Agency Driver of the Year

Colin Ramsden
Nominated by Driver Hire, Hull

Hull driver Colin Ramsden is in the running to be crowned One in a Million, the title given to the UK’s top temporary, contract or interim worker.

Colin has won the Agency Driver of the Year category of the One in a Million Award.

Nominated by Hull- based recruitment specialist Driver Hire for whom he has been working since June 2004, Colin says he enjoys the challenge and variety that agency work offers and also values its flexibility. It also enables him to spend more time with his family, which he says, is his life.

Having spent 22 years in the Army, Colin decided it was time for a change. Having registered with Driver Hire while still in the Army, he then became available for Heavy Goods Vehicle work on a full-time basis.

Driver Hire says what sets him apart from other drivers is his flexible attitude and willingness to help others, to the extent of receiving telephone calls at any time of the day from other drivers seeking help or advice.

One example of how Colin is prepared to go the extra mile is when on New Year’s Eve, he was booked to make a delivery of frozen chips to supermarket’s regional distribution centre, a one day job which should have meant him returning home to celebrate the New Year.

But on January 2nd, Colin rang the office to say he had only just returned. A warehouse breakdown had meant the offloading could not be completed so the centre staff asked him to wait until the warehouse was open again as they would need his load immediately in order to keep production going.

He agreed and spent two days on site ensuring the refrigerated load was maintained. He did not ring the Driver Hire office on New Year’s Eve as he did not want to interfere with anyone’s celebrations.

Smales Transport, a long standing customer supplying fish and chip shops with a range of products have used Colin on a regular basis. Realising he was the perfect role model for new recruits, they often book Colin for a week when new drivers join to complete the driver training and assessment with them.

John Fraser of Driver Hire said: “Colin is without doubt the best advert Driver Hire can hope for. In fact, we reckon he’s the world’s greatest wagon driver. Punctual, polite, well-presented, intelligent and always goes the extra mile. Aside from all this, he is a competent and safe driver.”

Helen Reynolds, the REC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: “Colin through his work  has shown a level of commitment and flexibility which goes beyond the call of duty.”