Meet our Team: Tom Cosway

About Tom

Tom is Motia’s Commercial Director, responsible for managing key fuel supplier relationships, developing new products and services, and ensuring we deliver value to our customers. With 25 years in the business, Tom has worked across a wide range of roles and played a key part in shaping Motia’s growth.

Let’s start with your role, what do you do at Motia?

My current role is Commercial Director. I manage relationships with our fuel suppliers, making sure we have the right cards at the right prices and that contracts are in place. I also work on incentive and rebate programmes for our team and focus on finding new products and services we can bring into the business, whether that is referral partnerships, reselling, or building something new ourselves.

No two days are the same, which is something I really enjoy.

How long have you been with the business?

25 years this September.

I started as an office junior back in 2001 for Samuel Cooke’s Oil Company, working in their fuel card division, which was later acquired by Fuel Card Services in 2008.

Tell us about your career journey

I started as an office junior and over the years worked across a range of roles including Card Admin, Customer Services, Account Management and Retentions.

I later became General Manager for the Burnley office, then moved into Head of Commercial, and most recently into my current role as Commercial Director.

It has been a long journey, but one I have really enjoyed.

What has been your proudest moment?

There have been a lot of highlights. I have worked on some big projects over the years including opening the Halifax office, expanding our fuel card portfolio, growing our range of fleet products and services, and being involved in the Cubo Solutions acquisition.

On a personal level, outside of family, progressing from office junior to Commercial Director has always been a goal of mine, so I am really proud to have achieved that.

How has Motia supported your development?

Motia has supported me a lot over the years.

I joined straight after AS levels and completed NVQ qualifications early on. I was encouraged to pursue further education and was sponsored to complete my foundation degree and then my BA Honours in Business Management.

I have also taken part in leadership programmes at Cranfield University and Ashridge Executive Education. That ongoing support has made a huge difference.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The people. We have got some genuinely great people across the business who work hard every day and push us forward.

I also enjoy the variety. Every day is different.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Reading long contracts, especially when they are 80 pages long. You definitely need to be in the right frame of mind for those.

What is the best thing about working at Motia?

It is the people. We have a lot of talented individuals who genuinely care and are always pushing to improve and grow the business.

How would you describe the culture?

I think we have really positive cultures across all of our offices. Each one is a bit different in its own way, and that is something I really like.

We have also shifted a lot over the last few years, moving from a fuel card focus to more of a broader fleet mindset, which has been exciting.

If you could switch roles with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would probably switch with one of our Existing Business Account Managers.

I would enjoy getting back on the phones and speaking to customers again. I always learned a lot from those conversations, and I really enjoyed spending time with customers when I did some visits last year.

‍‍‍Tell us a bit about life outside of work

I am a Burnley lad and have lived around the area all my life. I now live about 15 minutes from the office in Burnley with my partner, soon to be wife, Rebecca and our twin girls, Alice and Edith.

Most of my time outside work is spent with my daughters.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy running on the fells, mainly Pendle Hill, going to the gym, and cooking.

I love entertaining too, so having friends and family round for food is something I really enjoy.

Any hidden talents?

I used to DJ with my twin brother in bars and clubs around Burnley and even warmed up for Judge Jules from Radio 1.

That feels like a lifetime ago now, but I still get the decks out occasionally when I get the chance.

Quickfire round

Favourite way to unwind?
Spending time at the park with my daughters

Favourite food?
I really like entertaining so I like a lot of sharing food like Mexican, so I’d go with that.

Favourite drink?

Ilike a good German beer, nice glass of red or the occasional whiskey!

Favourite holiday destination?
Cyprus, we went earlier this year and loved it

Favourite TV show?
Ted Lasso, definitely recommend it

Dream dinner guest?
Pete Tong, I have listened to his Essential Selection for years

What is the best piece of career advice you have received?

Believe in yourself. Do not assume you cannot do something, try and find out.

If you fail, you fail, but you will learn a lot from it. I have learned a lot through failure, and I am not afraid to admit that. Working hard and pushing yourself really does pay off.

What would you tell your younger self?

Believe in yourself more and push yourself earlier.

It took me a while to build that confidence, and even now I still have moments of doubt.