Oak Tyres, one of the UK’s largest independent tyre wholesalers, is celebrating two long-serving operational leaders and their recent appointments into new roles, as the brand continues to accelerate its expansion.
Brad Hazelden and George Leigh share the lessons learned from their careers, offering practical guidance to the next generation of industry professionals.
Brad Hazelden joined Oak Tyres almost seven years ago in an Operations Support role and has since been involved in all aspects of Oak’s logistics. Most recently, he has progressed to Site Operations Manager at the company’s busiest UK depot in Haydock.
George Leigh – who similarly began in Operations Support eight years ago – progressed to Site Operations Manager and earlier this year, took on the more senior position of Regional Operations Manager, where he will oversee all existing depots and drive operational standards across the network.
Climbing the Ladder
When asked what first attracted him to Oak Tyres, Brad comments: “It was the Business Graduate role, a perfect fit for my university studies. But what really appealed to me was seeing a company that seemed to be constantly expanding. I could see genuine career prospects ahead.”
His progression has been anything but linear. After starting in support functions, Brad was promoted to Site Operations Manager when Oak’s second Haydock site opened in 2022, then moved over to the recently acquired Warrington depot in May 2025.
Now, stepping into a leadership position at the company’s flagship warehouse, Brad reflects: “Every day poses new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop. I’ve been able to work across different parts of the company and see the distinct challenges each depot faces. That exposure has been invaluable.”
George Leigh’s journey mirrors this trajectory of steady progression. Rising from Operations Support to Site Operations Manager at the original Haydock warehouse, George is now stepping into a strategic regional role, a testament to his operational judgement and leadership capabilities.
George shares: “No two days are the same in operations. It’s fast-paced and non-stop. What’s been most rewarding is developing through the company and covering all sites. That’s given me a wider knowledge of how each aspect of each depot works.”
Building Leadership Capabilities
Both leaders have developed distinctive skill sets that have proven critical to their progression.
For Brad, the focus has been operational excellence and resource optimisation: “I’ve developed the ability to manage large-scale sites and utilise all resources to make operations as efficient as possible. But equally important is building resilience – the ability to face adversity head-on.”
George’s strength lies in people leadership as he comments: “I’ve realised that people management is crucial. Different personalities respond to different approaches, and understanding that has been key to getting the best out of my teams.”
When facing complex challenges, Brad advocates for strategic thinking: “Take a step back and assess situations for what they are. Then plan the best solutions with the resources you have available.”
George emphasises the value of decision-making under pressure: “The learning experiences that have shaped me most are the decisions I’ve had to make during our busiest periods, finding ways to keep the depot efficient when the pressure is on.”
Advice for Emerging Talent
Both George and Brad stress the importance of engagement and continuous learning for those aspiring to progress within the company.
“Get involved with as much as you possibly can,” Brad advises. “Learn from every experience. These experiences equip you with the skills and knowledge to tackle difficult circumstances ahead.”
George concludes: “Keep your head down, work hard, and take in information like a sponge! Learn as much as you can from as many people as you can. That approach will serve you well in the long run.”
Strengthening Operations
These promotions arrive at a critical moment for Oak Tyres. Brad’s move to Haydock brings proven operational leadership to the company’s highest-volume site, while George’s new Regional Operations Manager role establishes a dedicated strategic layer focused on standardisation, IT implementation, and cross-depot support.
Peter Cross, Commercial Director of Oak Tyres, said: “These internal promotions reflect the calibre of talent we’re proud to invest in. Brad and George are great examples of what’s possible when you combine ambition, hard work, and a genuine commitment to learning and development. Here at Oak Tyres, we remain committed to identifying and supporting emerging talent, with clear pathways for progression from entry-level operational support through to senior leadership roles.”
