'There's no chance wee Tommy's going to heaven’," he laughs. "Of course, the richness Jesus mentioned wasn't just money, but things like power, position and responsibility. A politician, for example, is a rich young man because he or she has enormous influence. "I've never felt bad about having or making money. There's nothing in our faith which says it’s wrong or that you must give it all away. I have a responsibility to use my money wisely and I think I do. If we have a lot, we should use it to help others, not just keep it to ourselves. "I ran a very successful business which provided many, many people with a job and income. I supported other businesses, my suppliers, and all of that was beneficial for individuals and society." He is reluctant to reveal what projects he does support, but he is known to be a generous backer of numerous causes. When I name a few, he politely requests I don’t mention them in this article. One very public event which he was happy to be associated with was the Nativity scene he paid for in Edinburgh city centre. He doesn't flaunt his wealth and if you met him on a train, you'd easily think he was just another smartly dressed businessman, not a multi-millionaire who owns a football club and private jet. While his life may be more balanced today from a work point of view, (he still does a five-day week) Sir Tom’s ambition has not diminished. He also finds his spiritual life more balanced. After Kwik-Fit he set up another garage business called Farmer Auto Care, currently with 12 branches. These are run on a co-ownership basis, enabling people to run their own business without the huge start-up costs. "Over the years I was asked whether I could combine a business ethic with my Christian beliefs," he said. "I believe the best businesses are those which were started by people of faith and motivated by the great commandment, to love your neighbour. Look at Marks and Spencer or Sainsburys which has Quaker roots. "I always tried to love my neighbour in all my dealings and you know what, it works. Treat people as you would yourself, and stand by to be amazed." He prays regularly. "I'm at that stage in life where my awareness of God is higher than it’s ever been. I'm more comfortable with my religion. There was a time when I went to church just to set the children an example. Now I love going and get so much from it. I'm there because I want to be there. “I take great comfort from my Christian upbringing and the teaching that God is a forgiving God. I think of heaven as much like this world, only without the tragedy and poverty, but I also believe in Hell. Yes, God is forgiving, but there are some people who in their life deliberately set out to harm others. I do believe in Hell and it won't necessarily be empty.” A few years ago, the entire Farmer clan flew to New Zealand to be with Tom's sister Mary as she lay dying. He lost a brother on the same date, 16 January. He says: "One day, Mary propped herself up in bed and said she wanted us to make sure we had some PMA everyday. I asked what that was and she replied: ‘Positive Mental Attitude’. There are too many cynics in the world, too many people not enjoying their lives. "I love mine. I plan to live until I'm 100.” James Hastings is a freelance journalist based in Glasgow © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.