When did you join Amour Recruitment?
I personally knew a Consultant that worked at Amour and saw many of his and the company’s social media posts which made me interested in knowing more about the business. Once I met Max (who is the company MD), I fully understood why everyone, including clients and consultants, loved Amour and everything it stood for.
What was your perception of recruitment when you first started, to what it’s like in reality?
In all honesty, along with probably many people’s views of recruitment, from the outside it looks easy. Just placing people in jobs - how hard could it be? But in reality, it’s far from it. It’s an industry that requires you to be able to spin many plates. It has many highs and lows but it’s such a rewarding job.
What are the different drivers that you recruit for?
I recruit for any Haulage/Logistics Drivers. This can be anything from 3.5t/Van, 7.5t, Class 2 and Class 1 with a depth of experience and for many different types of clients. We vary in the types of drivers we recruit, from General Haulage, Waste Recycling, Containers, Trunk Drivers to Multi Drop, Refrigerated and many more.
What legal requirements do you need to satisfy in order to supply a driver?
Many of our clients, for any HGV related positions, are offered our Drivers Negligence insurance. We have basic standard requirements that all drivers must adhere to. This includes a valid appropriate licence from 6 months to 1-year minimum, valid Dig Taco & CPC Card, minimum of 9 points (Depending on Endorsement/Conviction code) they must have 60 days+ experience on their Digi Card.
Tell me what makes someone the perfect driving candidate.
Reliability, communication skills and honesty are three main characteristics that I look for in a driver before allowing them to represent Amour. Experience, of course, is a major factor too.
What has been your best highlight so far?
With a lot of patience and determination (and a sheer giving in to Max our MD), I created the Amour Driving Division. I’m now very proud to say we are working with some of the main hauliers/councils/waste companies, not only just in Hampshire but across the country, and we are continuing to grow.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Covid of course was a huge challenge for all businesses, but personally within my sector the introduction of IR35 was particularly challenging. In an industry predominately dominated by Limited Drivers, IR35 although brought in for the right reasons, caused a real ripple effect for the driver shortage.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The passion I have for the industry.
Covid was a huge eye opener for how much the country relies on the haulage industry to stop everything grinding to a halt. I take a lot of pride in supplying drivers for some of our contracts that keep the country going on a daily basis.
What are your ambitions for the driving desk over the next three years?
I pride myself on my relationships with my clients and drivers and the next three years will consist of growing these relationships. We have a lot of National contracts I’m looking forward to growing these.
How would your clients and candidates describe you?
Honest and reliable. A lot of the stigma in the recruitment industry is the perceived lack of honesty, but it’s something I feel I offer my clients and I think they would agree. With the nature of the industry and offering our service 24/7, 7 days a week I pride myself on being reliable! Clients and drivers can contact me at all times which is priceless to certain clients as they often need to get hold of a driver at all times of the day.
What are your interests away from work?
I have a beautiful fiancée and two amazing kids. I enjoy spending my time with my little girl who is 9 and my little boy who is 2. I enjoy football and for my sins, supporting Newcastle, and playing most Sunday mornings. I also support my local charity ‘Friends Fighting Cancer.’ I play for their Sunday football team and have competed in the football tournament for the last 5 years.
Tell me about an unforgettable day in your life…
Apart from the birth of my children, running a close second was meeting Paul Gascoigne twice. I was working as a carpet cleaner at the time, and he booked our company to clean his flat in Bournemouth. Being a Newcastle fan, to my delight, my boss booked me to do the job. Once I had completed the job, I sat with him at his dining room table having a long chat about some of his stories and getting a signed shirt, which of course is a memory that will last forever.