Simon Cole
After leaving school I started work at RAF Chicksands on a youth training scheme for an organization called
MWR (moral welfare & recreation). I was employed at the Auto Hobby Shop, an 8 bay garage where serving
airmen in the United States Air force could take there privately owned vehicles & repair them themselves
with technical assistance from the staff if it was required. The scheme lasted for a year, during that year I
went to north herts college to study vehicle technology. After the scheme ended & passing all exams I was
offered a full time job which I accepted without hesitation working my way up to asst manager/chief
mechanic. During my time at Chicksands I completed many training courses from equipment to man
management. In 1995 RAF Chicksands was to close due to the end of the cold war which left me without a job.
I went on to get my HGV (C+E) driving license & in 1996 RAF Chicksands was to open again as DISC (Defense intelligence & security centre) I applied for a job as a driver/labourer with the Accommodations Services Unit (ASU). During my time employed there & not taxing my brain I looked for something else to get the grey matter working in August 1996 I joined the Territorial Army in Kempston & after basic training I became a member of 158 (Royal Anglian) Regiment RLC (V) 201 Sqn REME Fitter section.
I transferred from the ASU to the MT as a driver. In 2000 it was time for a change & I went on to become a HGV driver for Sainsbury’s that lasted until sept 2002 when I set up S.Cole Motors & I got back to what I know, Fixing Cars.
By this time within the TA I had worked my way up to the rank of Cpl & I was traded as a vehicle electrician & I also dual traded as a vehicle mechanic & in Feb of 2003 I was called up to serve in Iraq. Not long after my return from my “short” tour I was promoted to SGT & in Civvie Street my Business started to thrive & in Sept 2007 I joined forces with Darren to form Cole & miller Automotives Ltd
Darren Miller
After leaving school in 1991 I went to college 3 days a week and started work experience the other 2 days a week
at fairfield garage in Arlesey for 1 year. The full time college course allowed me to complete 2 years worth of
qualifications in city & guilds within the first year.
I was then offered a full time job at Fairfield garage where I spent the next 2 and a half years completing my
qualifications and gaining vital experience in all makes of car & commercial vehicles.
In 1994 I spent 2 years at a Bardell & Byrne who were bosch dealers & also involved in restoration of much older
vehicles & gained more experience in diagnostics for newer cars. I then moved to a breakdown company which
I had always wanted to do but reality hit when I had to give up my social life to work through the day and night.
I moved on after 1 year & was offered a job at Norton way Honda in 1997 where I spent nearly 5 years in the
dealership.
After leaving Norton way I decided to start my own business as Millers Auto Services. I built a small part of my business up while helping out at Arlesey Service garage where I met Simon, but spent so much time helping out I decided to work there full time until 2005.
In 2005 I left to carry on building my own business & shared a workshop in Beeston with Simon (S. Cole motors). Then in September 2007 we merged businesses and moved into our unit in Arlesey to form Cole & Miller Automotives Ltd.
The team
Chris Burr
​Michael Biegala
Elliot Howard
Tyler Cox
Mike Knowles
Amy Trotter
Ben Sherwood
Ingrid Miller
Kirsty Burr
Workshop controller
​Technician / mot tester
Technician / mot tester
Technician
Trainee Technician
Reception
Reception
Accounts
Accounts / Reception
