TDL APAC
From the UK to Sydney: how TDL expanded internationally
TDL APAC
Into the unknown
Oliver Tomlinson, founder of TDL-Creative, shares his journey of moving from Wales to Sydney, the realities of taking a leap into the unknown, and how our employee-owners were involved in the process of launching TDL APAC.
TDL APAC
The seed of an idea
Back in May 2025, I found myself helping a TDL client in Sydney. I’d never been to Australia before and was surprised when I got the all-important green light from my wife to help on a bid project over there. That trip was the catalyst for major life decisions and upheaval over the following six months.
I loved being back at the ‘coal face’ of bidding, helping on-site to facilitate a great working relationship between our client and the TDL team back in the UK. Hours were long, but that never matters when you’re part of a great team, all striving to get the best bid out of the door.
"I loved being back at the ‘coal face’ of bidding, helping on-site to facilitate a great working relationship between our client and the TDL team back in the UK."
Oliver Tomlinson
General Manager at TDL APAC
When I had the crazy idea of uprooting my life to move to Australia, my thinking was that I’d just set up another branch of TDL in Sydney, surely that’s not going to be too difficult? But this was a big decision, and now the agency I’d originally founded in 2011 was 100% employee-owned, this couldn’t be one of my crazy in-the-moment ideas. This was something I needed the input and backing from the whole TDL team. We structured a clear process of developing the idea based on a thorough business plan.
This business plan may have originally been required for the visa, but it soon turned into a live document, being scrutinised by the team, with thoughts inputted, discussed, revised and ticked off as a group rather than an individual. Sometimes it was hard, but it was a great process to go through and gave me a sense of responsibility of making the right decisions for the team, not just for myself as a director.
“As TDL is a 100% employee-owned business, I needed the input and backing from the whole team.”
Putting down roots
I was lucky to have several ex-Amey colleagues who’d set up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire in the south, commonly referred to as ‘The Shire’. It was here that I spent most of my time trialling Australia earlier in the year, so it was here that we focused our searches. It was an hour on the train into the Central Business District (CBD), but it had everything we needed, and most importantly, a small group of connections. I honestly don’t think we’d have taken the leap if it weren’t for our existing friends in Sydney.
It’s been a very steep learning curve so far, and I might be a ‘one man band’ over here right now, but I’m lucky to have the capability and experience of the TDL team back in the UK to call on when needed. Everything is set, so it’s time to see how things develop over the coming years. Watch this space!
TDL APAC
Thank you
To my family: for the belief in this crazy idea and the willingness to give it a go.
To the TDL team: for the trust, challenge and enthusiasm in allowing me to set up another TDL on the other side of the world.
To my friends: Especially my ex-Amey colleagues and new work friends in Australia for the support, confidence and essential ‘local knowledge’.
To our advisors: for all the practical elements, the teams at ASG Visa and ABN Australia, and Paul Wright of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce.
