Both careers require you to remain calm under pressure and work in a fast-paced environment, so when former chef Tieron Gordon decided to hang up his oven gloves for a life on the road he already had many of the skills needed.
Awareness campaign Generation Logistics is now highlighting the DHL Supply Chain driver’s career switch as an example of how the sector is keen to reward hard work with progression.
Gordon had been a chef for 12 years, but when he became a dad it became clear the hours were not family friendly.
He first heard about the opportunity at DHL through someone who already worked there. They mentioned that he could start as a driver’s mate and work his way up into a driving role. Generation Logistics said that element of progression is what enticed 31-year-old Gordon in and allowed him to build a long-term career with a better work-life balance.
He started on a salary of £27,000 and four years later, after developing his skills and achieving awards for his work, Gordon is currently earning £39,500; an increase of £12,500 in just four years.
“Moving from hospitality to logistics was a big change for me, but it made sense for where I was in my life, and my skills were transferable for driving when managing delivery schedules and dealing with unexpected challenges on the road,” Gordon said.
One of his biggest career highlights so far has been winning the UKI DHL Driver of the Year award in 2025: “This award meant a lot to me because it recognised the hard work and dedication I have put into the job,” he said.
“Moments like that make me proud of how far I have come and motivate me to keep developing my career with DHL.
“My advice would be to start by understanding the diverse opportunities available within the industry, as there is a lot of opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
Bethany Windsor, programme director at Generation Logistics added: “Tieron’s career journey іs an amazing example оf the professional career paths available within logistics.
“The sky is the limit for those willing to put the effort in.
“There are various opportunities in the logistics sector available, and we hope to inspire the next generation of talent to see logistics develop even further with their help!”
