FTA names Britain’s best CV drivers
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced the winners in its three ‘Driver of the Year’ contests for 2016, which celebrate driving excellence in the 44-tonne, 18-tonne and light commercial sectors.
Matthew Pickering of Samworth Brothers Supply Chain (pictured, right) beat 19 other finalists to the 44-tonne Truck Driver of the Year trophy, which was sponsored and hosted by Mercedes-Benz Trucks at its Wentworth Park premises in Barnsley.
The contest put participants to the test in areas including fuel economy, driver behaviour, manoeuvring, risk awareness, legal knowledge and pre-use defect checks. Drivers were scored on each task before being ranked based on these scores.
Matthew received his trophy from Sam Whittaker, director of customer service and operations at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, as well as receiving prizes for the pre-use defect check and economical driving elements of the competition.
FTA’s Julie Maddocks told participants: “We know from talking to our members – and you the drivers – how the vital role you play in delivering the goods is all too often overlooked, so this competition has been created to celebrate the skills and abilities of professional drivers across the freight and logistics sector and highlight the fantastic work you do on a day-to-day basis.”
Meanwhile, the 18-tonne category winner was Total Foodservice Solutions’ David West (pictured, right), who beat eleven other finalists in a similar contest, this time sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres.
FTA director of operations June Powell said: “Today’s contestants have shown the exceptional skill and expertise it takes to be a professional driver and FTA is proud to recognise and reward their vital role in the logistics industry.”
Finally, the winner of the FTA Van Excellence Driver of the Year competition, sponsored by LeasePlan, was Matthew Young of AAH Pharmaceutical.
His prize was presented by Mark Lovett, head of commercial vehicles at LeasePlan, who said: “We are delighted to support the FTA Van Excellence initiative for the third year running. We share the same vision the FTA and work in close partnership to jointly promote best practice in van drivers and the vital role that they play.
“The Van Excellence Driver of the Year competition is the perfect platform to help change the perception of ‘White Van Man’ as it showcases the best of the best van drivers. They have been able to demonstrate their professionalism and prove that they are some of the most competent and professional drivers on the UK’s roads.”
