National Fuel company Waitomo Group’s, management team includes four Collegians: Jimmy Ormsby (Williams 1986-1990), Simon Parham (Hamilton 1989–1993), Greta Shirley (Harington 1992–1993), and Pearce Watson (Williams 1997-2001). With the four Collegians making up half of the management team, Greta Shirley describes it as, “like running a business with your mates.”

When Grey and Adelene Ormsby chose St Paul’s Collegiate School for their son, Jimmy, they were encouraged by other King Country families and the lure of Tihoi Venture School. Jimmy, who credits much of his success to his time at the school, says, “St Paul’s taught me discipline, hard work, and the value of being part of something bigger than yourself,” Jimmy reflects. “State in Fide—Stand Firm in the Faith. On the school motto, it’s not so much in a religious sense for me but in the strength of teamwork and commitment.”

Today, Jimmy and his wife Ailsa own Waitomo Group, a national fuel company rooted in Te Kūiti. Founded in 1947 by his grandfather Desmond, the business faced a turning point in the early 2000s: sell or transform. Desmond advised his son Grey to exit, but Grey chose to push forward. “My grandfather told my dad to get out,” Jimmy recalls, “however, Dad thought otherwise. He believed the business could do better if returned to family ownership, so with the understanding that I would join, he took the risk and bought out Mobil Fuel. We’ve never looked back—a testament to Dad’s vision and what a family business can achieve.”

Jimmy joined Waitomo in 2003 as Waikato Sales Representative, advancing to Managing Director in 2016. He led Waitomo’s transformation from a traditional wholesaler into a disruptive force in retail fuel, a change catalysed by the bold decision to open their first petrol station in Te Uku in 2012.

As Waitomo expanded, Jimmy turned to fellow Collegians to help lead the charge. Simon Parham, Greta Shirley and Pearce Watson.  Also, in the SLT team are current St Paul’s parents Tim Beasant, Alastair Wilson and Julie Carruthers (married to Ollie Carruthers (Williams 1987-1991).

Simon, who joined Waitomo Group after 16 years at Mobil, was instrumental in Waitomo’s ongoing growth and development. He was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer when Jimmy took a sideways step in 2023. Greta brought more than 20 years of media and marketing experience, strengthening the brand as Waitomo expanded into new markets. Pearce, the youngest of the group, moved into the role of Chief Financial Officer, succeeding a predecessor of 19 years.

“Dad always says, ‘birds of a feather flock together’” Jimmy says, “We’re all different, but our core values are the same: commitment, agility, and a willingness to take risks — traits shaped at St Paul’s. Our business success comes down to our values: great people, top performance, and fair fuel prices - he tangata, he mahi, he utu hoko.”

For the Waitomo Group team, St Paul’s instilled discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. “The lessons we learned stay with us,” Simon explains. “On the rugby field, rowing on the river, or in the classroom, we adapted and thrived under pressure. The core principle of trying to do things better than how we did them yesterday stays with us. The competitive activities at school also helped shape our behaviours — from the various sporting events to the house competitions. It drives a competitive nature that then transcends into business activities.” 

Jimmy agrees, “The friendships we built at St Paul’s last a lifetime. The bond and trust from those early mornings, winter sports, and late-night study sessions are irreplaceable. St Paul’s prepared us for more than business; it prepared us for life”, Jimmy says. “Resilience, leadership, and community remain our guiding principles.”

Under Jimmy’s leadership, Waitomo Group has become New Zealand’s largest independent fuel supplier, with more than 100 Fuel Stops and Diesel Stops nationwide and a thriving commercial fuelling operation spanning the country. The company won the Supreme Award at the Waikato Business Awards last year and scooped up the Business Growth and Strategy and Sustainability categories. Described by the judges as ‘a trailblazer in the fuel industry, and an exceptional intergenerational family-owned business,’ the company was commended for its ‘visionary leadership team disrupting the market with bold strategies and groundbreaking innovation’.

Innovation and sustainability are key to Waitomo’s strategy. From bulk fuel solutions to future fuels like hydrogen and EVs, the company continues to push boundaries. “St Paul’s is known for forward-thinking, like launching the Agribusiness in Schools Programme, which we supported from the outset. That same mindset drives us at Waitomo—being brave and taking calculated risks,” says Jimmy.

Despite its growth, Waitomo remains a family business. Ailsa is a Director, Grey serves as company Kaumaatua, and Jimmy and Ailsa’s eldest daughter Isla has recently worked within the business. “One day, Isla and Kiri will have the opportunity to join the business if that’s something they’d like to do, so it’s important they understand what goes on at Waitomo,” says Jimmy. “Both our girls have attended Waikato Diocesan, but their cousins Caitlin and Benjamin Lou, as well as plenty of their mates, have attended St Paul’s. The family connection is firmly there.”

And in a fitting tribute to the family legacy, the St Paul’s rowing boat was recently named Grey Ormsby. Grey was the founding Chairman of the St Paul’s Rowing Committee. The boat has featured as the winning boat in the 2024 U16 Quadruple sculls and the boys’ squad are aiming to back this up with another winning performance at the New Zealand Secondary School Championships (Maadi Regatta) in Karapiro this year.

Today, Waitomo employs more than 100 Kiwis from its Frankton headquarters in Hamilton.