My Journey — From Ash Wraps to Automotive Youth

I founded Automotive Youth in 2024 when I was just 16 years old. It began with an idea, no funding and no financial backing. I have financed the group myself ever since, driven by a determination to help other young people find their place in the automotive world.

Known as Ash Wraps, my own journey began at the age of 10, designing vehicle graphics on Forza. What started as an interest grew into creating vehicle liveries and applying bespoke wraps.

When I began looking for a way into the automotive industry, I struggled to understand where to start unless I wanted to become a racing driver. I knew there were other opportunities, but finding clear routes into them was difficult.

As other young people started asking me for advice, I realised I wasn’t alone. Many of us shared a passion for automotive but needed help understanding where that passion could lead.

I started Automotive Youth to bring together young people with different automotive interests, help them explore career paths and build the support network I had been looking for myself. Whether their interests lie in engineering, design, wrapping, photography, journalism, motorcycles or motorsport, I want young people to see that there is a place for them.

Alongside this journey, I was an Army Cadet from the age of 12 until I turned 18, reaching the rank of Lance Corporal.

After leaving school at 16, I studied Motorsport Engineering at Coleg Menai, achieving a Level 3 qualification with distinctions. I was then accepted onto a Motorsport Engineering course at Oxford Brookes University.

However, I was also offered a traineeship in carbon fibre composites. Choosing between university and that opportunity was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. I chose the traineeship and have since continued my training in composites.

In 2025, I was proud to be named among the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2025 at Motorvate during Automechanika. The awards were sponsored by Comma in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Automotive Youth has grown from my own experiences: the excitement of discovering a passion, the uncertainty of finding a way forward and the value of people willing to offer support.

I started with an idea at 16. My aim is to help other young people believe in theirs—and find the connections and opportunities to take their next step.

“Stay positive, work hard and put yourself out there. One conversation could open a door to your future.” — Ash, Founder of Automotive Youth