Our Story
Founded in 1985, the Swallows Brand has evolved through three generations of expertise in engineering and four decades of association with Jaguar vehicles.
Our History
In 1984, Gary Robinson, an apprentice trained motor mechanic founded Swallows, he named his business after Jaguars first car, the ‘Swallow’. Gary comes from a family with a heritage in engineering. His grandfather, Thomas Robinson was an aviation engineer at the famous aircraft manufacturer, De Havilland. Working his way through the ranks Thomas became head engineer. He passed the engineering genes to his son Pete, Gary’s father. Pete Robinson was a master gunsmith, but with a passion for all things in motorsport. It’s not hard to see where Gary’s love for Jaguars, engineering and motorsport comes from. These are all things he has passed to his own sons Tom and Jack who now run the business alongside Gary and share his passion.
Gary Robinson
With its roots in Ruislip, Gary, a natural entrepreneur started Swallows not long after completing his apprenticeship on Jaguars and other prestige cars. Nearly thirty years ago he moved the business to its current location south of Bristol in Somerset.
Gary’s other long held passion is in motorsport having competed at a high level for a factory race team, he can boost a national title amongst his racing accolades. His natural talent and infectious enthusiasm have been passed down to his sons Tom and Jack.
Tom Robinson
Following the family engineering tradition Tom learnt the ropes at Swallows as an apprentice technician. Inspired to go racing in 2016, Tom built his first race car an XJR6 and created the Swallows Racing brand the same year. Now the company Managing Director Tom has led the business through its recent phases of growth and expanded its range of JLR performance parts. On the track Tom claimed victory in the 2022 Jaguar Championship collecting the title with eleven outright wins from fourteen starts.
Jack Robinson
Being surrounded by Jaguars from birth it was no surprise that Jack joined the family business. With entrepreneurial instincts inherited from Gary, Jack has in recent years developed the car sales arm of the Swallows business, successfully hand picking and retailing quality used Jaguars and Land Rovers. In 2022 Jack followed Tom into the world of Jaguar motorsport and came within a whisker of claiming the Jaguar Championship title in only his second season racing, behind the wheel of his XK8 in 2023.
Our Team
We’ve refined our service over 3 generations in keeping with the prestige of the Jaguar brand. Swallows stems from a blend of family influences and engineering expertise spanning three generations.
Colin Porter
PR & Marketing
Nick Bayliss
Parts
Sydney bishop
Servicing
Daeman Lynch
Servicing
John odam
Master Technicain
Brendan Edmondson
Technician
Phill powel
Master Technician
Nick Kellow
Fabrication
Shane lench
Technician
Warren Shaw
Technician
Chris Weston
Swallows Racing
George Cambridge
Mechanic – Swallows Racing
Ali Forte
Accounts
Jake Weston
Valeter
Max Milliship
Media
Liam Lennox
Technician
Elliott Foote
Apprentice
Sharon Moon
Accounts
