When Jason Layne came across the Lockfit opportunity in Wakefield, it was exactly what he was looking for: structured training, national backing, established systems and a reputable brand. At 56, after more than 30 years in senior finance roles within the motor industry, Jason wasn’t chasing a job, he was determined to turn a long-standing hobby into a sustainable livelihood.
Now covering nine areas across Wakefield in West Yorkshire, he is only weeks into trading but already certain of one thing – locksmithing is far more involved than most people realise, even for someone who thrives on problem-solving.
A Brain That Needed Stretching
I’ve worked since I was 13. I started out as a Saturday boy in the motor trade, sweeping floors and emptying bins. Over the years I worked my way up into senior management in finance and leasing. On paper, it was a solid career, but I could do it with my eyes closed, and that was the problem.
It was stressful, yes, but it was the same situations, the same processes, the same conversations – my brain wasn’t being stretched anymore. I’m someone who enjoys solving problems and figuring things out; finding out how something works and why it fails.
Locksmithing started as curiosity. I’d buy padlocks from B&Q and try to pick them. I’d watch YouTube videos and think, right, how does that mechanism actually work? In my lunch breaks at work, I’d sit there with a couple of padlocks and just practise. It started getting addictive and that’s when the thought crept in: could I turn a hobby into a career?
Doing the Research Properly
Once the idea was in my head, I treated it like any major business decision. I researched every locksmith franchise opportunity I could find. I looked at reputation, structure, training, scale and long-term viability.
I kept coming back to Lockfit. Being the biggest locksmith franchise in the UK gave me confidence. If I was going to do this at 56, I wanted to do it properly and align myself with the right brand.
I reached out to Andy, the franchise director. When he told me Wakefield was available, it felt like it was fate on my side. I researched the number of residential and commercial properties in the area and the numbers stacked up. The opportunity was huge.
Over four months, I spoke to other franchisees to weigh-up my options. I wanted honest feedback on what it was liking being a Lockfit locksmith, so I went out on jobs with Matt from Lockfit Bradford and Hans from Lockfit Burton. Seeing locksmithing in action, live jobs, real customers and real pressure, that insight told me more than any joining pack ever could. Every time I weighed up the opportunity, I came back to the same conclusion and Lockfit just ‘felt right’.
From Porsche to Panel Van
Yes, I gave up my company car, Porsche, for a sign written van and went from wearing a suit every day to pulling on an all-black Lockfit uniform. From corporate boardrooms to UPVC doors in Wakefield I went! Parting with the Porsche was hard, but it marked the end of one chapter.
I sourced my van through contacts from my previous leasing role, because I understood numbers, I wrote a business plan and took out a business loan. I’ve set realistic goals and I’m aiming to break even in year one. When you’ve worked in finance as long as I have, you don’t jump blind.
There’s More to This Trade Than People Realise
I’ve only been trading a couple of weeks and already I can say this: there’s far more to locksmithing than most people imagine.
Customers say, it’s not working, but that could mean dozens of things. Is it the cylinder? The multi-point? Door alignment? Worn mechanism? Snapped cam? You can’t guess, you have to turn up and diagnose. That’s what stimulates me; not just gaining entry but fault-finding.
Training has been key. The initial franchise training gave me the foundations. I’ve also trained with the UK Locksmith Association. Going out on live jobs with experienced franchisees has probably been the biggest boost to my confidence. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and got my brain firing properly again.
At 56, starting something completely new is daunting. I’m naturally confident, but I never want to turn up to a job and not know what I’m doing. You’re representing yourself and the wider brand. Reputation matters in this industry.
That’s why continuous learning isn’t optional. Products evolve, mechanisms change and security standards rise – if you stand still, you fall behind.
People Skills Transfer
One thing that has surprised me is how transferable my previous career has been. In finance, especially in fleet and leasing, you deal with people under pressure. You negotiate, you explain complex things clearly, you manage expectations. Locksmithing isn’t that different.
When someone is locked out, stressed, or worried about security, empathy matters. Calm matters. Communication matters.
I’ve always seen myself as a problem solver. Whether it was structuring a finance deal or diagnosing a failed gearbox in a door, the core principle is the same: understand the issue, analyse the options, deliver the solution.
Building Something That’s Mine
What excites me most is building something that’s mine. In corporate life, you’re building for someone else. Now, every review, every repeat customer, every recommendation feeds directly back into my own business.
I’ve done the groundwork properly – I’ve sorted my accountant and dealt with HMRC. Self-employment isn’t just about the tools; it’s about structure, planning and resilience.
Family-wise, there wasn’t much discussion about my career change. Once I’d made my mind up, they backed me and my partner has been supportive. Ultimately, this was my decision and I knew I needed the change.
The Adrenaline Factor
Outside of work, I’ve always been into motorbikes. I ride a Harley-Davidson and a Ducati Panigale. The Ducati is raw adrenaline, and the Harley is easier to ride, but I still wanted to make it mine. I changed its colour from black to grey so it stood out. I didn’t want another one that looked like everyone else’s. That probably says a lot about me. I don’t want to be another locksmith. I want to build a reputation for thoroughness, honesty and problem-solving ability. I want customers to know that when I turn up, I’ll take the time to diagnose properly and give them the right solution, not just the quickest one.
In this trade every job is different, every mechanism presents its own puzzle and that stimulation is something I’d lost in my previous role. Now, I finish a day knowing I’ve physically solved problems.
Advice to Others Considering the Jump
If someone in their 40s or 50s is reading this thinking about a career change, I’d say don’t dismiss it because of your age. Yes, it’s daunting. Yes, you’ll question yourself. But if you’re prepared to train properly, invest wisely, and stay humble enough to keep learning, it’s achievable. For me, locksmithing wasn’t an impulsive move. It was calculated, researched and analysed, but above all it was driven by passion.
Turning a hobby into a career isn’t just a cliché. It’s possible, if you’re willing to back yourself.
www.lockfit.co.uk/wakefield-locksmith
07803 784635
jason.layne@lockfit.co.uk
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Jason Layne is a franchisee of Lockfit covering nine areas across Wakefield in West Yorkshire. With a background spanning more than 30 years in motor industry finance and senior management, he transitioned into locksmithing in 2025 to pursue greater autonomy and long-term sustainability.