Tim Penn

Tim’s international business journey began during his sporting career as a jockey, when he spent a year at the world‑renowned racing centre of Chantilly, north of Paris. Arriving with no French, he gained fluency through full immersion, a skill that led directly to his first Export Sales role in North Africa.

He later founded his own export company, operating worldwide and adding German to his language portfolio. His work supporting several German manufacturers expanded his European reach, and his business travel eventually saw him living between San Francisco, California, and Ennetbaden near Zurich, Switzerland.

On returning to the UK, Tim formalised the skills he had built on the road. He studied French and German with the Open University, earning a Diploma in French followed by a BA (Hons) in language, business, and cultural studies. He went on to achieve a PGCE (Post‑Compulsory Education & Training) from the University of Wales and later completed an MBA at Durham University - quite an academic transformation for someone who left school at 16 with two O Levels.

This educational journey shaped Tim’s strong belief in lifelong learning, a message he regularly shares in schools and colleges. For him, studying business after running a business is not backwards; it reflects the modern reality that skills can - and should - be constantly updated, blended, and reapplied to open new opportunities.

After completing his MBA in 2005, Tim launched Signature Leather Limited, a business rooted in traditional glove‑making and influenced by his equestrian background. The company has since grown to include a Fashion and Motoring Collection designed in rural Wales and celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2025.

Recognising the value of languages in business, Tim became a Business Language Champion in 2012, supporting Welsh Government “Global Futures” initiatives and encouraging pupils across Wales to consider the power of modern foreign languages. His contributions were recognised with the Cilt Cymru “Best Newcomer” Award in 2012 and the “Outstanding Individual Commitment” Award in 2014. More recently, he has begun learning Spanish as a live case study for students and, through his business teaching at Wrexham University—including online marking for International MBA students - achieved Associate Fellow (AFHEA) status in 2024. 

Celebrating 17 years as a Role Model, Tim’s 2026 message to students is clear: 

business ideas don’t need to be fully formed at the start - launching with a minimum viable product allows the marketplace to guide and refine the journey.