Neil Spencer: Automotive trimmer

Upholstery isn’t just a trade for Neil; it is a lifelong passion built on generations of family expertise. Before establishing Hoods & Stitches, Neil spent over a decade refining his skills at Leisuretrim in Ponthir—a highly respected specialist automotive upholstery business founded by his late father in 1990. Under his father’s guidance, Neil mastered the intricate, high-standard demands of vehicle trimming, working on everything from classic car restorations to modern luxury interiors.

A Journey of Resilience. Prior to working at Leisuretrim, Neil proudly served as a professional British infantry soldier with the 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers, earning an exemplary military record. Following a medical discharge after being wounded by a suicide truck bomb in Iraq, Neil returned home to South Wales.

After a nine-year chapter working as a drayman, the call of the workshop proved undeniable. In 2024, driven by a deep love for the craft, Neil stepped back into the industry he was born into and launched Hoods & Stitches Newport.Today, we operate proudly as a family-and-veteran-owned business, bringing discipline, military precision, and generations of knowledge to every single stitch.