Drivers from operators including Eddie Stobart, Bibby Distribution and DHL have been shortlisted for awards in this year's Microlise Driver of the Year competition.
Winners of the short-, medium-, and long-distance driver categories will be announced at a gala event the night before the Microlise Transport Conference, at which the overall driver of the year will be crowned.
Competitors in the three key categories are identified through the analysis of data from 180,000 drivers that use Microlise software.
Microlise chief executive Nadeem Raza said that the shortlisted drivers are "ambassadors for the industry" and should be proud of their achievement.
He added: “Once again the Microlise Driver of the Year Awards have grown with the number of drivers included in the telematics based categories increasing substantially. The results again highlight the excellence found in the UK driving community. “Having spoken to the judging panel, the difference between drivers’ performance data was marginal and all those shortlisted are of superb quality."
Other categories, which will also be announced on the evening of 15 May, include Driver Excellence, HGV Hero and Most Improved Driver of the Year.
Microlise director of product Stephen Watson said: “Beyond the telematics categories, the nomination based awards also shone a light on exceptional performance in so many ways, from young drivers making their way in the industry and showing there are fantastic long-term career opportunities to be had, to those who have gone over and above the call the duty in the performance of their roles.
“Reading some of the entries and the inspirational stories involved was a great experience, and we are proud to run these awards to highlight those that carry out such a vital role in the industry.”
Microlise Driver of the Year Shortlist 2018
Short Distance
Ian Hedley – Co-op
Gary Padgett – DHL Next
Timothy Murphy – Menzies
Medium Distance
Richard Barnes – Hovis
Brian Holmes – Warburtons
John Patterson – Eddie Stobart
Long Distance
Alan Bateman – Ceva
David Cashmore – Culina
Richard Porter – Culina
Extra Mile
Stephen Amphlett – Frank Roberts
Richard Durrant- DHL
Daryl Holness – BRS
HGV Hero
James Hilton – Bibby Distribution
Gavin Riley – DHL Argos
Nick Mouyiassi- DHL Argos
Most Improved Driver of the Year
Gary Hollinrake – Frank Roberts
Jamie Pladgeman – Samworth Brothers
Anthony Roche – Royal Mail
Young Driver of the Year
Jake Brotherhood – Samworth Brothers
Michael Coker – Ceva
Aaron Haynes – Ryder
Lifetime Achievement
Angus Campbell – Travis Perkins
Robert Hughes – Bibby Distribution
Mark Lyons – Frank Roberts
- The Microlise Transport Conference is free to attend, and will take place on 16 May at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Booking is still open, so secure your free place today.
