Meet The Team

Lea Young - Director

I have been with Group Gear Ltd for 30 Years. In the early days I was responsible for the warehouse operation but have subsequently progressed through the Company to my present position of Commercial Director which I was appointed in 2021 upon Malcolm Dudley's retirement and in 2024 Simon Tea retired and Myself and John Caswell took over Group gear Ltd in it's entirety.

Dealing with the day-to-day procedural duties of the Company.

I am happily married with 3 children and 2 cats which keeps me busy. In my spare time….. what little there is, I love technology, gadgets, speakers and LED lights. I enjoy watching the footie and going out for meals with the family, you cannot beat a good curry or a good rib eye steak and chips. Aston Villa fan.

John Caswell - Director

I first joined Group Gear Ltd (formerly Computer Gear Ltd) in 1999 as a budding young IT apprentice, leaving the company in 2001 to further my career, to once again return in 2004 as the IT Manager. On my return it soon became apparent that I had a real passion and knack for sales and with my knowledge and experience of the company and its products it quickly helped me gain the confidence of my customers. This has enabled me to establish the good working relationships that I continue to enjoy with many of you today.

In my personal life I have a 2 Shetland ponies, chickens, three alpacas and a cat (oh yeah, and a loving wife). I enjoy a good soirée round the BBQ with friends & family.
I was promoted to Sales Director in 2021 upon Malcolm Dudley's retirement and in 2024 Simon Tea retired and Myself and Lea Young took over Group gear Ltd in it's entirety.

Darren Garner - Sales Supervisor

I’m jealous of my parents, I’ll never be able to have a kid as cool as theirs. Lover of all things Oasis, Liverpool FC, carp fishing & errrrrmmmmmmm cabling of course ever since starting here in 2011.

Kind of a good Samaritan, terrible athlete, but extremely blessed in the sleeping skills department. I try to be funny, because being hot just isn’t an option for me at this point.

My aim is to retire at 50 so better crack on. Hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance.

Mark White - Sales Account Manager

Happily married, beer swilling, Villa supporting, music loving, gig going, grandparent, yeah, yeah I know, I don’t look old enough!

Musically I am into New Model Army, David Bowie, Killing Joke, Fields Of The Nephilim, The Mission and most things on the dark side of punk and post punk, travelling to as many gigs and festivals as time, money and holiday allowance permits.
I have been working at Group Gear since 2017.

Lauren Smith - Admin Team Leader

I joined groupgear near the end of 2017 after leaving college. Since then, I have been improving my skills in the admin department.

Football is a big part of my life and takes up most of my spare time. I play as a goalkeeper for a local team, and I am a Birmingham City season ticket holder. I usually spend the rest of my spare time walking the dog and spending time with my family and friends. I don’t watch much TV unless it’s some kind of sport, but I do watch a lot of YouTube (probably too much).

Grace Martin- Admin Apprentice

I have recently joined groupgear after leaving sixth form to become the admin apprentice. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, celebrity conspiracy theories, ABBA, McDonalds Christmas cheese bites and binge watching tv shows. I am proud to have enlightened the office on modern slang such as: rizz, gaslighting, ghosted, wetter and bruv.

My favourite words and phrases are: suspicious, fake and what do you meeeaannnnn, which apparently, I use out of context. I do have brain cells, contrary to belief but continue to be discombobulated daily in the office.

Matthew Skidmore - Warehouse Supervisor

I am a family man first and attempt to run the groupgear warehouse second. I was born and raised in the Black Country and have acquired a great sense of humour over the years, working at groupgear I have needed to.

I do not have any spare time for hobbies but on the odd chance that I am allowed out I enjoy a few beers and a game of darts which helps me to relax and forget how sad life as become. Joking aside I have worked at groupgear for over 10 years and during that period it has become my passion to run the warehouse as efficiently as it can be. With a beautiful fiancée and two wonderful children I can honestly say being happy in my life is an understatement.

Wing Lee - Warehouse Operative

I was born and raised in Hong Kong and moved to the UK two years ago.
Everything is new for me… life, food, friends, career, challenges
My father is still in Hong Kong, we WhatsApp call to chat and share our daily lives.
I like the vibe here, it is easier to maintain a good mood and longer life, haha
All day breakfast and jacket potatoes are my favourite and I eat a lot of Hong Kong food on a weekend.
I love to: play the ukulele, go ice skating, do sports climbing, watch YouTube and movies.
I joined groupgear in May 2024, time is running fast.