![\"livingwagefoundation\"](\"https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/tsk6Pp9a.jpg\")
In this episode, Patrick McCrory, Owner of McCrorys Removals discusses how he began within the industry in 1967, which is when he bought his first vehicle, that came with a starting handle!
\n\nPatrick, originally from County Tyrone in Ireland, who is 75 in June (2024), did work for a carrier company in Middlesborough for a short period of time before upping sticks and moving to London (alone) shortly after he’d left school. Working nightshifts in Safeway allowed Patrick to transport goods during the daytime, which included brass beds for a local antique company, that later lead Patrick into the antique and auctioneers industry for a few years, before returning to removals when he relocated to Nottingham some 40 years ago.
\n\nMcCrorys Removals specialise in moves to and from Ireland, running 2 x 18 tonne demountables, 2 x 3.5 tonne vans, 1 x 18 tonne demountable trailer, 1 x 3.5 tonne box trailer & 5 x demountable bodies.
\n\nPatrick has experienced many challenges over his time within the industry, staff will always remain a challenge, but the worst decision he ever made was signing a contract to join a trade association.
\n\nThe one thing Patrick would change from his moving past is to have learned to say no and to ensure he could undertake the job comfortably before saying yes.
\n\nPatrick has had many highpoints of being within the industry is, but one was getting his first demountable drawbar trailer.
\n\nThe one thing Patrick would like to change within the industry is that everybody within an operation, no matter what their role or their seniority, go and assist on a removal on a regular basis, to get a full understanding of the industry.
\n\nThe advice Patrick would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to appreciate only owning a small van for the valuable experience of having to utilise every inch of available space.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Patrick plans to retire, again, and is now actively looking to sell McCrorys Removals, which Patrick believes can be a niche bolt-on to an existing Removals & Storage business, that can be relocated anyway within the UK. Industry wise, Patrick sees more regulation, such as the weight a person can lift.
\n\nOutside of the industry Patrick likes to travel (he has himself a campervan), cooking (which includes baking soda bread), gardening, reading, and listening to Radio 4.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a move to Spain.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to McCrorys Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Patrick McCrory.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Patrick McCrory, Owner of McCrorys Removals","date_published":"2024-04-25T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/318e8cf9-f4c2-4648-9249-9dc3c0d5224b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":46706355,"duration_in_seconds":3892}]},{"id":"a79a0e75-9819-425d-881c-9d160ac9c6dd","title":"Episode 82: Moving Matters with James Cooper of Peter Cooper Ltd","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/82","content_text":"In this episode, James Cooper, Director of Peter Cooper Ltd discusses how he began within the industry full time from the age of 21, although as a second-generation remover he helped out in the family business during school holidays from 12/13. \n\nJames was begrudgingly shuffled off to college followed by university (to study marketing), mainly by his mother, to gain a degree to fall back on should he not want to return to the family business, although the goal was always for James to return. But prior to James’s return to the family business, he went on to learn his removal foundation skills from White & Co initially and then GB Liners.\n\nPeter Cooper Ltd was started in 1986 by James’s parents, and provide domestic (predominantly), European, international & commercial relocations, secure shredding, and storage, but also offer an antique restoration and repair side of the business too, as Peter (James’s father) was trained as an antique restorer. On the removals side James runs a full-time removal crew of 12, and 3 restorers on the antique side, operating a varied fleet of 11 vehicles.\n\nJames has overcome several challenges, in the early days it was being the boss’s son, but Covid was his biggest challenge.\n\nThe one thing James would change from his moving past is to have purchased land that became available on the industrial estate they currently reside, but the land and the build costs were just astronomical.\n\nJames’s highpoint of being within the industry are when the guys return from their jobs with a clean job ticket, and they and the customers are happy, then it’s a good day.\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is people’s perception of what our industry is about.\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is that you can never have to many friends within the industry, to ask questions, and to listen to the views of others no matter how different they may be to your own.\n\nIn the next 5 years James believes he will be doing exactly what he is doing now, enjoying life, and hopefully taking more holidays, but probably still complaining about all the things the industry normally complains about on a yearly basis. Industry wise, James doesn’t see any change as it slowly gets back to pre-Covid trends.\n\nOutside of the industry James has a very long to-do list composed by Mrs C, regarding the new home they purchased 5 years ago that requires a lot of work, so DIY is his current escapism. Up until a year ago James played football on a weekly basis, and in his youth was a schoolboy player for Southampton FC.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding an overnight in Hamburg, Germany.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Peter Cooper Ltd:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: James Cooper.","content_html":"In this episode, James Cooper, Director of Peter Cooper Ltd discusses how he began within the industry full time from the age of 21, although as a second-generation remover he helped out in the family business during school holidays from 12/13.
\n\nJames was begrudgingly shuffled off to college followed by university (to study marketing), mainly by his mother, to gain a degree to fall back on should he not want to return to the family business, although the goal was always for James to return. But prior to James’s return to the family business, he went on to learn his removal foundation skills from White & Co initially and then GB Liners.
\n\nPeter Cooper Ltd was started in 1986 by James’s parents, and provide domestic (predominantly), European, international & commercial relocations, secure shredding, and storage, but also offer an antique restoration and repair side of the business too, as Peter (James’s father) was trained as an antique restorer. On the removals side James runs a full-time removal crew of 12, and 3 restorers on the antique side, operating a varied fleet of 11 vehicles.
\n\nJames has overcome several challenges, in the early days it was being the boss’s son, but Covid was his biggest challenge.
\n\nThe one thing James would change from his moving past is to have purchased land that became available on the industrial estate they currently reside, but the land and the build costs were just astronomical.
\n\nJames’s highpoint of being within the industry are when the guys return from their jobs with a clean job ticket, and they and the customers are happy, then it’s a good day.
\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is people’s perception of what our industry is about.
\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is that you can never have to many friends within the industry, to ask questions, and to listen to the views of others no matter how different they may be to your own.
\n\nIn the next 5 years James believes he will be doing exactly what he is doing now, enjoying life, and hopefully taking more holidays, but probably still complaining about all the things the industry normally complains about on a yearly basis. Industry wise, James doesn’t see any change as it slowly gets back to pre-Covid trends.
\n\nOutside of the industry James has a very long to-do list composed by Mrs C, regarding the new home they purchased 5 years ago that requires a lot of work, so DIY is his current escapism. Up until a year ago James played football on a weekly basis, and in his youth was a schoolboy player for Southampton FC.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding an overnight in Hamburg, Germany.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Peter Cooper Ltd:
\n\nSpecial Guest: James Cooper.
","summary":"Moving Matters with James Cooper, Director of Peter Cooper Ltd","date_published":"2024-04-11T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a79a0e75-9819-425d-881c-9d160ac9c6dd.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35379315,"duration_in_seconds":2948}]},{"id":"031d1132-6744-4baf-9d25-601cf7f4a360","title":"Episode 81: Moving Matters with James Langridge of Near & Far Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/81","content_text":"In this episode, James Langridge, Operations Manager of Near & Far Removals discusses how he’s been in and out of the industry for the past 10-15 years, working in the family business, although he was hoping for a career in football.\n\nNear & Far Removals are based in Nottingham and was started in 2003 by James’s parents, Martyn & Elaine Langridge. Near & Far offer domestic removals, packing, dismantling & re-erecting, house clearance/disposal, commercial relocation, crate hire and storage (using both self-storage units and shipping containers, as James doesn’t like the 250 cuft wooden storage containers).\n\nJames says that removals itself is a challenge he has had to overcome, especially key waits, which he goes on to have a little rant about. Other challenges include staff, which James enjoys and thrives upon, and tidiness, which includes vehicles & uniforms.\n\nJames wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he believes it is a journey he is on.\n\nJames’s highpoints of being within the industry are working with different customers, different people, seeing different parts of the country and having a laugh on the job.\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is, surprise, surprise, completion days.\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is not to go over the top buying supplies, such as covers, as blankets are more than adequate.\n\nIn the next 5 years James wants to continuing making Near & Far the best they can be by continuing to provide the best service possible. Industry wise, James doesn’t see any changes apart from individuals themselves.\n\nOutside of the industry James is clearly a keen footballer, he also enjoys golf, fishing, evenings at the spa and nights out on the town with his mates.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories (as well as the oddest item James has moved), one regarding a photograph, and the other involving a chap called Jeremy.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Near & Far Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: James Langridge.","content_html":"In this episode, James Langridge, Operations Manager of Near & Far Removals discusses how he’s been in and out of the industry for the past 10-15 years, working in the family business, although he was hoping for a career in football.
\n\nNear & Far Removals are based in Nottingham and was started in 2003 by James’s parents, Martyn & Elaine Langridge. Near & Far offer domestic removals, packing, dismantling & re-erecting, house clearance/disposal, commercial relocation, crate hire and storage (using both self-storage units and shipping containers, as James doesn’t like the 250 cuft wooden storage containers).
\n\nJames says that removals itself is a challenge he has had to overcome, especially key waits, which he goes on to have a little rant about. Other challenges include staff, which James enjoys and thrives upon, and tidiness, which includes vehicles & uniforms.
\n\nJames wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he believes it is a journey he is on.
\n\nJames’s highpoints of being within the industry are working with different customers, different people, seeing different parts of the country and having a laugh on the job.
\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is, surprise, surprise, completion days.
\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is not to go over the top buying supplies, such as covers, as blankets are more than adequate.
\n\nIn the next 5 years James wants to continuing making Near & Far the best they can be by continuing to provide the best service possible. Industry wise, James doesn’t see any changes apart from individuals themselves.
\n\nOutside of the industry James is clearly a keen footballer, he also enjoys golf, fishing, evenings at the spa and nights out on the town with his mates.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories (as well as the oddest item James has moved), one regarding a photograph, and the other involving a chap called Jeremy.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Near & Far Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: James Langridge.
","summary":"Moving Matters with James Langridge, Operations Manager of Near & Far Removals","date_published":"2024-03-28T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/031d1132-6744-4baf-9d25-601cf7f4a360.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37645011,"duration_in_seconds":3137}]},{"id":"56545682-be36-47dd-b4b8-7f272bffa9a5","title":"Episode 80: Moving Matters with David Burgess of We Move You Edinburgh","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/80","content_text":"In this episode David Burgess, Owner of We Move You Edinburgh discusses how he began loosely in the industry, by mistake, in 2000, doing removals while studying for a post graduate degree in physiotherapy.\n\nDavid’s old company was rebranded We Move You Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and provide the usual domestic moving services, house clearances, shipping container storage, and a weekly run to and from London, running 4 vehicles with a crew of 4.\n\nWe Move You Edinburgh is massively into recycling and therefore tries to reduce landfill as much as possible, collecting 100 tonne of furniture every year. With house clearances David tries to sell, give away or even upcycle the items, rather than letting them go to landfill. \n\nOne of the challenges David had to overcome was Covid, where David found himself being too busy and practically burned himself out having to deal with staff getting Covid, staff on furlough and not wanting to return to work, and therefore having to do their job, as well as his own.\n\nThe one thing David would change from his moving past is maybe taking a step back and taking time out during Covid. Also, learning and knowing your numbers is critical, something that was detrimental to David over previous years.\n\nDavid’s highpoint of being within the industry, apart from being a guest on the podcast, is obtaining his Operators Licence.\n\nThe one thing David would like to change within the industry is the no parking on pavements ruling, which in David’s situation is specific to Edinburgh as many of the roads are simply not wide enough to have vehicles parked either side of the road and leave a large enough gap for vehicles to pass, especially emergency service vehicles.\n\nThe advice David would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to charge more.\n\nIn the next 5 years David would like more vehicles, more storage (a warehouse or more shipping containers), and even his own land. Regarding recycling, David would like to open up a shop (with or without a partner) to sell items from house clearances, auctioning off anything that doesn’t sell, and any items that remain unsold can then be used to smash up inside a Rage Room! Industry wise David sees the recycling side increasing but changes outside of the industry still need to be made to make the green removal service achievable.\n\nMuch to David’s downfall he did very little outside of the industry in the past, however, he is switching off more and more these days, and is very active in OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) and supporting his daughter in her field of vaulting (acrobatics performed on the back of a cantering horse), where she is a British Champion.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a helping hand from the afterlife.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to We Move You Edinburgh:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: David Burgess.","content_html":"In this episode David Burgess, Owner of We Move You Edinburgh discusses how he began loosely in the industry, by mistake, in 2000, doing removals while studying for a post graduate degree in physiotherapy.
\n\nDavid’s old company was rebranded We Move You Edinburgh a couple of years ago, and provide the usual domestic moving services, house clearances, shipping container storage, and a weekly run to and from London, running 4 vehicles with a crew of 4.
\n\nWe Move You Edinburgh is massively into recycling and therefore tries to reduce landfill as much as possible, collecting 100 tonne of furniture every year. With house clearances David tries to sell, give away or even upcycle the items, rather than letting them go to landfill.
\n\nOne of the challenges David had to overcome was Covid, where David found himself being too busy and practically burned himself out having to deal with staff getting Covid, staff on furlough and not wanting to return to work, and therefore having to do their job, as well as his own.
\n\nThe one thing David would change from his moving past is maybe taking a step back and taking time out during Covid. Also, learning and knowing your numbers is critical, something that was detrimental to David over previous years.
\n\nDavid’s highpoint of being within the industry, apart from being a guest on the podcast, is obtaining his Operators Licence.
\n\nThe one thing David would like to change within the industry is the no parking on pavements ruling, which in David’s situation is specific to Edinburgh as many of the roads are simply not wide enough to have vehicles parked either side of the road and leave a large enough gap for vehicles to pass, especially emergency service vehicles.
\n\nThe advice David would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to charge more.
\n\nIn the next 5 years David would like more vehicles, more storage (a warehouse or more shipping containers), and even his own land. Regarding recycling, David would like to open up a shop (with or without a partner) to sell items from house clearances, auctioning off anything that doesn’t sell, and any items that remain unsold can then be used to smash up inside a Rage Room! Industry wise David sees the recycling side increasing but changes outside of the industry still need to be made to make the green removal service achievable.
\n\nMuch to David’s downfall he did very little outside of the industry in the past, however, he is switching off more and more these days, and is very active in OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) and supporting his daughter in her field of vaulting (acrobatics performed on the back of a cantering horse), where she is a British Champion.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a helping hand from the afterlife.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to We Move You Edinburgh:
\n\nSpecial Guest: David Burgess.
","summary":"Moving Matters with David Burgess, Owner of We Move You Edinburgh","date_published":"2024-03-14T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/56545682-be36-47dd-b4b8-7f272bffa9a5.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":30387987,"duration_in_seconds":2532}]},{"id":"728ae6bb-a966-4f37-86ea-d633385e9b1f","title":"Episode 79: Moving Matters with James Tutton of Chelmsford Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/79","content_text":"In this episode James Tutton, Managing Director of Chelmsford Removals discusses how he began in the industry by helping out his father at weekends in his parent’s removal company (Handy Removals) from the age of 10, and later in life while between work and serving in the army.\n\nToday James owns Chelmsford Removals which he started 16 years ago and Move It Removals which he acquired in 2019. Both companies are 90% domestic removals & storage (460 x 250 cuft containers), with some commercial and trade work, running 12 vehicles and employing 35. And both are members of the BAR (British Association of Removers).\n\nOne of the challenges James had to overcome was not being able to afford to employ (let alone attract) the best removal guys when starting out, but today he couldn’t be prouder of those he employs.\n\nThe one thing James would change from his moving past is to have taken much greater care of his back, which James has ensured forms a big part of the training he delivers to his staff. From a business perspective James would have liked to have focused on storage much sooner.\n\nJames has several highpoints of being within the industry, consisting of, growing his own company much bigger than his Dad’s, getting his own warehouse in Chelmsford, joining the BAR, and acquiring Move It Removals.\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is a standardised system in which removal companies are recognised, separating those that are couriers at worst and man & van at best apart from professional removal companies.\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to learn as much about business, the industry, and to get really good at your numbers.\n\nIn the next 5 years James would like to acquire another company as he’s gearing up for an acquisition hopefully in 2025 (either a competitor for a larger market share, or a business in a complementary area), and to buy his own warehouse. Industry wise James doesn’t seem much changing, however in 10 years maybe autonomous trucks and AI moving robots.\n\nOutside of the industry James has a really good work life balance and enjoys a beer with his mates, a wine with his wife, and he also endures fitness challenges.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding every mover’s necessity for the job, a cuppa.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Chelmsford Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: James Tutton.","content_html":"In this episode James Tutton, Managing Director of Chelmsford Removals discusses how he began in the industry by helping out his father at weekends in his parent’s removal company (Handy Removals) from the age of 10, and later in life while between work and serving in the army.
\n\nToday James owns Chelmsford Removals which he started 16 years ago and Move It Removals which he acquired in 2019. Both companies are 90% domestic removals & storage (460 x 250 cuft containers), with some commercial and trade work, running 12 vehicles and employing 35. And both are members of the BAR (British Association of Removers).
\n\nOne of the challenges James had to overcome was not being able to afford to employ (let alone attract) the best removal guys when starting out, but today he couldn’t be prouder of those he employs.
\n\nThe one thing James would change from his moving past is to have taken much greater care of his back, which James has ensured forms a big part of the training he delivers to his staff. From a business perspective James would have liked to have focused on storage much sooner.
\n\nJames has several highpoints of being within the industry, consisting of, growing his own company much bigger than his Dad’s, getting his own warehouse in Chelmsford, joining the BAR, and acquiring Move It Removals.
\n\nThe one thing James would like to change within the industry is a standardised system in which removal companies are recognised, separating those that are couriers at worst and man & van at best apart from professional removal companies.
\n\nThe advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to learn as much about business, the industry, and to get really good at your numbers.
\n\nIn the next 5 years James would like to acquire another company as he’s gearing up for an acquisition hopefully in 2025 (either a competitor for a larger market share, or a business in a complementary area), and to buy his own warehouse. Industry wise James doesn’t seem much changing, however in 10 years maybe autonomous trucks and AI moving robots.
\n\nOutside of the industry James has a really good work life balance and enjoys a beer with his mates, a wine with his wife, and he also endures fitness challenges.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding every mover’s necessity for the job, a cuppa.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Chelmsford Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: James Tutton.
","summary":"Moving Matters with James Tutton, Managing Director of Chelmsford Removals","date_published":"2024-02-22T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/728ae6bb-a966-4f37-86ea-d633385e9b1f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22497363,"duration_in_seconds":1874}]},{"id":"79e49ef1-1d55-4174-bd32-a2752f66afc6","title":"Episode 78: Moving Matters with Nancy Zafrani of Oz Moving","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/78","content_text":"In this episode, Nancy Zafrani, General Manager of Oz Moving discusses how she began in the industry directly from school 32 years ago (31 with Oz Moving), cold calling companies from the phone book!\n\nOz Moving, who have the greatest strapline of “The Wizard of Moving” was started in 1993 by Avi Oz in New York, and today consist of 4 branches. Oz Moving provides the standard removal services, and have a 185,000 sqft storage facility in Yonkers, as well as other storage facilities. Oz Moving have approximately 40 trucks and 170 movers within the operation. Oz Moving have recently merged with a boutique moving company called Movage who offered international moving services, something Oz Moving look to expand.\n\nBeing in a male dominated industry Nancy has always had a really strong group that she works with and has always had an equal say as anyone else, but one challenge of being within the industry is moving itself as it’s often so very personal depending on circumstances.\n\nThe one thing Nancy would like to change from her moving past is to have invested in cameras in and on the trucks sooner, which Nancy states was a complete game changer for Oz Moving.\n\nNancy has two highpoints of being within the industry, her first is being part of bigger charitable projects and thus providing transport and storage, her second being within Oz Moving and helping it grow over the past 30 years to the well-known and reputable company it is today.\n\nThe one thing Nancy would like to change within the industry is to have more and more moving companies doing things the right way as there is often a lot of dishonesty being that it’s an easy industry to get into and no personal accountability to the owner of the company.\n\nNancy discusses how influencers are both helping and hindering the sales process of a moving company, and the challenges encountered when moving people in New York itself.\n\nThe advice Nancy would give herself just starting out within the industry again is that every experience is a learning experience.\n\nIn the next 5 years Nancy still sees herself at Oz Moving, expanding with branches in Texas and Florida, and growing the international side. Industry wise, Nancy is excited for self-driving trucks.\n\nOutside of the industry Nancy loves to travel, spending time with friends and family, and being pulled through Central Park by her 3-year-old rescue dog.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding a lost cat and the other her own move.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Oz Moving:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Nancy Zafrani.","content_html":"In this episode, Nancy Zafrani, General Manager of Oz Moving discusses how she began in the industry directly from school 32 years ago (31 with Oz Moving), cold calling companies from the phone book!
\n\nOz Moving, who have the greatest strapline of “The Wizard of Moving” was started in 1993 by Avi Oz in New York, and today consist of 4 branches. Oz Moving provides the standard removal services, and have a 185,000 sqft storage facility in Yonkers, as well as other storage facilities. Oz Moving have approximately 40 trucks and 170 movers within the operation. Oz Moving have recently merged with a boutique moving company called Movage who offered international moving services, something Oz Moving look to expand.
\n\nBeing in a male dominated industry Nancy has always had a really strong group that she works with and has always had an equal say as anyone else, but one challenge of being within the industry is moving itself as it’s often so very personal depending on circumstances.
\n\nThe one thing Nancy would like to change from her moving past is to have invested in cameras in and on the trucks sooner, which Nancy states was a complete game changer for Oz Moving.
\n\nNancy has two highpoints of being within the industry, her first is being part of bigger charitable projects and thus providing transport and storage, her second being within Oz Moving and helping it grow over the past 30 years to the well-known and reputable company it is today.
\n\nThe one thing Nancy would like to change within the industry is to have more and more moving companies doing things the right way as there is often a lot of dishonesty being that it’s an easy industry to get into and no personal accountability to the owner of the company.
\n\nNancy discusses how influencers are both helping and hindering the sales process of a moving company, and the challenges encountered when moving people in New York itself.
\n\nThe advice Nancy would give herself just starting out within the industry again is that every experience is a learning experience.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Nancy still sees herself at Oz Moving, expanding with branches in Texas and Florida, and growing the international side. Industry wise, Nancy is excited for self-driving trucks.
\n\nOutside of the industry Nancy loves to travel, spending time with friends and family, and being pulled through Central Park by her 3-year-old rescue dog.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding a lost cat and the other her own move.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Oz Moving:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Nancy Zafrani.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Nancy Zafrani, General Manager of Oz Moving","date_published":"2024-02-08T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/79e49ef1-1d55-4174-bd32-a2752f66afc6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28917459,"duration_in_seconds":2409}]},{"id":"8a5fb67e-677e-4fd2-9b8d-a421146a9e0f","title":"Episode 77: Moving Matters with Chris Waymouth","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/77","content_text":"In this episode Chris Waymouth, an industry veteran (and one of the industry’s Mr Nice guy’s), discusses how he began in the industry back in 1969 at Walkers of Northampton, even though Chris was born into a family of teachers.\n\nAt Walkers of Northampton Chris undertook a variety of roles within the business that gave him the grounding to pursue a career in management. In 1973 Chris took up a role within Amertrans where he honed his skills in export, shipping and forwarding, before joining Navtrans (North American Vanlines) in 1978, where he diversified the business into electronics stockholding & distribution, and airfreight (via the purchase of a company). In the late 1980’s Chris joined TransEuro (after a call from the late Paul Evans), where he remained for 12 years until the takeover with Amertrans, where TransEuro became TEAM Relocations. Chris then joined forces with Robby Wogan at MoveAssist to project manage OMNI Connect. After a telephone call from David Trenchard at QSS (Quality Service Standards) Chris took up a role to head the company, where he remained for 14 years.\n\nToday Chris is still involved within the industry, maintaining the development of the BAR database (BITS), as a BSI (British Standards Institute) Committee Chairman where he has been reworking the BSEN12522 (for the past 2/2.5 years) which will hopefully be released early this year, and being a keen photographer Chris can be found snapping away at BAR Conference.\n\nOne of Chris’s challenges, personally, was self-confidence in his early days. In business, it was dealing with the less ethical side.\n\nChris would change very little, if anything, from his moving past.\n\nChris has loved being within the industry and has many highpoints, TransEuro undoubtedly being one where he led the building of the automated firesafe warehouse which opened in 1997 at a cost of £14m. Another was a flight on Concorde, thanks to the 4 guys that ran the airfreight business which was purchased during his time at Navtrans.\n\nThe one thing Chris would like to change within the industry is more women involved in the frontline, such as the packing.\n\nThe advice Chris would give himself just starting out within the industry again is honesty, fairness, and getting that grounding of what actually happens on the front line, getting to understand the grass roots of the business.\n\nIn the next 5 years Chris still hopes to be clicking the shutter at BAR Conference and maintaining BITS for the BAR over the next couple of years. Industry wise, Chris believes electronics will play an even greater role, maybe not AI however, but Chris isn’t convinced by virtual surveys.\n\nOutside of the industry Chris runs a community cinema, has had a lifelong interest in photography, is a petrolhead with an interest in cars, follows motorsport quite seriously, and sailing, but in more recent years narrow boating.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding Chris’s job interview at Walkers of Northampton and the other regarding his moustache.\n\nEnjoy!Special Guest: Chris Waymouth.","content_html":"In this episode Chris Waymouth, an industry veteran (and one of the industry’s Mr Nice guy’s), discusses how he began in the industry back in 1969 at Walkers of Northampton, even though Chris was born into a family of teachers.
\n\nAt Walkers of Northampton Chris undertook a variety of roles within the business that gave him the grounding to pursue a career in management. In 1973 Chris took up a role within Amertrans where he honed his skills in export, shipping and forwarding, before joining Navtrans (North American Vanlines) in 1978, where he diversified the business into electronics stockholding & distribution, and airfreight (via the purchase of a company). In the late 1980’s Chris joined TransEuro (after a call from the late Paul Evans), where he remained for 12 years until the takeover with Amertrans, where TransEuro became TEAM Relocations. Chris then joined forces with Robby Wogan at MoveAssist to project manage OMNI Connect. After a telephone call from David Trenchard at QSS (Quality Service Standards) Chris took up a role to head the company, where he remained for 14 years.
\n\nToday Chris is still involved within the industry, maintaining the development of the BAR database (BITS), as a BSI (British Standards Institute) Committee Chairman where he has been reworking the BSEN12522 (for the past 2/2.5 years) which will hopefully be released early this year, and being a keen photographer Chris can be found snapping away at BAR Conference.
\n\nOne of Chris’s challenges, personally, was self-confidence in his early days. In business, it was dealing with the less ethical side.
\n\nChris would change very little, if anything, from his moving past.
\n\nChris has loved being within the industry and has many highpoints, TransEuro undoubtedly being one where he led the building of the automated firesafe warehouse which opened in 1997 at a cost of £14m. Another was a flight on Concorde, thanks to the 4 guys that ran the airfreight business which was purchased during his time at Navtrans.
\n\nThe one thing Chris would like to change within the industry is more women involved in the frontline, such as the packing.
\n\nThe advice Chris would give himself just starting out within the industry again is honesty, fairness, and getting that grounding of what actually happens on the front line, getting to understand the grass roots of the business.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Chris still hopes to be clicking the shutter at BAR Conference and maintaining BITS for the BAR over the next couple of years. Industry wise, Chris believes electronics will play an even greater role, maybe not AI however, but Chris isn’t convinced by virtual surveys.
\n\nOutside of the industry Chris runs a community cinema, has had a lifelong interest in photography, is a petrolhead with an interest in cars, follows motorsport quite seriously, and sailing, but in more recent years narrow boating.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding Chris’s job interview at Walkers of Northampton and the other regarding his moustache.
\n\nEnjoy!
Special Guest: Chris Waymouth.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Chris Waymouth","date_published":"2024-01-25T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/8a5fb67e-677e-4fd2-9b8d-a421146a9e0f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43120755,"duration_in_seconds":3593}]},{"id":"a9a8226b-0a8e-44ca-8336-87c47c580e5b","title":"Episode 76: Moving Matters with David Ozard of John Mason International Movers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/76","content_text":"In this episode David Ozard, General Manager of John Mason International Movers discusses how he began in the industry some 50 years ago, and believes he’s only spent 2 weeks working outside of the industry! David started life as a remover in his father’s company based in Rochdale and has spent the past 31 years at John Mason International Movers.\n\nJohn Mason International Movers are based in Liverpool but do have a Southern operation in Hemel Hempstead. They are one of the largest shippers ex-UK Worldwide, and only offer international moving (deep sea and airfreight) and storage, working with partner agents from all over the world. \n\nOne of David’s challenges is that he comes from Bolton, but joking aside, it’s the work ethic and enjoyment of working within the industry that can clearly bring the personal rewards.\n\nThe one thing David would change from his moving past would have been to move off the vans and into management sooner to protect his health and body.\n\nDavid has two highpoints of being within the industry, becoming General Manager of John Mason International Movers which came to David as a shock, and becoming Chairman of the MTC (Movers Trading Club).\n\nThe one thing David would like to change within the industry is the Ombudsman, which David believes is setup wrong as it’s sometimes used as a blackmail for clients to use against the remover.\n\nThe advice David would give himself, just starting out within the industry again, is to work hard, play hard, and to stay in the best hotels!\n\nIn the next 5 years David dreams of retirement, but realistically he enjoys work too much (even though he keeps checking his pension), so he still sees himself at John Mason International Movers. Industry wise David doesn’t know what the next 5 years holds as he believes it changes so much with challenge after challenge.\n\nOutside of the industry David enjoys sport, watching more than playing (especially football at grassroots level) but he did pay Rugby Union in his younger days. David also enjoys reading, walking (due to his new hips!) and watching foreign subtitled TV.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding falling asleep in a moving van, and the other regarding the use of a client’s clothing.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to John Mason International Movers:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: David Ozard.","content_html":"In this episode David Ozard, General Manager of John Mason International Movers discusses how he began in the industry some 50 years ago, and believes he’s only spent 2 weeks working outside of the industry! David started life as a remover in his father’s company based in Rochdale and has spent the past 31 years at John Mason International Movers.
\n\nJohn Mason International Movers are based in Liverpool but do have a Southern operation in Hemel Hempstead. They are one of the largest shippers ex-UK Worldwide, and only offer international moving (deep sea and airfreight) and storage, working with partner agents from all over the world.
\n\nOne of David’s challenges is that he comes from Bolton, but joking aside, it’s the work ethic and enjoyment of working within the industry that can clearly bring the personal rewards.
\n\nThe one thing David would change from his moving past would have been to move off the vans and into management sooner to protect his health and body.
\n\nDavid has two highpoints of being within the industry, becoming General Manager of John Mason International Movers which came to David as a shock, and becoming Chairman of the MTC (Movers Trading Club).
\n\nThe one thing David would like to change within the industry is the Ombudsman, which David believes is setup wrong as it’s sometimes used as a blackmail for clients to use against the remover.
\n\nThe advice David would give himself, just starting out within the industry again, is to work hard, play hard, and to stay in the best hotels!
\n\nIn the next 5 years David dreams of retirement, but realistically he enjoys work too much (even though he keeps checking his pension), so he still sees himself at John Mason International Movers. Industry wise David doesn’t know what the next 5 years holds as he believes it changes so much with challenge after challenge.
\n\nOutside of the industry David enjoys sport, watching more than playing (especially football at grassroots level) but he did pay Rugby Union in his younger days. David also enjoys reading, walking (due to his new hips!) and watching foreign subtitled TV.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding falling asleep in a moving van, and the other regarding the use of a client’s clothing.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to John Mason International Movers:
\n\nSpecial Guest: David Ozard.
","summary":"Moving Matters with David Ozard, General Manager of John Mason International Movers","date_published":"2024-01-11T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a9a8226b-0a8e-44ca-8336-87c47c580e5b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":42737139,"duration_in_seconds":3561}]},{"id":"e2725ba0-5a2d-4ae3-9057-f5b423195369","title":"Episode 75: Moving Matters with Robert Cooper of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/75","content_text":"In this episode Robert Cooper, General Manager of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage discusses how he got involved within the industry 8 years ago after a phone call from his childhood best friend Neil (Purdie) who was looking for someone to take over his role, someone he could not only trust but someone who knew the family and the dedication they put into the business – there was no mention of knowing the moving industry!\n\nPrior to joining Purdie Worldwide Robert worked for a Government Agency, HMRC, where he spent 11 years, starting in the call centre before working his way up to Operations Manager in charge of 500 people. \n\nTo recap from Neil’s episode, Purdie Worldwide provide domestic, commercial, and overseas moving, containerised storage (in approximately 1,500 containers) and self-storage. And to compliment the moving side there is also Purdie Property Maintenance.\n\nRobert faces challenges every day, but his biggest personal challenge was the attitude of people towards him at the very start, where he was just seen as Neil’s friend. Another challenge has been family life and adapting to the non 9-5 working hours often found within the industry.\n\nRobert wouldn’t change a thing from his 8 years of being within the industry, because he has learned something every day, no matter how big or small, and continues to do so.\n\nRobert has a few highpoints of being within the industry, being tasked with the relocation of a school after only being in the industry for 3 years, being involved in the Giraffe About Town & Oor Wullies projects, being the current Chairman of the Scottish Area of the BAR, and representing the Scottish Area on the BAR’s National Council.\n\nThe one thing Robert would like to change within the industry is to have it viewed as a trade, and joking aside Robert would like the customer to haggle with the solicitors rather than the movers!\n\nThe advice Robert would give himself just starting out within the industry again is don’t be scared to try something, and to apologise when the need arises.\n\nIn the next 5 years Robert see’s himself exactly where he is today, however, he would like to become a director of the company, hold the Operator’s Licence, and allow Archie (Neil’s father) to retire. Industry wise, Robert doesn’t think anything specific will change in the next 5 years but does see the guys working shorter days as removals will be prolonged. Robert is interested in electric vehicles and the role they could potentially play within the industry, but sees this as 10-15 years down the road.\n\nOutside of the industry Robert enjoys walking with his miniature schnauzer, music, festivals, and very recently took part in the 26.2 mile Mighty Hike with 4 others from Purdie Worldwide, where they raised £2,330 for Macmillan Cancer Support (a tremendous achievement by all involved).\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a small move and the other regarding the recent BAR Conference in Brighton.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Robert Cooper.","content_html":"In this episode Robert Cooper, General Manager of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage discusses how he got involved within the industry 8 years ago after a phone call from his childhood best friend Neil (Purdie) who was looking for someone to take over his role, someone he could not only trust but someone who knew the family and the dedication they put into the business – there was no mention of knowing the moving industry!
\n\nPrior to joining Purdie Worldwide Robert worked for a Government Agency, HMRC, where he spent 11 years, starting in the call centre before working his way up to Operations Manager in charge of 500 people.
\n\nTo recap from Neil’s episode, Purdie Worldwide provide domestic, commercial, and overseas moving, containerised storage (in approximately 1,500 containers) and self-storage. And to compliment the moving side there is also Purdie Property Maintenance.
\n\nRobert faces challenges every day, but his biggest personal challenge was the attitude of people towards him at the very start, where he was just seen as Neil’s friend. Another challenge has been family life and adapting to the non 9-5 working hours often found within the industry.
\n\nRobert wouldn’t change a thing from his 8 years of being within the industry, because he has learned something every day, no matter how big or small, and continues to do so.
\n\nRobert has a few highpoints of being within the industry, being tasked with the relocation of a school after only being in the industry for 3 years, being involved in the Giraffe About Town & Oor Wullies projects, being the current Chairman of the Scottish Area of the BAR, and representing the Scottish Area on the BAR’s National Council.
\n\nThe one thing Robert would like to change within the industry is to have it viewed as a trade, and joking aside Robert would like the customer to haggle with the solicitors rather than the movers!
\n\nThe advice Robert would give himself just starting out within the industry again is don’t be scared to try something, and to apologise when the need arises.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Robert see’s himself exactly where he is today, however, he would like to become a director of the company, hold the Operator’s Licence, and allow Archie (Neil’s father) to retire. Industry wise, Robert doesn’t think anything specific will change in the next 5 years but does see the guys working shorter days as removals will be prolonged. Robert is interested in electric vehicles and the role they could potentially play within the industry, but sees this as 10-15 years down the road.
\n\nOutside of the industry Robert enjoys walking with his miniature schnauzer, music, festivals, and very recently took part in the 26.2 mile Mighty Hike with 4 others from Purdie Worldwide, where they raised £2,330 for Macmillan Cancer Support (a tremendous achievement by all involved).
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a small move and the other regarding the recent BAR Conference in Brighton.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Robert Cooper.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Robert Cooper, General Manager of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage","date_published":"2023-09-28T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/e2725ba0-5a2d-4ae3-9057-f5b423195369.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43890579,"duration_in_seconds":3657}]},{"id":"4bdece09-b005-445e-92be-21a4ebbb545b","title":"Episode 74: Moving Matters with David Cran of MintBox Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/74","content_text":"In this episode David Cran, Managing Director of MintBox Removals discusses how he got involved within the industry only 5 years ago, but the seed of being a remover was potentially sowed much earlier on in life.\n\nDavid’s life as a remover didn’t start according to plan, a night out on the town ended early after an accident with a taxi, which resulted in David being hospitalised and on crutches for several weeks!\n\nMintBox Removals is based in Edinburgh and provides predominantly domestic removals, packing and storage services (mostly via third party storage companies), running 3 x Luton Vans and 1 x HGV (recently purchased from Richard Webster at Tonks - Listen to Richard's episode here).\n\nDavid’s challenges have been, his personal accident at the start of his removal life, Covid and the stamp duty holiday, and growing the business. \n\nThe one thing David would change from his relatively short time in the moving industry is to have spent a couple of years gaining experience while working for a large Edinburgh based mover.\n\nDavid’s highpoints of being within the industry are, moving several Aberdeen FC footballers, being involved with the Ireland RFU during the Six Nations, being the ‘kitman’s assistant’ as David puts it, and purchasing the HGV.\n\nDavid wouldn’t change a great deal overall within the industry but would like to see the conveyancing system making use of Proptech (property technology).\n\nThe advice David would give himself just starting out within the industry again, apart from look right and left when crossing the road, would be connecting, and communicating with other movers earlier, and to enjoy the process.\n\nIn the next 5 years David would like to go down the route of palletised storage, an industrial warehouse to operate from and an additional HGV. Industry wise, David see’s more use of the demountable body system, ran by several companies currently.\n\nOutside of the industry David enjoys family time with his two children, and gardening, in which David has developed a passion for lawn care!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with four, yes four funny moving stories, an April Fool’s prank, a famous Irish Comedian, an attic incident, and the CEO of Hibernian FC.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to MintBox Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: David Cran.","content_html":"In this episode David Cran, Managing Director of MintBox Removals discusses how he got involved within the industry only 5 years ago, but the seed of being a remover was potentially sowed much earlier on in life.
\n\nDavid’s life as a remover didn’t start according to plan, a night out on the town ended early after an accident with a taxi, which resulted in David being hospitalised and on crutches for several weeks!
\n\nMintBox Removals is based in Edinburgh and provides predominantly domestic removals, packing and storage services (mostly via third party storage companies), running 3 x Luton Vans and 1 x HGV (recently purchased from Richard Webster at Tonks - Listen to Richard's episode here).
\n\nDavid’s challenges have been, his personal accident at the start of his removal life, Covid and the stamp duty holiday, and growing the business.
\n\nThe one thing David would change from his relatively short time in the moving industry is to have spent a couple of years gaining experience while working for a large Edinburgh based mover.
\n\nDavid’s highpoints of being within the industry are, moving several Aberdeen FC footballers, being involved with the Ireland RFU during the Six Nations, being the ‘kitman’s assistant’ as David puts it, and purchasing the HGV.
\n\nDavid wouldn’t change a great deal overall within the industry but would like to see the conveyancing system making use of Proptech (property technology).
\n\nThe advice David would give himself just starting out within the industry again, apart from look right and left when crossing the road, would be connecting, and communicating with other movers earlier, and to enjoy the process.
\n\nIn the next 5 years David would like to go down the route of palletised storage, an industrial warehouse to operate from and an additional HGV. Industry wise, David see’s more use of the demountable body system, ran by several companies currently.
\n\nOutside of the industry David enjoys family time with his two children, and gardening, in which David has developed a passion for lawn care!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with four, yes four funny moving stories, an April Fool’s prank, a famous Irish Comedian, an attic incident, and the CEO of Hibernian FC.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to MintBox Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: David Cran.
","summary":"Moving Matters with David Cran, Managing Director of MintBox Removals","date_published":"2023-09-14T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/4bdece09-b005-445e-92be-21a4ebbb545b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":50513715,"duration_in_seconds":4209}]},{"id":"8118f650-2522-4a8a-91e8-a3a8c14f8d79","title":"Episode 73: Moving Matters with Matt Faizey of M&G Movers & Storers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/73","content_text":"In this episode a very fired up Matt Faizey, Managing Director of M&G Movers & Storers, continues what started as a pre-recording discussion on the so called 3.5 tonne brigade, where Matt makes his views on the subject very clear indeed.\n\nMatt began in the industry delivering mahogany and new furniture on Saturday mornings from the tender age of 14 (circa 1993), for his father’s sideline, although Matt’s target in life was to become a barrister or journalist.\n\nM&G Movers & Storers are based in the Midlands and turnover between £1-1.3m a year, £400k of that being from storage and the rest from domestic moving. M&G Movers & Storers USP is that they do not subcontract any work whatsoever, interact with other firms, or bring in any outsiders, and no employee is on less than a full 40-hour week annual basis.\n\nMatt was previously heavily involved within the industry, but has been rather quiet in recent years, and explains why.\n\nMatt has had several challenges, many of which were personal, and family rated, but still concerned the business, and is very lucky to have the support of his extremely suffering other half Donna.\n\nJokingly the one thing Matt would change from his moving past is to have never done it in the first place, however, if he hadn’t had then he probably wouldn’t had met Donna, his now wife. On a more serious note, Matt would have liked to have got a better education of the industry sooner.\n\nMatt’s highpoint of being within the industry is his wife staying with him! Again, on a more serious note it’s the privilege that he has had to experience all ends of the industry, and also watching people develop skills in an industry that most people regard as unskilled and uneducated, and become a professional removalist. Another highlight is the money!\n\nThe one thing Matt would like to change within the industry is to bring the entire industry together and have one collective voice, which can then be used to be heard, in which Matt makes a strong case for, and for those within the industry to get educated and learn the system in which you operate within.\n\nThe advice Matt would give himself just starting out within the industry again is, apart from keeping his mouth shut, to understand the gravity of what you are getting into.\n\nIn the next 5 years Matt hopes to have caught up with growing the revenue of the company that he should have done in the past 5 years or have left the industry. Industry wise, what happens with the efforts of a mandated key release time and/or atomic settlement and how the industry reacts to it, and also what happens next economically.\n\nOutside of the industry Matt enjoys motor racing in which he participates, time with his wife and children (which should have come first, but Matt has petrol flowing through his veins!) and reading.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a survey, and Matt provides an interesting story about witness relocation.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to M&G Movers & Storers:\n\n\nWebsite\nSpecial Guest: Matt Faizey.","content_html":"In this episode a very fired up Matt Faizey, Managing Director of M&G Movers & Storers, continues what started as a pre-recording discussion on the so called 3.5 tonne brigade, where Matt makes his views on the subject very clear indeed.
\n\nMatt began in the industry delivering mahogany and new furniture on Saturday mornings from the tender age of 14 (circa 1993), for his father’s sideline, although Matt’s target in life was to become a barrister or journalist.
\n\nM&G Movers & Storers are based in the Midlands and turnover between £1-1.3m a year, £400k of that being from storage and the rest from domestic moving. M&G Movers & Storers USP is that they do not subcontract any work whatsoever, interact with other firms, or bring in any outsiders, and no employee is on less than a full 40-hour week annual basis.
\n\nMatt was previously heavily involved within the industry, but has been rather quiet in recent years, and explains why.
\n\nMatt has had several challenges, many of which were personal, and family rated, but still concerned the business, and is very lucky to have the support of his extremely suffering other half Donna.
\n\nJokingly the one thing Matt would change from his moving past is to have never done it in the first place, however, if he hadn’t had then he probably wouldn’t had met Donna, his now wife. On a more serious note, Matt would have liked to have got a better education of the industry sooner.
\n\nMatt’s highpoint of being within the industry is his wife staying with him! Again, on a more serious note it’s the privilege that he has had to experience all ends of the industry, and also watching people develop skills in an industry that most people regard as unskilled and uneducated, and become a professional removalist. Another highlight is the money!
\n\nThe one thing Matt would like to change within the industry is to bring the entire industry together and have one collective voice, which can then be used to be heard, in which Matt makes a strong case for, and for those within the industry to get educated and learn the system in which you operate within.
\n\nThe advice Matt would give himself just starting out within the industry again is, apart from keeping his mouth shut, to understand the gravity of what you are getting into.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Matt hopes to have caught up with growing the revenue of the company that he should have done in the past 5 years or have left the industry. Industry wise, what happens with the efforts of a mandated key release time and/or atomic settlement and how the industry reacts to it, and also what happens next economically.
\n\nOutside of the industry Matt enjoys motor racing in which he participates, time with his wife and children (which should have come first, but Matt has petrol flowing through his veins!) and reading.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a survey, and Matt provides an interesting story about witness relocation.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to M&G Movers & Storers:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Matt Faizey.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Matt Faizey, Managing Director of M&G Movers & Storers","date_published":"2023-08-10T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/8118f650-2522-4a8a-91e8-a3a8c14f8d79.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":67686579,"duration_in_seconds":5640}]},{"id":"6f7c505f-0c4f-4e77-b251-591950ebdfb8","title":"Episode 72: Moving Matters with Adam Chudley of B K Moving & Storage Group","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/72","content_text":"In this episode Adam Chudley, Director of B K Moving & Storage Group discusses how he got involved within the industry about 20 years ago, although he feels he was born into the industry as he is the son of Mark Chudley (episode 23) and grandson of Derek Blatchford.\n\nB K Moving & Storage Group are based in Exeter and trade under the names of Blatchford’s International, King & Kearey and Westcountry Removals. Blatchford’s was started by Adam’s great grandfather Walter Blatchford in the 1930’s, making Adam a fourth-generation remover! B K Moving offer local and national removals, some commercial and specialise in International, but not so much European due to changes in recent years. They have a 13,000 sqft containerised warehouse, and currently run 3 trucks and 1 van, employ 5 with a crew of 3.\n\nAdam’s challenges have been related to family businesses, starting with working within the family business (Chudley Moving & Shipping), then leaving the industry for a few years in an emergency, which was unplanned and happened overnight, to help with another family business, and finally returning to the industry in his current role within another family business.\n\nAdam doesn’t believe in changes from his past, but more what lessons has he learned, ‘bend from the knees’ being one! However, Adam is sad that his time out of the industry coincided with Mark’s (Dad) BAR Presidency.\n\nAdam’s personal highpoint of being within the industry was his last BAR Conference in Bournemouth, which not only did he attend with his father and grandfather, but also gave a presentation on the BAR Young Movers Group, which he was involved in at the time.\n\nAfter hearing several previous podcast episodes regarding regulating the 3.5 tonne brigade, Adam would controversially not like to have additional regulation in place but would rather push DVSA to use the laws already in place. However, he would like to change the key handover and the way the industry is treated by the Estate Agent/Solicitor, and encourages every mover to not only have a strict waiting time charge policy but to enforce it too.\n\nThe advice Adam would give himself (or gave himself recently) just starting out within the industry again is to network – as an industry we are very friendly and are prepared to share a lot of information.\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam will transition more into working on his own as David (Adam’s business partner) will be looking at retirement. Industry wise, Adam doesn’t see any huge changes, apart from truck and van technology that will be enforced upon us, but he does believe we have an interesting couple of years ahead due to the current economic climate.\n\nAdam’s current situation does allow him to have a good work/life balance, so, outside of the industry he is a football fan (a season ticket holder at Bristol City FC), enjoys family time with his wife and 2 daughters and has a passion for the theatre and amateur dramatics.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a previous podcast guest, Mr Neil Purdie (episode 47) himself.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to BK Moving & Storage Group:\n\n\nBlatchford's Website\nKing & Kearey Website\nKing & Kearey Facebook\nWestcountry Removals Website\nSpecial Guest: Adam Chudley.","content_html":"In this episode Adam Chudley, Director of B K Moving & Storage Group discusses how he got involved within the industry about 20 years ago, although he feels he was born into the industry as he is the son of Mark Chudley (episode 23) and grandson of Derek Blatchford.
\n\nB K Moving & Storage Group are based in Exeter and trade under the names of Blatchford’s International, King & Kearey and Westcountry Removals. Blatchford’s was started by Adam’s great grandfather Walter Blatchford in the 1930’s, making Adam a fourth-generation remover! B K Moving offer local and national removals, some commercial and specialise in International, but not so much European due to changes in recent years. They have a 13,000 sqft containerised warehouse, and currently run 3 trucks and 1 van, employ 5 with a crew of 3.
\n\nAdam’s challenges have been related to family businesses, starting with working within the family business (Chudley Moving & Shipping), then leaving the industry for a few years in an emergency, which was unplanned and happened overnight, to help with another family business, and finally returning to the industry in his current role within another family business.
\n\nAdam doesn’t believe in changes from his past, but more what lessons has he learned, ‘bend from the knees’ being one! However, Adam is sad that his time out of the industry coincided with Mark’s (Dad) BAR Presidency.
\n\nAdam’s personal highpoint of being within the industry was his last BAR Conference in Bournemouth, which not only did he attend with his father and grandfather, but also gave a presentation on the BAR Young Movers Group, which he was involved in at the time.
\n\nAfter hearing several previous podcast episodes regarding regulating the 3.5 tonne brigade, Adam would controversially not like to have additional regulation in place but would rather push DVSA to use the laws already in place. However, he would like to change the key handover and the way the industry is treated by the Estate Agent/Solicitor, and encourages every mover to not only have a strict waiting time charge policy but to enforce it too.
\n\nThe advice Adam would give himself (or gave himself recently) just starting out within the industry again is to network – as an industry we are very friendly and are prepared to share a lot of information.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam will transition more into working on his own as David (Adam’s business partner) will be looking at retirement. Industry wise, Adam doesn’t see any huge changes, apart from truck and van technology that will be enforced upon us, but he does believe we have an interesting couple of years ahead due to the current economic climate.
\n\nAdam’s current situation does allow him to have a good work/life balance, so, outside of the industry he is a football fan (a season ticket holder at Bristol City FC), enjoys family time with his wife and 2 daughters and has a passion for the theatre and amateur dramatics.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a previous podcast guest, Mr Neil Purdie (episode 47) himself.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to BK Moving & Storage Group:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Adam Chudley.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Adam Chudley, Director of B K Moving & Storage Group","date_published":"2023-07-27T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/6f7c505f-0c4f-4e77-b251-591950ebdfb8.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36542259,"duration_in_seconds":3045}]},{"id":"a8ac3e8a-3ee0-41fd-becc-00973ab0e26a","title":"Episode 71: Moving Matters with Edward Kessell of Martell's of Sutton","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/71","content_text":"In this episode Edward Kessel, Removals Manager of Martell’s of Sutton discusses how he got involved within the industry, probably like many, working as a porter during the summer holidays from his A levels, and has completed over 25 years’ service, all for Martell’s.\n\nMartell’s are a family owned and run company, and have been trading mainly in retail since 1917, starting as a pram and bedstead shop in the Elephant & Castle, London. Martell’s have a department store in East Grinstead, own several properties which they rent within the private sector, and commercial premises for storage and office space. On the moving side they cover all of the usual removal services, running a mixed fleet of 6 vehicles, employing 15 fulltime staff and offer self-storage as well as containerised storage (using the 250 cuft steel containers).\n\nOne of Ed’s biggest challenges is staff, not only finding new staff but also current staff are less inclined to want to spend days and nights away from homes, and some are not even interested in overtime. Ed has even had to incentivise bonus schemes for some of the staff to do nights away.\n\nEd doesn’t have anything major that he would change from his moving past, although he has learned some hard lessons along the way.\n\nEd’s highpoints of being within the industry are; professionally, being the Chairman of the BAR National Group Council, which gives Ed a seat on the BAR Board, and personally, the jobs Ed has quoted and moved, one in particular to the Cayman Islands.\n\nEd would like to change a couple of things within the industry, one being more regulation for the 3.5 tonne sector and the other being the house purchase process, two controversial topics indeed!\n\nThe advice Ed would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to embrace every opportunity presented.\n\nIn the next 5 years Ed hopes to still be at Martell’s looking after operations, and to still be involved with the BAR. Industry wise, the electric vehicle rollout is coming but Ed doesn’t think as an industry (and as a nation) we are ready for it.\n\nOutside of the industry Ed likes to travel, spend quality time with the family, cooking and enjoys go-karting.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not one but three funny moving stories; a move to Portugal with Ed’s now wife, a TV cameo debut, and a bit of removal banter.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Martells:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Edward Kessell.","content_html":"In this episode Edward Kessel, Removals Manager of Martell’s of Sutton discusses how he got involved within the industry, probably like many, working as a porter during the summer holidays from his A levels, and has completed over 25 years’ service, all for Martell’s.
\n\nMartell’s are a family owned and run company, and have been trading mainly in retail since 1917, starting as a pram and bedstead shop in the Elephant & Castle, London. Martell’s have a department store in East Grinstead, own several properties which they rent within the private sector, and commercial premises for storage and office space. On the moving side they cover all of the usual removal services, running a mixed fleet of 6 vehicles, employing 15 fulltime staff and offer self-storage as well as containerised storage (using the 250 cuft steel containers).
\n\nOne of Ed’s biggest challenges is staff, not only finding new staff but also current staff are less inclined to want to spend days and nights away from homes, and some are not even interested in overtime. Ed has even had to incentivise bonus schemes for some of the staff to do nights away.
\n\nEd doesn’t have anything major that he would change from his moving past, although he has learned some hard lessons along the way.
\n\nEd’s highpoints of being within the industry are; professionally, being the Chairman of the BAR National Group Council, which gives Ed a seat on the BAR Board, and personally, the jobs Ed has quoted and moved, one in particular to the Cayman Islands.
\n\nEd would like to change a couple of things within the industry, one being more regulation for the 3.5 tonne sector and the other being the house purchase process, two controversial topics indeed!
\n\nThe advice Ed would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to embrace every opportunity presented.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Ed hopes to still be at Martell’s looking after operations, and to still be involved with the BAR. Industry wise, the electric vehicle rollout is coming but Ed doesn’t think as an industry (and as a nation) we are ready for it.
\n\nOutside of the industry Ed likes to travel, spend quality time with the family, cooking and enjoys go-karting.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not one but three funny moving stories; a move to Portugal with Ed’s now wife, a TV cameo debut, and a bit of removal banter.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Martells:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Edward Kessell.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Edward Kessell, Removals Manager of Martell's of Sutton","date_published":"2023-07-13T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a8ac3e8a-3ee0-41fd-becc-00973ab0e26a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29252691,"duration_in_seconds":2437}]},{"id":"fb7a35fb-aeb2-4990-b964-b9083e229078","title":"Episode 70: Moving Matters with Dan Braddock of GB Liners","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/70","content_text":"In this episode, former guest Dan Braddock, Branch Manager of GB Liners, reminds us how he began within the industry some 18 years ago, working for the family business before joining GB Liners where he has spent the last 14 years.\n\nGB Liners have 11 branches, run approximately 100 vehicles, employ in-excess of 250, and offer self-storage, containerised storage, document storage, and provide local, nationwide, European, and international removals for the domestic and corporate markets – and this year celebrate 100 years since the start of the family business.\n\nOne of Dan’s biggest challenges was when Sophie, Dan’s wife, was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2013, at a time where Dan was given an opportunity to move from the vans to the estimating and sales side of the business, and Dan will always be grateful to GB Liners for their continued support during Sophie’s treatment.\n\nThe one thing Dan would change from his moving past is to ask more questions, question a lot more things, and not to be so worried about the unknown.\n\nDan has had several highpoints of being within the industry so far, the development he’s had within GB Liners and the industry and what he’s achieved, becoming part of the BAR Young Movers Group, and being elected as the youngest DED (Directly Elected Director) of BAR, which we discuss in more detail.\n\nThe one thing Dan would like to change within the industry is have a mentorship program.\n\nThe advice Dan would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to listen to the advice and the criticism, to never stop learning, and getting the balance right.\n\nDan is very happy with what he is doing at the moment but feels that he should probably get his head up (rather than down) and answer that question for himself, so we will just have to see how the next 5 years pans out for Dan. Industry wise, Dan does see a change in trucks, but maybe hydrogen over electric?\n\nWe discuss getting new blood into the industry and Dan asks the question of whether it’s more of an issue retaining rather than getting new blood?\n\nOutside of the industry Dan is ruled by his children, he enjoys being busy with family life, and loves to get away when the opportunity arises.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a Friday night in Cologne.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to GB Liners:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Daniel Braddock.","content_html":"In this episode, former guest Dan Braddock, Branch Manager of GB Liners, reminds us how he began within the industry some 18 years ago, working for the family business before joining GB Liners where he has spent the last 14 years.
\n\nGB Liners have 11 branches, run approximately 100 vehicles, employ in-excess of 250, and offer self-storage, containerised storage, document storage, and provide local, nationwide, European, and international removals for the domestic and corporate markets – and this year celebrate 100 years since the start of the family business.
\n\nOne of Dan’s biggest challenges was when Sophie, Dan’s wife, was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2013, at a time where Dan was given an opportunity to move from the vans to the estimating and sales side of the business, and Dan will always be grateful to GB Liners for their continued support during Sophie’s treatment.
\n\nThe one thing Dan would change from his moving past is to ask more questions, question a lot more things, and not to be so worried about the unknown.
\n\nDan has had several highpoints of being within the industry so far, the development he’s had within GB Liners and the industry and what he’s achieved, becoming part of the BAR Young Movers Group, and being elected as the youngest DED (Directly Elected Director) of BAR, which we discuss in more detail.
\n\nThe one thing Dan would like to change within the industry is have a mentorship program.
\n\nThe advice Dan would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to listen to the advice and the criticism, to never stop learning, and getting the balance right.
\n\nDan is very happy with what he is doing at the moment but feels that he should probably get his head up (rather than down) and answer that question for himself, so we will just have to see how the next 5 years pans out for Dan. Industry wise, Dan does see a change in trucks, but maybe hydrogen over electric?
\n\nWe discuss getting new blood into the industry and Dan asks the question of whether it’s more of an issue retaining rather than getting new blood?
\n\nOutside of the industry Dan is ruled by his children, he enjoys being busy with family life, and loves to get away when the opportunity arises.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a Friday night in Cologne.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to GB Liners:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Daniel Braddock.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Dan Braddock, Branch Manager of GB Liners","date_published":"2023-06-22T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/fb7a35fb-aeb2-4990-b964-b9083e229078.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29971827,"duration_in_seconds":2497}]},{"id":"10450894-b88e-485e-bc60-d073fc5dfd79","title":"Episode 69: Moving Matters with Derek Milner of Intransit Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/69","content_text":"In this episode, Derek Milner, Managing Director of Intransit Removals & Storage, discusses how he began within the industry in 1997 as a part time venture, selling his car to buy a transit van, and having no background in removals and storage at all.\n\nDerek maintains that having a side line to removals, such shop deliveries, is a necessity to help with the quiet times within the moving industry. In 2015/16 Derek was running 15 vehicles and an average of 22 staff, today, Intransit Removals & Storage run 10 vehicles (5 x vans, 1 x 7.5 tonne, 2 x 12 tonne, 2 x 18 tonne), with a crew of 7, and are primarily domestic removers and storers, offering mainly containerised storage (approximately 130) but they do have shipping containers too.\n\nOne of Derek’s biggest business challenges was being taken to court by a trade association in 2014, which Derek and his legal team (Backhouse Jones) won. However, Derek’s biggest personal challenge was to come shortly after this on April 6th (2014), a motocross accident, where Derek was revived twice, and not only did he break his spine but suffered brain damage too! – Derek was given a 10% chance of walking and only a 3% chance of survival!\n\nDerek wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he’s quite pleased and proud with what he’s achieved.\n\nDerek’s highpoint of being within the industry is the current staff and vehicles that he has, and a ‘reasonable’ highpoint was being accepted into the British Association of Removers and is a regular attendee of the Western Area meetings.\n\nThe one thing Derek would like to change within the industry is how everything is current so last minute and would like customers to contact removers well in advance of their actual removal day.\n\nApart from don’t, the advice Derek would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to not give up, as it's not just about moving the contents of someone’s home.\n\nIn the next 5 years Derek believes the industry will continue to be a struggle for another 12 months yet, but then it will kick back in.\n\nOutside of the industry, despite being a workaholic and since his horrific accident, Derek has undertaken a healthy lifestyle and become a gym freak, attending the gym 3-4 times a week. He also enjoys watching motorsport on TV and spending time with his family.\n\nAnd sadly, we don’t end Moving Matters with a funny moving story as Derek didn’t have one to tell.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Intransit Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Derek Milner.","content_html":"In this episode, Derek Milner, Managing Director of Intransit Removals & Storage, discusses how he began within the industry in 1997 as a part time venture, selling his car to buy a transit van, and having no background in removals and storage at all.
\n\nDerek maintains that having a side line to removals, such shop deliveries, is a necessity to help with the quiet times within the moving industry. In 2015/16 Derek was running 15 vehicles and an average of 22 staff, today, Intransit Removals & Storage run 10 vehicles (5 x vans, 1 x 7.5 tonne, 2 x 12 tonne, 2 x 18 tonne), with a crew of 7, and are primarily domestic removers and storers, offering mainly containerised storage (approximately 130) but they do have shipping containers too.
\n\nOne of Derek’s biggest business challenges was being taken to court by a trade association in 2014, which Derek and his legal team (Backhouse Jones) won. However, Derek’s biggest personal challenge was to come shortly after this on April 6th (2014), a motocross accident, where Derek was revived twice, and not only did he break his spine but suffered brain damage too! – Derek was given a 10% chance of walking and only a 3% chance of survival!
\n\nDerek wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he’s quite pleased and proud with what he’s achieved.
\n\nDerek’s highpoint of being within the industry is the current staff and vehicles that he has, and a ‘reasonable’ highpoint was being accepted into the British Association of Removers and is a regular attendee of the Western Area meetings.
\n\nThe one thing Derek would like to change within the industry is how everything is current so last minute and would like customers to contact removers well in advance of their actual removal day.
\n\nApart from don’t, the advice Derek would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to not give up, as it's not just about moving the contents of someone’s home.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Derek believes the industry will continue to be a struggle for another 12 months yet, but then it will kick back in.
\n\nOutside of the industry, despite being a workaholic and since his horrific accident, Derek has undertaken a healthy lifestyle and become a gym freak, attending the gym 3-4 times a week. He also enjoys watching motorsport on TV and spending time with his family.
\n\nAnd sadly, we don’t end Moving Matters with a funny moving story as Derek didn’t have one to tell.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Intransit Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Derek Milner.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Derek Milner, Managing Director of Intransit Removals & Storage","date_published":"2023-06-08T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/10450894-b88e-485e-bc60-d073fc5dfd79.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":44715123,"duration_in_seconds":3726}]},{"id":"156d0f8b-5a76-46de-9e88-6e0747b3c590","title":"Episode 68: Moving Matters with Rod Hepworth of It's Your Move Ilkley","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/68","content_text":"In this episode, Rod Hepworth, Director of It’s Your Move Ilkley, discusses how he began within the industry 23 years ago at the ripe old age of 40, after a life of many careers including a Cow Inseminator and a Professional DJ!\n\nRod founded It’s Your Move Ilkley in 2007, which provides mainly domestic moving, storage and packing services, local and national (although they do International too using forwarding agents), running 2 HGV’s, 4 low loaders, a panel van, and 7 members of staff.\n\nIt’s Your Move Ilkley have been members of Move Assured for the last 3 years but is hoping to join the British Association of Removers imminently.\n\nRod’s biggest challenges were learning to grow the business and become a professional company, and becoming VAT registered (in 2013) where he had to compete with local non-VAT registered movers.\n\nThe one thing Rod would like to change from his moving past is to learn the industry quicker.\n\nRod hopes his highpoint of being within the industry is still to come (even at the age of 63!) but believes joining the BAR will be one. Covid, or rather the Stamp Duty Holiday was a highpoint (the golden age of removals).\n\nThe one thing Rod would like to change within the industry is the conveyancing system which Rod says is outdated and disjointed. Rod would also like to see the VAT threshold lowered.\n\nThe advice Rod would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to do it 20 years earlier! \n\nIn the next 5 years Rod hopes to be doing a little bit less, delegating a little bit more, and It’s Your Move Ilkley to continue being successful. Industry wise Rod sees no major changes, he doesn’t believe in legislation for the 3.5 tonners, or that electric vehicles will make too much of an impact.\n\nOutside of the industry Rod follows football, sponsoring his local team Guiseley, but his passion lies with Manchester United. Rod also loves traveling, music and attending concerts, Rod is a big Bruce Springsteen fan!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Mrs Mad.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to It's Your Move Ilkley:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: Rod Hepworth.","content_html":"In this episode, Rod Hepworth, Director of It’s Your Move Ilkley, discusses how he began within the industry 23 years ago at the ripe old age of 40, after a life of many careers including a Cow Inseminator and a Professional DJ!
\n\nRod founded It’s Your Move Ilkley in 2007, which provides mainly domestic moving, storage and packing services, local and national (although they do International too using forwarding agents), running 2 HGV’s, 4 low loaders, a panel van, and 7 members of staff.
\n\nIt’s Your Move Ilkley have been members of Move Assured for the last 3 years but is hoping to join the British Association of Removers imminently.
\n\nRod’s biggest challenges were learning to grow the business and become a professional company, and becoming VAT registered (in 2013) where he had to compete with local non-VAT registered movers.
\n\nThe one thing Rod would like to change from his moving past is to learn the industry quicker.
\n\nRod hopes his highpoint of being within the industry is still to come (even at the age of 63!) but believes joining the BAR will be one. Covid, or rather the Stamp Duty Holiday was a highpoint (the golden age of removals).
\n\nThe one thing Rod would like to change within the industry is the conveyancing system which Rod says is outdated and disjointed. Rod would also like to see the VAT threshold lowered.
\n\nThe advice Rod would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to do it 20 years earlier!
\n\nIn the next 5 years Rod hopes to be doing a little bit less, delegating a little bit more, and It’s Your Move Ilkley to continue being successful. Industry wise Rod sees no major changes, he doesn’t believe in legislation for the 3.5 tonners, or that electric vehicles will make too much of an impact.
\n\nOutside of the industry Rod follows football, sponsoring his local team Guiseley, but his passion lies with Manchester United. Rod also loves traveling, music and attending concerts, Rod is a big Bruce Springsteen fan!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Mrs Mad.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to It's Your Move Ilkley:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Rod Hepworth.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Rod Hepworth, Director of It's Your Move Ilkley","date_published":"2023-05-25T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/156d0f8b-5a76-46de-9e88-6e0747b3c590.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29160243,"duration_in_seconds":2430}]},{"id":"00cc82d2-a0de-44f7-8b45-fe6af645e3ac","title":"Episode 67: Moving Matters with Martin Budd of Pickfords","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/67","content_text":"In this episode, Martin Budd, Sales Director & Brand Ambassador of Pickfords, discusses how he began within the industry, firstly within records management in 2001 with Hays, before joining Sirva (Pickfords) in 2003 for 3 years followed by Crown, and then PHS Data Solutions. And in 2016, Martin was invited to re-join Pickfords where he remains to this day.\n\nMartin discusses what a Brand Ambassador is, it’s not just your logo, it’s what you do and the way you do things.\n\nPickfords is the de facto brand recognition of the industry (for those 35 and older, states Martin), and they move anything, anywhere, anytime. Pickfords have approximately 50 branches (46 warehouse units) throughout the UK, where they took on an additional 15 branches/warehouse units last year and are looking to put more dots on the map as they return (once again) to the local markets, where back in the hay day Pickfords had approximately 175 locations within the UK with a fleet of 6-700 vehicles!\n\nMartin is the current Chairman of the BAR Commercial Moving Group (which has 50 members). However, his tenure finishes in May when Robert Poyner of Crown Workspace takes over the role.\n\nMartin’s biggest challenge is working within an industry that is very tyre kicking focused, but also managing the relationship between the technical and sales parts, as Martin likes to look at things from the customers perspective. A challenge for Pickfords is that it has an aging workforce, but they do run a pro-active apprenticeship program for a variety of roles within the business.\n\nMartin wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he feels incredibly lucky to have joined Pickfords at a time (2003-2006) where he was able to soak up as much knowledge and experience as possible from some great people working there.\n\nMartin’s highpoint of being within the industry was winning the contract to move NATO’s headquarters in Brussels in 2016/17, where 2/2.5 years was spent on the project management alone, and the physical move consisted of 4,200 staff, 19km of secret archives, 200 safes and 2,700 crate movements, into a building of 254,000 square metres! Martin even convinced NATO to make a film of the entire moving process, something you can see yourself on the Pickfords TV YouTube channel here.\n\nThe one thing Martin would like to change within the industry is how customers try to commoditise our industry, by doing a group walk around on commercial moves.\n\nThe advice Martin would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to soak up as much knowledge and experience as you can.\n\nIn the next 5 years Martin hopes to still be at Pickfords doing what he does today as he absolutely loves it. Industry wise, he does see people moving back to working in office environments again, albeit different to pre-pandemic days, and the man and van industry scares Martin where the consumer does not see the value or expertise of getting a professional mover. \n\nOutside of the industry Martin loves great food, great drink, travelling, meeting people, and loves to live life. \n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a defibrillator.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Pickfords:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Martin Budd.","content_html":"In this episode, Martin Budd, Sales Director & Brand Ambassador of Pickfords, discusses how he began within the industry, firstly within records management in 2001 with Hays, before joining Sirva (Pickfords) in 2003 for 3 years followed by Crown, and then PHS Data Solutions. And in 2016, Martin was invited to re-join Pickfords where he remains to this day.
\n\nMartin discusses what a Brand Ambassador is, it’s not just your logo, it’s what you do and the way you do things.
\n\nPickfords is the de facto brand recognition of the industry (for those 35 and older, states Martin), and they move anything, anywhere, anytime. Pickfords have approximately 50 branches (46 warehouse units) throughout the UK, where they took on an additional 15 branches/warehouse units last year and are looking to put more dots on the map as they return (once again) to the local markets, where back in the hay day Pickfords had approximately 175 locations within the UK with a fleet of 6-700 vehicles!
\n\nMartin is the current Chairman of the BAR Commercial Moving Group (which has 50 members). However, his tenure finishes in May when Robert Poyner of Crown Workspace takes over the role.
\n\nMartin’s biggest challenge is working within an industry that is very tyre kicking focused, but also managing the relationship between the technical and sales parts, as Martin likes to look at things from the customers perspective. A challenge for Pickfords is that it has an aging workforce, but they do run a pro-active apprenticeship program for a variety of roles within the business.
\n\nMartin wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he feels incredibly lucky to have joined Pickfords at a time (2003-2006) where he was able to soak up as much knowledge and experience as possible from some great people working there.
\n\nMartin’s highpoint of being within the industry was winning the contract to move NATO’s headquarters in Brussels in 2016/17, where 2/2.5 years was spent on the project management alone, and the physical move consisted of 4,200 staff, 19km of secret archives, 200 safes and 2,700 crate movements, into a building of 254,000 square metres! Martin even convinced NATO to make a film of the entire moving process, something you can see yourself on the Pickfords TV YouTube channel here.
\n\nThe one thing Martin would like to change within the industry is how customers try to commoditise our industry, by doing a group walk around on commercial moves.
\n\nThe advice Martin would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to soak up as much knowledge and experience as you can.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Martin hopes to still be at Pickfords doing what he does today as he absolutely loves it. Industry wise, he does see people moving back to working in office environments again, albeit different to pre-pandemic days, and the man and van industry scares Martin where the consumer does not see the value or expertise of getting a professional mover.
\n\nOutside of the industry Martin loves great food, great drink, travelling, meeting people, and loves to live life.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a defibrillator.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Pickfords:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Martin Budd.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Martin Budd, Sales Director & Brand Ambassador of Pickfords","date_published":"2023-05-11T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/00cc82d2-a0de-44f7-8b45-fe6af645e3ac.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34098579,"duration_in_seconds":2841}]},{"id":"6e8c3ede-c931-4490-8640-1ecf06715d42","title":"Episode 66: Moving Matters with Paul Taylor of White Rose Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/66","content_text":"In this episode, Paul Taylor, Managing Director of White Rose Removals, discusses how he began within the industry working for removal companies in West Yorkshire before setting up his own company 12 years ago.\n\nToday, White Rose Removals are based in Leeds and share office and warehouse space with GB Liners. White Rose Removals primarily undertake domestic moving and packing services as well as storage, and commercial relocations (passing European and International work to GB Liners), running 3 x HVG (soon to be 4), 5 x 3.5 tonne (including Paul’s battered old sprinter!) and have a manual labour force of 6-7 full timers and several self-employed.\n\nPaul see’s every day as a challenge, but his main one was the teething pains of growing a business. \n\nThe one thing Paul would like to change from his moving past is getting his pricing right, which he should have done years ago by having confidence not only in himself but his business too.\n\nPaul has two highpoints of being within the industry, firstly becoming a member of the BAR (British Association of Removers), and secondly the recent stamp duty holiday. Paul also claims another highpoint is every time he gets a new truck, which he names after a woman in his life, although the sprinter remains unnamed!\n\nThe one thing Paul would like to change within the industry is to legislate it, making it more professional and therefore giving it more respect.\n\nThe advice Paul would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to professionalise everything from the start, and to not be afraid to charge more money.\n\nIn the next 5 years Paul hopes to expand the business further, but he would also like to address his and Hannah’s (wife) work life balance, taking more of a backseat within the business. Industry wise Paul believes it will be very similar to what it is today and remain very cutthroat.\n\nOutside of the industry Paul is a massive Leeds United Football fan, something his dad introduced him to as a child, and is a home and away season ticket holder. Paul (and Hannah) loves a trip to Tenerife (every 2-3 months), and spending time with his wife and children.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an email of complaint.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to White Rose Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Paul Taylor.","content_html":"In this episode, Paul Taylor, Managing Director of White Rose Removals, discusses how he began within the industry working for removal companies in West Yorkshire before setting up his own company 12 years ago.
\n\nToday, White Rose Removals are based in Leeds and share office and warehouse space with GB Liners. White Rose Removals primarily undertake domestic moving and packing services as well as storage, and commercial relocations (passing European and International work to GB Liners), running 3 x HVG (soon to be 4), 5 x 3.5 tonne (including Paul’s battered old sprinter!) and have a manual labour force of 6-7 full timers and several self-employed.
\n\nPaul see’s every day as a challenge, but his main one was the teething pains of growing a business.
\n\nThe one thing Paul would like to change from his moving past is getting his pricing right, which he should have done years ago by having confidence not only in himself but his business too.
\n\nPaul has two highpoints of being within the industry, firstly becoming a member of the BAR (British Association of Removers), and secondly the recent stamp duty holiday. Paul also claims another highpoint is every time he gets a new truck, which he names after a woman in his life, although the sprinter remains unnamed!
\n\nThe one thing Paul would like to change within the industry is to legislate it, making it more professional and therefore giving it more respect.
\n\nThe advice Paul would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to professionalise everything from the start, and to not be afraid to charge more money.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Paul hopes to expand the business further, but he would also like to address his and Hannah’s (wife) work life balance, taking more of a backseat within the business. Industry wise Paul believes it will be very similar to what it is today and remain very cutthroat.
\n\nOutside of the industry Paul is a massive Leeds United Football fan, something his dad introduced him to as a child, and is a home and away season ticket holder. Paul (and Hannah) loves a trip to Tenerife (every 2-3 months), and spending time with his wife and children.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an email of complaint.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to White Rose Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Paul Taylor.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Paul Taylor, Managing Director of White Rose Removals","date_published":"2023-04-27T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/6e8c3ede-c931-4490-8640-1ecf06715d42.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36032211,"duration_in_seconds":3002}]},{"id":"613929a5-f452-4748-8a50-84276995ce62","title":"Episode 65: Moving Matters with Retired Remover Phil Hambleton","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/65","content_text":"In this episode, Phil Hambleton, who has just retired, discusses how he got involved within the industry in 1984, when he and his parents decided to buy a small removal company and rebrand it as Hambleton’s.\n\nAfter building up Hambleton’s, Phil’s parents decided to retire in 2002, and Phil consequently sold Hambleton’s in 2004 to North West Removals after it became too much for Phil (as one person) to run. At the time of selling Hambleton’s ran 6 trucks and housed approximately 500 containers in a 10,000 sqft warehouse.\n\nSince selling Hambleton’s Phil has remained within the moving industry, where he has worked for Pickfords (for a 12-month period, under incoming BAR President Mike Andrews), Anglo Pacific (for 7 years, until he was made redundant) and finally GB Liners, where he has spent his past 12 years, before retiring at the end of February 2023.\n\nPhil has overcome several challenges during his time within the industry, transitioning from owner to employee being one, staff was another (from the point of view of questioning his industry experience and background), and learning new IT systems within each employer.\n\nThe one thing Phil would change from his moving past is selling Hambleton’s, where a last minute change of circumstances meant he could have continued running the business.\n\nPhil has a couple of highpoints of being within the industry, the first is being awarded the Michael Gerson Medal for the best essay in the BAR Higher Certificate of Removals Management, and the second being the recognition of industry peer Robert Bartup after being asked to take on 2 of the GB Liner branches.\n\nThe one thing Phil would like to change within the industry is completion times, citing there needs to be time between exchange and completion to allow people to arrange their removals.\n\nThe advice Phil would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to seek out experienced people and pick their brains, and to join an association, such as the BAR.\n\nIn the next 5 years Phil doesn’t see much change within the industry, although he does see technology playing a bigger role. Phil doesn’t see electric trucks playing a major role within the industry due to their restrictions on distance, but he does see them playing more of a local role.\n\nOutside of the industry Phil enjoys walking, he’s massively into sports, enjoys dining out and he’s joined a gym (but doesn’t go a lot).\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a survey that ended up in the master bedroom, only to discover another room.\n\nEnjoy!Special Guest: Phil Hambleton.","content_html":"In this episode, Phil Hambleton, who has just retired, discusses how he got involved within the industry in 1984, when he and his parents decided to buy a small removal company and rebrand it as Hambleton’s.
\n\nAfter building up Hambleton’s, Phil’s parents decided to retire in 2002, and Phil consequently sold Hambleton’s in 2004 to North West Removals after it became too much for Phil (as one person) to run. At the time of selling Hambleton’s ran 6 trucks and housed approximately 500 containers in a 10,000 sqft warehouse.
\n\nSince selling Hambleton’s Phil has remained within the moving industry, where he has worked for Pickfords (for a 12-month period, under incoming BAR President Mike Andrews), Anglo Pacific (for 7 years, until he was made redundant) and finally GB Liners, where he has spent his past 12 years, before retiring at the end of February 2023.
\n\nPhil has overcome several challenges during his time within the industry, transitioning from owner to employee being one, staff was another (from the point of view of questioning his industry experience and background), and learning new IT systems within each employer.
\n\nThe one thing Phil would change from his moving past is selling Hambleton’s, where a last minute change of circumstances meant he could have continued running the business.
\n\nPhil has a couple of highpoints of being within the industry, the first is being awarded the Michael Gerson Medal for the best essay in the BAR Higher Certificate of Removals Management, and the second being the recognition of industry peer Robert Bartup after being asked to take on 2 of the GB Liner branches.
\n\nThe one thing Phil would like to change within the industry is completion times, citing there needs to be time between exchange and completion to allow people to arrange their removals.
\n\nThe advice Phil would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to seek out experienced people and pick their brains, and to join an association, such as the BAR.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Phil doesn’t see much change within the industry, although he does see technology playing a bigger role. Phil doesn’t see electric trucks playing a major role within the industry due to their restrictions on distance, but he does see them playing more of a local role.
\n\nOutside of the industry Phil enjoys walking, he’s massively into sports, enjoys dining out and he’s joined a gym (but doesn’t go a lot).
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a survey that ended up in the master bedroom, only to discover another room.
\n\nEnjoy!
Special Guest: Phil Hambleton.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Retired Remover Phil Hambleton","date_published":"2023-04-13T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/613929a5-f452-4748-8a50-84276995ce62.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34304787,"duration_in_seconds":2858}]},{"id":"d358bd3e-9d09-44c6-8ef7-6161cff50a8a","title":"Episode 64: Moving Matters with Rob Hindmarsh of Knaresborough Movers Ltd","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/64","content_text":"In this episode Rob Hindmarsh, Managing Director of Knaresborough Movers, discusses how he got involved within the industry 30 years ago at the tender age of 15, working for a local removal company during weekends and school holidays.\n\nThe day Rob left school he started full time employment with K.W. Removals in Ripon (sadly no longer trading), where he worked for 13 years, starting as a porter, then as a 7.5 tonne driver once he had past his test at the age of 17, and moving onto HGV’s at 21. Rob also covered the sales and warehouse side while his boss was away.\n\nToday Rob owns Knaresborough Movers, offering local and nationwide removals, containerised storage, trade assistance, and is a member of Move Assured. Rob runs 2 vehicles (but is currently looking to add a 5 container HGV) and has a full-time crew of 3, and a part-time crew member.\n\nRob’s biggest challenge was building up the business and taking the step to obtaining his operator licence, moving from luton vans to HGV, and I ask if it was worth it? Another challenge (today) is staffing, finding youngsters that have an interest and a passion for the industry as a whole.\n\nRob wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, he has enjoyed every minute and everything he has ever done in removals.\n\nRob’s highpoint is starting his own company within the industry, which he has built upon reputation, word of mouth and customer reviews.\n\nThe one thing Rob would like to change within the industry is to have it seen as a profession, but he also has a real passion to get youngsters (school leavers) into the industry, even at a work experience and apprenticeship level.\n\nThe advice Rob would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to go for it and don’t look back, it’s the best thing he’s ever done, and he will always be grateful to his boss for the opportunity.\n\nIn the next 5 years Rob would like to grow the business, and he would like his son to come onboard too. Industry wise, Rob hopes the industry can encourage more youngsters to join.\n\nOutside of the industry Rob participates in sidecar racing (having previously participating in autograss racing in cars for many years) and he has a 2006 Subaru Impreza that he takes to car shows. \n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, and both are of a sexual nature!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Knaresborough Movers Ltd:\nWebsite\nFacebookSpecial Guest: Rob Hindmarsh.","content_html":"In this episode Rob Hindmarsh, Managing Director of Knaresborough Movers, discusses how he got involved within the industry 30 years ago at the tender age of 15, working for a local removal company during weekends and school holidays.
\n\nThe day Rob left school he started full time employment with K.W. Removals in Ripon (sadly no longer trading), where he worked for 13 years, starting as a porter, then as a 7.5 tonne driver once he had past his test at the age of 17, and moving onto HGV’s at 21. Rob also covered the sales and warehouse side while his boss was away.
\n\nToday Rob owns Knaresborough Movers, offering local and nationwide removals, containerised storage, trade assistance, and is a member of Move Assured. Rob runs 2 vehicles (but is currently looking to add a 5 container HGV) and has a full-time crew of 3, and a part-time crew member.
\n\nRob’s biggest challenge was building up the business and taking the step to obtaining his operator licence, moving from luton vans to HGV, and I ask if it was worth it? Another challenge (today) is staffing, finding youngsters that have an interest and a passion for the industry as a whole.
\n\nRob wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, he has enjoyed every minute and everything he has ever done in removals.
\n\nRob’s highpoint is starting his own company within the industry, which he has built upon reputation, word of mouth and customer reviews.
\n\nThe one thing Rob would like to change within the industry is to have it seen as a profession, but he also has a real passion to get youngsters (school leavers) into the industry, even at a work experience and apprenticeship level.
\n\nThe advice Rob would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to go for it and don’t look back, it’s the best thing he’s ever done, and he will always be grateful to his boss for the opportunity.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Rob would like to grow the business, and he would like his son to come onboard too. Industry wise, Rob hopes the industry can encourage more youngsters to join.
\n\nOutside of the industry Rob participates in sidecar racing (having previously participating in autograss racing in cars for many years) and he has a 2006 Subaru Impreza that he takes to car shows.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, and both are of a sexual nature!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Knaresborough Movers Ltd:
\nWebsite
\nFacebook
Special Guest: Rob Hindmarsh.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Rob Hindmarsh, Managing Director of Knaresborough Movers Ltd","date_published":"2023-03-23T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/d358bd3e-9d09-44c6-8ef7-6161cff50a8a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26488406,"duration_in_seconds":2207}]},{"id":"7ebaf617-2f8d-41f2-9709-2f72455a8be7","title":"Episode 63: Moving Matters with Josh Pask of Pask's Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/63","content_text":"In this episode Josh Pask, Managing Director of Pask’s Removals, discusses how he got involved in the industry only 2 years ago during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. \n\nJosh is a professional football player and after a transfer from West Ham United to Coventry City he suffered ligament damage to one of his ankles at the start of the football season. Once back to playing midway through the season the pandemic hit, and realising the career of a professional footballer is so short Josh set about thinking of ideas of way to provide long term financial sustainability for his family. Josh kept remembering how a local man and van service made good money from his move from London to Coventry, and so the idea of being in Removals was born.\n\nPask’s Removals opened for business in November 2020, and are a London based company providing domestic and commercial moves, a full packing service, storage (containerised through a third party), and they have also provided a couple of European moves. Pask’s Removals run 4 vehicles (loloaders) and have a team of 7 guys that carry out the moves and a team of 3 ladies that provide the packing service.\n\nJosh’s biggest challenge was ignorance and therefore learning something new, but he is grateful for the advice given by fellow movers (some of whom have been previous podcast guests!). Another challenge is running the business from Coventry when it operates from London, but systematising processes through the use of IT has helped massively.\n\nJosh wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, he is very happy with where Pask’s Removals are currently, however, he is constantly changing, evolving, and refining everything as he goes.\n\nJosh has two highpoints of being within the industry, the first being the two overseas moves (for two fellow professional footballers), and more importantly, the second providing jobs for people.\n\nJosh believes there are many things that need improving within the industry but the one thing he would like to change is the perception and education of moving as a whole, something Josh is trying to do using the company’s social media platforms.\n\nThe advice Josh would give himself just starting out in the industry again is encouragement (no fear, no anxiety, no worry), learning from every mistake made along the way.\n\nIn the next 5 years Josh has no idea where he will be, 5 years ago he never thought he would be in the moving industry in the first place. Industry wise, new technology especially in the form of AI (artificial intelligence) have and will continue to make significant roles in the moving industry.\n\nOutside of the industry Josh doesn’t really switch off, he is still currently playing professional football (for The New Saints F.C. in the Cymru Premier), he is part of a football and faith charity, he enjoys golf in the summer months, but he does make a conscious effort to find time for loved ones (family and friends).\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a mix-up in delivery addresses.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Pask's Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nYouTube\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Josh Pask.","content_html":"In this episode Josh Pask, Managing Director of Pask’s Removals, discusses how he got involved in the industry only 2 years ago during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
\n\nJosh is a professional football player and after a transfer from West Ham United to Coventry City he suffered ligament damage to one of his ankles at the start of the football season. Once back to playing midway through the season the pandemic hit, and realising the career of a professional footballer is so short Josh set about thinking of ideas of way to provide long term financial sustainability for his family. Josh kept remembering how a local man and van service made good money from his move from London to Coventry, and so the idea of being in Removals was born.
\n\nPask’s Removals opened for business in November 2020, and are a London based company providing domestic and commercial moves, a full packing service, storage (containerised through a third party), and they have also provided a couple of European moves. Pask’s Removals run 4 vehicles (loloaders) and have a team of 7 guys that carry out the moves and a team of 3 ladies that provide the packing service.
\n\nJosh’s biggest challenge was ignorance and therefore learning something new, but he is grateful for the advice given by fellow movers (some of whom have been previous podcast guests!). Another challenge is running the business from Coventry when it operates from London, but systematising processes through the use of IT has helped massively.
\n\nJosh wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, he is very happy with where Pask’s Removals are currently, however, he is constantly changing, evolving, and refining everything as he goes.
\n\nJosh has two highpoints of being within the industry, the first being the two overseas moves (for two fellow professional footballers), and more importantly, the second providing jobs for people.
\n\nJosh believes there are many things that need improving within the industry but the one thing he would like to change is the perception and education of moving as a whole, something Josh is trying to do using the company’s social media platforms.
\n\nThe advice Josh would give himself just starting out in the industry again is encouragement (no fear, no anxiety, no worry), learning from every mistake made along the way.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Josh has no idea where he will be, 5 years ago he never thought he would be in the moving industry in the first place. Industry wise, new technology especially in the form of AI (artificial intelligence) have and will continue to make significant roles in the moving industry.
\n\nOutside of the industry Josh doesn’t really switch off, he is still currently playing professional football (for The New Saints F.C. in the Cymru Premier), he is part of a football and faith charity, he enjoys golf in the summer months, but he does make a conscious effort to find time for loved ones (family and friends).
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a mix-up in delivery addresses.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Pask's Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Josh Pask.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Josh Pask, Director of Pask's Removals","date_published":"2023-03-09T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/7ebaf617-2f8d-41f2-9709-2f72455a8be7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21955952,"duration_in_seconds":1829}]},{"id":"2e162209-ce7c-476f-b8cd-da872afc7a67","title":"Episode 62: Moving Matters with Andrew White of Dream Move Relocation","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/62","content_text":"In this episode Andrew White, Managing Director of Dream Move Relocation, discusses how he got involved in working with movers some 15 years ago, helping with the relocation of employees, individuals, families, and pets.\n\nDream Move Relocation is based in the North West, but can operate nationwide, and assist with the finding of properties for people relocating to the UK, including helping with setting the property up, legals, schooling, social activities, banking, and much, much more!\n\nAndrews’s challenges, especially early on was starting his own business, with the mindset of going from an employee to an employer and the mental pressure involved. Covid was another challenge for Andrew with no one able or even wanting to relocate, and today's challenge is a lack of available properties.\n\nThe one thing Andrew would like to change from his moving, or rather relocation past is the timeline and bringing it into modern times and streamlining the process.\n\nAndrew’s highpoint of being within the industry is the personal aspect.\n\nThe one thing Andrew would like to change within the industry is the timeline, and Andrew believes he could work better with the moving industry by being an add-on service which could streamline the moving process.\n\nThe advice Andrew would give himself just starting out again is to be more humanistic and not to treat people as numbers.\n\nIn the next 5 years Andrew would like an element of growth but also keeping the service provided very personal, and utilising technology even more. Industry wise, it will be a tougher market with less choice of properties.\n\nOutside of the industry Andrew enjoys the outdoors, playing tennis, football and time in the Peak District with his wife and 2 children. \n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a quaint moving story of friendship.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Dream Move Relocation:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Andrew White.","content_html":"In this episode Andrew White, Managing Director of Dream Move Relocation, discusses how he got involved in working with movers some 15 years ago, helping with the relocation of employees, individuals, families, and pets.
\n\nDream Move Relocation is based in the North West, but can operate nationwide, and assist with the finding of properties for people relocating to the UK, including helping with setting the property up, legals, schooling, social activities, banking, and much, much more!
\n\nAndrews’s challenges, especially early on was starting his own business, with the mindset of going from an employee to an employer and the mental pressure involved. Covid was another challenge for Andrew with no one able or even wanting to relocate, and today's challenge is a lack of available properties.
\n\nThe one thing Andrew would like to change from his moving, or rather relocation past is the timeline and bringing it into modern times and streamlining the process.
\n\nAndrew’s highpoint of being within the industry is the personal aspect.
\n\nThe one thing Andrew would like to change within the industry is the timeline, and Andrew believes he could work better with the moving industry by being an add-on service which could streamline the moving process.
\n\nThe advice Andrew would give himself just starting out again is to be more humanistic and not to treat people as numbers.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Andrew would like an element of growth but also keeping the service provided very personal, and utilising technology even more. Industry wise, it will be a tougher market with less choice of properties.
\n\nOutside of the industry Andrew enjoys the outdoors, playing tennis, football and time in the Peak District with his wife and 2 children.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a quaint moving story of friendship.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Dream Move Relocation:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Andrew White.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Andrew White, Director of Dream Move Relocation","date_published":"2023-02-23T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/2e162209-ce7c-476f-b8cd-da872afc7a67.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":24119518,"duration_in_seconds":2009}]},{"id":"320b9634-aaa7-4ee4-b3bb-184910ae896c","title":"Episode 61: Moving Matters with Craig Atkinson of Craig Atkinson Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/61","content_text":"In this episode Craig Atkinson, Director of Craig Atkinson Removals, discusses how he returned to the industry 5 years ago after a decent break, but started within the industry at the tender age of 16.\n\nToday, Craig Atkinson Removals is a relatively small company based in Burnley, Lancashire, that only undertake domestic moves and packing services. Craig has a team of 6 and runs 3 vehicles, hiring more when required. \n\nWe discover where Tommy Turbo came from, a mascot created from one of Craig’s brainwaves!\n\nCraig hasn’t actually had any direct challenges, but one Craig has found hard is himself, getting out of his own comfort zone.\n\nThe one thing Craig would change from his moving past is to learn to delegate more.\n\nCraig’s highpoint of being in the industry is seeing his name on the van for the first time, but also starting his own business.\n\nThe one thing Craig would like to change within the industry is how movers are perceived by those within the industry, especially how some of the bigger movers look down on the smaller ones. Craig would like the knowledge within the industry to be passed down more than it currently is, and for movers to be more honest, open and transparent, especially within the numerous groups/forums that exist online today.\n\nThe advice Craig would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to learn what you can as early as possible, speaking to as many people as you can already within the industry or other start-ups from other industries. Also, start as you mean to go on, be professional right from the outset.\n\nIn the next 5 years Craig does think Craig Atkinson Removals will have a truck on the road, maybe a couple more vans, and a warehouse/unit for storage. Personally, Craig hope to keep improving as he himself is big into self-development. Industry wise, Craig sees it remaining the same, unless robots can move stuff in and out of the vans but does see 3D printing possibly changing things where people can print their own effects rather than have them moved!\n\nOutside of the industry Craig doesn’t really switch off from the business as Jodie (Craig’s wife) is also in the business, so conversation generally flows around moving. But, Craig does enjoy watching football (his team being Manchester United), walking with Jodie and their 4 children, and travelling.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny, or rather difficult, moving story, regarding AnyVan and Shiply.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Craig Atkinson Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Craig Atkinson.","content_html":"In this episode Craig Atkinson, Director of Craig Atkinson Removals, discusses how he returned to the industry 5 years ago after a decent break, but started within the industry at the tender age of 16.
\n\nToday, Craig Atkinson Removals is a relatively small company based in Burnley, Lancashire, that only undertake domestic moves and packing services. Craig has a team of 6 and runs 3 vehicles, hiring more when required.
\n\nWe discover where Tommy Turbo came from, a mascot created from one of Craig’s brainwaves!
\n\nCraig hasn’t actually had any direct challenges, but one Craig has found hard is himself, getting out of his own comfort zone.
\n\nThe one thing Craig would change from his moving past is to learn to delegate more.
\n\nCraig’s highpoint of being in the industry is seeing his name on the van for the first time, but also starting his own business.
\n\nThe one thing Craig would like to change within the industry is how movers are perceived by those within the industry, especially how some of the bigger movers look down on the smaller ones. Craig would like the knowledge within the industry to be passed down more than it currently is, and for movers to be more honest, open and transparent, especially within the numerous groups/forums that exist online today.
\n\nThe advice Craig would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to learn what you can as early as possible, speaking to as many people as you can already within the industry or other start-ups from other industries. Also, start as you mean to go on, be professional right from the outset.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Craig does think Craig Atkinson Removals will have a truck on the road, maybe a couple more vans, and a warehouse/unit for storage. Personally, Craig hope to keep improving as he himself is big into self-development. Industry wise, Craig sees it remaining the same, unless robots can move stuff in and out of the vans but does see 3D printing possibly changing things where people can print their own effects rather than have them moved!
\n\nOutside of the industry Craig doesn’t really switch off from the business as Jodie (Craig’s wife) is also in the business, so conversation generally flows around moving. But, Craig does enjoy watching football (his team being Manchester United), walking with Jodie and their 4 children, and travelling.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny, or rather difficult, moving story, regarding AnyVan and Shiply.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Craig Atkinson Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Craig Atkinson.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Craig Atkinson, Director of Craig Atkinson Removals","date_published":"2023-02-09T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/320b9634-aaa7-4ee4-b3bb-184910ae896c.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":21376974,"duration_in_seconds":1781}]},{"id":"85000c00-1014-4ba3-8e95-89ad3c09fb18","title":"Episode 60: Moving Matters with Gerrard Halsey of Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/60","content_text":"In this episode Gerrard Halsey, Founder of Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys, discusses how he stumbled into the industry back in 1996 as a 19 year old summer student to help out in the warehouse of Interconex, where 6 weeks turned into a 25 year career within the industry.\n\nGerrard was at Interconex for 4 years (1996-2000) before being made redundant after learning Interconex was being merged with Interdean, and in 2001 Gerrard began a very colourful and flourishing career at Crown Relocations, where after 4-5 years in the London office Gerrard was handed the task of setting up a new branch in Bristol from scratch. In 2013 Gerrard was also given the opportunity to relocate to Australia where he took over the Canberra branch.\n\nGerrard Halsey Video Surveys is a business Gerrard setup in 2019, after implementing video surveys for Crown Relocations in 2016. In 2020 Gerrard was in the right place at the right time, the pandemic provided Gerrard’s company with unprecedented growth, as the demand for video surveys grew. To clarify, Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys provide a video survey service using industry experienced individuals (becoming a wholesome sales extension of their clients), they do not provide video survey software.\n\nOne of Gerrard’s challenges, since starting his own business was the growth factor, and industry wise it’s the turbulent times we currently find ourselves in, and market saturation from the smaller companies starting up.\n\nThe one thing Gerrard would change from his moving past was his approach and mindset to the move to Australia, which probably took place at the wrong time in his life. However, Gerrard is delighted he went, and is grateful for the experience.\n\nGerrard has two highpoints of being within the industry, firstly, being awarded both the Branch of the Year and the Quality Branch of the Year for Crown Relocation in circa 2011, and secondly, to be given the opportunity to relocate to Australia.\n\nThe one thing Gerrard would like to change within the industry is for the decision makers to be less resistant to change (not only with technology) and to be more communicative.\n\nThe advice Gerrard would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to be flexible, protecting and preparing yourself for change when you least expect it.\n\nIn the next 5 years Gerrard very much hopes that his company is still leading video surveying within the industry and spread around the moving industry in all four corners of the planet. Industry wise Gerrard foresees more acquisitions, more use of technology and big investment into sustainability.\n\nOutside of the industry Gerrard enjoys family life, he has two youngsters that keep him fit and healthy, he plays a bit of football, is the linesman for his daughter’s football club, and enjoys a game of snooker followed by a curry with his son.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an unexpected find inside a wardrobe.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Gerrard Halsey.","content_html":"In this episode Gerrard Halsey, Founder of Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys, discusses how he stumbled into the industry back in 1996 as a 19 year old summer student to help out in the warehouse of Interconex, where 6 weeks turned into a 25 year career within the industry.
\n\nGerrard was at Interconex for 4 years (1996-2000) before being made redundant after learning Interconex was being merged with Interdean, and in 2001 Gerrard began a very colourful and flourishing career at Crown Relocations, where after 4-5 years in the London office Gerrard was handed the task of setting up a new branch in Bristol from scratch. In 2013 Gerrard was also given the opportunity to relocate to Australia where he took over the Canberra branch.
\n\nGerrard Halsey Video Surveys is a business Gerrard setup in 2019, after implementing video surveys for Crown Relocations in 2016. In 2020 Gerrard was in the right place at the right time, the pandemic provided Gerrard’s company with unprecedented growth, as the demand for video surveys grew. To clarify, Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys provide a video survey service using industry experienced individuals (becoming a wholesome sales extension of their clients), they do not provide video survey software.
\n\nOne of Gerrard’s challenges, since starting his own business was the growth factor, and industry wise it’s the turbulent times we currently find ourselves in, and market saturation from the smaller companies starting up.
\n\nThe one thing Gerrard would change from his moving past was his approach and mindset to the move to Australia, which probably took place at the wrong time in his life. However, Gerrard is delighted he went, and is grateful for the experience.
\n\nGerrard has two highpoints of being within the industry, firstly, being awarded both the Branch of the Year and the Quality Branch of the Year for Crown Relocation in circa 2011, and secondly, to be given the opportunity to relocate to Australia.
\n\nThe one thing Gerrard would like to change within the industry is for the decision makers to be less resistant to change (not only with technology) and to be more communicative.
\n\nThe advice Gerrard would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to be flexible, protecting and preparing yourself for change when you least expect it.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Gerrard very much hopes that his company is still leading video surveying within the industry and spread around the moving industry in all four corners of the planet. Industry wise Gerrard foresees more acquisitions, more use of technology and big investment into sustainability.
\n\nOutside of the industry Gerrard enjoys family life, he has two youngsters that keep him fit and healthy, he plays a bit of football, is the linesman for his daughter’s football club, and enjoys a game of snooker followed by a curry with his son.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an unexpected find inside a wardrobe.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Gerrard Halsey.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Gerrard Halsey, Founder of Gerrard Halsey Video Surveys","date_published":"2023-01-26T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/85000c00-1014-4ba3-8e95-89ad3c09fb18.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36473033,"duration_in_seconds":3039}]},{"id":"57fc5c3a-e07a-43b7-af26-41d97375ea03","title":"Episode 59: Moving Matters with Adam Maton of wemove","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/59","content_text":"In this episode Adam Maton, Owner and Founder of wemove, discusses how he began his man and van journey in the sexy world of removals & storage 6 years ago, although Adam’s initial career started in the corporate world of Risk Management, where he worked for 8 years before relocating to China to teach English for year.\n\nwemove provide a full domestic removal service (mainly local), packing and some storage, running 4 x 3.5 tonne lutons (with no aspirations to run a big truck) and employ a fulltime team of 7.\n\nOne of Adam’s challenges was lack of industry knowledge when he started out. Another challenge was and still is staffing, due to the yearly, monthly, weekly and daily challenges faced by the industry as a whole.\n\nThe one thing Adam would change from his moving past is to have started his own storage, as wemove currently sub storage, but it is something Adam will be looking to focus his efforts on over the next 6-12 months during the expected downturn within the removals industry.\n\nAdam’s highpoint of being within the industry is being ranked first on the tender list for the Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch council contract, after only being in the industry for 2 years!\n\nThe one thing Adam would change within the moving industry is VAT fraud, especially amongst those operators running 2/3/4 trucks, 4/5/6 men, and Adam has strong and valid views regarding this subject.\n\nThe advice Adam would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to potentially be bolder and braver, and in doing so he probably could have achieved some of his successes quicker. Also, Adam believes he could have grown wemove quicker had he sooner learned to leverage capital.\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam will focus on wemove and the challenges ahead, especially with the expected shift in supply and demand within the marketplace due to the current economic climate. Industry wise Adam see’s a shift in sustainability as he believes we are behind as an industry.\n\nOutside of the industry Adam has a passion for exercise, whether that be training daily in the gym, playing football or boxing. Adam is also an avid AFC Bournemouth fan and attends every home game but loves the occasional away game.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a stressful incident involving bugs.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to wemove:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Adam Maton.","content_html":"In this episode Adam Maton, Owner and Founder of wemove, discusses how he began his man and van journey in the sexy world of removals & storage 6 years ago, although Adam’s initial career started in the corporate world of Risk Management, where he worked for 8 years before relocating to China to teach English for year.
\n\nwemove provide a full domestic removal service (mainly local), packing and some storage, running 4 x 3.5 tonne lutons (with no aspirations to run a big truck) and employ a fulltime team of 7.
\n\nOne of Adam’s challenges was lack of industry knowledge when he started out. Another challenge was and still is staffing, due to the yearly, monthly, weekly and daily challenges faced by the industry as a whole.
\n\nThe one thing Adam would change from his moving past is to have started his own storage, as wemove currently sub storage, but it is something Adam will be looking to focus his efforts on over the next 6-12 months during the expected downturn within the removals industry.
\n\nAdam’s highpoint of being within the industry is being ranked first on the tender list for the Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch council contract, after only being in the industry for 2 years!
\n\nThe one thing Adam would change within the moving industry is VAT fraud, especially amongst those operators running 2/3/4 trucks, 4/5/6 men, and Adam has strong and valid views regarding this subject.
\n\nThe advice Adam would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to potentially be bolder and braver, and in doing so he probably could have achieved some of his successes quicker. Also, Adam believes he could have grown wemove quicker had he sooner learned to leverage capital.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam will focus on wemove and the challenges ahead, especially with the expected shift in supply and demand within the marketplace due to the current economic climate. Industry wise Adam see’s a shift in sustainability as he believes we are behind as an industry.
\n\nOutside of the industry Adam has a passion for exercise, whether that be training daily in the gym, playing football or boxing. Adam is also an avid AFC Bournemouth fan and attends every home game but loves the occasional away game.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a stressful incident involving bugs.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to wemove:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Adam Maton.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Adam Maton, Owner & Founder of wemove","date_published":"2022-12-22T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/57fc5c3a-e07a-43b7-af26-41d97375ea03.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37273007,"duration_in_seconds":3106}]},{"id":"98d912a4-0a2a-4ca1-8c97-8649fc834445","title":"Episode 58: Moving Matters with Holly Oven of Britannia Alan Cook","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/58","content_text":"In this episode Holly Oven, Transport Manager of Britannia Alan Cook discusses how she began in the industry only 2 years ago and is still a mere 21 years of age! \n\nHolly has always been indirectly involved within the industry, but her initial career path was to be in accounting where she began her training during and after college, until Covid happened.\n\nBritannia Alan Cook is a family business which Holly’s parents bought in 2008, as Alan Cook Removals, joining Britannia Movers International in 2018. Today Britannia Alan Cook operate 25 vehicles (10 trucks, 1 trailer, 15 vans), have 3 warehouses across 2 sites and employ approximately 40 staff. Britannia Alan Cook specialise in the domestic removals & storage market, self-storage, international relocation and offer a shredding service.\n\nHolly’s biggest challenge has been having a young and female voice on the telephone, where customers would question her knowledge. Other challenges have been being the boss’s daughter, and more recently the tachograph changes.\n\nAs Holly’s chosen career of being within the industry is still so early on there is nothing she would change from her moving past but is excited for what the future has to offer.\n\nHolly has several highpoints of being within the industry already, obtaining her CPC qualification, being part of the Removals & Storage Magazine’s Women in the Industry feature, and of course being a guest on Moving Matters.\n\nWe digress away from the standard questions to find out more about the recent BAR Young Movers Group conference in Cambridge.\n\nThe one thing Holly would like to change within the industry is again the conveyancing system, however on the flip side, if it didn’t provide such complications would more companies provide removal services and potentially flood the marketplace? Holly also believes the removal industry and solicitors should be working closer together rather than against each other, and together we touch on legislation.\n\nThe advice Holly would give herself just starting out within the industry again is to have confidence and believe in yourself, something Holly has been working upon. Also, to find and implement a robust organisation system.\n\nIn the next 5 years Holly would like to continue her development and undertake more courses, including the BAR Removals Masterclass, and to obtain her Class C licence! And within Britannia Alan Cook, Holly is hoping that a younger management team will be in place, alleviating the pressure from her father. Industry wise Holly hopes we will all be recovering from the expected downturn, an increase in sustainability and environmental practices, electric vans (but not electric trucks), recognition of the industry at governmental level, and finally that the crews get the recognition they thoroughly deserve.\n\nOutside of the industry Holly enjoys watching her football team of Norwich City, she is a bookworm, participates in yoga with her mother, and she is a ‘proper’ foodie (her words not mine) who enjoys going out for meals and drinks with friends.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or more a quaint one, regarding a move to an old railway signal box on the Norfolk Broads using her father’s cruiser as the transportation vessel.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Alan Cook:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Holly Oven.","content_html":"In this episode Holly Oven, Transport Manager of Britannia Alan Cook discusses how she began in the industry only 2 years ago and is still a mere 21 years of age!
\n\nHolly has always been indirectly involved within the industry, but her initial career path was to be in accounting where she began her training during and after college, until Covid happened.
\n\nBritannia Alan Cook is a family business which Holly’s parents bought in 2008, as Alan Cook Removals, joining Britannia Movers International in 2018. Today Britannia Alan Cook operate 25 vehicles (10 trucks, 1 trailer, 15 vans), have 3 warehouses across 2 sites and employ approximately 40 staff. Britannia Alan Cook specialise in the domestic removals & storage market, self-storage, international relocation and offer a shredding service.
\n\nHolly’s biggest challenge has been having a young and female voice on the telephone, where customers would question her knowledge. Other challenges have been being the boss’s daughter, and more recently the tachograph changes.
\n\nAs Holly’s chosen career of being within the industry is still so early on there is nothing she would change from her moving past but is excited for what the future has to offer.
\n\nHolly has several highpoints of being within the industry already, obtaining her CPC qualification, being part of the Removals & Storage Magazine’s Women in the Industry feature, and of course being a guest on Moving Matters.
\n\nWe digress away from the standard questions to find out more about the recent BAR Young Movers Group conference in Cambridge.
\n\nThe one thing Holly would like to change within the industry is again the conveyancing system, however on the flip side, if it didn’t provide such complications would more companies provide removal services and potentially flood the marketplace? Holly also believes the removal industry and solicitors should be working closer together rather than against each other, and together we touch on legislation.
\n\nThe advice Holly would give herself just starting out within the industry again is to have confidence and believe in yourself, something Holly has been working upon. Also, to find and implement a robust organisation system.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Holly would like to continue her development and undertake more courses, including the BAR Removals Masterclass, and to obtain her Class C licence! And within Britannia Alan Cook, Holly is hoping that a younger management team will be in place, alleviating the pressure from her father. Industry wise Holly hopes we will all be recovering from the expected downturn, an increase in sustainability and environmental practices, electric vans (but not electric trucks), recognition of the industry at governmental level, and finally that the crews get the recognition they thoroughly deserve.
\n\nOutside of the industry Holly enjoys watching her football team of Norwich City, she is a bookworm, participates in yoga with her mother, and she is a ‘proper’ foodie (her words not mine) who enjoys going out for meals and drinks with friends.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or more a quaint one, regarding a move to an old railway signal box on the Norfolk Broads using her father’s cruiser as the transportation vessel.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Alan Cook:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Holly Oven.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Holly Oven, Transport Manager of Britannia Alan Cook","date_published":"2022-12-08T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/98d912a4-0a2a-4ca1-8c97-8649fc834445.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29437212,"duration_in_seconds":2453}]},{"id":"9434e4e8-bb8d-4d2d-bb42-f1723beb54ad","title":"Episode 57: Moving Matters with Judith Bennett of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern - Part 2","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/57","content_text":"Continuing on from Episode 56, the one thing Judith would like to change within the industry is the whole exchange and completion experience, making it more legalised and no longer allowing exchange and completion on the same day, and to become prouder in requiring a financial commitment from the customer, such as a deposit.\n\nThe advice Judith would give herself just starting out in the industry again is that the only person stopping you is yourself, not be afraid of your dreams, and to have courage and faith in you and your team’s ability.\n\nIn the next 5 years Judith hopes to spend more time away from the business, maybe stepping back a little, but is happy to continue in any role her team delegate to her. Industry wise Judith doesn’t think the days of self-driving trucks will be in her lifetime, but does think we will be moving less as more items come fitted within new houses.\n\nOutside of the industry Judith enjoys walking the family dog, cooking and entertaining for friends, fine dining, and holidays.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a trilby hat and the other regarding fish and chips.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Judith Bennett.","content_html":"Continuing on from Episode 56, the one thing Judith would like to change within the industry is the whole exchange and completion experience, making it more legalised and no longer allowing exchange and completion on the same day, and to become prouder in requiring a financial commitment from the customer, such as a deposit.
\n\nThe advice Judith would give herself just starting out in the industry again is that the only person stopping you is yourself, not be afraid of your dreams, and to have courage and faith in you and your team’s ability.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Judith hopes to spend more time away from the business, maybe stepping back a little, but is happy to continue in any role her team delegate to her. Industry wise Judith doesn’t think the days of self-driving trucks will be in her lifetime, but does think we will be moving less as more items come fitted within new houses.
\n\nOutside of the industry Judith enjoys walking the family dog, cooking and entertaining for friends, fine dining, and holidays.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a trilby hat and the other regarding fish and chips.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Judith Bennett.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Judith Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern","date_published":"2022-11-24T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/9434e4e8-bb8d-4d2d-bb42-f1723beb54ad.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34461500,"duration_in_seconds":2871}]},{"id":"e263c929-f4e7-4a1f-969c-9f2243cde9f1","title":"Episode 56: Moving Matters with Judith Bennett of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern - Part 1","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/56","content_text":"In this episode (part 1 of 2) Judith Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern discusses how she began in the industry nearly 25 years ago after going on a blind date through mutual friends with the enigma that is Alan Bennett (episode 35), who Judith got engaged to only 8 weeks later!\n\nBritannia Bennetts run 4 HGV’s, 4 low-loaders, have a 20,000 sqft warehouse with 350 containers and 130 self-storage rooms. We discover what lead Judith (and Alan) into the self-storage industry as Malvern Self-Storage, which was led by customer demand in choice.\n\nJudith’s challenge is being female in a male dominated industry, although this has changed as there are a lot more women in key roles today than when Judith started 25 years ago.\n\nThe one thing Judith would like to change from her moving past is to have more confidence in the business decisions she and Alan made in their early days in business together.\n\nAnd I ask Judith if she thinks females make better surveyors.\n\nJudith has several highpoints of being within the industry, meeting Alan is obviously the biggest, but also was joining A C Bennett Removals and turning it from sole trader into a limited company where she became a 50% shareholder, signing on the land for their current warehouse, joining Britannia Movers International and being invited onto the board, and finally, having her 2 eldest children join the family business as second generation.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Judith Bennett.","content_html":"In this episode (part 1 of 2) Judith Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern discusses how she began in the industry nearly 25 years ago after going on a blind date through mutual friends with the enigma that is Alan Bennett (episode 35), who Judith got engaged to only 8 weeks later!
\n\nBritannia Bennetts run 4 HGV’s, 4 low-loaders, have a 20,000 sqft warehouse with 350 containers and 130 self-storage rooms. We discover what lead Judith (and Alan) into the self-storage industry as Malvern Self-Storage, which was led by customer demand in choice.
\n\nJudith’s challenge is being female in a male dominated industry, although this has changed as there are a lot more women in key roles today than when Judith started 25 years ago.
\n\nThe one thing Judith would like to change from her moving past is to have more confidence in the business decisions she and Alan made in their early days in business together.
\n\nAnd I ask Judith if she thinks females make better surveyors.
\n\nJudith has several highpoints of being within the industry, meeting Alan is obviously the biggest, but also was joining A C Bennett Removals and turning it from sole trader into a limited company where she became a 50% shareholder, signing on the land for their current warehouse, joining Britannia Movers International and being invited onto the board, and finally, having her 2 eldest children join the family business as second generation.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Judith Bennett.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Judith Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern","date_published":"2022-11-10T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/e263c929-f4e7-4a1f-969c-9f2243cde9f1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":40798910,"duration_in_seconds":3399}]},{"id":"78657099-1118-4ccb-bd83-30513a476804","title":"Episode 55: Moving Matters with Graham Byers of Removal Services Scotland","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/55","content_text":"In this episode Graham Byers, Managing Director of Removal Services Scotland discusses how he began in the industry in 1986 as a trainee manager for Pickfords, becoming their youngest branch manager at the tender age of 21!\n\nIn 1992/3 Graham’s good friend Ian Wright started Removal Services Scotland, a company Graham joined from the offset, and in 2017 Graham and his colleague Greg McMullan took over ownership.\n\nRemoval Services Scotland is your traditional domestic and commercial removal company with its own container storage facility. Removal Services Scotland also provide European removals, which since Brexit has become more complicated, bureaucratic, time consuming and costly, but they are getting better prices due to fewer companies providing this service.\n\nGraham has faced many challenges in his removal career, especially in the last 5 years since becoming a company owner but moving from a long-standing employee to company owner has been his biggest.\n\nThe one thing Graham would like to change from his moving past is to have become a company owner sooner, something that seemed so daunting during his early years within the industry.\n\nGraham has a couple of highpoints of being within the industry, his early days at Pickfords being one, and taking ownership of Removal Services Scotland, and more recently Guardian Moving & Storage, being the other.\n\nThe one thing Graham would like to change within the industry is to accelerate the transition from diesel to electric/bio-fuel trucks as the opportunity is very limited at the current time.\n\nThe advice Graham would give himself just starting out in the industry again is not to be put off having a go at running your own business.\n\nIn the next 5 years Graham wants to continue to push and develop both Removal Services Scotland and Guardian Moving & Storage, and to ensure that there is an easy transition if and when Graham’s wife says he has to stop! Industry wise Graham hopes more people join the industry, skilled or unskilled, by showing them the possibilities that exist within our industry.\n\nOutside of the industry Graham enjoys running and is part of a local club, he is a season ticket holder at Glasgow Rangers FC and loves his holidays, with Italy being his favourite destination.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a new suit and the other a shipping container prank.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Removal Services Scotland:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Graham Byers.","content_html":"In this episode Graham Byers, Managing Director of Removal Services Scotland discusses how he began in the industry in 1986 as a trainee manager for Pickfords, becoming their youngest branch manager at the tender age of 21!
\n\nIn 1992/3 Graham’s good friend Ian Wright started Removal Services Scotland, a company Graham joined from the offset, and in 2017 Graham and his colleague Greg McMullan took over ownership.
\n\nRemoval Services Scotland is your traditional domestic and commercial removal company with its own container storage facility. Removal Services Scotland also provide European removals, which since Brexit has become more complicated, bureaucratic, time consuming and costly, but they are getting better prices due to fewer companies providing this service.
\n\nGraham has faced many challenges in his removal career, especially in the last 5 years since becoming a company owner but moving from a long-standing employee to company owner has been his biggest.
\n\nThe one thing Graham would like to change from his moving past is to have become a company owner sooner, something that seemed so daunting during his early years within the industry.
\n\nGraham has a couple of highpoints of being within the industry, his early days at Pickfords being one, and taking ownership of Removal Services Scotland, and more recently Guardian Moving & Storage, being the other.
\n\nThe one thing Graham would like to change within the industry is to accelerate the transition from diesel to electric/bio-fuel trucks as the opportunity is very limited at the current time.
\n\nThe advice Graham would give himself just starting out in the industry again is not to be put off having a go at running your own business.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Graham wants to continue to push and develop both Removal Services Scotland and Guardian Moving & Storage, and to ensure that there is an easy transition if and when Graham’s wife says he has to stop! Industry wise Graham hopes more people join the industry, skilled or unskilled, by showing them the possibilities that exist within our industry.
\n\nOutside of the industry Graham enjoys running and is part of a local club, he is a season ticket holder at Glasgow Rangers FC and loves his holidays, with Italy being his favourite destination.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a new suit and the other a shipping container prank.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Removal Services Scotland:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Graham Byers.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Graham Byers, Managing Director of Removal Services Scotland","date_published":"2022-10-27T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/78657099-1118-4ccb-bd83-30513a476804.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22572860,"duration_in_seconds":1881}]},{"id":"bcb6d6ee-bdb2-4254-a8ac-b30af9d5b1bf","title":"Episode 54: Moving Matters with Tommy McNee of Guardian Moving & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/54","content_text":"In this episode Tommy McNee, General Manager of Guardian Moving & Storage returns for a full episode and discusses how he began in the industry nearly 20 years ago, but prior to that and when just out of nappies (Tommy’s words not mine) he began travelling with his Dad who had started a delivery company and consequently branched out into removals.\n\nTommy was due to go to Sterling University, to become an accountant or an actuary, however, from the age of 15 he was working the summer holidays for his Dad, earning £161.40 for a 45 hour week, a wage he soon got used to, and therefore ended up telling his Dad that he no longer wanted to go to university but wanted to work instead.\n\nGuardian Moving & Storage are based between West Lothian and Edinburgh, and they provide mainly domestic and commercial relocation services, facilitate overseas relocation, provide containerised and self-storage as well as archive storage services.\n\nTommy has faced new challenges since becoming part owner of Guardian Moving & Storage as he’s since become HR, agony aunt, operator, salesman, etc., where so many more people have become reliant on him. However, his biggest challenge was experienced at a very young age, where he lost his father to a heart attack during a commercial move, and thus having to facilitate with the paperwork that followed, as well as taking over his father’s company.\n\nTommy would not change anything from his moving past and explains why, even with an old analogy.\n\nTommy’s most recent highpoint is becoming part owner of Guardian Moving & Storage, another is becoming part of the council of the BAR Young Movers Group.\n\nTommy goes on to inform us of the BAR Young Movers Group annual conference, which takes place in Cambridge as this episode airs, and we discuss how to become a member and the costs involved.\n\nThe one thing Tommy would like to change within the industry is to have a course on how to build/run a business, as described in episode 17 by Danny Pollard. Tommy also states that unlike many previous podcast guests he is against regulation, and I challenge him as to why, in which he builds an extremely good argument.\n\nThe advice Tommy would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to ask questions and seek answers quicker.\n\nIn the next 5 years Tommy doesn’t think the industry will change that much, although we are being quickly pushed into a more sustainable way of doing things. Personally, Tommy sees more of the same, growing, learning, and asking questions. I ask Tommy if he sees any changes in the selling side of the industry to which again, he has very strong views on.\n\nOutside of the industry Tommy enjoys family time with his wife and 3 children, and he also runs his own fitness, nutrition, health, and wellbeing company.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding porters getting a fright.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Guardian Moving & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Tommy McNee.","content_html":"In this episode Tommy McNee, General Manager of Guardian Moving & Storage returns for a full episode and discusses how he began in the industry nearly 20 years ago, but prior to that and when just out of nappies (Tommy’s words not mine) he began travelling with his Dad who had started a delivery company and consequently branched out into removals.
\n\nTommy was due to go to Sterling University, to become an accountant or an actuary, however, from the age of 15 he was working the summer holidays for his Dad, earning £161.40 for a 45 hour week, a wage he soon got used to, and therefore ended up telling his Dad that he no longer wanted to go to university but wanted to work instead.
\n\nGuardian Moving & Storage are based between West Lothian and Edinburgh, and they provide mainly domestic and commercial relocation services, facilitate overseas relocation, provide containerised and self-storage as well as archive storage services.
\n\nTommy has faced new challenges since becoming part owner of Guardian Moving & Storage as he’s since become HR, agony aunt, operator, salesman, etc., where so many more people have become reliant on him. However, his biggest challenge was experienced at a very young age, where he lost his father to a heart attack during a commercial move, and thus having to facilitate with the paperwork that followed, as well as taking over his father’s company.
\n\nTommy would not change anything from his moving past and explains why, even with an old analogy.
\n\nTommy’s most recent highpoint is becoming part owner of Guardian Moving & Storage, another is becoming part of the council of the BAR Young Movers Group.
\n\nTommy goes on to inform us of the BAR Young Movers Group annual conference, which takes place in Cambridge as this episode airs, and we discuss how to become a member and the costs involved.
\n\nThe one thing Tommy would like to change within the industry is to have a course on how to build/run a business, as described in episode 17 by Danny Pollard. Tommy also states that unlike many previous podcast guests he is against regulation, and I challenge him as to why, in which he builds an extremely good argument.
\n\nThe advice Tommy would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to ask questions and seek answers quicker.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Tommy doesn’t think the industry will change that much, although we are being quickly pushed into a more sustainable way of doing things. Personally, Tommy sees more of the same, growing, learning, and asking questions. I ask Tommy if he sees any changes in the selling side of the industry to which again, he has very strong views on.
\n\nOutside of the industry Tommy enjoys family time with his wife and 3 children, and he also runs his own fitness, nutrition, health, and wellbeing company.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding porters getting a fright.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Guardian Moving & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Tommy McNee.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Tommy McNee, General Manager of Guardian Moving & Storage","date_published":"2022-10-13T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/bcb6d6ee-bdb2-4254-a8ac-b30af9d5b1bf.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":33542407,"duration_in_seconds":2795}]},{"id":"ddec0bab-d16d-4ee2-90fb-8e3fdc2110ce","title":"Episode 53: Moving Matters with Adam Sinclair of Sterling Sinclair Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/53","content_text":"In this episode Adam Sinclair, Managing Director of Sterling Sinclair Removals discusses how he began in the industry only 6 years ago (in 2016) at the tender age of 23, after experiencing removals several times during his professional rugby career.\n\nSterling Sinclair Removals have a fleet of 6/7 lutons/loloaders, a 18, a 15 and a 7.5 tonne truck. Storage wise Adam has 130 shipping containers in Sterling, with 110 shipping containers in Edinburgh, and 100 wooden 250 cuft containers in a rented warehouse. Adam has recently purchased additional land at his Sterling yard where he plans to add a further 100 shipping containers, together with a further 150 shipping containers in Edinburgh.\n\nAdam faces challenges every day, with a business constantly expanding he ensures that the service levels are kept high, to keep up with the expectations of his clients. Also, in the early days how to price a job was a challenge, especially as Adam was a total newcomer to the industry.\n\nThe one thing Adam would change from his moving past would have been to obtain advice from fellow removers earlier or starting his career at a removal company.\n\nIn such a short space of time within the industry Adam has two highpoints, the first is acquiring a fellow competitor, and the second buying his first piece of land.\n\nThe one thing Adam would like to change within the industry is to make it more of a career for people or making the industry a recognised trade.\n\nThe advice that Adam would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to approach other removal companies and fellow removers for advice and finding a good mentor to look up to.\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam would like his own warehouse, and to add one or more trucks, but to make the removals side as efficient as possible and to become a recognised brand. Industry wise Adam see’s huge staffing problems, with removals being one of the hardest labour-intensive industries left, people find it physically to hard. Adam also see’s changes regarding the regulation of the smaller vehicles, such as luton/loloaders.\n\nOutside of the industry Adam still plays rugby, albeit socially, where he still trains 3 times a week, and he enjoys a good run or a workout at the gym both pre and post the working day.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding hired vans.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Sterling Sinclair Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Adam Sinclair.","content_html":"In this episode Adam Sinclair, Managing Director of Sterling Sinclair Removals discusses how he began in the industry only 6 years ago (in 2016) at the tender age of 23, after experiencing removals several times during his professional rugby career.
\n\nSterling Sinclair Removals have a fleet of 6/7 lutons/loloaders, a 18, a 15 and a 7.5 tonne truck. Storage wise Adam has 130 shipping containers in Sterling, with 110 shipping containers in Edinburgh, and 100 wooden 250 cuft containers in a rented warehouse. Adam has recently purchased additional land at his Sterling yard where he plans to add a further 100 shipping containers, together with a further 150 shipping containers in Edinburgh.
\n\nAdam faces challenges every day, with a business constantly expanding he ensures that the service levels are kept high, to keep up with the expectations of his clients. Also, in the early days how to price a job was a challenge, especially as Adam was a total newcomer to the industry.
\n\nThe one thing Adam would change from his moving past would have been to obtain advice from fellow removers earlier or starting his career at a removal company.
\n\nIn such a short space of time within the industry Adam has two highpoints, the first is acquiring a fellow competitor, and the second buying his first piece of land.
\n\nThe one thing Adam would like to change within the industry is to make it more of a career for people or making the industry a recognised trade.
\n\nThe advice that Adam would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to approach other removal companies and fellow removers for advice and finding a good mentor to look up to.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Adam would like his own warehouse, and to add one or more trucks, but to make the removals side as efficient as possible and to become a recognised brand. Industry wise Adam see’s huge staffing problems, with removals being one of the hardest labour-intensive industries left, people find it physically to hard. Adam also see’s changes regarding the regulation of the smaller vehicles, such as luton/loloaders.
\n\nOutside of the industry Adam still plays rugby, albeit socially, where he still trains 3 times a week, and he enjoys a good run or a workout at the gym both pre and post the working day.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding hired vans.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Sterling Sinclair Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Adam Sinclair.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Adam Sinclair, Managing Director of Sterling Sinclair Removals","date_published":"2022-09-08T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/ddec0bab-d16d-4ee2-90fb-8e3fdc2110ce.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22176948,"duration_in_seconds":1848}]},{"id":"2a426e49-0902-4d59-9e13-59bf9896c6d4","title":"Episode 52: Moving Matters with Andy Shotbolt of Britannia Reeves","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/52","content_text":"In this episode Andy Shotbolt, Managing Director of Britannia Reeves discusses how he began in the industry after a (non-working) 3 night trip away to Scotland at the tender age of 11 with his grandfather, who was a driver for White & Co, a company Andy joined, becoming a fourth generation remover for the company.\n\nAndy spent approximately 18 years at White & Co, starting as a porter for Curtiss & Sons (a division of White & Co based in Portsmouth) before moving onto their Southampton branch and then head office in Botley. 24 years ago, Andy joined Britannia Reeves and today heads up the company as Managing Director.\n\nBritannia Reeves celebrates 125 years in business this year, starting in 1897 by Robert Reeves originally as rag-and-bone. In the mid 90’s Reeves of Petersfield joined Britannia (prior to Andy joining the business), and today Britannia Reeves cover all aspects of removals, have 2 containerised warehouses holding approximately 800 containers, 2 smaller warehouses which have recently been converted to 24/7 self-storage (which Andy is looking to expand), and a successful shredding business. Britannia Reeves employ 14 full time staff and run a fleet of 10 vehicles (6 x large, 4 x low-loaders).\n\nAndy’s biggest challenge was being sent to a branch on a Monday to problem solve, only to find that not only had the manager and manageress ran off together, but they had also emptied the filing cabinets, erased everything from the diary and told all staff on the Friday that they were no longer employed! Another challenge was moving a 4.5 tonne bronze cannon from HMS Victory into the museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.\n\nThere’s not really anything Andy would change from his moving past, as his past has enabled him to be where he is today and to assemble a really great team around him.\n\nAndy’s highpoints of being within the industry are the places he’s visited and the people he’s met along the way, but a proper highpoint was being voted onto the board of Britannia Movers International where he served for 7 years.\n\nThe one thing Andy would like to change within the industry is professionalism, and that has to start with us, beginning with employing your staff on a full-time basis and treating them with respect, as most have a family and want to be part of that family lifestyle in these modern days.\n\nThe advice that Andy would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to learn what we do, get a grounding in it, know your numbers, learn the legalities of the industry, and learn from those that went before you.\n\nIn the next 5 years Andy doesn’t think there will be much of a change within the industry but hopes we will endeavour to satisfy the green issue regarding materials, and IT will play a bigger role (Andy being a huge fan of Video Surveys, which we discuss in more detail). Personally, Andy still sees himself at Britannia Reeves, maybe slowing down slightly although his wife (and I) is of a different opinion!\n\nOutside of the industry Andy likes fishing, clay pigeon shooting and in recently years, wait for it, Andy has taken up running, after a challenge from his youngest daughter, and is just about to start paddleboarding. Andy also has a huge passion for local history and provides historical tours of old Portsmouth, which involves 7-8 pubs!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, regarding divorce cases.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Reeves:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Andy Shotbolt.","content_html":"In this episode Andy Shotbolt, Managing Director of Britannia Reeves discusses how he began in the industry after a (non-working) 3 night trip away to Scotland at the tender age of 11 with his grandfather, who was a driver for White & Co, a company Andy joined, becoming a fourth generation remover for the company.
\n\nAndy spent approximately 18 years at White & Co, starting as a porter for Curtiss & Sons (a division of White & Co based in Portsmouth) before moving onto their Southampton branch and then head office in Botley. 24 years ago, Andy joined Britannia Reeves and today heads up the company as Managing Director.
\n\nBritannia Reeves celebrates 125 years in business this year, starting in 1897 by Robert Reeves originally as rag-and-bone. In the mid 90’s Reeves of Petersfield joined Britannia (prior to Andy joining the business), and today Britannia Reeves cover all aspects of removals, have 2 containerised warehouses holding approximately 800 containers, 2 smaller warehouses which have recently been converted to 24/7 self-storage (which Andy is looking to expand), and a successful shredding business. Britannia Reeves employ 14 full time staff and run a fleet of 10 vehicles (6 x large, 4 x low-loaders).
\n\nAndy’s biggest challenge was being sent to a branch on a Monday to problem solve, only to find that not only had the manager and manageress ran off together, but they had also emptied the filing cabinets, erased everything from the diary and told all staff on the Friday that they were no longer employed! Another challenge was moving a 4.5 tonne bronze cannon from HMS Victory into the museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
\n\nThere’s not really anything Andy would change from his moving past, as his past has enabled him to be where he is today and to assemble a really great team around him.
\n\nAndy’s highpoints of being within the industry are the places he’s visited and the people he’s met along the way, but a proper highpoint was being voted onto the board of Britannia Movers International where he served for 7 years.
\n\nThe one thing Andy would like to change within the industry is professionalism, and that has to start with us, beginning with employing your staff on a full-time basis and treating them with respect, as most have a family and want to be part of that family lifestyle in these modern days.
\n\nThe advice that Andy would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to learn what we do, get a grounding in it, know your numbers, learn the legalities of the industry, and learn from those that went before you.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Andy doesn’t think there will be much of a change within the industry but hopes we will endeavour to satisfy the green issue regarding materials, and IT will play a bigger role (Andy being a huge fan of Video Surveys, which we discuss in more detail). Personally, Andy still sees himself at Britannia Reeves, maybe slowing down slightly although his wife (and I) is of a different opinion!
\n\nOutside of the industry Andy likes fishing, clay pigeon shooting and in recently years, wait for it, Andy has taken up running, after a challenge from his youngest daughter, and is just about to start paddleboarding. Andy also has a huge passion for local history and provides historical tours of old Portsmouth, which involves 7-8 pubs!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, regarding divorce cases.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Reeves:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Andy Shotbolt.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Andy Shotbolt, Managing Director of Britannia Reeves","date_published":"2022-08-25T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/2a426e49-0902-4d59-9e13-59bf9896c6d4.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36055805,"duration_in_seconds":3004}]},{"id":"0ce42911-95cc-4b2b-a6fe-cfa675df5e78","title":"Episode 51: Moving Matters with Max Kreynin of Voxme Software Inc","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/51","content_text":"In this episode Max Kreynin, Managing Partner of VoxMe Software discusses how he began as a fellow supplier to the industry some 22 years ago after being told by his brother to develop tech for moving.\n\nVoxMe Software is a Canadian based company, with offices and staff in Israel, Europe and the Far East, and they provide mobile apps for pre-move surveys, digital inventory control, scanning and label printing, a full stack move management system for removals, a fine art logistics system and a virtual survey app. All the inside and practical knowledge of the apps is down to Max’s brother Roman who was a mover from 1991 until 2017 when he sold his successful moving company.\n\nMax’s biggest challenge has been the lack of technological savviness from the owners and upper management to trust their own staff to just go and learn to use mobile apps.\n\nThe one thing Max would like to change from his moving past as a supplier to the industry is to have taken a bottom-up approach rather than his top-down approach and developed the portal first rather than the full move management system.\n\nMax’s highpoint of being within the industry was being on a digital inventory webinar at an IAM conference when a VoxMe client came on to explain that their crews are craftsmen and craftsmen require not only good tools but tools they can trust.\n\nMax would like to change the way movers think when changing from paper to digital, and implement gradual changes, starting simple and letting the process take you to the next level naturally, rather than this need to change every single process and create havoc.\n\nThe advice Max would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to have learned to delegate and trust other people earlier.\n\nIn the next 5 years Max hopes to see VoxMe as the standard digital inventory infrastructure for the moving industry. Industry wise, Max see’s two extremes, the traditional movers will remain busy as the demand for them will be stronger, but there will also be an increase in smaller contractors as bookers/brokers/move managers move towards an Uber working style.\n\nOutside of the industry Max likes to meditate and work out, and he does get to switch off and turn on ‘airplane mode’ when away from the workplace.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding biowaste modern art.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Voxme Software Inc:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Max Kreynin.","content_html":"In this episode Max Kreynin, Managing Partner of VoxMe Software discusses how he began as a fellow supplier to the industry some 22 years ago after being told by his brother to develop tech for moving.
\n\nVoxMe Software is a Canadian based company, with offices and staff in Israel, Europe and the Far East, and they provide mobile apps for pre-move surveys, digital inventory control, scanning and label printing, a full stack move management system for removals, a fine art logistics system and a virtual survey app. All the inside and practical knowledge of the apps is down to Max’s brother Roman who was a mover from 1991 until 2017 when he sold his successful moving company.
\n\nMax’s biggest challenge has been the lack of technological savviness from the owners and upper management to trust their own staff to just go and learn to use mobile apps.
\n\nThe one thing Max would like to change from his moving past as a supplier to the industry is to have taken a bottom-up approach rather than his top-down approach and developed the portal first rather than the full move management system.
\n\nMax’s highpoint of being within the industry was being on a digital inventory webinar at an IAM conference when a VoxMe client came on to explain that their crews are craftsmen and craftsmen require not only good tools but tools they can trust.
\n\nMax would like to change the way movers think when changing from paper to digital, and implement gradual changes, starting simple and letting the process take you to the next level naturally, rather than this need to change every single process and create havoc.
\n\nThe advice Max would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to have learned to delegate and trust other people earlier.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Max hopes to see VoxMe as the standard digital inventory infrastructure for the moving industry. Industry wise, Max see’s two extremes, the traditional movers will remain busy as the demand for them will be stronger, but there will also be an increase in smaller contractors as bookers/brokers/move managers move towards an Uber working style.
\n\nOutside of the industry Max likes to meditate and work out, and he does get to switch off and turn on ‘airplane mode’ when away from the workplace.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding biowaste modern art.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Voxme Software Inc:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Max Kreynin.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Max Kreynin, Managing Partner of Voxme Software Inc","date_published":"2022-08-11T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/0ce42911-95cc-4b2b-a6fe-cfa675df5e78.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29090202,"duration_in_seconds":2424}]},{"id":"cca32905-9d8b-47f9-8044-949714a155ae","title":"Episode 50: Moving Matters with Mark Tresler of Britannia Movers International plc","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/50","content_text":"In this episode Mark Tresler, Managing Director of Britannia Movers International discusses how he began his career in the industry joining Britannia almost 19 years ago as a temporary financial controller on a 6 month contract.\n\nBritannia Movers International is a co-operative of likeminded business owner/managers who all trade under the same brand and are shareholders within Britannia. Britannia consists of approximately 35 companies in 40 depots around the UK, 2 in South Africa and 1 in Spain. Britannia provide imports, exports, UK corporate, UK international and military relocations.\n\nMark explains that Britannia are looking for new members, specifically in Scotland, Cumbria, Coventry, Reading and Maidenhead, to name a few areas. Membership requirements are that 2 vehicles are liveried at the start of the relationship, BAR membership (or an intention to join) and BSEN12522.\n\nMark has had several challenges in his 19 years, the main ones being the financial side of Britannia when he first joined (as a temp), finding a warehouse to purchase or land to build a warehouse upon having spent 13 years in Croydon, and more recently the pandemic.\n\nThe one thing Mark would like to change from his moving past would have been to possibly find the time and/or the reason to go out on surveys and removals.\n\nMark’s highpoint of being within the industry is becoming Managing Director, a position he has held for 11 years now and is probably the longest serving, and also putting his mark on the annual Britannia Conferences, by taking them to places members wouldn’t have necessarily gone on their own accord.\n\nMark would like to change two things within the industry, the first being the conveyancing system, and the second being to move away from the noisy, smelly, diesel vehicles and onto electric (or any alternative fuel).\n\nThe advice Mark would give himself just starting out in the industry is to enjoy it, because life would be really dull if every day was exactly the same, but every day in our industry brings different challenges to rise to.\n\nIn the next 5 years Mark would see himself 5 years closer to retirement, and that Britannia has a succession plan for as and when Mark decides to call it a day. Industry wise Mark does think we could go through a downturn in business in the next couple of years with talk of recession and costs continuing to rise.\n\nOutside of the industry Mark enjoys walking and reading, especially the Jack Reacher novels (by Lee Child) and a bit of Jeffrey Archer, and Mark plays occasional (due to lack of opportunity) golf.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or not in Mark’s case as he admits to never actually moved house.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Movers International plc:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Mark Tresler.","content_html":"In this episode Mark Tresler, Managing Director of Britannia Movers International discusses how he began his career in the industry joining Britannia almost 19 years ago as a temporary financial controller on a 6 month contract.
\n\nBritannia Movers International is a co-operative of likeminded business owner/managers who all trade under the same brand and are shareholders within Britannia. Britannia consists of approximately 35 companies in 40 depots around the UK, 2 in South Africa and 1 in Spain. Britannia provide imports, exports, UK corporate, UK international and military relocations.
\n\nMark explains that Britannia are looking for new members, specifically in Scotland, Cumbria, Coventry, Reading and Maidenhead, to name a few areas. Membership requirements are that 2 vehicles are liveried at the start of the relationship, BAR membership (or an intention to join) and BSEN12522.
\n\nMark has had several challenges in his 19 years, the main ones being the financial side of Britannia when he first joined (as a temp), finding a warehouse to purchase or land to build a warehouse upon having spent 13 years in Croydon, and more recently the pandemic.
\n\nThe one thing Mark would like to change from his moving past would have been to possibly find the time and/or the reason to go out on surveys and removals.
\n\nMark’s highpoint of being within the industry is becoming Managing Director, a position he has held for 11 years now and is probably the longest serving, and also putting his mark on the annual Britannia Conferences, by taking them to places members wouldn’t have necessarily gone on their own accord.
\n\nMark would like to change two things within the industry, the first being the conveyancing system, and the second being to move away from the noisy, smelly, diesel vehicles and onto electric (or any alternative fuel).
\n\nThe advice Mark would give himself just starting out in the industry is to enjoy it, because life would be really dull if every day was exactly the same, but every day in our industry brings different challenges to rise to.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Mark would see himself 5 years closer to retirement, and that Britannia has a succession plan for as and when Mark decides to call it a day. Industry wise Mark does think we could go through a downturn in business in the next couple of years with talk of recession and costs continuing to rise.
\n\nOutside of the industry Mark enjoys walking and reading, especially the Jack Reacher novels (by Lee Child) and a bit of Jeffrey Archer, and Mark plays occasional (due to lack of opportunity) golf.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or not in Mark’s case as he admits to never actually moved house.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Movers International plc:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Mark Tresler.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Mark Tresler, Managing Director of Britannia Movers International plc","date_published":"2022-07-28T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/cca32905-9d8b-47f9-8044-949714a155ae.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36612527,"duration_in_seconds":3051}]},{"id":"870bed5c-40e8-4e99-9884-0260220daea7","title":"Episode 49: Moving Matters with Ian Siddle of Arnold & Self","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/49","content_text":"In this episode Ian Siddle, Managing Director of Arnold & Self discusses how he began his career in the industry some 33 years ago, joining Arnold & Self after being refused time off for his skiing holiday from his first job!\n\nArnold & Self was originally formed by Andy Self & Peter Arnold in 1986, mainly providing furniture delivery services for Alders during the week and undertaking removals at weekends. Today, Arnold & Self is owned by Ian, and operate predominantly in the domestic removals & storage market, although they also provide commercial relocation, archive storage and trade work. Arnold & Self operate 4 trucks, 3 lutons, and employ a daily team of 10-14, a small office team and a surveyor. \n\nIan’s biggest challenge was the crash of 2008 and the liquidation of the company, which Ian states was a challenging time but a very rewarding time as well.\n\nThe one thing Ian would like to change from his moving past would be to have got involved with the BAR (British Association of Removers) sooner, particularly the YMG (Young Movers Group).\n\nAs Ian mentioned he would have liked to have undertaken training earlier in his career, we discuss the Removals Masterclass course, which was a weeklong residential course provided by BAR Training Services in November 2021, in which Ian sent his Transport Manager on.\n\nIan’s highpoint of being within the industry is the friendships and contacts he has made, many being local competitors.\n\nThe one thing Ian would like to change within the industry is regulation (although we did discuss conveyancing off air) especially with the 3.5 tonne vehicles, and we discuss how we (as movers) or our association(s) should show that we are a regulated industry, should that come to fruition.\n\nThe advice Ian would give himself just starting out in the industry is to speak to as many people as you can, get involved, be part of the process, join the groups, join the associations, and get as much knowledge as you can.\n\nIn the next 5 years Ian would like to see himself with a lower handicap, but on a serious note Ian would like to see himself being in a position to work on the business rather than in the business. Industry wise Ian says there is clearly a challenge ahead trying to attract new (younger) staff into our industry.\n\nOutside of the industry Ian enjoys a round of golf, Ian loves his football (although he is a Spurs fan), playing vets football on a Saturday and 5-a-side during the week, and Ian enjoys socialising and cooking.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or in Ian’s case a funny warehouse story, regarding a fox.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Arnold & Self:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Ian Siddle.","content_html":"In this episode Ian Siddle, Managing Director of Arnold & Self discusses how he began his career in the industry some 33 years ago, joining Arnold & Self after being refused time off for his skiing holiday from his first job!
\n\nArnold & Self was originally formed by Andy Self & Peter Arnold in 1986, mainly providing furniture delivery services for Alders during the week and undertaking removals at weekends. Today, Arnold & Self is owned by Ian, and operate predominantly in the domestic removals & storage market, although they also provide commercial relocation, archive storage and trade work. Arnold & Self operate 4 trucks, 3 lutons, and employ a daily team of 10-14, a small office team and a surveyor.
\n\nIan’s biggest challenge was the crash of 2008 and the liquidation of the company, which Ian states was a challenging time but a very rewarding time as well.
\n\nThe one thing Ian would like to change from his moving past would be to have got involved with the BAR (British Association of Removers) sooner, particularly the YMG (Young Movers Group).
\n\nAs Ian mentioned he would have liked to have undertaken training earlier in his career, we discuss the Removals Masterclass course, which was a weeklong residential course provided by BAR Training Services in November 2021, in which Ian sent his Transport Manager on.
\n\nIan’s highpoint of being within the industry is the friendships and contacts he has made, many being local competitors.
\n\nThe one thing Ian would like to change within the industry is regulation (although we did discuss conveyancing off air) especially with the 3.5 tonne vehicles, and we discuss how we (as movers) or our association(s) should show that we are a regulated industry, should that come to fruition.
\n\nThe advice Ian would give himself just starting out in the industry is to speak to as many people as you can, get involved, be part of the process, join the groups, join the associations, and get as much knowledge as you can.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Ian would like to see himself with a lower handicap, but on a serious note Ian would like to see himself being in a position to work on the business rather than in the business. Industry wise Ian says there is clearly a challenge ahead trying to attract new (younger) staff into our industry.
\n\nOutside of the industry Ian enjoys a round of golf, Ian loves his football (although he is a Spurs fan), playing vets football on a Saturday and 5-a-side during the week, and Ian enjoys socialising and cooking.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, or in Ian’s case a funny warehouse story, regarding a fox.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Arnold & Self:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Ian Siddle.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Ian Siddle, Managing Director of Arnold & Self","date_published":"2022-07-14T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/870bed5c-40e8-4e99-9884-0260220daea7.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":20874169,"duration_in_seconds":1739}]},{"id":"d950a93e-f143-43eb-81fe-fb81ae841302","title":"Episode 48: Moving Matters with Joshua Taylor of Caversham Moves","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/48","content_text":"In this episode Joshua Taylor, Managing Director of Caversham Moves discusses how he began his career in the industry 15 years ago, which was on a part-time basis for 10 years during his initial career as a sports & massage therapist.\n\nCaversham Moves was formed 5 years ago (although their management team have 15-20 years of experience within the removals industry) and are based in Berkshire, providing predominantly local and national domestic moving services, although they also provide packing, installation, furniture delivery and trade assistance services too. Caversham Moves run a fleet of 2 x 18 tonne, 1 x 7.5 tonne and 5 x vans, employ a staff of 10 (employing only those living within a 3 mile radius of their operating centre) and offer containerised storage in 2 warehouses.\n\nJoshua’s biggest challenges was firstly coming into the industry and starting a business with zero assets and zero financing, and secondly purchasing good reliable assets as the company grew.\n\nThings that Joshua would change from his moving past is to give himself more respite, and to start his own business sooner, citing that it’s more beneficial for the development of yourself and your skillsets.\n\nJoshua’s highpoint of being within the industry so far, is offering employment to multiple individuals, but also investing into their development.\n\nThe one thing Joshua would like to change within the industry is an operators licence for anyone that offers a hire and reward as a service.\n\nJoshua’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to have worked for a larger/national operator to get a feel for other avenues, and in the early years of Caversham Moves to invest in staff sooner.\n\nIn the next 5 years Joshua is looking to get more involved in networking having recently attended the BAR Young Movers Group Conference in Belfast, to join BAR, and possibly FIDI too as Joshua looks to add on International moving to their current services. Industry wise, hopefully in a good place, but Joshua would like to see is more emphasis put on quality and service delivery.\n\nOutside of the industry being an owner operator Joshua finds that there is not a lot of free time.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, regarding broken windscreen wipers and a device found in a divan storage drawer.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Caversham Moves:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Joshua Taylor.","content_html":"In this episode Joshua Taylor, Managing Director of Caversham Moves discusses how he began his career in the industry 15 years ago, which was on a part-time basis for 10 years during his initial career as a sports & massage therapist.
\n\nCaversham Moves was formed 5 years ago (although their management team have 15-20 years of experience within the removals industry) and are based in Berkshire, providing predominantly local and national domestic moving services, although they also provide packing, installation, furniture delivery and trade assistance services too. Caversham Moves run a fleet of 2 x 18 tonne, 1 x 7.5 tonne and 5 x vans, employ a staff of 10 (employing only those living within a 3 mile radius of their operating centre) and offer containerised storage in 2 warehouses.
\n\nJoshua’s biggest challenges was firstly coming into the industry and starting a business with zero assets and zero financing, and secondly purchasing good reliable assets as the company grew.
\n\nThings that Joshua would change from his moving past is to give himself more respite, and to start his own business sooner, citing that it’s more beneficial for the development of yourself and your skillsets.
\n\nJoshua’s highpoint of being within the industry so far, is offering employment to multiple individuals, but also investing into their development.
\n\nThe one thing Joshua would like to change within the industry is an operators licence for anyone that offers a hire and reward as a service.
\n\nJoshua’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to have worked for a larger/national operator to get a feel for other avenues, and in the early years of Caversham Moves to invest in staff sooner.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Joshua is looking to get more involved in networking having recently attended the BAR Young Movers Group Conference in Belfast, to join BAR, and possibly FIDI too as Joshua looks to add on International moving to their current services. Industry wise, hopefully in a good place, but Joshua would like to see is more emphasis put on quality and service delivery.
\n\nOutside of the industry being an owner operator Joshua finds that there is not a lot of free time.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, regarding broken windscreen wipers and a device found in a divan storage drawer.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Caversham Moves:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Joshua Taylor.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Joshua Taylor, Managing Director of Caversham Moves","date_published":"2022-06-23T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/d950a93e-f143-43eb-81fe-fb81ae841302.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27683038,"duration_in_seconds":2306}]},{"id":"891265f1-d0db-4c31-816f-dcdf25fcd125","title":"Episode 47: Moving Matters with Neil Purdie of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/47","content_text":"In this episode Neil Purdie, Managing Director of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage discusses how he began his career in the industry some 21 glorious years ago, delivering coal in the company’s early years before the role of the business changed to removals and storage.\n\nThe original company was started in 1960 by Neil’s grandfather, as Matt Purdie & Sons, a coal merchant but he quickly began to see opportunities in moving and storage, where Matt Jnr (Neil’s uncle) and Archie (Neil’s father) became directors. In 2015 Matt Purdie & Sons was subject to a takeover and is now known as Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage.\n\nPurdie Worldwide Removals & Storage offer domestic, international, and commercial moves, as well as storage and self-storage. They currently run 26 vehicles, employ 46 staff, and have recently expanded into property maintenance and haulage.\n\nNeil says every day brings its own challenges, growing up and working within the family business was and still is challenging, but his major challenge was in 2015 turning a paper-based office into an IT savvy office.\n\nNeil doesn’t believe in having any regrets and that everything happens for a reason, so he has nothing that he would change from his moving past and has learned from every little mistake made.\n\nNeil has many highpoints of being within the industry, but the main one is the people and classing many of them as friends, becoming Managing Director is a huge highpoint which allows Neil the chance to grow and change the business.\n\nThere is nothing in particular that Neil would change within the moving industry, but regulation for the 3.5 tonne market does need to be looked at which would help to make the industry be seen as a profession.\n\nNeil’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is not taking anything for granted and time, enjoy the time that you are in this industry but do take time out for yourself and your family.\n\nIn the next 5 years Neil is in the process of having an 11,000 sqft unit with retail shops built on the land next door to their current location which they have been chasing for the best part of 20 years. Neil has recently started a haulage side to the business and is looking to expand upon this. Industry wise, Neil would like to see the industry achieve regulation.\n\nOutside of the industry Neil is a big football supporter, his team being Hearts, and with his son now playing for the local team (which of course is sponsored by Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage, as too is the local stadium), Neil helps throughout the week and at weekends with coaching sessions.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with three, yes three funny moving stories, regarding a costly sat nav error, a McDonalds Drive-Thru and a burst zipper.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Neil Purdie.","content_html":"In this episode Neil Purdie, Managing Director of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage discusses how he began his career in the industry some 21 glorious years ago, delivering coal in the company’s early years before the role of the business changed to removals and storage.
\n\nThe original company was started in 1960 by Neil’s grandfather, as Matt Purdie & Sons, a coal merchant but he quickly began to see opportunities in moving and storage, where Matt Jnr (Neil’s uncle) and Archie (Neil’s father) became directors. In 2015 Matt Purdie & Sons was subject to a takeover and is now known as Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage.
\n\nPurdie Worldwide Removals & Storage offer domestic, international, and commercial moves, as well as storage and self-storage. They currently run 26 vehicles, employ 46 staff, and have recently expanded into property maintenance and haulage.
\n\nNeil says every day brings its own challenges, growing up and working within the family business was and still is challenging, but his major challenge was in 2015 turning a paper-based office into an IT savvy office.
\n\nNeil doesn’t believe in having any regrets and that everything happens for a reason, so he has nothing that he would change from his moving past and has learned from every little mistake made.
\n\nNeil has many highpoints of being within the industry, but the main one is the people and classing many of them as friends, becoming Managing Director is a huge highpoint which allows Neil the chance to grow and change the business.
\n\nThere is nothing in particular that Neil would change within the moving industry, but regulation for the 3.5 tonne market does need to be looked at which would help to make the industry be seen as a profession.
\n\nNeil’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is not taking anything for granted and time, enjoy the time that you are in this industry but do take time out for yourself and your family.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Neil is in the process of having an 11,000 sqft unit with retail shops built on the land next door to their current location which they have been chasing for the best part of 20 years. Neil has recently started a haulage side to the business and is looking to expand upon this. Industry wise, Neil would like to see the industry achieve regulation.
\n\nOutside of the industry Neil is a big football supporter, his team being Hearts, and with his son now playing for the local team (which of course is sponsored by Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage, as too is the local stadium), Neil helps throughout the week and at weekends with coaching sessions.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with three, yes three funny moving stories, regarding a costly sat nav error, a McDonalds Drive-Thru and a burst zipper.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Neil Purdie.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Neil Purdie, Managing Director of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage","date_published":"2022-06-09T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/891265f1-d0db-4c31-816f-dcdf25fcd125.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35454257,"duration_in_seconds":2954}]},{"id":"a3d20e34-1f05-47bd-abc1-5ec2acbbfc8a","title":"Episode 46: Moving Matters with Andrew Fahey of P. Fahey & Sons LLP","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/46","content_text":"In this episode, Andrew Fahey, Director of P. Fahey & Sons discusses how he began his career within the industry by joining the family business some 40 years ago.\n\nP. Fahey & Sons is based in Manchester and was started by Andrew’s grandfather some 65 years ago from a second-hand shop. However, legend would have it that, Andrew’s great, great, grandfather moved to Chicago in the 1890’s to work for Wells Fargo Transport. \n\nAndrew’s biggest challenge is being enthusiastic to carry on doing what he’s doing!\n\nAndrew didn’t have anything to change from his moving past but going forward he would like to change conveyancing.\n\nAndrew’s highpoint of being within the industry is being able to do what he’s been able to do over the last couple of years regarding Covid, learning to adapt, keeping customers and staff safe, and having the lads step up to the challenge.\n\nApart from the conveyancing, Andrew would like to change the pay and conditions for the guys, and women of course.\n\nAndrew’s advice to himself just starting out in the industry again is that it’s not all about money, it’s important and vital to what we do but it’s not about being the cheapest, or the most expensive.\n\nIn the next 5 years Andrew hopes to encourage the kids who have taken up roles within the company. Industry wise Andrew see’s more competition from the man & van type of operators who started up during the pandemic.\n\nOutside of the industry Andrew spends his time with the kids and family, stating there’s nothing better than a Sunday roast and getting the family around.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Jock and his modus operandi!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to P. Fahey & Sons LLP:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Andrew Fahey.","content_html":"In this episode, Andrew Fahey, Director of P. Fahey & Sons discusses how he began his career within the industry by joining the family business some 40 years ago.
\n\nP. Fahey & Sons is based in Manchester and was started by Andrew’s grandfather some 65 years ago from a second-hand shop. However, legend would have it that, Andrew’s great, great, grandfather moved to Chicago in the 1890’s to work for Wells Fargo Transport.
\n\nAndrew’s biggest challenge is being enthusiastic to carry on doing what he’s doing!
\n\nAndrew didn’t have anything to change from his moving past but going forward he would like to change conveyancing.
\n\nAndrew’s highpoint of being within the industry is being able to do what he’s been able to do over the last couple of years regarding Covid, learning to adapt, keeping customers and staff safe, and having the lads step up to the challenge.
\n\nApart from the conveyancing, Andrew would like to change the pay and conditions for the guys, and women of course.
\n\nAndrew’s advice to himself just starting out in the industry again is that it’s not all about money, it’s important and vital to what we do but it’s not about being the cheapest, or the most expensive.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Andrew hopes to encourage the kids who have taken up roles within the company. Industry wise Andrew see’s more competition from the man & van type of operators who started up during the pandemic.
\n\nOutside of the industry Andrew spends his time with the kids and family, stating there’s nothing better than a Sunday roast and getting the family around.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Jock and his modus operandi!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to P. Fahey & Sons LLP:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Andrew Fahey.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Andrew Fahey, Director of P. Fahey & Sons LLP","date_published":"2022-05-26T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a3d20e34-1f05-47bd-abc1-5ec2acbbfc8a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22101088,"duration_in_seconds":1841}]},{"id":"79584130-4fb0-4515-8572-27489211121a","title":"Episode 45: Moving Matters with Jordan Bignell of Britannia Quickmove","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/45","content_text":"In this episode, Jordan Bignell, Managing Director of Britannia Quickmove discusses how he began his career in the industry some 10 years ago as an apprentice, and only 2 years ago became the proud owner of Britannia Quickmove, just in time for a pandemic to arrive!\n\nQuickmove was originally started by Peter Monk in the early 70’s, where some twenty years later he joined Britannia Movers International. In 2017 Peter sold the business to a local self-storage company, who then sold the removal side of the business (which included Phillips Removals, a small local removal company that have been around since the 1860/70’s) to Jordan & his wife in 2020. \n\nJordan’s biggest challenge that he’s had to overcome in the industry is his youth. Other challenges are the line ‘that’s how it’s always been done’, and managing the risk of Covid, but having only been in the industry for 10 tender years he does expect challenges ahead.\n\nThe one thing Jordan would change from his moving past is to have spent more time on the vehicles. Jordan also wishes he had made the jump to owner sooner, and began studying earlier too, as he is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Business & Leadership, where he hopes he can be a future industry leader.\n\nOne of Jordan’s highpoints was the undertaking of a move for a very prestigious school in Wiltshire that was once home to a Princess, which resulted in further recommendations.\n\nJordan believes to change only one thing within the industry is a disservice, therefore I happily gave him the opportunity to choose several, and he chose; being recognised as a trade, which is a long-term goal; legislation for the regulation of smaller vehicles; a push towards more young people taking on key roles within the industry; recruiting younger people into the industry; innovation of technology; sustainability; electric & driverless trucks; diversity.\n\nAnd we discuss Jordan’s reality TV idea that we just need Channel 4 to buy into!\n\nThe biggest advice Jordan would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to not let any boundary stop you from pushing to achieve more.\n\nIn the next five years Jordan hopes to have grown the business and taken on a new site. He would also like to become a BAR DED (Directly Elected Director), and who knows, maybe BAR President? \n\nOutside of the industry, when not working fulltime and studying for his Master’s Degree, Jordan’s life is completely determined by what his new born son wants to do.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a very naked lady!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Quickmove:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Jordan Bignell.","content_html":"In this episode, Jordan Bignell, Managing Director of Britannia Quickmove discusses how he began his career in the industry some 10 years ago as an apprentice, and only 2 years ago became the proud owner of Britannia Quickmove, just in time for a pandemic to arrive!
\n\nQuickmove was originally started by Peter Monk in the early 70’s, where some twenty years later he joined Britannia Movers International. In 2017 Peter sold the business to a local self-storage company, who then sold the removal side of the business (which included Phillips Removals, a small local removal company that have been around since the 1860/70’s) to Jordan & his wife in 2020.
\n\nJordan’s biggest challenge that he’s had to overcome in the industry is his youth. Other challenges are the line ‘that’s how it’s always been done’, and managing the risk of Covid, but having only been in the industry for 10 tender years he does expect challenges ahead.
\n\nThe one thing Jordan would change from his moving past is to have spent more time on the vehicles. Jordan also wishes he had made the jump to owner sooner, and began studying earlier too, as he is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in Business & Leadership, where he hopes he can be a future industry leader.
\n\nOne of Jordan’s highpoints was the undertaking of a move for a very prestigious school in Wiltshire that was once home to a Princess, which resulted in further recommendations.
\n\nJordan believes to change only one thing within the industry is a disservice, therefore I happily gave him the opportunity to choose several, and he chose; being recognised as a trade, which is a long-term goal; legislation for the regulation of smaller vehicles; a push towards more young people taking on key roles within the industry; recruiting younger people into the industry; innovation of technology; sustainability; electric & driverless trucks; diversity.
\n\nAnd we discuss Jordan’s reality TV idea that we just need Channel 4 to buy into!
\n\nThe biggest advice Jordan would give himself just starting out in the industry again is to not let any boundary stop you from pushing to achieve more.
\n\nIn the next five years Jordan hopes to have grown the business and taken on a new site. He would also like to become a BAR DED (Directly Elected Director), and who knows, maybe BAR President?
\n\nOutside of the industry, when not working fulltime and studying for his Master’s Degree, Jordan’s life is completely determined by what his new born son wants to do.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a very naked lady!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Quickmove:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Jordan Bignell.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Jordan Bignell, Managing Director of Britannia Quickmove","date_published":"2022-05-12T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/79584130-4fb0-4515-8572-27489211121a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":44141121,"duration_in_seconds":3678}]},{"id":"2f62fa36-16e5-4482-98fd-e32ae0ba3873","title":"Episode 44: Moving Matters with David Strank of Stranks Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/44","content_text":"In this episode David Strank, Director of Stranks Removals & Storage discusses how he became a third-generation remover after beginning his fulltime career in the industry at the tender age of 16 (although he helped in his father’s business from the age of 11!), even after being told not to join the family business.\n\nStranks Removals & Storage was started by David’s grandfather in Thornton Heath, Surrey, in 1941, who was an engineer by trade working in the bomb factory during the day and moving people from their bombed homes during the night. Today Stranks Removals & Storage are based in Ashford, Kent, having taken the decision several years ago to completely relocate themselves to a brand new area. They cover all aspects of removals, running 4 trucks, 5 vans, employ 17 staff and store 250 containers within their own 13,000 sqft warehouse.\n\nDavid’s challenges have been varied, but an immense challenge was relocating the company from Thornton Heath to Ashford. Covid was and still is a massive challenge, and so too is accepting change.\n\nDavid would like to change a few things from his moving past, not taking things personally, joining the BAR earlier, not to get too familiar with staff, and try to employ nonfamily members within the office.\n\nOne of David’s biggest highpoints was to see his son join the business and become a fourth-generation remover, his other highpoints include becoming chairman of the BAR Kent Area, and then becoming elected as a BAR DED (Directly Elected Director), something David has thoroughly enjoyed.\n\nDavid would like the industry to be recognised, but he would also like to change the completion system as in its current state it is simply not fit for purpose anymore.\n\nThe advice David would give, firstly to his son who hasn’t long been in the industry himself is to always go that extra mile, and then to himself just starting out in the industry again is to ensure you make time for yourself outside of the industry.\n\nIn the next 5 years David sees himself hopefully only working 3-4 days a week, industry wise he does believe the completion system will change, emission zones and thus vehicles will play a big part within the industry, full packing (and unpacking) will become the norm as more and more people work from home, and we’ll continue to have problems with recruiting and keeping drivers.\n\nOutside of the industry David is very active, competing in motorcycle trials (show jumping on motorcycles), playing golf, and enjoying the 8 acres of land that came with his own recent house move.\n\nAnd as always with end Moving Matters with several short funny moving stories, involving moves in snow, a moustache, a man in a dress, and a dilemma over intimate photographs!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Stranks Removal & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: David Strank.","content_html":"In this episode David Strank, Director of Stranks Removals & Storage discusses how he became a third-generation remover after beginning his fulltime career in the industry at the tender age of 16 (although he helped in his father’s business from the age of 11!), even after being told not to join the family business.
\n\nStranks Removals & Storage was started by David’s grandfather in Thornton Heath, Surrey, in 1941, who was an engineer by trade working in the bomb factory during the day and moving people from their bombed homes during the night. Today Stranks Removals & Storage are based in Ashford, Kent, having taken the decision several years ago to completely relocate themselves to a brand new area. They cover all aspects of removals, running 4 trucks, 5 vans, employ 17 staff and store 250 containers within their own 13,000 sqft warehouse.
\n\nDavid’s challenges have been varied, but an immense challenge was relocating the company from Thornton Heath to Ashford. Covid was and still is a massive challenge, and so too is accepting change.
\n\nDavid would like to change a few things from his moving past, not taking things personally, joining the BAR earlier, not to get too familiar with staff, and try to employ nonfamily members within the office.
\n\nOne of David’s biggest highpoints was to see his son join the business and become a fourth-generation remover, his other highpoints include becoming chairman of the BAR Kent Area, and then becoming elected as a BAR DED (Directly Elected Director), something David has thoroughly enjoyed.
\n\nDavid would like the industry to be recognised, but he would also like to change the completion system as in its current state it is simply not fit for purpose anymore.
\n\nThe advice David would give, firstly to his son who hasn’t long been in the industry himself is to always go that extra mile, and then to himself just starting out in the industry again is to ensure you make time for yourself outside of the industry.
\n\nIn the next 5 years David sees himself hopefully only working 3-4 days a week, industry wise he does believe the completion system will change, emission zones and thus vehicles will play a big part within the industry, full packing (and unpacking) will become the norm as more and more people work from home, and we’ll continue to have problems with recruiting and keeping drivers.
\n\nOutside of the industry David is very active, competing in motorcycle trials (show jumping on motorcycles), playing golf, and enjoying the 8 acres of land that came with his own recent house move.
\n\nAnd as always with end Moving Matters with several short funny moving stories, involving moves in snow, a moustache, a man in a dress, and a dilemma over intimate photographs!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Stranks Removal & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: David Strank.
","summary":"Moving Matters with David Strank, Director of Stranks Removals & Storage","date_published":"2022-04-28T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/2f62fa36-16e5-4482-98fd-e32ae0ba3873.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36133859,"duration_in_seconds":3011}]},{"id":"b51bccf7-926b-4198-9037-d2140f7ef4cf","title":"Episode 43: Moving Matters with Angus Russell of Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/43","content_text":"In this episode Angus Russell, General Manager of Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol discusses how he began his career within the industry some 34 years ago after responding to an advert in The Times for a Trainee Manager at Hoults.\n\nAlthough Angus wasn’t born into the industry, he does believe he was born to be in this industry having spent most of his youth as an expat, relocating from country to country. In his 34 year career Angus has only worked for 3 companies, Hoults (2 years), Bishops Move (15 years) & Britannia Lanes (17 years currently).\n\nEarlier than usual in the podcast, Angus tells us that his greatest point of being in the industry was convincing his bosses at the time (Bishops Move) that they should be represented at the BAR conference, which Angus then attended. And it was at the BAR conference at The Belfry that Angus met fellow conference attendee Ms Maria Lane, who in 2006 became Mrs Maria Russell, hence Angus’s move from Bishops Move to Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol.\n\nBritannia Lanes started back in 1974 by Sylvia and Mike Lane after they were left some warehouses. Today they operate from 3 locations, Chacewater, Exeter & Bridgwater, with an unmanned Self Store due to open in Falmouth very soon. Britannia Lanes offer containerised storage, self storage, van hire, international, european, commercial & domestic relocation, shredding, and records management.\n\nAngus talks in depth about training and the training services he provides to the industry, and we discuss the general question of what is the return on investment? From this came one of my favourite sentences, “we move dreams and aspirations”.\n\nAngus has faced the challenges of a recession, but he finds the constant changes in legislation one of his biggest challenges, especially when the small businesses (the mum and dad business) have to upgrade on a corporate scale.\n\nAngus wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, stating what you go through builds the character for who you are.\n\nApart from the obvious highpoint (see above) another of Angus’s highpoint was being made a Directly Elected Director of the BAR, which he really enjoyed.\n\nThe one thing Angus would like to change within the industry is the pay and value of the operational staff, but we can only do this by making the public recognise just how highly skilled moving actually is.\n\nAngus’s advice to just starting out in the industry is listen, understand, and then make your viewpoint.\n\nIn the next 5 years Angus would like to continue his focus on training, maybe semi-retire (but that’s too hopeful) but without leaving the industry. In the next 10 years (rather than the usual 5), Angus sees the industry becoming more eco-friendly, with hydrogen vehicles being the way to go. And that the millennials will affect the industry as they collect less, resulting in smaller moves.\n\nOutside of the industry Angus enjoys cooking, loves travelling, is into his pyrotechnics and of course spending time with his wife.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with 2 funny moving stories, the first involving “milk!” and the second involving a chap looking for employment.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Lanes:\n\n\nWebsite\nSpecial Guest: Angus Russell.","content_html":"In this episode Angus Russell, General Manager of Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol discusses how he began his career within the industry some 34 years ago after responding to an advert in The Times for a Trainee Manager at Hoults.
\n\nAlthough Angus wasn’t born into the industry, he does believe he was born to be in this industry having spent most of his youth as an expat, relocating from country to country. In his 34 year career Angus has only worked for 3 companies, Hoults (2 years), Bishops Move (15 years) & Britannia Lanes (17 years currently).
\n\nEarlier than usual in the podcast, Angus tells us that his greatest point of being in the industry was convincing his bosses at the time (Bishops Move) that they should be represented at the BAR conference, which Angus then attended. And it was at the BAR conference at The Belfry that Angus met fellow conference attendee Ms Maria Lane, who in 2006 became Mrs Maria Russell, hence Angus’s move from Bishops Move to Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol.
\n\nBritannia Lanes started back in 1974 by Sylvia and Mike Lane after they were left some warehouses. Today they operate from 3 locations, Chacewater, Exeter & Bridgwater, with an unmanned Self Store due to open in Falmouth very soon. Britannia Lanes offer containerised storage, self storage, van hire, international, european, commercial & domestic relocation, shredding, and records management.
\n\nAngus talks in depth about training and the training services he provides to the industry, and we discuss the general question of what is the return on investment? From this came one of my favourite sentences, “we move dreams and aspirations”.
\n\nAngus has faced the challenges of a recession, but he finds the constant changes in legislation one of his biggest challenges, especially when the small businesses (the mum and dad business) have to upgrade on a corporate scale.
\n\nAngus wouldn’t change anything from his moving past, stating what you go through builds the character for who you are.
\n\nApart from the obvious highpoint (see above) another of Angus’s highpoint was being made a Directly Elected Director of the BAR, which he really enjoyed.
\n\nThe one thing Angus would like to change within the industry is the pay and value of the operational staff, but we can only do this by making the public recognise just how highly skilled moving actually is.
\n\nAngus’s advice to just starting out in the industry is listen, understand, and then make your viewpoint.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Angus would like to continue his focus on training, maybe semi-retire (but that’s too hopeful) but without leaving the industry. In the next 10 years (rather than the usual 5), Angus sees the industry becoming more eco-friendly, with hydrogen vehicles being the way to go. And that the millennials will affect the industry as they collect less, resulting in smaller moves.
\n\nOutside of the industry Angus enjoys cooking, loves travelling, is into his pyrotechnics and of course spending time with his wife.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with 2 funny moving stories, the first involving “milk!” and the second involving a chap looking for employment.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Lanes:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Angus Russell.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Angus Russell of Britannia Lanes of Somerset & Bristol","date_published":"2022-04-14T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/b51bccf7-926b-4198-9037-d2140f7ef4cf.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":40492651,"duration_in_seconds":3374}]},{"id":"057445f2-5816-4b6c-b93a-05fd359e7182","title":"Episode 42: Moving Matters with Pauline Collins of The Voerman Group","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/42","content_text":"In this episode Pauline Collins, Partner Relations Manager of The Voerman Group discusses how she began her career 33 years ago in the International Moving market, starting in a Sales Support role at Anglo Pacific – Pauline too is a fellow lifer of this wonderful industry.\n\nThe Voerman Group were founded in 1986, their headquarters are in The Hague, The Netherlands, and they have with locations in Moscow and Prague, service centres in Asia and the United States, and affiliations with companies in a variety of locations across the globe. The Voerman Group while predominantly international movers, also provide private and trade groupage solutions, commercial moving, and insurance solutions.\n\nPauline hasn’t had any great personal challenges to overcome, which she puts down to working with some truly great people, Sarah Rowlands, Paul Evans, Jack Dorrington, Nick Kerr, to name but a few, who supported and encouraged her to be the best version of herself. For the industry, the challenge is identifying and retaining talent.\n\nThe one thing Pauline would like to change from her past, and it is only a small regret, is that she didn’t take opportunities to work overseas.\n\nPauline’s highpoint of being within the industry is obviously being on Moving Matters! But, that aside, it’s the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries and walks of life, who have become good friends, and being recognised for her ability to go above and beyond.\n\nPauline would like the moving industry to become more sustainable, and I challenge Pauline on the rising costs borne to the customer to achieve this. Pauline would also like the industry to embrace technology more into our processes and thus stop being so traditional.\n\nPauline’s advice to just starting out in the industry is to be kind to herself, learn how to say no and that you don’t have to rule the world at an early age. Also, be confident in yourself and voice your ideas.\n\nIn the next 5 years, Pauline personally still sees herself at The Voerman Group and with the company being so diverse there are always opportunities within the group. For the industry Pauline hopes it will be more sustainable, and with shipment sizes shrinking companies will have to diversify, and continued consolidation of companies.\n\nOutside of the industry Pauline enjoys exercise, especially running having participated in triathlons and half marathons, but today is more for pleasure. Pauline has recently taken up Yoga, she enjoys eating out, is quite partial to the odd Gin & Tonic, and is part of a WI.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a pickup truck in Cape Town.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to The Voerman Group:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Pauline Collins.","content_html":"In this episode Pauline Collins, Partner Relations Manager of The Voerman Group discusses how she began her career 33 years ago in the International Moving market, starting in a Sales Support role at Anglo Pacific – Pauline too is a fellow lifer of this wonderful industry.
\n\nThe Voerman Group were founded in 1986, their headquarters are in The Hague, The Netherlands, and they have with locations in Moscow and Prague, service centres in Asia and the United States, and affiliations with companies in a variety of locations across the globe. The Voerman Group while predominantly international movers, also provide private and trade groupage solutions, commercial moving, and insurance solutions.
\n\nPauline hasn’t had any great personal challenges to overcome, which she puts down to working with some truly great people, Sarah Rowlands, Paul Evans, Jack Dorrington, Nick Kerr, to name but a few, who supported and encouraged her to be the best version of herself. For the industry, the challenge is identifying and retaining talent.
\n\nThe one thing Pauline would like to change from her past, and it is only a small regret, is that she didn’t take opportunities to work overseas.
\n\nPauline’s highpoint of being within the industry is obviously being on Moving Matters! But, that aside, it’s the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries and walks of life, who have become good friends, and being recognised for her ability to go above and beyond.
\n\nPauline would like the moving industry to become more sustainable, and I challenge Pauline on the rising costs borne to the customer to achieve this. Pauline would also like the industry to embrace technology more into our processes and thus stop being so traditional.
\n\nPauline’s advice to just starting out in the industry is to be kind to herself, learn how to say no and that you don’t have to rule the world at an early age. Also, be confident in yourself and voice your ideas.
\n\nIn the next 5 years, Pauline personally still sees herself at The Voerman Group and with the company being so diverse there are always opportunities within the group. For the industry Pauline hopes it will be more sustainable, and with shipment sizes shrinking companies will have to diversify, and continued consolidation of companies.
\n\nOutside of the industry Pauline enjoys exercise, especially running having participated in triathlons and half marathons, but today is more for pleasure. Pauline has recently taken up Yoga, she enjoys eating out, is quite partial to the odd Gin & Tonic, and is part of a WI.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a pickup truck in Cape Town.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to The Voerman Group:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Pauline Collins.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Pauline Collins, Partner Relations Manager of The Voerman Group","date_published":"2022-03-24T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/057445f2-5816-4b6c-b93a-05fd359e7182.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31170698,"duration_in_seconds":2597}]},{"id":"35d5f3ea-bc6f-4090-be11-211727f236c0","title":"Episode 41: Moving Matters with Darrel Baker of Humphreys Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/41","content_text":"In this episode Darrel Baker, Director of Humphreys Removals discusses how he began his career some 30 years ago, even though his passion was to be a professional footballer. Starting as a warehouse picker and progressing to forklift driver, operations manager, and estimator at Humphreys Removals, before he and his wife were given the opportunity to purchase the company in 2019.\n\nToday Humphreys Removals provide local, distance, European and International domestic moves, through its network of contractors (BAR members) that Darrel has built up over the years due to Humphreys Removals having no trucks, drivers or porters.\n\nDarrel recalls the wonderfully superb series of The Moving Story, which featured Elite Removals, and was filmed over 2 seasons at Humphreys Removals – If you have never watched an episode then I encourage you to find it online if you can.\n\nDarrel had an immediate challenge shortly after taking ownership of Humphreys Removals, Covid, which was then followed by the Stamp Duty holiday, where trying to book a contractor proved problematic unless 4 weeks’ notice was provided!\n\nDue to Darrel starting right at the bottom of Humphreys Removals and progressing through the ranks Darrel wouldn’t change anything from his moving past which he found it quite enjoyable.\n\nDarrel’s highpoint was obviously taking over Humphreys Removals, but he has another too, the people (or characters) within the industry and the friendships created.\n\nDarrel would like to change people’s perception of the moving industry, not just the value but in thinking it’s a straightforward and easy job, when we all know it’s quite the contrary. And I challenge Darrel on perception because when it comes to value, I believe movers need to change, not just the public.\n\nDarrel’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to take any training opportunities the company is willing to offer with both hands.\n\nIn the next 5 years Darrel would like to get his current contractors more involved, more overseas work and to apply for BAR membership. Industry wise, Darrel believes it will get harder, hence why he is trying to diversify his services.\n\nOutside of the industry, Darrel is a season ticket holder with his son at QPR (Queens Park Rangers Football Club), he has a fetish (collection) for trainers, and enjoys socialising, mini-breaks, and spending time with the family. But basically, its just football really!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a fellow packer finishing early.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Humphreys Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Darrel Baker.","content_html":"In this episode Darrel Baker, Director of Humphreys Removals discusses how he began his career some 30 years ago, even though his passion was to be a professional footballer. Starting as a warehouse picker and progressing to forklift driver, operations manager, and estimator at Humphreys Removals, before he and his wife were given the opportunity to purchase the company in 2019.
\n\nToday Humphreys Removals provide local, distance, European and International domestic moves, through its network of contractors (BAR members) that Darrel has built up over the years due to Humphreys Removals having no trucks, drivers or porters.
\n\nDarrel recalls the wonderfully superb series of The Moving Story, which featured Elite Removals, and was filmed over 2 seasons at Humphreys Removals – If you have never watched an episode then I encourage you to find it online if you can.
\n\nDarrel had an immediate challenge shortly after taking ownership of Humphreys Removals, Covid, which was then followed by the Stamp Duty holiday, where trying to book a contractor proved problematic unless 4 weeks’ notice was provided!
\n\nDue to Darrel starting right at the bottom of Humphreys Removals and progressing through the ranks Darrel wouldn’t change anything from his moving past which he found it quite enjoyable.
\n\nDarrel’s highpoint was obviously taking over Humphreys Removals, but he has another too, the people (or characters) within the industry and the friendships created.
\n\nDarrel would like to change people’s perception of the moving industry, not just the value but in thinking it’s a straightforward and easy job, when we all know it’s quite the contrary. And I challenge Darrel on perception because when it comes to value, I believe movers need to change, not just the public.
\n\nDarrel’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to take any training opportunities the company is willing to offer with both hands.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Darrel would like to get his current contractors more involved, more overseas work and to apply for BAR membership. Industry wise, Darrel believes it will get harder, hence why he is trying to diversify his services.
\n\nOutside of the industry, Darrel is a season ticket holder with his son at QPR (Queens Park Rangers Football Club), he has a fetish (collection) for trainers, and enjoys socialising, mini-breaks, and spending time with the family. But basically, its just football really!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a fellow packer finishing early.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Humphreys Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Darrel Baker.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Darrel Baker, Director of Humphreys Removals","date_published":"2022-03-10T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/35d5f3ea-bc6f-4090-be11-211727f236c0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27133731,"duration_in_seconds":2261}]},{"id":"a6baf61f-7b1b-45d4-bfd4-fbc27b03976f","title":"Episode 40: Moving Matters with Wesley Bourne of Bournes","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/40","content_text":"In this episode Wesley Bourne, Managing Director of Bournes Moves discusses how he began his career at the tender age of 15, where his first payroll date was August 22nd, 1994 and became a 5th generation removal man.\n\nBournes was established back in 1875 by Thomas Bourne, starting as a coal merchant and general haulier. In the 1960’s brothers Eric & Roy Bourne joined the business (sons of Stanley Bourne, who was the grandson of Thomas Bourne) and took over from Stanley in 1974. In 2016 Wesley together with his brother Leon (sons of Eric) and cousin Tom (son of Roy) took over ownership of Bournes Moves. Wesley is also Chairman of the advisory board of Harmony Relocation Network, a recently appointed director at MTC Ltd and is a member of the BAR Overseas Moving Group committee.\n\nToday Bournes Moves currently provide a variety of moving services and is operated across 4 branches (Aylesbury, Cranleigh, Tonbridge Wells, with headquarters being in Rye), employing just over 100, running approximately 30 trucks and each branch has a fully containerised warehouse. \n\nWesley has had a few challenges, firstly the modernisation of the business, secondly scalability to manage future growth and thirdly the succession of the company.\n\nThe one thing Wesley would like to change from his moving past was providing a home delivery service to fulfil the void that was created from losing a major contract.\n\nWesley’s highpoints are that he has achieved most things he set out to achieve, he was on the young driver scheme for his HGV licence, he’s proud to be involved with the BAR, being Chairman of the Harmony board, but his biggest is that his kids are old enough to know what he does for a living and think he’s cool.\n\nWesley would like to change the way movers appreciate their value within the industry as he believes other industry sectors do this much better.\n\nWesley’s advice to just starting out in the industry again (which he didn’t find out himself until he reached his thirties) is invest in yourself by undertaking training, reading books, listening to podcasts or even hiring a business coach.\n\nIn the next 5 years Wesley would like to think he is still leading Bournes Moves but that is more a question for his board, industry wise Wesley thinks we have challenging times ahead with cost increases in labour, equipment and assets, supply and capacity shortages, and even though in recent times customer have been paying more for our services demand is going to drop, lets just hope our prices don’t!\n\nOutside of the industry, and before children, Wesley would usually be found on a golf course, but not so much these days. Weekends are family time and Wesley does manage to switch off from work, spending time with the children at their activities, walking the dog, running and gym during the week which allows for cooking and drinking wine at the weekends.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a barb wired fence.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Bournes:\n\n\nWebsite\nLinkedIn\nFacebook\nTwitter\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Wesley Bourne.","content_html":"In this episode Wesley Bourne, Managing Director of Bournes Moves discusses how he began his career at the tender age of 15, where his first payroll date was August 22nd, 1994 and became a 5th generation removal man.
\n\nBournes was established back in 1875 by Thomas Bourne, starting as a coal merchant and general haulier. In the 1960’s brothers Eric & Roy Bourne joined the business (sons of Stanley Bourne, who was the grandson of Thomas Bourne) and took over from Stanley in 1974. In 2016 Wesley together with his brother Leon (sons of Eric) and cousin Tom (son of Roy) took over ownership of Bournes Moves. Wesley is also Chairman of the advisory board of Harmony Relocation Network, a recently appointed director at MTC Ltd and is a member of the BAR Overseas Moving Group committee.
\n\nToday Bournes Moves currently provide a variety of moving services and is operated across 4 branches (Aylesbury, Cranleigh, Tonbridge Wells, with headquarters being in Rye), employing just over 100, running approximately 30 trucks and each branch has a fully containerised warehouse.
\n\nWesley has had a few challenges, firstly the modernisation of the business, secondly scalability to manage future growth and thirdly the succession of the company.
\n\nThe one thing Wesley would like to change from his moving past was providing a home delivery service to fulfil the void that was created from losing a major contract.
\n\nWesley’s highpoints are that he has achieved most things he set out to achieve, he was on the young driver scheme for his HGV licence, he’s proud to be involved with the BAR, being Chairman of the Harmony board, but his biggest is that his kids are old enough to know what he does for a living and think he’s cool.
\n\nWesley would like to change the way movers appreciate their value within the industry as he believes other industry sectors do this much better.
\n\nWesley’s advice to just starting out in the industry again (which he didn’t find out himself until he reached his thirties) is invest in yourself by undertaking training, reading books, listening to podcasts or even hiring a business coach.
\n\nIn the next 5 years Wesley would like to think he is still leading Bournes Moves but that is more a question for his board, industry wise Wesley thinks we have challenging times ahead with cost increases in labour, equipment and assets, supply and capacity shortages, and even though in recent times customer have been paying more for our services demand is going to drop, lets just hope our prices don’t!
\n\nOutside of the industry, and before children, Wesley would usually be found on a golf course, but not so much these days. Weekends are family time and Wesley does manage to switch off from work, spending time with the children at their activities, walking the dog, running and gym during the week which allows for cooking and drinking wine at the weekends.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a barb wired fence.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Bournes:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Wesley Bourne.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Wesley Bourne, Managine Director of Bournes","date_published":"2022-02-24T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a6baf61f-7b1b-45d4-bfd4-fbc27b03976f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36432595,"duration_in_seconds":3036}]},{"id":"bb71c000-527e-48fc-845a-756fb11d7c7a","title":"Episode 39: Moving Matters with John Payne","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/39","content_text":"In this episode John Payne discusses how he began his illustrious career of over 40 years within the industry, starting at Davies Turner in Battersea, London at the tender age of 18.\n\nJohn has worked in a variety of roles within several organisations during his time within the industry, including Britannia Movers International, AGS, Anglo Pacific and more recently EuroGroup. Today John has started up his own business offering consultancy services to the moving industry and has teamed up with The Red Group (probably better known as Red Recruit). John believes he can help all sizes of companies, from the single man and a van to the larger companies due to his experience. \n\nJohn also offers other services, such as surveying, but will not be seen behind the wheel of a truck as he surprisingly does not have an HGV licence!\n\nJohn’s biggest challenge throughout his career has been technology, it’s changed the way businesses advertise, market themselves, and more importantly the way we interface with our clients (and we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and provide a history lesson for our younger listeners).\n\nJohn would like to change the way we interface with customers today, as it is much more electronic, yet in the past it was done with more direct dialogue with the customer, speaking to them one-to-one and getting them to buy into and trust you. John believes it has become far less personal today than in the past.\n\nJohn has one clear highpoint of being in the industry, and that is the opportunity to see the world, attending overseas conventions, visiting agents, and even representing BAR at FIDI in South Africa. Another of John’s highpoints is developing and mentoring other people, which he finds very rewarding, and we discuss further how to spot these individuals.\n\nJohn would like the industry to be seen as a profession by the customer and would like to see some form of regulation to achieve this but believes it will probably never happen as he has seen the efforts made towards lobbying politicians and government which have always been met by a brick wall.\n\nJohn’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to have a goal and a vision and do not let anybody put you off trying to get to where you want to get to or achieve what you think you can achieve, but more importantly listen to others and learn.\n\nJohn believes that in the next 5 years, for himself hopefully there is enough out there for him to for fill his career aspirations, for the industry, there maybe innovations that change the way we work (just like video surveys have in recent times), the adaptability of smaller vehicles, smaller crews and smaller operators working together will be the way forward, and on the international side moves are getting smaller and with remote working these days there is a shrinking volume of work.\n\nOutside of the industry John has several hobbies which include golf and freshwater fishing, at home John has a lovely wife and a couple of dogs, John is a passionate Arsenal fan and follows some nonleague football, and finally John does enjoy quality food.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with an interesting moving story regarding a famous female singer, and a funny moving story about a discreate move to Australia.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLink to John Payne:\n\n\nWebsite\nSpecial Guest: John Payne.","content_html":"In this episode John Payne discusses how he began his illustrious career of over 40 years within the industry, starting at Davies Turner in Battersea, London at the tender age of 18.
\n\nJohn has worked in a variety of roles within several organisations during his time within the industry, including Britannia Movers International, AGS, Anglo Pacific and more recently EuroGroup. Today John has started up his own business offering consultancy services to the moving industry and has teamed up with The Red Group (probably better known as Red Recruit). John believes he can help all sizes of companies, from the single man and a van to the larger companies due to his experience.
\n\nJohn also offers other services, such as surveying, but will not be seen behind the wheel of a truck as he surprisingly does not have an HGV licence!
\n\nJohn’s biggest challenge throughout his career has been technology, it’s changed the way businesses advertise, market themselves, and more importantly the way we interface with our clients (and we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and provide a history lesson for our younger listeners).
\n\nJohn would like to change the way we interface with customers today, as it is much more electronic, yet in the past it was done with more direct dialogue with the customer, speaking to them one-to-one and getting them to buy into and trust you. John believes it has become far less personal today than in the past.
\n\nJohn has one clear highpoint of being in the industry, and that is the opportunity to see the world, attending overseas conventions, visiting agents, and even representing BAR at FIDI in South Africa. Another of John’s highpoints is developing and mentoring other people, which he finds very rewarding, and we discuss further how to spot these individuals.
\n\nJohn would like the industry to be seen as a profession by the customer and would like to see some form of regulation to achieve this but believes it will probably never happen as he has seen the efforts made towards lobbying politicians and government which have always been met by a brick wall.
\n\nJohn’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to have a goal and a vision and do not let anybody put you off trying to get to where you want to get to or achieve what you think you can achieve, but more importantly listen to others and learn.
\n\nJohn believes that in the next 5 years, for himself hopefully there is enough out there for him to for fill his career aspirations, for the industry, there maybe innovations that change the way we work (just like video surveys have in recent times), the adaptability of smaller vehicles, smaller crews and smaller operators working together will be the way forward, and on the international side moves are getting smaller and with remote working these days there is a shrinking volume of work.
\n\nOutside of the industry John has several hobbies which include golf and freshwater fishing, at home John has a lovely wife and a couple of dogs, John is a passionate Arsenal fan and follows some nonleague football, and finally John does enjoy quality food.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with an interesting moving story regarding a famous female singer, and a funny moving story about a discreate move to Australia.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLink to John Payne:
\n\nSpecial Guest: John Payne.
","summary":"Moving Matters with John Payne","date_published":"2022-02-10T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/bb71c000-527e-48fc-845a-756fb11d7c7a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35558956,"duration_in_seconds":2963}]},{"id":"40f396de-b2cb-4aae-93c5-34d16f572f0e","title":"Episode 38: Moving Matters with Rachel Houghton of Business Moves Group","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/38","content_text":"In this episode Rachel Houghton, Managing Director of Business Moves Group discusses how she began her career in the industry joining BMG in 1998 as the telesales girl in the Birmingham branch.\n\nBusiness Moves Group (BMG) not only move businesses they also do the technical distribution, consisting of; installing and decommissioning ATM machines, installing medical equipment into hospitals and gaming machines into bookmakers. BMG employ approximately 200, run a fleet of 63 commercial vehicles (with another couple on order), and currently operate 6 branches covering the whole of the UK.\n\nRachel states that the commercial relocation world is evolving with different needs, such as space planning and change management, but the last 2 years has been challenging for all, and not just due to Covid.\n\nApart from the banking crisis, Brexit and Covid, Rachel hasn’t faced that many challenges, but being a young woman in the male industry was different, which we discuss in more detail.\n\nDue to Rachel being very young in a senior role the one thing she would change from her moving past is to have more maturity in dealing with people, something she has learned from experience and hard work.\n\nRachel has many highpoints of being in the industry, her phenomenal career progression within the initial 5 years and restructuring the business (twice), but her biggest highpoint is mentoring team members and helping to develop their careers.\n\nRachel would like the perception of the moving industry to change as the industry itself is one we should all be really proud to be a part of.\n\nRachel’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to get some comfy shoes! But on a more serious note, don’t just learn the moving industry, learn your client’s industry, and understand their changes and trends.\n\nRachel believes that in the next 5 years moving will continue to get physically smaller, and the industry needs to do more to be sustainable and environmentally friendly and move more towards a workspace culture. And Rachel very much sees herself still at BMG, bringing the next generation up through the ranks.\n\nTo recruit new talent BMG work with local schools, offering work experience within a removal organisation, offer holiday jobs for college students, but they mostly attract new staff by word of mouth. Rachel believes that today people no longer want a job for life, they want a career for life.\n\nRachel is very proud to have recently won (October 2021) Transport & Logistics Businesswoman of the year at the Great British Businesswoman awards, and that BMG won the Partners in Relocation award for its work with Aviva at the PFM Awards 2020.\n\nOutside of the industry Rachel loves to be down by the sea on coastal walks, cycling, and a glass of wine! Rachel’s main relaxation is being outdoors getting some fresh air.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Rachel's start in the industry pre BMG, and another on BMG regularly being accosted by the Police while out on site.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Business Moves Group:\n\n\nWebsite\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Rachel Houghton.","content_html":"In this episode Rachel Houghton, Managing Director of Business Moves Group discusses how she began her career in the industry joining BMG in 1998 as the telesales girl in the Birmingham branch.
\n\nBusiness Moves Group (BMG) not only move businesses they also do the technical distribution, consisting of; installing and decommissioning ATM machines, installing medical equipment into hospitals and gaming machines into bookmakers. BMG employ approximately 200, run a fleet of 63 commercial vehicles (with another couple on order), and currently operate 6 branches covering the whole of the UK.
\n\nRachel states that the commercial relocation world is evolving with different needs, such as space planning and change management, but the last 2 years has been challenging for all, and not just due to Covid.
\n\nApart from the banking crisis, Brexit and Covid, Rachel hasn’t faced that many challenges, but being a young woman in the male industry was different, which we discuss in more detail.
\n\nDue to Rachel being very young in a senior role the one thing she would change from her moving past is to have more maturity in dealing with people, something she has learned from experience and hard work.
\n\nRachel has many highpoints of being in the industry, her phenomenal career progression within the initial 5 years and restructuring the business (twice), but her biggest highpoint is mentoring team members and helping to develop their careers.
\n\nRachel would like the perception of the moving industry to change as the industry itself is one we should all be really proud to be a part of.
\n\nRachel’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to get some comfy shoes! But on a more serious note, don’t just learn the moving industry, learn your client’s industry, and understand their changes and trends.
\n\nRachel believes that in the next 5 years moving will continue to get physically smaller, and the industry needs to do more to be sustainable and environmentally friendly and move more towards a workspace culture. And Rachel very much sees herself still at BMG, bringing the next generation up through the ranks.
\n\nTo recruit new talent BMG work with local schools, offering work experience within a removal organisation, offer holiday jobs for college students, but they mostly attract new staff by word of mouth. Rachel believes that today people no longer want a job for life, they want a career for life.
\n\nRachel is very proud to have recently won (October 2021) Transport & Logistics Businesswoman of the year at the Great British Businesswoman awards, and that BMG won the Partners in Relocation award for its work with Aviva at the PFM Awards 2020.
\n\nOutside of the industry Rachel loves to be down by the sea on coastal walks, cycling, and a glass of wine! Rachel’s main relaxation is being outdoors getting some fresh air.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Rachel's start in the industry pre BMG, and another on BMG regularly being accosted by the Police while out on site.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Business Moves Group:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Rachel Houghton.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Rachel Houghton, Managing Director of Business Moves Group","date_published":"2022-01-27T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/40f396de-b2cb-4aae-93c5-34d16f572f0e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":26988703,"duration_in_seconds":2249}]},{"id":"842d6d49-29a3-47cb-b646-b095cdc27fb4","title":"Episode 37: Moving Matters with Damien Pahulu of Frontier Packers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/37","content_text":"In this episode Damien Pahulu of Frontier Packers discusses how he began in the industry after relocating from New Zealand to Australia in 1999, starting as an offsider (porter), and then a driver and now is a contractor for a large moving company in Brisbane, Australia.\n\nAs a contractor Damien is purely operations based and does international, domestic and government moves, where he and his team pack and load containers which are sent on rail or B-double trucks. Damien’s company, Frontier Packers, run a single truck and a Ute, with a crew of three.\n\nDamien’s challenges were discovering that he wasn’t really cut out for managing large groups of people, even though he kept trying, but also his initiative into training videos was not well received by the global company he worked for at the time, so he made his own and released them on YouTube (link below).\n\nThe one thing Damien would like to change from his moving past is to have backed himself into going out on his own a lot sooner.\n\nDamien’s highpoint of being in the industry is meeting company owners and learning from them.\n\nDamien talks about AFRA, the Australian Furniture Removers Association, of which he is not a member, however, the company he contracts to is.\n\nDamien would like to change three things within the moving industry, changing the mindset that more competition from the cheaper removers is bad, operation staff to dream bigger not only within their role but within the industry, and finally, to change or remove some of the rules set by the relocation companies regarding the forms that must be completed! And I challenge Damien on his mindset that more cheaper removers are good for the industry.\n\nDamien’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to give himself the confidence to back himself sooner and go out alone.\n\nDamien believes that in the next 5 years technology will play a big part within the industry (maybe an Uber for porters), as too will be self-driving trucks.\n\nDamien lives and breathes removals, but when he does switch off, he loves spending time with his family, and visiting family members and friends.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a wedding portrait (photograph).\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Damien:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nYouTube\nLinkedIn\nSpecial Guest: Damien Pahulu.","content_html":"In this episode Damien Pahulu of Frontier Packers discusses how he began in the industry after relocating from New Zealand to Australia in 1999, starting as an offsider (porter), and then a driver and now is a contractor for a large moving company in Brisbane, Australia.
\n\nAs a contractor Damien is purely operations based and does international, domestic and government moves, where he and his team pack and load containers which are sent on rail or B-double trucks. Damien’s company, Frontier Packers, run a single truck and a Ute, with a crew of three.
\n\nDamien’s challenges were discovering that he wasn’t really cut out for managing large groups of people, even though he kept trying, but also his initiative into training videos was not well received by the global company he worked for at the time, so he made his own and released them on YouTube (link below).
\n\nThe one thing Damien would like to change from his moving past is to have backed himself into going out on his own a lot sooner.
\n\nDamien’s highpoint of being in the industry is meeting company owners and learning from them.
\n\nDamien talks about AFRA, the Australian Furniture Removers Association, of which he is not a member, however, the company he contracts to is.
\n\nDamien would like to change three things within the moving industry, changing the mindset that more competition from the cheaper removers is bad, operation staff to dream bigger not only within their role but within the industry, and finally, to change or remove some of the rules set by the relocation companies regarding the forms that must be completed! And I challenge Damien on his mindset that more cheaper removers are good for the industry.
\n\nDamien’s advice to just starting out in the industry again is to give himself the confidence to back himself sooner and go out alone.
\n\nDamien believes that in the next 5 years technology will play a big part within the industry (maybe an Uber for porters), as too will be self-driving trucks.
\n\nDamien lives and breathes removals, but when he does switch off, he loves spending time with his family, and visiting family members and friends.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a wedding portrait (photograph).
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Damien:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Damien Pahulu.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Damien Pahulu of Frontier Packers","date_published":"2022-01-13T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/842d6d49-29a3-47cb-b646-b095cdc27fb4.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29923717,"duration_in_seconds":2493}]},{"id":"7ab9e06d-09ad-4d73-a1bf-f4cd90b56fdf","title":"Episode 36: Moving Matters - A Funny Moving Story Special","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/36","content_text":"In this special episode of Moving Matters we have 18 funny moving stories to re-share from the early episodes of the Podcast.\n\nFeaturing in this episode are;\nNigel Shaw of Specialised Movers\nAnthony Groves of D.C. Groves & Son\nGeoff Archer of P.W. Archer & Son\nPaul Bullock of PHS Teacrate\nIan Studd Director General of BAR\nIan Palmer of White & Co PLC\nGreg Wildman of Basil Fry & Co\nTommy McNee of Guardian Moving & Storage\nCalvin Tickner of The EuroGroup\nCiaran Mullarkey of George Pickersgill & Sons\nDan Braddock of GB Liners,\nTony Tickner of The EuroGroup\nRober Bartup of GB Liners\nRob Horrobin of John Lomas Removals\nDanny Pollard of Pollards Moving & Storage\nRichard Webster of Tonks Removals\nDavid Trenchard of Britannia Leatherbarrows\nand we end with John Burridge of Richardson Moving & Storage.\n\nEnjoy!Special Guests: Anthony & Karen Groves, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Danny Pollard, David Trenchard, Geoff Archer, Greg Wildman, Ian Palmer, Ian Studd, John Burridge, Nigel Shaw, Paul Bullock, Richard Webster, Robert Bartup, Rob Horrobin, Tommy McNee, and Tony Tickner.","content_html":"In this special episode of Moving Matters we have 18 funny moving stories to re-share from the early episodes of the Podcast.
\n\nFeaturing in this episode are;
\nNigel Shaw of Specialised Movers
\nAnthony Groves of D.C. Groves & Son
\nGeoff Archer of P.W. Archer & Son
\nPaul Bullock of PHS Teacrate
\nIan Studd Director General of BAR
\nIan Palmer of White & Co PLC
\nGreg Wildman of Basil Fry & Co
\nTommy McNee of Guardian Moving & Storage
\nCalvin Tickner of The EuroGroup
\nCiaran Mullarkey of George Pickersgill & Sons
\nDan Braddock of GB Liners,
\nTony Tickner of The EuroGroup
\nRober Bartup of GB Liners
\nRob Horrobin of John Lomas Removals
\nDanny Pollard of Pollards Moving & Storage
\nRichard Webster of Tonks Removals
\nDavid Trenchard of Britannia Leatherbarrows
\nand we end with John Burridge of Richardson Moving & Storage.
Enjoy!
Special Guests: Anthony & Karen Groves, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Danny Pollard, David Trenchard, Geoff Archer, Greg Wildman, Ian Palmer, Ian Studd, John Burridge, Nigel Shaw, Paul Bullock, Richard Webster, Robert Bartup, Rob Horrobin, Tommy McNee, and Tony Tickner.
","summary":"A funny moving story special from some of the early episodes of the Podcast","date_published":"2021-12-23T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/7ab9e06d-09ad-4d73-a1bf-f4cd90b56fdf.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":39693617,"duration_in_seconds":3307}]},{"id":"087dcaba-0d53-4a18-8fcd-6560f1a6aaa0","title":"Episode 35: Moving Matters with Alan Bennett of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/35","content_text":"In this episode Alan Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern discusses how he began in the industry some 40 years ago at the tender age of 16, for Ernest Batty Ltd (a 5 vehicle BAR member) where he remained until the company went into liquidation in 1985.\n\nWe discover that Bennetts of Malvern Limited (prior to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern) started on 27th March, 1987 and today is ran by Alan and his wife of 24 years Judith where they operate 4 HGV’s, 4 low-loaders (2 of which are from the van-hire side of the business), 8 removal staff, 4 office staff and a 20,000 sqft warehouse (on a 2 acre site), where half houses 350 containers and the rest is 130 Self-Storage units, with a further 130 Self-Storage units being fitted in the new year.\n\nWe discuss what the deciding factor was with Alan joining Britannia Movers International, which Alan points out is a co-operative and not a franchise that everyone seems to think it is (including me).\n\nWe discover Alan’s challenges, the house purchase collapse in 1989, the 2008 financial crash, but the biggest one has been Covid.\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Alan would change from his moving past would be to have undertaken a business life coaching course from the beginning, which after 20 years he has self-taught from reading books and watching YouTube.\n\nWe discover that Alan’s highpoints of being in the industry include taking on Judith, who became Alan’s wife and business partner. Alan claims that she’s the executioner of his ideas (I may have to get Judith on to confirm or deny that claim!). Other highpoints include joining Britannia (where Alan has just been appointed to the board), joining BAR, buying his first truck, and of course seeing his staff develop.\n\nWe discuss what Alan would change within the moving industry, reducing the VAT threshold is one, and although Alan has no problems with 3.5 tonne vehicles, he would like to change the enforcement of them, and finally completion dates.\n\nWe discover that the advice Alan would give himself just starting out in the industry, apart from a business/life coaching course is to just treat people with respect.\n\nWe discuss what changes Alan sees in the next 5 years, in the industry Alan believes the days of the HGV truck is slowly and sadly fading away as we utilise low loaders more and more. Personally, Alan wants to retire at 60 and give something back to the community, for no money, maybe even provide some business life coaching.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Alan enjoys home life on his 5-acre sheep ranch, cycling, walking the dog on the Malvern Hills, however, he really enjoys trips in his most luxurious purchase, a Morgan sports car, bought of course with the permission of Judith.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a trip to the Isle of Wight.\n\nBONUS: Alan plays a game with me, the removal man’s slang, from when he started in the industry!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Alan Bennett.","content_html":"In this episode Alan Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern discusses how he began in the industry some 40 years ago at the tender age of 16, for Ernest Batty Ltd (a 5 vehicle BAR member) where he remained until the company went into liquidation in 1985.
\n\nWe discover that Bennetts of Malvern Limited (prior to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern) started on 27th March, 1987 and today is ran by Alan and his wife of 24 years Judith where they operate 4 HGV’s, 4 low-loaders (2 of which are from the van-hire side of the business), 8 removal staff, 4 office staff and a 20,000 sqft warehouse (on a 2 acre site), where half houses 350 containers and the rest is 130 Self-Storage units, with a further 130 Self-Storage units being fitted in the new year.
\n\nWe discuss what the deciding factor was with Alan joining Britannia Movers International, which Alan points out is a co-operative and not a franchise that everyone seems to think it is (including me).
\n\nWe discover Alan’s challenges, the house purchase collapse in 1989, the 2008 financial crash, but the biggest one has been Covid.
\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Alan would change from his moving past would be to have undertaken a business life coaching course from the beginning, which after 20 years he has self-taught from reading books and watching YouTube.
\n\nWe discover that Alan’s highpoints of being in the industry include taking on Judith, who became Alan’s wife and business partner. Alan claims that she’s the executioner of his ideas (I may have to get Judith on to confirm or deny that claim!). Other highpoints include joining Britannia (where Alan has just been appointed to the board), joining BAR, buying his first truck, and of course seeing his staff develop.
\n\nWe discuss what Alan would change within the moving industry, reducing the VAT threshold is one, and although Alan has no problems with 3.5 tonne vehicles, he would like to change the enforcement of them, and finally completion dates.
\n\nWe discover that the advice Alan would give himself just starting out in the industry, apart from a business/life coaching course is to just treat people with respect.
\n\nWe discuss what changes Alan sees in the next 5 years, in the industry Alan believes the days of the HGV truck is slowly and sadly fading away as we utilise low loaders more and more. Personally, Alan wants to retire at 60 and give something back to the community, for no money, maybe even provide some business life coaching.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Alan enjoys home life on his 5-acre sheep ranch, cycling, walking the dog on the Malvern Hills, however, he really enjoys trips in his most luxurious purchase, a Morgan sports car, bought of course with the permission of Judith.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a trip to the Isle of Wight.
\n\nBONUS: Alan plays a game with me, the removal man’s slang, from when he started in the industry!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Bennetts of Malvern:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Alan Bennett.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Alan Bennett, Director of Britannia Bennetts of Malvern","date_published":"2021-12-09T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/087dcaba-0d53-4a18-8fcd-6560f1a6aaa0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37468298,"duration_in_seconds":3122}]},{"id":"64ed3e87-e04f-4db5-834c-e75f21653255","title":"Episode 34: Moving Matters with Warren Leggett of Warren's Removals and Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/34","content_text":"In this episode Warren Leggett, Director of Warren’s Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry only 7 years ago, in 2014 to be precise, working at the weekends and hiring vans due to not owning his own. But at the end of 2015 Warren made the leap to go alone and leave his secure full-time employment (as a medical supplies delivery driver).\n\nWe discover that today Warren’s Removals & Storage have 8 x 3.5-tonne vans, have just taken delivery of their first 18-tonne truck, have 3 storage locations housing a total of 105 wooden storage containers and 107 shipping containers, and employ 19 staff (15 removals and 4 office).\n\nWe discuss that Warren also has Warren’s Elite, which offers ‘elite’ services to professional people who simply do not have the time to be involved in the moving process, therefore, Warren’s Elite will unpack, replicate the positioning of the items from the old property to the new, put-up pictures, blinds, curtains and even TV wall brackets!\n\nWe discover that Warren has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), in every aspect of the business, but especially in customer service. And we cover one of my bugbears within the moving industry, uniforms.\n\nWe discuss that Warren’s biggest challenge is staffing, which often creates a domino effect across the team when a staff member goes missing in action. However, Warren does enjoy giving his staff opportunities, and is putting 3 of them through their HGV test in the new year.\n\nWe discover that Warren would not change anything from his moving past, however, he does wish he had taken an alternative route into storage.\n\nWe discuss Warren’s highpoint, and he has many, citing; buying his first van, offering employment opportunities, moving successful people, his first 2 shipping containers arriving at his new yard, and his latest being the delivery of his first 18-tonne truck.\n\nWe discover the one thing Warren would like to change in the industry is the conveyancing system.\n\nWe discuss what advice Warren would give to himself just starting out in the industry again and it would be to quit drinking sooner, something Warren did 2 years ago, and thanks to his clear headspace he was able to fully focus on the business which has just grew and grew.\n\nWe discover where Warren see’s himself and the industry in the next 5 years, and Warren has no 5 or 10 year plan for the business as he prefers to just go with the flow, however, he would like multiple depots across the UK. Industry wise he see’s it getting very modern, with much more use of social media.\n\nWe discuss social media in more detail, including the various ways to go about it, and Warren provides a very good Facebook case study.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Warren struggles to switch off, which he does admit is a problem. Warren’s wife works within the company (accounts) and together they have a young daughter.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an apple.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Warren's Removals and Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Warren Leggett.","content_html":"In this episode Warren Leggett, Director of Warren’s Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry only 7 years ago, in 2014 to be precise, working at the weekends and hiring vans due to not owning his own. But at the end of 2015 Warren made the leap to go alone and leave his secure full-time employment (as a medical supplies delivery driver).
\n\nWe discover that today Warren’s Removals & Storage have 8 x 3.5-tonne vans, have just taken delivery of their first 18-tonne truck, have 3 storage locations housing a total of 105 wooden storage containers and 107 shipping containers, and employ 19 staff (15 removals and 4 office).
\n\nWe discuss that Warren also has Warren’s Elite, which offers ‘elite’ services to professional people who simply do not have the time to be involved in the moving process, therefore, Warren’s Elite will unpack, replicate the positioning of the items from the old property to the new, put-up pictures, blinds, curtains and even TV wall brackets!
\n\nWe discover that Warren has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), in every aspect of the business, but especially in customer service. And we cover one of my bugbears within the moving industry, uniforms.
\n\nWe discuss that Warren’s biggest challenge is staffing, which often creates a domino effect across the team when a staff member goes missing in action. However, Warren does enjoy giving his staff opportunities, and is putting 3 of them through their HGV test in the new year.
\n\nWe discover that Warren would not change anything from his moving past, however, he does wish he had taken an alternative route into storage.
\n\nWe discuss Warren’s highpoint, and he has many, citing; buying his first van, offering employment opportunities, moving successful people, his first 2 shipping containers arriving at his new yard, and his latest being the delivery of his first 18-tonne truck.
\n\nWe discover the one thing Warren would like to change in the industry is the conveyancing system.
\n\nWe discuss what advice Warren would give to himself just starting out in the industry again and it would be to quit drinking sooner, something Warren did 2 years ago, and thanks to his clear headspace he was able to fully focus on the business which has just grew and grew.
\n\nWe discover where Warren see’s himself and the industry in the next 5 years, and Warren has no 5 or 10 year plan for the business as he prefers to just go with the flow, however, he would like multiple depots across the UK. Industry wise he see’s it getting very modern, with much more use of social media.
\n\nWe discuss social media in more detail, including the various ways to go about it, and Warren provides a very good Facebook case study.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Warren struggles to switch off, which he does admit is a problem. Warren’s wife works within the company (accounts) and together they have a young daughter.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an apple.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Warren's Removals and Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Warren Leggett.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Warren Leggett, Director of Warren's Removals and Storage","date_published":"2021-11-25T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/64ed3e87-e04f-4db5-834c-e75f21653255.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36857660,"duration_in_seconds":3071}]},{"id":"0fc1e46b-8ea7-48a0-98f4-b367291517f1","title":"Episode 33: Moving Matters with Chris Magee of CrissCross Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/33","content_text":"In this episode Chris Magee, Managing Director of CrissCross Removals & Storage of Belfast discusses how he began as a man and van 5 years ago (buying and selling furniture from Gumtree and Facebook), before branching into Removals & Storage in mid-2019, citing that he wanted to compete on service rather than just price.\n\nWe discover that today CrissCross Removals & Storage primarily undertake domestic household removals, house clearances, packing services, man and van services and provide storage.\n\nWe discuss challenges, where Chris states that they are daily and never ending as the industry is very time sensitive, but Chris’s biggest challenge was lack of preparation in 2019 when his one and only van broke down, taking 4 weeks to get a replacement part!\n\nWe discover that the changes Chris would make from his past would be to start by building a great team rather than building everything yourself, and to let go of his ego early in business.\n\nWe discuss Chris’s highpoint, and it is the creation of a great local business in such a short space of time, especially the team he has assembled, which we discuss in more detail.\n\nWe discover the change Chris would make to the moving industry and it is the barrier to entry to keep professional standards up, even though Chris is being totally hypocritical as this is how he started, as have many others in the industry. Chris suggests that maybe there is a requirement for a qualification that allows you to undertake removals.\n\nWe discuss that Chris is undertaking his HGV (as too is his General Manager) and CPC because he wants to grow the business further and start overseas work.\n\nWe discover that the advice Chris would give himself just starting in the industry again is to hire quickly, hire properly and don’t be afraid of the financial hit.\n\nWe discuss where Chris see’s himself and the industry in the next 5 years, and Chris wants further growth with the business, trucks going across the water, increase in storage, bigger trucks for local moves, and to make CrissCross Removals & Storage the ‘go to’ company in Northern Ireland. Industry wise Chris sees heavy investment within autonomous trucks (and I ask with the possibility of autonomous trucks how will that affect anyone wanting to become an HGV driver where the role may then no exist in 10-15 years’ time), and as modern-day life is social media Chris believes this is where you will need to invest in growing your brand. \n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Chris has a lot of hobbies, he is a fellow podcaster (The C Magee Show), has a massive passion for Boxing and is hugely into health and fitness.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a very challenging day where a wheel fell off a van!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to CrissCross Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Chris Magee.","content_html":"In this episode Chris Magee, Managing Director of CrissCross Removals & Storage of Belfast discusses how he began as a man and van 5 years ago (buying and selling furniture from Gumtree and Facebook), before branching into Removals & Storage in mid-2019, citing that he wanted to compete on service rather than just price.
\n\nWe discover that today CrissCross Removals & Storage primarily undertake domestic household removals, house clearances, packing services, man and van services and provide storage.
\n\nWe discuss challenges, where Chris states that they are daily and never ending as the industry is very time sensitive, but Chris’s biggest challenge was lack of preparation in 2019 when his one and only van broke down, taking 4 weeks to get a replacement part!
\n\nWe discover that the changes Chris would make from his past would be to start by building a great team rather than building everything yourself, and to let go of his ego early in business.
\n\nWe discuss Chris’s highpoint, and it is the creation of a great local business in such a short space of time, especially the team he has assembled, which we discuss in more detail.
\n\nWe discover the change Chris would make to the moving industry and it is the barrier to entry to keep professional standards up, even though Chris is being totally hypocritical as this is how he started, as have many others in the industry. Chris suggests that maybe there is a requirement for a qualification that allows you to undertake removals.
\n\nWe discuss that Chris is undertaking his HGV (as too is his General Manager) and CPC because he wants to grow the business further and start overseas work.
\n\nWe discover that the advice Chris would give himself just starting in the industry again is to hire quickly, hire properly and don’t be afraid of the financial hit.
\n\nWe discuss where Chris see’s himself and the industry in the next 5 years, and Chris wants further growth with the business, trucks going across the water, increase in storage, bigger trucks for local moves, and to make CrissCross Removals & Storage the ‘go to’ company in Northern Ireland. Industry wise Chris sees heavy investment within autonomous trucks (and I ask with the possibility of autonomous trucks how will that affect anyone wanting to become an HGV driver where the role may then no exist in 10-15 years’ time), and as modern-day life is social media Chris believes this is where you will need to invest in growing your brand.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Chris has a lot of hobbies, he is a fellow podcaster (The C Magee Show), has a massive passion for Boxing and is hugely into health and fitness.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a very challenging day where a wheel fell off a van!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to CrissCross Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Chris Magee.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Chris Magee, Managing Director of CrissCross Removals","date_published":"2021-11-11T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/0fc1e46b-8ea7-48a0-98f4-b367291517f1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":29498339,"duration_in_seconds":2458}]},{"id":"8409ddbf-d0da-4aa4-927b-9cafe61e6e6d","title":"Episode 32: Moving Matters with Paul Tracey of Squab Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/32","content_text":"In this episode Paul Tracey, Managing Director of Squab Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry some 29 years ago, as a trainee manager for Pickfords, and at the time thinking he was joining a travel company!\n\nWe discover that the Pickfords management training scheme was a 3-year program and you learned everything to do with removals, from sweeping the yard, making the tea, answering the telephone and you spent a period of time doing removals, writing reports and making suggestions based upon your experiences.\n\nWe discuss that Paul has recently become a part owner of Squab Removals & Storage which is based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Squab Removals & Storage are BAR members, hold 2 of the quality standards (BSEN12522 & BSEN14873), operate 9 vehicles, have a modern warehouse housing 900 containers, and are seen as the professional choice within the area they work in.\n\nWe discover that Paul is a strong believer in standards and has been involved in QSS (Quality Service Standards) for the past 6 years and Paul believes there is a very strong link between standards, quality, and profitability. Paul also thinks standards are a health check to a business and I question whether the standards need looking at again considering they have been around for quite some time now, unchanged.\n\nWe discuss that Squab Removals & Storage have their own training centre, which is a 3-bedroom purpose-built house within one of their warehouses, complete with household effects and the general challenges found when providing a moving service.\n\nWe discover that Paul has had lots of challenges over the years and the challenges are certainly different being your own boss and having your own business to working for somebody else. However, the challenge of educating customers has never changed and this still shocks Paul to this very day.\n\nWe discuss the one thing Paul would change from his moving past, but Paul thinks it’s always difficult to look back and much prefers looking forward to the future. Having recently become a company owner, later in life than most, he does wonder if passing up on an opportunity years ago to invest in his own company is a regret. Paul also believes that while you can always blame the past you have to learn from it too.\n\nWe discover Paul’s highlight of being in the industry and it’s the people, many of whom have become great friends, and the memories made that you will take with you as you go forward.\n\nWe discuss how we can get youngsters into our industry and Paul says people have to see it as a career and a profession in the UK, just like they do in America and other European countries.\n\nWe discover that the one thing Paul would like to change within the industry is for our industry to be seen as a profession (as previously discussed) and for customers to pay a proper value for what we do - Paul states when we sell ourselves short, the only people we are ever harming is ourselves, and it should not be a race to the bottom.\n\nWe discuss the advice Paul would give to himself just starting out in the industry, and it’s knowing and understanding the business as a whole, understand every element of what goes on within the business and understand your numbers (your true costs).\n\nWe discover that within the next 5 years Paul’s ambition is to grow the business and increase its footprint into 2-3 locations, so Squab Removals & Storage are on the acquisition hunt. As an industry the HGV shortage is going to be a challenge, so we need to put value not only in our drivers but also in our porters too, as they are our next drivers.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Paul enjoys the countryside, either walking, cycling or driving in his sports car, and Paul is a fan of the egg chasing sport of rugby.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one involving the pecking order and the other involving lighting!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Squab Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Paul Tracey.","content_html":"In this episode Paul Tracey, Managing Director of Squab Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry some 29 years ago, as a trainee manager for Pickfords, and at the time thinking he was joining a travel company!
\n\nWe discover that the Pickfords management training scheme was a 3-year program and you learned everything to do with removals, from sweeping the yard, making the tea, answering the telephone and you spent a period of time doing removals, writing reports and making suggestions based upon your experiences.
\n\nWe discuss that Paul has recently become a part owner of Squab Removals & Storage which is based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Squab Removals & Storage are BAR members, hold 2 of the quality standards (BSEN12522 & BSEN14873), operate 9 vehicles, have a modern warehouse housing 900 containers, and are seen as the professional choice within the area they work in.
\n\nWe discover that Paul is a strong believer in standards and has been involved in QSS (Quality Service Standards) for the past 6 years and Paul believes there is a very strong link between standards, quality, and profitability. Paul also thinks standards are a health check to a business and I question whether the standards need looking at again considering they have been around for quite some time now, unchanged.
\n\nWe discuss that Squab Removals & Storage have their own training centre, which is a 3-bedroom purpose-built house within one of their warehouses, complete with household effects and the general challenges found when providing a moving service.
\n\nWe discover that Paul has had lots of challenges over the years and the challenges are certainly different being your own boss and having your own business to working for somebody else. However, the challenge of educating customers has never changed and this still shocks Paul to this very day.
\n\nWe discuss the one thing Paul would change from his moving past, but Paul thinks it’s always difficult to look back and much prefers looking forward to the future. Having recently become a company owner, later in life than most, he does wonder if passing up on an opportunity years ago to invest in his own company is a regret. Paul also believes that while you can always blame the past you have to learn from it too.
\n\nWe discover Paul’s highlight of being in the industry and it’s the people, many of whom have become great friends, and the memories made that you will take with you as you go forward.
\n\nWe discuss how we can get youngsters into our industry and Paul says people have to see it as a career and a profession in the UK, just like they do in America and other European countries.
\n\nWe discover that the one thing Paul would like to change within the industry is for our industry to be seen as a profession (as previously discussed) and for customers to pay a proper value for what we do - Paul states when we sell ourselves short, the only people we are ever harming is ourselves, and it should not be a race to the bottom.
\n\nWe discuss the advice Paul would give to himself just starting out in the industry, and it’s knowing and understanding the business as a whole, understand every element of what goes on within the business and understand your numbers (your true costs).
\n\nWe discover that within the next 5 years Paul’s ambition is to grow the business and increase its footprint into 2-3 locations, so Squab Removals & Storage are on the acquisition hunt. As an industry the HGV shortage is going to be a challenge, so we need to put value not only in our drivers but also in our porters too, as they are our next drivers.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Paul enjoys the countryside, either walking, cycling or driving in his sports car, and Paul is a fan of the egg chasing sport of rugby.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one involving the pecking order and the other involving lighting!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Squab Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Paul Tracey.
","summary":"Moving Matters with Paul Tracey, Managing Director of Squab Removals & Storage","date_published":"2021-10-28T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/8409ddbf-d0da-4aa4-927b-9cafe61e6e6d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35700017,"duration_in_seconds":2974}]},{"id":"a01ee1a4-fe9a-4f4d-96b5-5aa337094450","title":"Episode 31: Moving Matters with Miranda Hyder of BAR Services","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/31","content_text":"In this episode Miranda Hyder, General Manager of BAR Services discusses how she started working within the industry for BAR Services some 34 years ago, part time for Tony Allen to begin with before progressing to full time around 1994.\n\nWe discover that BAR Services is a trading arm of BAR (British Association of Removers) and was setup in 1977 to be a bulk purchasing organisation after a successful study tour of America. Today BAR Services sell to BAR members, non-members, has branched out to supply the self-storage industry and more recently directly to the general public, via its website. BAR Services was and still remains a ‘not for profit’ organisation, where profits are shared amongst its BAR member customers.\n\nWe discuss why the price of cardboard has risen so much in recent times, and Miranda warns us that it’s about to rise once again! \n\nWe discover that the cost of plastic has also risen, albeit not as often but sadly in larger percentages, however, it is Miranda’s strategic goal to become more environmentally friendly with the product range.\n\nWe discuss that Miranda’s biggest challenge was taking on the mantle of running a successful business after the retirement of Tony Allen, and proving to the board of directors that she was the right candidate to take the business forward.\n\nWe discover that Miranda would not change a thing from her past as she has really enjoyed her working life within this wonderful industry, where she has made many good friends.\n\nWe discuss Miranda’s highpoint which was increasing the turnover of BAR Services to £6.2 million!\n\nWe discover that the one thing Miranda would change within the industry is to charge the right price for the service that is offered, and hopes that the industry does not revert back to a race to the bottom line anytime soon.\n\nWe discuss the advice that Miranda would give to herself just starting out in the industry again and it is to have a healthy liver! Miranda loves to network, and I personally will state she is one of the best I know at it!\n\nWe discover that in 5 years time Miranda will still be here as she really enjoys her job and the industry. Industry wise Miranda hopes the industry becomes more environmentally friendly.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Miranda enjoys family time with her husband, two children and grandchildren, touring around the UK in their recently purchased campervan, and runs twice a week with her girlfriends.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny stories, one involving her first presentation and another regarding a bee keeper – although Miranda does have a little black book containing plenty of dirt on well-known industry folk – NOT!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to BAR Services:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Miranda Hyder.","content_html":"In this episode Miranda Hyder, General Manager of BAR Services discusses how she started working within the industry for BAR Services some 34 years ago, part time for Tony Allen to begin with before progressing to full time around 1994.
\n\nWe discover that BAR Services is a trading arm of BAR (British Association of Removers) and was setup in 1977 to be a bulk purchasing organisation after a successful study tour of America. Today BAR Services sell to BAR members, non-members, has branched out to supply the self-storage industry and more recently directly to the general public, via its website. BAR Services was and still remains a ‘not for profit’ organisation, where profits are shared amongst its BAR member customers.
\n\nWe discuss why the price of cardboard has risen so much in recent times, and Miranda warns us that it’s about to rise once again!
\n\nWe discover that the cost of plastic has also risen, albeit not as often but sadly in larger percentages, however, it is Miranda’s strategic goal to become more environmentally friendly with the product range.
\n\nWe discuss that Miranda’s biggest challenge was taking on the mantle of running a successful business after the retirement of Tony Allen, and proving to the board of directors that she was the right candidate to take the business forward.
\n\nWe discover that Miranda would not change a thing from her past as she has really enjoyed her working life within this wonderful industry, where she has made many good friends.
\n\nWe discuss Miranda’s highpoint which was increasing the turnover of BAR Services to £6.2 million!
\n\nWe discover that the one thing Miranda would change within the industry is to charge the right price for the service that is offered, and hopes that the industry does not revert back to a race to the bottom line anytime soon.
\n\nWe discuss the advice that Miranda would give to herself just starting out in the industry again and it is to have a healthy liver! Miranda loves to network, and I personally will state she is one of the best I know at it!
\n\nWe discover that in 5 years time Miranda will still be here as she really enjoys her job and the industry. Industry wise Miranda hopes the industry becomes more environmentally friendly.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Miranda enjoys family time with her husband, two children and grandchildren, touring around the UK in their recently purchased campervan, and runs twice a week with her girlfriends.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny stories, one involving her first presentation and another regarding a bee keeper – although Miranda does have a little black book containing plenty of dirt on well-known industry folk – NOT!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to BAR Services:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Miranda Hyder.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Miranda Hyder, General Manager of BAR Services","date_published":"2021-10-14T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a01ee1a4-fe9a-4f4d-96b5-5aa337094450.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31794502,"duration_in_seconds":2649}]},{"id":"d1677792-749f-4f2a-b0b2-7a6341c1ebdf","title":"Episode 30: Moving Matters with Mike Andrews of Britannia Bradshaw Internatinal Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/30","content_text":"In this episode Mike Andrews, Managing Director of Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry in 1995 after leaving university where his friend James invited him down to London for a few weeks to do some portering for Britannia Leatherbarrows which consequently led to David Trenchard offering Mike management training.\n\nWe discover that Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage is two companies, one being based in Leicester (which Mike is involved in with Mark Herrington), and the other John Bradshaw & Son which owns and runs businesses in Manchester, Birmingham, and Stafford. Both companies run under the Britannia banner and offer domestic removals & storage, including international shipping. They also operate BCL Moving, which is more bespoke commercial moving services, and own a shredding plant in Leicester, and are belatedly getting involved in Self-Storage. And I am happy to discover that BCL Moving still run their pink liveried trucks, which were liveried in that way to promote a Breast Cancer Prevention Charity in Manchester.\n\nWe discuss challenges and Mike’s biggest was every removal man’s worst nightmare, a warehouse fire, which Mike says this is where you realise why you have insurance after such an event! And of course, Mike has the variety of daily challenges that come from dealing with people.\n\nWe discover that Mike would not change anything from his past because he cannot change them, however, Mike does learn from each making him better next time around.\n\nWe discuss Mike’s highpoint of being in the industry and it was becoming friends with the late Malcolm Halley, who not only was a great pal but a great teacher. Mike tells us that Malc was always happy, always enjoyed himself and never bore a grudge, no matter how hard things were, are or will be in business.\n\nWe discover that Mike would like the industry to celebrate more that what we provide is a really good and important service, and to have more pride in our staff, our service, and our price. We also discuss the current driver (and labour) shortage, and the use of low loaders within the industry.\n\nWe discuss that the advice Mike would give to himself just starting out in the industry is that your team is your business, and as almost all skills are learned if there is anything you cannot do either read a book or watch a video on the subject. And find yourself a mentor from within the industry.\n\nWe discover that in the next 5 years, personally as we are in strange seas at the minute Mike doesn’t know what opportunities may throw themselves up for businesses in that period but enjoys growth and changes; Industry wise, Mike says that the industry needs to keep polishing itself and setting itself apart from the man & van industry.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Mike enjoys cycling, walking with the dogs and family, he’s a voracious reader, enjoys music and fly fishing.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story featuring a gendarme.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nYouTube\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Mike Andrews.","content_html":"In this episode Mike Andrews, Managing Director of Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage discusses how he began in the industry in 1995 after leaving university where his friend James invited him down to London for a few weeks to do some portering for Britannia Leatherbarrows which consequently led to David Trenchard offering Mike management training.
\n\nWe discover that Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage is two companies, one being based in Leicester (which Mike is involved in with Mark Herrington), and the other John Bradshaw & Son which owns and runs businesses in Manchester, Birmingham, and Stafford. Both companies run under the Britannia banner and offer domestic removals & storage, including international shipping. They also operate BCL Moving, which is more bespoke commercial moving services, and own a shredding plant in Leicester, and are belatedly getting involved in Self-Storage. And I am happy to discover that BCL Moving still run their pink liveried trucks, which were liveried in that way to promote a Breast Cancer Prevention Charity in Manchester.
\n\nWe discuss challenges and Mike’s biggest was every removal man’s worst nightmare, a warehouse fire, which Mike says this is where you realise why you have insurance after such an event! And of course, Mike has the variety of daily challenges that come from dealing with people.
\n\nWe discover that Mike would not change anything from his past because he cannot change them, however, Mike does learn from each making him better next time around.
\n\nWe discuss Mike’s highpoint of being in the industry and it was becoming friends with the late Malcolm Halley, who not only was a great pal but a great teacher. Mike tells us that Malc was always happy, always enjoyed himself and never bore a grudge, no matter how hard things were, are or will be in business.
\n\nWe discover that Mike would like the industry to celebrate more that what we provide is a really good and important service, and to have more pride in our staff, our service, and our price. We also discuss the current driver (and labour) shortage, and the use of low loaders within the industry.
\n\nWe discuss that the advice Mike would give to himself just starting out in the industry is that your team is your business, and as almost all skills are learned if there is anything you cannot do either read a book or watch a video on the subject. And find yourself a mentor from within the industry.
\n\nWe discover that in the next 5 years, personally as we are in strange seas at the minute Mike doesn’t know what opportunities may throw themselves up for businesses in that period but enjoys growth and changes; Industry wise, Mike says that the industry needs to keep polishing itself and setting itself apart from the man & van industry.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Mike enjoys cycling, walking with the dogs and family, he’s a voracious reader, enjoys music and fly fishing.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story featuring a gendarme.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Mike Andrews.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Mike Andrews, Managing Director of Britannia Bradshaw International Removals & Storage","date_published":"2021-09-23T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/d1677792-749f-4f2a-b0b2-7a6341c1ebdf.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32417679,"duration_in_seconds":2701}]},{"id":"9321ed1b-cd40-4093-b758-00bbc91e3a1a","title":"Episode 29: Moving Matters with John Burridge of Richardson Moving and Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/29","content_text":"In this episode, John Burridge, Managing Director of Richardson Moving and Storage discusses how he started in the industry 41 years ago with the same business. \n\nWe discover that Richardson Moving and Storage was bought by John’s father who started in the industry as a clerk at Pickfords in Newcastle. In 1963 John’s father (together with his brother Morris) brought a bankrupt company called Richardson, and within 10 years they had bought a mill which they turned into a 55,000 sqft warehouse and ran 30 trucks (some of the first drawbars), but after the unexpectedly sudden death of Morris, John’s father decided to sell the assets, ‘mothballed’ the company name and retired. In 1980, when John was 18, he and his father bought an old van and brought the Richardson name back to life.\n\nWe discuss that today Richardson Moving and Storage is owned by John and one of his son’s Josh, who joined the company 5 years ago. They have their own 25,000 sqft freehold warehouse on their own site housing 560 containers and approximately 8,000 sqft of self-storage rooms, and they run 4 trucks and 2 vans with 12 fulltime staff and are proud BAR members.\n\nWe discover that Richardson Moving and Storage started in self-storage back in 2002, but John is not a fan, due to the number of times goods are handled and the distance the goods are walked, and often tries to talk people into containerised storage.\n\nWe discuss John’s challenges which are, offering a high-class service in probably the UK’s most deprived area (Teesside), working with his father, but John’s biggest challenge has been COVID.\n\nWe discover the one change John would make from his past was his father missing the opportunity to see Josh come into the business, and thus see another generation taking on the mantle.\n\nWe discuss John’s highpoints, buying his first new van, building their new warehouse, and a job John did together with Mike Devereux for Cleveland County Council.\n\nWe discover what changes John would like to see in the industry, and he has a few! Pricing, especially from the larger companies who John says must be working below cost; 3.5 tonne vehicles need regulating; To see the skill of being a removal man regulated, and thus recognising the skillset of the removal man (and woman) at governmental level; And the conveyancing system, which John says is not fit for purpose.\n\nWe discuss the driver shortage and John does not believe the root of the problem is Brexit, he believes it is because we have disrespected drivers for several years, asking why companies want to work staff 65/70 hours a week, sending them away 3-4 nights with no parking and more so no facilities. John believes times have changed in recent years, men want to spend time at home, with their families, they want to have a social life and it’s no longer all about work anymore.\n\nWe discover the advice John would give to himself just starting out in the industry again (and to Josh), is to educate yourself and understand every aspect of your business. John would have loved to have worked for another company to gain experience and an alternative view on things.\n\nWe discuss where John see’s the industry and himself in 5 years, for himself he would like to be working 3 days a week while he hangs on a couple more years for his pension, and industry wise John still believes there will always be a position for the small quality minded independent mover, with a good reputation. \n\nWe discover that outside of the industry John likes mountain biking with his wife around the UK and Europe, skiing, and watching Wharfedale R.U.F.C., where Josh plays, and Tom used to, before an injury put an end to that.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one involving the negotiation of an exchange of services to get a reduction in the price, and the other featuring a sex toy – at last!!!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Richardson Moving and Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: John Burridge.","content_html":"In this episode, John Burridge, Managing Director of Richardson Moving and Storage discusses how he started in the industry 41 years ago with the same business.
\n\nWe discover that Richardson Moving and Storage was bought by John’s father who started in the industry as a clerk at Pickfords in Newcastle. In 1963 John’s father (together with his brother Morris) brought a bankrupt company called Richardson, and within 10 years they had bought a mill which they turned into a 55,000 sqft warehouse and ran 30 trucks (some of the first drawbars), but after the unexpectedly sudden death of Morris, John’s father decided to sell the assets, ‘mothballed’ the company name and retired. In 1980, when John was 18, he and his father bought an old van and brought the Richardson name back to life.
\n\nWe discuss that today Richardson Moving and Storage is owned by John and one of his son’s Josh, who joined the company 5 years ago. They have their own 25,000 sqft freehold warehouse on their own site housing 560 containers and approximately 8,000 sqft of self-storage rooms, and they run 4 trucks and 2 vans with 12 fulltime staff and are proud BAR members.
\n\nWe discover that Richardson Moving and Storage started in self-storage back in 2002, but John is not a fan, due to the number of times goods are handled and the distance the goods are walked, and often tries to talk people into containerised storage.
\n\nWe discuss John’s challenges which are, offering a high-class service in probably the UK’s most deprived area (Teesside), working with his father, but John’s biggest challenge has been COVID.
\n\nWe discover the one change John would make from his past was his father missing the opportunity to see Josh come into the business, and thus see another generation taking on the mantle.
\n\nWe discuss John’s highpoints, buying his first new van, building their new warehouse, and a job John did together with Mike Devereux for Cleveland County Council.
\n\nWe discover what changes John would like to see in the industry, and he has a few! Pricing, especially from the larger companies who John says must be working below cost; 3.5 tonne vehicles need regulating; To see the skill of being a removal man regulated, and thus recognising the skillset of the removal man (and woman) at governmental level; And the conveyancing system, which John says is not fit for purpose.
\n\nWe discuss the driver shortage and John does not believe the root of the problem is Brexit, he believes it is because we have disrespected drivers for several years, asking why companies want to work staff 65/70 hours a week, sending them away 3-4 nights with no parking and more so no facilities. John believes times have changed in recent years, men want to spend time at home, with their families, they want to have a social life and it’s no longer all about work anymore.
\n\nWe discover the advice John would give to himself just starting out in the industry again (and to Josh), is to educate yourself and understand every aspect of your business. John would have loved to have worked for another company to gain experience and an alternative view on things.
\n\nWe discuss where John see’s the industry and himself in 5 years, for himself he would like to be working 3 days a week while he hangs on a couple more years for his pension, and industry wise John still believes there will always be a position for the small quality minded independent mover, with a good reputation.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry John likes mountain biking with his wife around the UK and Europe, skiing, and watching Wharfedale R.U.F.C., where Josh plays, and Tom used to, before an injury put an end to that.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one involving the negotiation of an exchange of services to get a reduction in the price, and the other featuring a sex toy – at last!!!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Richardson Moving and Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: John Burridge.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with John Burridge, Managing Director of Richardson Moving and Storage","date_published":"2021-09-09T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/9321ed1b-cd40-4093-b758-00bbc91e3a1a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36054551,"duration_in_seconds":3004}]},{"id":"b69f9bb3-2163-41bb-95ac-00ba349d89ab","title":"Episode 28: Moving Matters with Ed Davis of Davis & Mac","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/28","content_text":"In this episode, Ed Davis, Director of Davis & Mac discusses how he became involved in the industry after helping an old friend who ran a successful hourly rated man and van business but was snowed under with work. It was suggested to Ed that he get a van to take on the excess work, so after pitching the idea to Dan Mac (who Ed had previously worked with in a recording studio) and the industry having such a low cost of entry, Davis & Mac was born in 2013.\n\nWe discover that Davis & Mac are a London based removals and storage company, running 5 luton vans, and they mainly provide house pack and moves, storage and interior installations, all local as the guys are not keen on overnights.\n\nWe discuss Ed’s lightbulb moment when he was involved in moving a crated chandelier for an interior designer from a storage facility to a super mansion in Virginia Water and discovering just how broad the pricing structure is within the industry.\n\nWe discover Ed’s story behind the multi coloured fleet of lutons, and it’s a long and very interesting one. Ed looked and began to analyse the branding and marketing of the industry and discovered that although it is a majorly masculine industry, Ed also noticed that his best and highest paying customers tended to be women. Ed also discovered that an angle that had not been done properly at that time was social media, but before tackling that Ed tells how their very grand crest came about. Back to Instagram and Ed tells how he continued to post photos of his fleet, and after 4 years of building a following Ed received a message from Binky Felstead (from reality TV show Made in Chelsea) who had been recommended Davis & Mac by some of her followers (of which she had 1.4 million at the time!). Having secured the removal for Binky, Ed and his crew arrived three weeks later in two newly wrapped vans in pastel colours, one in green and the other in pink, which Binky loved and posted about on her Instagram account.\n\nWe discuss that following on from Binky’s move Ed and his team have moved several high-profile celebrities as a result of social media and recommendation, even ending up in the national press when they were booked to move Emily Atack (who has 1.7 million followers on Instagram).\n\nWe discover that Ed’s challenges have been learning to be a boss, managing people (including hiring friends), controlling his emotions, and learning the industry.\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Ed would change from his past is to know his numbers, as although a gung-ho attitude led to a 3-year contract with a Self Storage Centre, it ended up costing them towards the end due to increased running costs as they began to expand the company.\n\nWe discover Ed’s highpoints, and it is not only the branding and marketing of Davis & Mac but also meeting others from within the industry.\n\nWe discuss that the change Ed would like to make to the industry is late finishes, which is not the industry’s fault but the house buying process. We also discuss the current driver and porter shortage.\n\nWe discover that the advice Ed would give to himself just starting out in the industry is knowing your numbers, be warned about pushing yourself to go into the higher end of the market, and due to past mistakes (which Ed has learned from), Ed states that he’s probably been through the most expensive university course just running the company!\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years Ed would like to grow the business further and is on the lookout for their own warehouse (as all storage is currently with Cadogan Tate) with a big yard space, which would allow Ed to double the fleet size, but he has no desire for lorries yet. Industry wise Ed believes cloud software will be key, Ed would like Elon Musk to automate the retrieval of containers from storage, but the big change Ed foresees is autonomous driving.\n\nWe discover that outside of work Ed likes to travel, although his last trip was to Sri Lanka in January 2020 just before lockdown and since then he has done nothing but work. Ed also enjoys a bit of DJ’ing too.\n\nWe discuss that during the pandemic Davis & Mac did an awful lot to help their local community, assisting Age UK Kensington & Chelsea to deliver food to the vulnerable in the area, with up to 1,000 deliveries a week!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, both regarding divorce jobs!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Davis & Mac:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Ed Davis.","content_html":"In this episode, Ed Davis, Director of Davis & Mac discusses how he became involved in the industry after helping an old friend who ran a successful hourly rated man and van business but was snowed under with work. It was suggested to Ed that he get a van to take on the excess work, so after pitching the idea to Dan Mac (who Ed had previously worked with in a recording studio) and the industry having such a low cost of entry, Davis & Mac was born in 2013.
\n\nWe discover that Davis & Mac are a London based removals and storage company, running 5 luton vans, and they mainly provide house pack and moves, storage and interior installations, all local as the guys are not keen on overnights.
\n\nWe discuss Ed’s lightbulb moment when he was involved in moving a crated chandelier for an interior designer from a storage facility to a super mansion in Virginia Water and discovering just how broad the pricing structure is within the industry.
\n\nWe discover Ed’s story behind the multi coloured fleet of lutons, and it’s a long and very interesting one. Ed looked and began to analyse the branding and marketing of the industry and discovered that although it is a majorly masculine industry, Ed also noticed that his best and highest paying customers tended to be women. Ed also discovered that an angle that had not been done properly at that time was social media, but before tackling that Ed tells how their very grand crest came about. Back to Instagram and Ed tells how he continued to post photos of his fleet, and after 4 years of building a following Ed received a message from Binky Felstead (from reality TV show Made in Chelsea) who had been recommended Davis & Mac by some of her followers (of which she had 1.4 million at the time!). Having secured the removal for Binky, Ed and his crew arrived three weeks later in two newly wrapped vans in pastel colours, one in green and the other in pink, which Binky loved and posted about on her Instagram account.
\n\nWe discuss that following on from Binky’s move Ed and his team have moved several high-profile celebrities as a result of social media and recommendation, even ending up in the national press when they were booked to move Emily Atack (who has 1.7 million followers on Instagram).
\n\nWe discover that Ed’s challenges have been learning to be a boss, managing people (including hiring friends), controlling his emotions, and learning the industry.
\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Ed would change from his past is to know his numbers, as although a gung-ho attitude led to a 3-year contract with a Self Storage Centre, it ended up costing them towards the end due to increased running costs as they began to expand the company.
\n\nWe discover Ed’s highpoints, and it is not only the branding and marketing of Davis & Mac but also meeting others from within the industry.
\n\nWe discuss that the change Ed would like to make to the industry is late finishes, which is not the industry’s fault but the house buying process. We also discuss the current driver and porter shortage.
\n\nWe discover that the advice Ed would give to himself just starting out in the industry is knowing your numbers, be warned about pushing yourself to go into the higher end of the market, and due to past mistakes (which Ed has learned from), Ed states that he’s probably been through the most expensive university course just running the company!
\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years Ed would like to grow the business further and is on the lookout for their own warehouse (as all storage is currently with Cadogan Tate) with a big yard space, which would allow Ed to double the fleet size, but he has no desire for lorries yet. Industry wise Ed believes cloud software will be key, Ed would like Elon Musk to automate the retrieval of containers from storage, but the big change Ed foresees is autonomous driving.
\n\nWe discover that outside of work Ed likes to travel, although his last trip was to Sri Lanka in January 2020 just before lockdown and since then he has done nothing but work. Ed also enjoys a bit of DJ’ing too.
\n\nWe discuss that during the pandemic Davis & Mac did an awful lot to help their local community, assisting Age UK Kensington & Chelsea to deliver food to the vulnerable in the area, with up to 1,000 deliveries a week!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, both regarding divorce jobs!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Davis & Mac:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Ed Davis.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Ed Davis, Director of Davis & Mac","date_published":"2021-08-26T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/b69f9bb3-2163-41bb-95ac-00ba349d89ab.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":42062505,"duration_in_seconds":3505}]},{"id":"adaed7e6-1595-4a6a-aad0-499e2f765ff3","title":"Episode 27: Moving Matters with Georgina Berry of Richard Healey Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/27","content_text":"In this episode Georgina Berry of Richard Healey Removals discusses that after finishing her financial services exams where she was to become a financial advisor, she joined the family business on a temporary 6 months basis – that was in 1999 and she is still there to this very day!\n\nWe discover that Richard Healey Removals was started by her father (Richard) in 1965, who was a painter and decorator working in London, returning home at weekends, but soon discovered he was making more money transporting goods back and forth in his van, and thus the foray into removals began!\n\nWe discuss that today, Richard Healey Removals provide predominantly domestic and commercial removals, some European & International moves, storage in a 120,000sqft warehouse and shredding, running 15 vehicles, employing approximately 32 staff and house just over 1,000 storage containers. And all of this is now managed by brother Richard, Georgina herself, and Barry (Operations Manager)!\n\nWe discover Richard Healey Removals are heavily involved in training and have their own training facility onsite, which is a BAR approved training school.\n\nWe discuss the challenges faced and the biggest one was losing a major contract 8/9 years ago that they had held for many years, leaving them with simply no business! Using their resources and having to start from scratch they built Richard Healey Removals into a ‘proper’ removal business.\n\nWe discover that Georgina wouldn’t change a thing from the past, losing the contract allowed the team to grow as a company into what it is today.\n\nWe discuss Georgina’s highpoints and its winning awards. Richard Healey Removals are past winners of the BAR Domestic Mover of the Year in 2015, in 2017 they won 2 awards for customer service at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, and they are previous winners of Scotland’s Top Truck Training Operator at the Transport Awards, where Georgina was presented with the award by Anne, Princess Royal.\n\nWe discover that the one thing Georgina would like to change within the industry is keys, but also exchange and completion on the same day.\n\nWe discuss the advice that Georgina would give to herself just starting in the industry again and it would be to network, get to know other companies but also make yourself know to people, use the training resources available and join BAR either as a company or/and as an individual member.\n\nWe discover that in 5 years time Georgina hopes Richard Healey Removals continues along its current growth path but keeping everything manageable. Industry wise Georgina hopes the decent rates are here to stay as the current driver (and porter) shortage is pushing up wages. \n\nAnd we discuss how we are going to have to do more to entice new blood into the industry, through many of the career paths available, just as Georgina did 6 years ago with Ryan & Ryan (yes, I know!).\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Georgina likes to keep fit and reads for relaxation, but is mainly taxi for her two children (15 & 17), where he daughter does a lot of dancing and her son a lot of football.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding the making of a promotional video.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Richard Healey Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Georgina Berry.","content_html":"In this episode Georgina Berry of Richard Healey Removals discusses that after finishing her financial services exams where she was to become a financial advisor, she joined the family business on a temporary 6 months basis – that was in 1999 and she is still there to this very day!
\n\nWe discover that Richard Healey Removals was started by her father (Richard) in 1965, who was a painter and decorator working in London, returning home at weekends, but soon discovered he was making more money transporting goods back and forth in his van, and thus the foray into removals began!
\n\nWe discuss that today, Richard Healey Removals provide predominantly domestic and commercial removals, some European & International moves, storage in a 120,000sqft warehouse and shredding, running 15 vehicles, employing approximately 32 staff and house just over 1,000 storage containers. And all of this is now managed by brother Richard, Georgina herself, and Barry (Operations Manager)!
\n\nWe discover Richard Healey Removals are heavily involved in training and have their own training facility onsite, which is a BAR approved training school.
\n\nWe discuss the challenges faced and the biggest one was losing a major contract 8/9 years ago that they had held for many years, leaving them with simply no business! Using their resources and having to start from scratch they built Richard Healey Removals into a ‘proper’ removal business.
\n\nWe discover that Georgina wouldn’t change a thing from the past, losing the contract allowed the team to grow as a company into what it is today.
\n\nWe discuss Georgina’s highpoints and its winning awards. Richard Healey Removals are past winners of the BAR Domestic Mover of the Year in 2015, in 2017 they won 2 awards for customer service at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, and they are previous winners of Scotland’s Top Truck Training Operator at the Transport Awards, where Georgina was presented with the award by Anne, Princess Royal.
\n\nWe discover that the one thing Georgina would like to change within the industry is keys, but also exchange and completion on the same day.
\n\nWe discuss the advice that Georgina would give to herself just starting in the industry again and it would be to network, get to know other companies but also make yourself know to people, use the training resources available and join BAR either as a company or/and as an individual member.
\n\nWe discover that in 5 years time Georgina hopes Richard Healey Removals continues along its current growth path but keeping everything manageable. Industry wise Georgina hopes the decent rates are here to stay as the current driver (and porter) shortage is pushing up wages.
\n\nAnd we discuss how we are going to have to do more to entice new blood into the industry, through many of the career paths available, just as Georgina did 6 years ago with Ryan & Ryan (yes, I know!).
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Georgina likes to keep fit and reads for relaxation, but is mainly taxi for her two children (15 & 17), where he daughter does a lot of dancing and her son a lot of football.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding the making of a promotional video.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Richard Healey Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Georgina Berry.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Georgina Berry of Richard Healey Removals","date_published":"2021-08-12T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/adaed7e6-1595-4a6a-aad0-499e2f765ff3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27649496,"duration_in_seconds":2304}]},{"id":"056a6f02-f9db-4603-bf0e-7e285acd594f","title":"Episode 26: Moving Matters with Mason Heasley of Extra Mile Movers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/26","content_text":"In this episode Mason Heasley, Managing Director of Extra Mile Movers discusses how he started in the industry at the tender age of 18, which was only 4 years ago, after discovering his friends were earning more money than he was as a window fitter at the time, so he joined a local removal company and his passion for the industry just grew from there.\n\nWe discover that during that time Mason lost his way a little and joined the military, but while in the military he setup Extra Mile Movers to bring in some extra income, just as the pandemic started, which turned out to be such a busy time for Extra Mile Movers that Mason left the military, and the other business partners (3 of them) left their jobs to concentrate fulltime on Extra Mile Movers.\n\nWe discuss that the company name of Extra Mile Movers is down the work ethic Mason and his partners provide as they are always looking to do that extra mile for their customers during one of the most stressful times in life.\n\nWe discover that Mason would like Extra Mile Movers to become a household name, with multiple depots nationwide, each offering storage facilities.\n\nWe discuss the challenges Mason has had to overcome, and the pricing was the main one, although competing with other companies around them was another, but with the company so new Mason is fully aware that there will be many more challenges ahead.\n\nWe discover that Mason would not change anything from his past as he has and still continues to enjoy creating something with his friends, but Mason does wish that he had studied business at school.\n\nWe discuss Mason’s highpoint of his career, and it was undertaking European work with his previous employer (Hamilton’s) where he got to visit Switzerland and the South of France.\n\nWe discover the one thing Mason would like to change in the industry is exchange of contracts, maybe making it more like Scotland, but he would also like to see a change to the man and van side of the industry who undercut from others.\n\nWe discuss the one bit of advice Mason would give to himself just starting out in the industry again and it would be to not stress too much, relax and to just ride the wave.\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Mason see’s Extra Mile Movers getting bigger through expansion, a couple more vehicles and maybe even a warehouse, but all Mason really wants is great staff and a happy work environment. \n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Mason never switches off, but being a typical 22 year old he does enjoy visiting the pub with friends now that we are able too once again, and he does play football.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story involving burning out a clutch.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Extra Mile Movers:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Mason Heasley.","content_html":"In this episode Mason Heasley, Managing Director of Extra Mile Movers discusses how he started in the industry at the tender age of 18, which was only 4 years ago, after discovering his friends were earning more money than he was as a window fitter at the time, so he joined a local removal company and his passion for the industry just grew from there.
\n\nWe discover that during that time Mason lost his way a little and joined the military, but while in the military he setup Extra Mile Movers to bring in some extra income, just as the pandemic started, which turned out to be such a busy time for Extra Mile Movers that Mason left the military, and the other business partners (3 of them) left their jobs to concentrate fulltime on Extra Mile Movers.
\n\nWe discuss that the company name of Extra Mile Movers is down the work ethic Mason and his partners provide as they are always looking to do that extra mile for their customers during one of the most stressful times in life.
\n\nWe discover that Mason would like Extra Mile Movers to become a household name, with multiple depots nationwide, each offering storage facilities.
\n\nWe discuss the challenges Mason has had to overcome, and the pricing was the main one, although competing with other companies around them was another, but with the company so new Mason is fully aware that there will be many more challenges ahead.
\n\nWe discover that Mason would not change anything from his past as he has and still continues to enjoy creating something with his friends, but Mason does wish that he had studied business at school.
\n\nWe discuss Mason’s highpoint of his career, and it was undertaking European work with his previous employer (Hamilton’s) where he got to visit Switzerland and the South of France.
\n\nWe discover the one thing Mason would like to change in the industry is exchange of contracts, maybe making it more like Scotland, but he would also like to see a change to the man and van side of the industry who undercut from others.
\n\nWe discuss the one bit of advice Mason would give to himself just starting out in the industry again and it would be to not stress too much, relax and to just ride the wave.
\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Mason see’s Extra Mile Movers getting bigger through expansion, a couple more vehicles and maybe even a warehouse, but all Mason really wants is great staff and a happy work environment.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Mason never switches off, but being a typical 22 year old he does enjoy visiting the pub with friends now that we are able too once again, and he does play football.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story involving burning out a clutch.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Extra Mile Movers:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Mason Heasley.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Mason Heasley, Managing Director of Extra Mile Movers","date_published":"2021-07-22T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/056a6f02-f9db-4603-bf0e-7e285acd594f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":23069395,"duration_in_seconds":1922}]},{"id":"a4962aa3-4667-4df1-8bc6-3fef4a82687b","title":"Episode 25: Moving Matters with Paul Fox of Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/25","content_text":"In this episode Paul Fox, Managing Director of Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd discusses that his father Roy (formerly a Pickfords man) started the company in 1971 (and this year celebrate their 50th year anniversary) when he had an opportunity to purchase a small valley’s company.\n\nWe discover that after 8/9 years Paul’s father had built the company into Fox The Mover building a couple of warehouses along the way. Paul joined the company working weekends and school holidays to fund his motorcycle habit and started fulltime at the age of 16, starting as a porter and in the garage, and at the young age of 18 through the RTITB (Road Transport Industry Training Board) gained his HGV licence. Before turning 20 Paul was shipped off to run the Cardiff branch (William Flay Removals) under the guidance of Stuart Fitton.\n\nWe discuss that when Roy took on the BAR Presidency in 1984, Paul (aged 23) was transferred to run the head office in Cwmbran, which consisted approximately of 8 trucks on removals and 8 trucks on distribution.\n\nWe discover that Roy, together with John Court, Mike Banks, Mike Devereux and a few others formed a co-operative called Britannia Movers International, which was based upon American Van Lines, but Roy left, amicably, in 1986. In 1987 The Pantechnicon (established 1830) was purchased but was an absolute disaster which nearly cost their own business.\n\nWe discuss that today Fox Group turnover approximately £10m, 40-50 trucks, 120 staff and 14 business units. \n\nWe discover Paul’s challenges have been the turmoil years after buying The Pantechnicon, the recession in 1992, the subprime mortgage crisis in 2007, and of course Covid.\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Paul would change from his past would be to get an education, however this is not a regret but merely an observation. \n\nWe discover Paul has several highpoints of being within the industry, BAR (which has been Paul’s university from an educational point of view), following in his father’s footsteps and taking up Presidency in 2004, eventually getting all the shares of the company and becoming the owner, and building new & refurbishing old premises.\n\nWe discuss the one thing Paul would change within the industry is yet again 3.5 tonne vans as it is a low entry into the industry, but that may be changing with European Union legislation insisting that vehicles over 2.5 tonne are registered on your operators licence.\n\nWe discover that the advice Paul would give to himself starting out in the industry again would be to work smarter not harder.\n\nWe discuss where Paul sees himself and the industry in the next 5 years, for himself he does not see himself retiring, even though his father retired at 60, and industry wise he does hope that 3.5 tonne regulation is enforced, but also believes it is up to the younger generation to be professional and develop their businesses, perhaps becoming better salesmen.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Paul does try to discipline himself and switch off, and is a frustrated sportsman participating in long distance running, cycling and triathlons! And living in a barn conversion with a couple of fields there is always something for Paul to be doing.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with three funny moving stories, one involving a piano, one involving a bicycle during an institute study tour to Frankfurt, and one involving Mike Devereux and a minibar!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Paul Fox.","content_html":"In this episode Paul Fox, Managing Director of Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd discusses that his father Roy (formerly a Pickfords man) started the company in 1971 (and this year celebrate their 50th year anniversary) when he had an opportunity to purchase a small valley’s company.
\n\nWe discover that after 8/9 years Paul’s father had built the company into Fox The Mover building a couple of warehouses along the way. Paul joined the company working weekends and school holidays to fund his motorcycle habit and started fulltime at the age of 16, starting as a porter and in the garage, and at the young age of 18 through the RTITB (Road Transport Industry Training Board) gained his HGV licence. Before turning 20 Paul was shipped off to run the Cardiff branch (William Flay Removals) under the guidance of Stuart Fitton.
\n\nWe discuss that when Roy took on the BAR Presidency in 1984, Paul (aged 23) was transferred to run the head office in Cwmbran, which consisted approximately of 8 trucks on removals and 8 trucks on distribution.
\n\nWe discover that Roy, together with John Court, Mike Banks, Mike Devereux and a few others formed a co-operative called Britannia Movers International, which was based upon American Van Lines, but Roy left, amicably, in 1986. In 1987 The Pantechnicon (established 1830) was purchased but was an absolute disaster which nearly cost their own business.
\n\nWe discuss that today Fox Group turnover approximately £10m, 40-50 trucks, 120 staff and 14 business units.
\n\nWe discover Paul’s challenges have been the turmoil years after buying The Pantechnicon, the recession in 1992, the subprime mortgage crisis in 2007, and of course Covid.
\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Paul would change from his past would be to get an education, however this is not a regret but merely an observation.
\n\nWe discover Paul has several highpoints of being within the industry, BAR (which has been Paul’s university from an educational point of view), following in his father’s footsteps and taking up Presidency in 2004, eventually getting all the shares of the company and becoming the owner, and building new & refurbishing old premises.
\n\nWe discuss the one thing Paul would change within the industry is yet again 3.5 tonne vans as it is a low entry into the industry, but that may be changing with European Union legislation insisting that vehicles over 2.5 tonne are registered on your operators licence.
\n\nWe discover that the advice Paul would give to himself starting out in the industry again would be to work smarter not harder.
\n\nWe discuss where Paul sees himself and the industry in the next 5 years, for himself he does not see himself retiring, even though his father retired at 60, and industry wise he does hope that 3.5 tonne regulation is enforced, but also believes it is up to the younger generation to be professional and develop their businesses, perhaps becoming better salesmen.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Paul does try to discipline himself and switch off, and is a frustrated sportsman participating in long distance running, cycling and triathlons! And living in a barn conversion with a couple of fields there is always something for Paul to be doing.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with three funny moving stories, one involving a piano, one involving a bicycle during an institute study tour to Frankfurt, and one involving Mike Devereux and a minibar!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Paul Fox.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Paul Fox, Managing Director of Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Ltd","date_published":"2021-07-08T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a4962aa3-4667-4df1-8bc6-3fef4a82687b.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":36981794,"duration_in_seconds":3081}]},{"id":"ff84bfc2-f7a1-4dbb-8638-3dc4d3f1291e","title":"Episode 24: Moving Matters with David Trenchard of Britannia Leatherbarrows","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/24","content_text":"In this episode David Trenchard, Chairman of Britannia Leatherbarrows discusses that he may have been born in a tea chest in 1946! David joined the Trenchard’s family business when he was 16, which was started by his grandfather.\n\nWe discover that today’s company is Leatherbarrows (Britannia Leatherbarrows to be exact), which David and wife Diane bought from Aubrey Appleton in 1981 and was based in Hounslow, West London. David and Diane took the business into Pelican, but after some of the big players had decided to leave David was faced with either recruiting new Pelican members or offering themselves as a group to Britannia, which they did in 1987. In 1988 David was able to buy part of the family business, Trenchards, and took over Sketchley’s which virtually doubled the size of his business.\n\nWe discuss that David’s challenges were having no money at all when he and Diane bought Leatherbarrows, and 6 months after acquiring the business David was awarded a contract from a local department store who wanted to outsource their warehousing and deliveries, a contract David held for 39 years until the department store went into administration in 2019.\n\nWe discover that David would not change anything from his past because the traumatic experience of leaving the family business and buying Leatherbarrows gave David much better opportunity than he would have had.\n\nWe discuss David’s high points, of which there are many, but his biggest high point was in 1992 where he became BAR President for the year (as they were back in those days), the year when the borders came down in Europe. And the BAR Conference that David organised during his Presidency year which was held at Bournemouth International Centre (my first BAR conference where I exhibited as a supplier), which David was the Chairman of the Centre when it was built.\n\nWe discover that BAR Services did come from a study tour, the first BAR study tour of the USA and a consequent study tour of Europe where David, Derek Blatchford, Joe Luxford and others persuaded BAR to setup a study group to look at such things the industry and BAR could benefit from. In 1977 (corrected – not 1985) BAR Services was born as a co-operative/buying group and recruited Tony Allen to manage it. David was Chairman of BAR Services for 15 years, giving up the role when he became BAR President, but stayed on the board for 35 years!\n\nWe discuss BSEN12522 (something I was involved in being part of the original 6 companies to field trial it), and David has always been interested in standards. In 1992/3 after David’s Presidency, the French Removals Association had created a Quality Standard for Removals and had recommended it as a European Standard. 7 years on and David had completely rewritten it into what it is today.\n\nWe discover that QSS (Quality Service Standards), something David is very proud of, was formed because although FEDEMAC wanted to use outside companies to provide the assessments, the BAR, with David’s leadership, decided to use the talent of retired removers and train them to undertake the assessments. QSS is totally independent from BAR and non-BAR companies can apply to QSS for many of the ISO and BS Standards currently available.\n\nWe discuss that the one thing David would change within the industry is to make the BSEN12522 part of the BAR membership criteria. David would also like more regulation on the low weight vehicles (3.5 tonnes).\n\nWe discover that the advice David would give to himself just starting out again would be to follow your beliefs and do not be afraid to make yourself the odd one out.\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years David sees himself as just being there to provide guidance to his daughter and son-in-law who now run the business. We learn that David wanted to invest in demountable bodies as they offer more flexibility over rigids, similar to Richard Webster’s (Tonks Removals) comments in Episode 21. Industry wise David thinks removers need to be cleverer, recruit more youngsters and train them properly, and drivers have got to be self-taught.\n\nWe discover that David has over 300 model trucks that he has collected over the years! And I recite a story about my old boss, John McGinty (Alton Moves Group) who had models produced of his livery, to only discover an error on them!\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry David has never lost his interest in local politics, and upon retirement from an employee of Leatherbarrows David was instrumental in successfully lobbying to drop the number of local councils in the Dorset area from 9 to 2.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not a funny, but a charming moving story with a repeat event that happened 25 years apart!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Britannia Leatherbarrows:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nLinkedin\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: David Trenchard.","content_html":"In this episode David Trenchard, Chairman of Britannia Leatherbarrows discusses that he may have been born in a tea chest in 1946! David joined the Trenchard’s family business when he was 16, which was started by his grandfather.
\n\nWe discover that today’s company is Leatherbarrows (Britannia Leatherbarrows to be exact), which David and wife Diane bought from Aubrey Appleton in 1981 and was based in Hounslow, West London. David and Diane took the business into Pelican, but after some of the big players had decided to leave David was faced with either recruiting new Pelican members or offering themselves as a group to Britannia, which they did in 1987. In 1988 David was able to buy part of the family business, Trenchards, and took over Sketchley’s which virtually doubled the size of his business.
\n\nWe discuss that David’s challenges were having no money at all when he and Diane bought Leatherbarrows, and 6 months after acquiring the business David was awarded a contract from a local department store who wanted to outsource their warehousing and deliveries, a contract David held for 39 years until the department store went into administration in 2019.
\n\nWe discover that David would not change anything from his past because the traumatic experience of leaving the family business and buying Leatherbarrows gave David much better opportunity than he would have had.
\n\nWe discuss David’s high points, of which there are many, but his biggest high point was in 1992 where he became BAR President for the year (as they were back in those days), the year when the borders came down in Europe. And the BAR Conference that David organised during his Presidency year which was held at Bournemouth International Centre (my first BAR conference where I exhibited as a supplier), which David was the Chairman of the Centre when it was built.
\n\nWe discover that BAR Services did come from a study tour, the first BAR study tour of the USA and a consequent study tour of Europe where David, Derek Blatchford, Joe Luxford and others persuaded BAR to setup a study group to look at such things the industry and BAR could benefit from. In 1977 (corrected – not 1985) BAR Services was born as a co-operative/buying group and recruited Tony Allen to manage it. David was Chairman of BAR Services for 15 years, giving up the role when he became BAR President, but stayed on the board for 35 years!
\n\nWe discuss BSEN12522 (something I was involved in being part of the original 6 companies to field trial it), and David has always been interested in standards. In 1992/3 after David’s Presidency, the French Removals Association had created a Quality Standard for Removals and had recommended it as a European Standard. 7 years on and David had completely rewritten it into what it is today.
\n\nWe discover that QSS (Quality Service Standards), something David is very proud of, was formed because although FEDEMAC wanted to use outside companies to provide the assessments, the BAR, with David’s leadership, decided to use the talent of retired removers and train them to undertake the assessments. QSS is totally independent from BAR and non-BAR companies can apply to QSS for many of the ISO and BS Standards currently available.
\n\nWe discuss that the one thing David would change within the industry is to make the BSEN12522 part of the BAR membership criteria. David would also like more regulation on the low weight vehicles (3.5 tonnes).
\n\nWe discover that the advice David would give to himself just starting out again would be to follow your beliefs and do not be afraid to make yourself the odd one out.
\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years David sees himself as just being there to provide guidance to his daughter and son-in-law who now run the business. We learn that David wanted to invest in demountable bodies as they offer more flexibility over rigids, similar to Richard Webster’s (Tonks Removals) comments in Episode 21. Industry wise David thinks removers need to be cleverer, recruit more youngsters and train them properly, and drivers have got to be self-taught.
\n\nWe discover that David has over 300 model trucks that he has collected over the years! And I recite a story about my old boss, John McGinty (Alton Moves Group) who had models produced of his livery, to only discover an error on them!
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry David has never lost his interest in local politics, and upon retirement from an employee of Leatherbarrows David was instrumental in successfully lobbying to drop the number of local councils in the Dorset area from 9 to 2.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not a funny, but a charming moving story with a repeat event that happened 25 years apart!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Britannia Leatherbarrows:
\n\nSpecial Guest: David Trenchard.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with David Trenchard, Chairman of Britannia Leatherbarrows","date_published":"2021-06-24T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/ff84bfc2-f7a1-4dbb-8638-3dc4d3f1291e.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":38818097,"duration_in_seconds":3234}]},{"id":"480f8052-5228-4750-ba92-6c2a3cfe1c7d","title":"Episode 23: Moving Matters with Mark Chudley of Chudley Moving & Shipping","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/23","content_text":"In this episode Mark Chudley, Director of Chudley Moving & Shipping discusses how he started in the industry some 44 years ago (1977), when he met a girl at 17 whose father was Derek Blatchford of Blatchpack of Exeter.\n\nWe discover that after 18 months full time in Exeter, Mark was sent to Stockport for 4 weeks to manage John Bradshaw, which was jointly owned by Derek Blatchford and Burt Waddington. However, 4 weeks turned into 4 years and Mark returned to the Exeter depot after John Bradshaw was sold to Malcolm Halley, before moving to the Bristol depot for a couple of years.\n\nWe discuss that in Mark’s latter years of his time at Blatchpack Bristol, he got quite heavily involved in antique shipping to the States. Upon leaving Blatchpack in 1988, Mark started antique shipping for Mike Bell (based in Chicago), which he did for 6 years. In 1994 he expanded into antique shipping for others, and although Mark did not want to do removals, however a change in the antique marketplace (with 911, the advent of the Internet, and the aids virus), meant that in 2003 Mark ordered his first removal truck!\n\nWe discover that having had experience of the BAR during his early days at Blatchpack, Mark joined the BAR in 2003, and on his second BAR area meeting became National Councillor for the Western Area, which was the start of Mark’s interest in BAR matters.\n\nWe discuss that approximately 12 years ago Mark met the Morton family in Cyprus, and started a working relationship offering imports and exports, which now accounts for a third of Mark’s business.\n\nWe discover that Mark has had a few challenges, in the early days it was financial, in 2008/9 it was the recession, but the most difficult was an accident that involved a fatality. Mark’s current challenge is trying to find drivers!\n\nWe discuss the change Mark would make from his past, especially the early days, was to take a few more chances rather than being too conservative.\n\nWe discover Mark’s succession plan was going to be his son Adam taking over the business. However, due to a very serious accident to a family member Adam switched industries to ensure continuation of that family business. Due to this Mark decided to look into selling the business and was in discussion with one of the larger groups, and then Covid hit which scuppered everything, but coincidently at the time an approach was made by Paul Fox, and today Chudley Moving & Shipping is now part of The Fox Group.\n\nWe discuss Mark’s high point, and it is that he succeeded in business, the respect earned, and working with his family.\n\nWe discover that Mark is BAR President Elect (BAR President from June 2021), and hopes to continue the theme of BAR being there for its members, supporting the Director General (Ian Studd) and to be active on committees.\n\nWe discuss what Mark would like to change within the industry and it is regulation and 3.5 tonne vans having an affect on the professionalism of the industry.\n\nWe discover that Mark’s advice to a younger self would be to have more confidence, but on the whole he is pretty happy with what he has achieved.\n\nWe discuss that over the next 5 years Mark has his 2 years of BAR Presidency, he is not ready for full retirement and is looking forward to opportunities within The Fox Group. Industry wise, Mark does not see any change in regulation and therefore smaller movers will continue to dominate the industry, and he also sees more consolidation.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Mark never switches off, but does find time to visit his caravan in Cornwall in the Summer, enjoys cooking and restoration, which he learnt from his early days working with Mike Bell.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with 3 funny moving stories including a European trip via Switzerland, and another involving radiator covers! \n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Chudley Moving & Shipping:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Mark Chudley.","content_html":"In this episode Mark Chudley, Director of Chudley Moving & Shipping discusses how he started in the industry some 44 years ago (1977), when he met a girl at 17 whose father was Derek Blatchford of Blatchpack of Exeter.
\n\nWe discover that after 18 months full time in Exeter, Mark was sent to Stockport for 4 weeks to manage John Bradshaw, which was jointly owned by Derek Blatchford and Burt Waddington. However, 4 weeks turned into 4 years and Mark returned to the Exeter depot after John Bradshaw was sold to Malcolm Halley, before moving to the Bristol depot for a couple of years.
\n\nWe discuss that in Mark’s latter years of his time at Blatchpack Bristol, he got quite heavily involved in antique shipping to the States. Upon leaving Blatchpack in 1988, Mark started antique shipping for Mike Bell (based in Chicago), which he did for 6 years. In 1994 he expanded into antique shipping for others, and although Mark did not want to do removals, however a change in the antique marketplace (with 911, the advent of the Internet, and the aids virus), meant that in 2003 Mark ordered his first removal truck!
\n\nWe discover that having had experience of the BAR during his early days at Blatchpack, Mark joined the BAR in 2003, and on his second BAR area meeting became National Councillor for the Western Area, which was the start of Mark’s interest in BAR matters.
\n\nWe discuss that approximately 12 years ago Mark met the Morton family in Cyprus, and started a working relationship offering imports and exports, which now accounts for a third of Mark’s business.
\n\nWe discover that Mark has had a few challenges, in the early days it was financial, in 2008/9 it was the recession, but the most difficult was an accident that involved a fatality. Mark’s current challenge is trying to find drivers!
\n\nWe discuss the change Mark would make from his past, especially the early days, was to take a few more chances rather than being too conservative.
\n\nWe discover Mark’s succession plan was going to be his son Adam taking over the business. However, due to a very serious accident to a family member Adam switched industries to ensure continuation of that family business. Due to this Mark decided to look into selling the business and was in discussion with one of the larger groups, and then Covid hit which scuppered everything, but coincidently at the time an approach was made by Paul Fox, and today Chudley Moving & Shipping is now part of The Fox Group.
\n\nWe discuss Mark’s high point, and it is that he succeeded in business, the respect earned, and working with his family.
\n\nWe discover that Mark is BAR President Elect (BAR President from June 2021), and hopes to continue the theme of BAR being there for its members, supporting the Director General (Ian Studd) and to be active on committees.
\n\nWe discuss what Mark would like to change within the industry and it is regulation and 3.5 tonne vans having an affect on the professionalism of the industry.
\n\nWe discover that Mark’s advice to a younger self would be to have more confidence, but on the whole he is pretty happy with what he has achieved.
\n\nWe discuss that over the next 5 years Mark has his 2 years of BAR Presidency, he is not ready for full retirement and is looking forward to opportunities within The Fox Group. Industry wise, Mark does not see any change in regulation and therefore smaller movers will continue to dominate the industry, and he also sees more consolidation.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Mark never switches off, but does find time to visit his caravan in Cornwall in the Summer, enjoys cooking and restoration, which he learnt from his early days working with Mike Bell.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with 3 funny moving stories including a European trip via Switzerland, and another involving radiator covers!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Chudley Moving & Shipping:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Mark Chudley.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Mark Chudley, Director of Chudley Moving & Shipping","date_published":"2021-06-10T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/480f8052-5228-4750-ba92-6c2a3cfe1c7d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35353947,"duration_in_seconds":2946}]},{"id":"93421033-edb6-44e1-a0fe-ee42ea215cd6","title":"Episode 22: Moving Matters with Mark Ratcliffe of Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/22","content_text":"In this episode Mark Ratcliffe, Director of Mark Ratcliffe Moving and Self Store discusses how he started in the industry after relocating from Nelson, Lancashire to Eastbourne, East Sussex in 1982, where after collecting scrap metal and clearing rubbish in an old truck he saw an advert in the local newspaper and got a job as a removal man at Edwins of Eastbourne, where he learnt his craft, from Bernie.\n\nToday, Mark owns Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store which has been trading for 6 years now, but Mark is probably more well known for his previous companies, The Small Moving Company and more so A1 Worldwide Movers which he sold in 2006.\n\nWe discover that Mark has recently opened a Self-Storage facility (2 warehouses opposite each other) and finds this a better storage solution than containerised, which he was heavily involved with back in the mid 90’s, as Mark feels furniture should be stored in carpeted (very popular in Scandinavian countries) and temperature controlled rooms.\n\nWe discuss that after selling A1 Worldwide Movers, Mark took a sabbatical from the industry and went travelling to Thailand. It was during his travelling that he discovered a lot of expats were relocating, and as a result Mark now specialises in overseas moving to Thailand.\n\nWe discover Morris, Mark’s vintage 1963 Morris LD, which he found in a field full of scrap metal behind a steel container facility in Bournemouth where he was delivering goods in 2019. After negotiating a price of a mere £1,000 it was soon transported to UVB (Unique Van Bodies) in Warrington where 18 months later it was collected and will hopefully be seen at local events soon, and at The Movers & Storers Show later this year.\n\nWe discuss Your Moving Group and The Moving Group Academy that Mark is involved with. Your Moving Group was setup 5 years ago with Andy Pearson (of Family Movers), which started life as You Move Group that was predominantly a van rental service (which Mark confesses together they got their marketing completely wrong, and it failed miserably). Today Your Moving Group is a membership-based group with 14 members at the time of recording. The Moving Group Academy is the fundamental and educational side of the industry, which Mark would like to see run along the lines of the old TMI (The Movers Institute).\n\nWe discover that Mark has faced many challenges, not being cash rich, BAR membership and taking 5 years to secure an archive storage contract of 4.7m files. And although Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store is currently not a BAR member it is something Mark wants to change in the very near future, “watch this space”.\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Mark would like to change from his moving past was to have had more of a balance of life and to have not committed himself 100% to his work and industry.\n\nWe discover Mark’s high point of being in the industry was BAR membership at A1 Worldwide Movers in 1995, which Mark sees as the pinnacle of being a mover with standards and service. And Mark recites a lovely story of driving to BAR Services to buy ‘everything’ on the day his application was finally approved, he even took an old BAR Perspex badge which he stood proudly outside of his shop the following day!\n\nWe discuss the one thing Mark would change within the industry would be to bring movers closer together and believes Study Tours are a great way of achieving this.\n\nWe discover that Mark’s advice to a younger self would be to grow slowly and steadily, do not get too big too quick.\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years although Mark has no succession plan in place, maybe one of the staff would take over the business, but a proposition has been made and accepted to a company overseas. Industry wise Mark believes the industry will be really good, movers will be able to sell far superior services than in the past and command better prices.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Mark loves music and travelling.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not 1, not 2, but 3 funny moving stories, one with Big Tom ending up in a customer’s fish pond, another concerning an urgent removal to store from a standard 16 bedroom house, and Mark’s first International move which turned out to be a complete disaster!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: Mark Ratcliffe.","content_html":"In this episode Mark Ratcliffe, Director of Mark Ratcliffe Moving and Self Store discusses how he started in the industry after relocating from Nelson, Lancashire to Eastbourne, East Sussex in 1982, where after collecting scrap metal and clearing rubbish in an old truck he saw an advert in the local newspaper and got a job as a removal man at Edwins of Eastbourne, where he learnt his craft, from Bernie.
\n\nToday, Mark owns Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store which has been trading for 6 years now, but Mark is probably more well known for his previous companies, The Small Moving Company and more so A1 Worldwide Movers which he sold in 2006.
\n\nWe discover that Mark has recently opened a Self-Storage facility (2 warehouses opposite each other) and finds this a better storage solution than containerised, which he was heavily involved with back in the mid 90’s, as Mark feels furniture should be stored in carpeted (very popular in Scandinavian countries) and temperature controlled rooms.
\n\nWe discuss that after selling A1 Worldwide Movers, Mark took a sabbatical from the industry and went travelling to Thailand. It was during his travelling that he discovered a lot of expats were relocating, and as a result Mark now specialises in overseas moving to Thailand.
\n\nWe discover Morris, Mark’s vintage 1963 Morris LD, which he found in a field full of scrap metal behind a steel container facility in Bournemouth where he was delivering goods in 2019. After negotiating a price of a mere £1,000 it was soon transported to UVB (Unique Van Bodies) in Warrington where 18 months later it was collected and will hopefully be seen at local events soon, and at The Movers & Storers Show later this year.
\n\nWe discuss Your Moving Group and The Moving Group Academy that Mark is involved with. Your Moving Group was setup 5 years ago with Andy Pearson (of Family Movers), which started life as You Move Group that was predominantly a van rental service (which Mark confesses together they got their marketing completely wrong, and it failed miserably). Today Your Moving Group is a membership-based group with 14 members at the time of recording. The Moving Group Academy is the fundamental and educational side of the industry, which Mark would like to see run along the lines of the old TMI (The Movers Institute).
\n\nWe discover that Mark has faced many challenges, not being cash rich, BAR membership and taking 5 years to secure an archive storage contract of 4.7m files. And although Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store is currently not a BAR member it is something Mark wants to change in the very near future, “watch this space”.
\n\nWe discuss that the one thing Mark would like to change from his moving past was to have had more of a balance of life and to have not committed himself 100% to his work and industry.
\n\nWe discover Mark’s high point of being in the industry was BAR membership at A1 Worldwide Movers in 1995, which Mark sees as the pinnacle of being a mover with standards and service. And Mark recites a lovely story of driving to BAR Services to buy ‘everything’ on the day his application was finally approved, he even took an old BAR Perspex badge which he stood proudly outside of his shop the following day!
\n\nWe discuss the one thing Mark would change within the industry would be to bring movers closer together and believes Study Tours are a great way of achieving this.
\n\nWe discover that Mark’s advice to a younger self would be to grow slowly and steadily, do not get too big too quick.
\n\nWe discuss that in the next 5 years although Mark has no succession plan in place, maybe one of the staff would take over the business, but a proposition has been made and accepted to a company overseas. Industry wise Mark believes the industry will be really good, movers will be able to sell far superior services than in the past and command better prices.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Mark loves music and travelling.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with not 1, not 2, but 3 funny moving stories, one with Big Tom ending up in a customer’s fish pond, another concerning an urgent removal to store from a standard 16 bedroom house, and Mark’s first International move which turned out to be a complete disaster!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Mark Ratcliffe.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Mark Ratcliffe, Director of Mark Ratcliffe Moving & Self Store","date_published":"2021-05-27T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/93421033-edb6-44e1-a0fe-ee42ea215cd6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":42911694,"duration_in_seconds":3575}]},{"id":"4b8b27c3-fa27-4eda-89cf-7499460981a6","title":"Episode 21: Moving Matters with Richard Webster of Tonks Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/21","content_text":"In this episode Richard Webster, Director of Tonks Removals, discusses how he became involved in the industry some 30 years ago, as a porter on the trucks straight after leaving school at the tender age of 15!\n\nWe discover that Tonks Removals was formed by the Tonks family in Scarborough back in 1820 and today celebrates its 201st year in business. Tonks Removals was put up for sale in 1995 by then owner Nigel Tonks, and Richard (20) together with his brother James (22) purchased the business for the princely sum of £8,000, with the assets consisting of a Bedford truck, the goodwill, the equipment, and the storage, which had to be relocated from its existing old school depository.\n\nWe discuss that there are no set roles within Tonks Removals for Richard or James, however James is more on the trucks while Richard is more office based, but they both like to get away on jobs when they can.\n\nWe discover that the challenges Richard has had to overcome were the lack of money, as the industry is a high-cost industry but not a high margin one, and being taken seriously at such a young age, but the biggest challenge was learning how to run a business.\n\nWe discuss that even though Richard cannot change anything from his past, however, if he could it would be to realise what the actual costs are to operate your business, know your costs and stop subsidising others who waltz off with the profit!\n\nWe discover that Richard’s high point of being in the industry in terms of the business was purchasing land to build their own facility in Carnaby, a mere 8 years ago, and as a person it is having the respect of others which he has earned and worked for.\n\nWe discuss that Richard would change a few things within the industry but the main one being the public perception of our industry (again!), which has changed in recent months, but he can see it reverting in due course. And I raise the question of whether the general public’s perception is that it’s not seen as skilled labour (which of course it is!) and discuss this further with Richard.\n\nWe discover that Richard uses demountable bodies (19 at the time of recording), as well as fixed bodied truck, but the demountable bodies offer the convenience of access issues, short term storage and cost implications for replacement of trucks.\n\nWe discuss that the advice Richard would give to a younger self and it would be to know your costings and not to be afraid to market yourself at the better end of the market.\n\nWe discover that in the next 5 years Richard sees the niche corporate moving in and out of Europe getting smaller and smaller with company mergers and acquisitions, plus the realisation that people can successfully work remotely, but he sees no change in the domestic moving industry.\n\nWe discuss how imports and exports since Brexit has affected business and Richard states that it is getting easier as the guidance, systems and knowledge base improves, and it is better as a lot of movers have pulled out of the European market and therefore sees relocation prices rising.\n\nWe discover that Tonks Removals are not members of the BAR, and Richard explains his reasons for this, but he and James have discussed applying once again.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Richard tends to sleep a lot! He has started doing a lot more walking with his wife, he is a keen motorsport fan due to his love for driving, and he is actively involved in the parish council.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, a potentially X-rated one involving the client, the crew and a hot-tub, one involving Richard and an obnoxious customer, and a couple of short tales involving digging up a dead cat, and a terminally ill dog.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Tonks Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: Richard Webster.","content_html":"In this episode Richard Webster, Director of Tonks Removals, discusses how he became involved in the industry some 30 years ago, as a porter on the trucks straight after leaving school at the tender age of 15!
\n\nWe discover that Tonks Removals was formed by the Tonks family in Scarborough back in 1820 and today celebrates its 201st year in business. Tonks Removals was put up for sale in 1995 by then owner Nigel Tonks, and Richard (20) together with his brother James (22) purchased the business for the princely sum of £8,000, with the assets consisting of a Bedford truck, the goodwill, the equipment, and the storage, which had to be relocated from its existing old school depository.
\n\nWe discuss that there are no set roles within Tonks Removals for Richard or James, however James is more on the trucks while Richard is more office based, but they both like to get away on jobs when they can.
\n\nWe discover that the challenges Richard has had to overcome were the lack of money, as the industry is a high-cost industry but not a high margin one, and being taken seriously at such a young age, but the biggest challenge was learning how to run a business.
\n\nWe discuss that even though Richard cannot change anything from his past, however, if he could it would be to realise what the actual costs are to operate your business, know your costs and stop subsidising others who waltz off with the profit!
\n\nWe discover that Richard’s high point of being in the industry in terms of the business was purchasing land to build their own facility in Carnaby, a mere 8 years ago, and as a person it is having the respect of others which he has earned and worked for.
\n\nWe discuss that Richard would change a few things within the industry but the main one being the public perception of our industry (again!), which has changed in recent months, but he can see it reverting in due course. And I raise the question of whether the general public’s perception is that it’s not seen as skilled labour (which of course it is!) and discuss this further with Richard.
\n\nWe discover that Richard uses demountable bodies (19 at the time of recording), as well as fixed bodied truck, but the demountable bodies offer the convenience of access issues, short term storage and cost implications for replacement of trucks.
\n\nWe discuss that the advice Richard would give to a younger self and it would be to know your costings and not to be afraid to market yourself at the better end of the market.
\n\nWe discover that in the next 5 years Richard sees the niche corporate moving in and out of Europe getting smaller and smaller with company mergers and acquisitions, plus the realisation that people can successfully work remotely, but he sees no change in the domestic moving industry.
\n\nWe discuss how imports and exports since Brexit has affected business and Richard states that it is getting easier as the guidance, systems and knowledge base improves, and it is better as a lot of movers have pulled out of the European market and therefore sees relocation prices rising.
\n\nWe discover that Tonks Removals are not members of the BAR, and Richard explains his reasons for this, but he and James have discussed applying once again.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Richard tends to sleep a lot! He has started doing a lot more walking with his wife, he is a keen motorsport fan due to his love for driving, and he is actively involved in the parish council.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, a potentially X-rated one involving the client, the crew and a hot-tub, one involving Richard and an obnoxious customer, and a couple of short tales involving digging up a dead cat, and a terminally ill dog.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Tonks Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Richard Webster.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Richard Webster, Director of Tonks Removals","date_published":"2021-05-13T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/4b8b27c3-fa27-4eda-89cf-7499460981a6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":38900226,"duration_in_seconds":3241}]},{"id":"1ad549dd-21c0-4997-b7b1-e27fe3edabef","title":"Episode 20: Moving Matters with Sarah Cole of Universal Commercial Relocation","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/20","content_text":"In this episode Sarah Cole, Managing Director of Universal Commercial Relocation, discusses how she became involved in the industry only 20 years ago (next year) after leaving her role as a commercial property specialist within the legal profession to start a family.\n\nWe discover that Universal was formed in 1978 by Sarah’s father (William), and is a 2nd generation commercial moving specialist based in Greenford, Greater London, servicing mainly the London area, with a fulltime staff of approximately 25 and running a fleet of 8 vehicles. We also discover that Sarah is Managing Director of ISS (Information Storage Solutions), the document archiving side of the business which was started by Sarah’s mother (Margaret) in 1986.\n\nWe discuss that while archive is going more digital Sarah still maintains there is a large requirement for the physical storage side of things.\n\nWe discover that Sarah has very much enjoyed working in what is predominantly a male dominated industry and has never found any challenges with that. Sarah has found that there are a lot of women within management roles of organisations but would encourage more to get involved with the BAR initiatives.\n\nWe discuss how working from home has and will affect the commercial relocation industry and Sarah highlights that even before the pandemic companies were looking at the office space occupied and how they were using it, from a productivity, wellbeing, and a sustainability point of view, but it was such a huge and risky ask to undertake the stress test. However, the pandemic became that stress test and forced us overnight to work from home and leave the office behind. Sarah believes the future is with companies ultimately having a hybrid solution, shrinking the physical space but keeping separate office space for staff to participate in, but affording staff more flexibility about how to undertake their work.\n\nWe discover that Universal have many accreditations which Sarah believes is fundamental to business because office moving is business critical and the accreditations helps the client to manage the risk. We also discover that Universal have won the BAR Commercial Mover of the Year (CMotY) 3 times and is a great pat on the back for the staff that provide a huge contribution to the company.\n\nWe discuss that Sarah’s challenges to date are to always move with your client needs and to look ahead at where things are heading. Universal are always trying to add value to their clients to support them. Sarah also believes getting the message across in what they do, how they do it and the value they bring to a service is also often challenging.\n\nWe discover that Sarah would not change anything from her past, she enjoyed her time as a lawyer but was happy to move on and is very happy with what she does now and where Universal is.\n\nWe discuss Sarah’s highpoint, which was back in 2015 when Universal were awarded CMotY winners for the first time (having been a finalist twice before), and especially so as the awared was presented at conference (BAR) in the city in which her parents were from, Belfast.\n\nWe discover that the one change Sarah would make to the industry is to raise our profile, selling our services better and making clients aware how specialist we are and the professionalism we bring, as she believes as an industry, we undersell ourselves and there is often a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.\n\nWe discuss the advice Sarah would give to a younger self and it was confidence, get involved in the industry and BAR, go along to conferences/events and take up training and development opportunities offered.\n\nWe discover that within the next 5 years Sarah would like to grow the team at Universal, bringing in more junior members to the team and increasing and expanding the scope of what Universal do. \n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Sarah likes to spend time with her family and friends, going out, attending concerts and eating in nice restaurants.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Margaret Thatcher and a union card!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Universal Commercial Relocation Ltd:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nLinkedIn\nSpecial Guest: Sarah Cole.","content_html":"In this episode Sarah Cole, Managing Director of Universal Commercial Relocation, discusses how she became involved in the industry only 20 years ago (next year) after leaving her role as a commercial property specialist within the legal profession to start a family.
\n\nWe discover that Universal was formed in 1978 by Sarah’s father (William), and is a 2nd generation commercial moving specialist based in Greenford, Greater London, servicing mainly the London area, with a fulltime staff of approximately 25 and running a fleet of 8 vehicles. We also discover that Sarah is Managing Director of ISS (Information Storage Solutions), the document archiving side of the business which was started by Sarah’s mother (Margaret) in 1986.
\n\nWe discuss that while archive is going more digital Sarah still maintains there is a large requirement for the physical storage side of things.
\n\nWe discover that Sarah has very much enjoyed working in what is predominantly a male dominated industry and has never found any challenges with that. Sarah has found that there are a lot of women within management roles of organisations but would encourage more to get involved with the BAR initiatives.
\n\nWe discuss how working from home has and will affect the commercial relocation industry and Sarah highlights that even before the pandemic companies were looking at the office space occupied and how they were using it, from a productivity, wellbeing, and a sustainability point of view, but it was such a huge and risky ask to undertake the stress test. However, the pandemic became that stress test and forced us overnight to work from home and leave the office behind. Sarah believes the future is with companies ultimately having a hybrid solution, shrinking the physical space but keeping separate office space for staff to participate in, but affording staff more flexibility about how to undertake their work.
\n\nWe discover that Universal have many accreditations which Sarah believes is fundamental to business because office moving is business critical and the accreditations helps the client to manage the risk. We also discover that Universal have won the BAR Commercial Mover of the Year (CMotY) 3 times and is a great pat on the back for the staff that provide a huge contribution to the company.
\n\nWe discuss that Sarah’s challenges to date are to always move with your client needs and to look ahead at where things are heading. Universal are always trying to add value to their clients to support them. Sarah also believes getting the message across in what they do, how they do it and the value they bring to a service is also often challenging.
\n\nWe discover that Sarah would not change anything from her past, she enjoyed her time as a lawyer but was happy to move on and is very happy with what she does now and where Universal is.
\n\nWe discuss Sarah’s highpoint, which was back in 2015 when Universal were awarded CMotY winners for the first time (having been a finalist twice before), and especially so as the awared was presented at conference (BAR) in the city in which her parents were from, Belfast.
\n\nWe discover that the one change Sarah would make to the industry is to raise our profile, selling our services better and making clients aware how specialist we are and the professionalism we bring, as she believes as an industry, we undersell ourselves and there is often a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.
\n\nWe discuss the advice Sarah would give to a younger self and it was confidence, get involved in the industry and BAR, go along to conferences/events and take up training and development opportunities offered.
\n\nWe discover that within the next 5 years Sarah would like to grow the team at Universal, bringing in more junior members to the team and increasing and expanding the scope of what Universal do.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Sarah likes to spend time with her family and friends, going out, attending concerts and eating in nice restaurants.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Margaret Thatcher and a union card!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Universal Commercial Relocation Ltd:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Sarah Cole.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Sarah Cole, Managing Director of Universal Commercial Relocation Ltd","date_published":"2021-04-22T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/1ad549dd-21c0-4997-b7b1-e27fe3edabef.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":28696171,"duration_in_seconds":2391}]},{"id":"1dabf3aa-cc45-456d-af1c-a8d85b5e02d0","title":"Episode 19: Moving Matters with Courtenay Morison of Clockwork Removals & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/19","content_text":"In this episode, Courtenay Morison, Director of Clockwork Removals & Storage, discusses how he started in the industry back in 1994/5 after he was asked to move a wardrobe for a friend across town (which he did with a friend for the princely sum of £20), using one of his long wheelbase vans from his Caller Keg business, where he delivered kegs of beer for weddings, parties, etc., but as this was mainly work on Friday’s and weekends the vans had nothing to do during the week. So having moved the wardrobe Clockwork Removals & Storage was born, in Edinburgh with a Luton van and a 7.5 tonne truck, operating originally from Aardvark Self Storage.\n\nWe discover that Clockwork Removals & Storage have an annual turnover of £11/12m and run 4/5 branches in Scotland and a further 4/5 in England, including the well-known brand of Edwards Trade Storage which runs out of Gloucestershire and services the London storage market. Clockwork employs approximately 130 full time staff and run 100 vehicles (which includes trucks, vans and cars).\n\nWe discuss Courtenay’s acquisitions over the years and although there have been none in the past three years, he is negotiations with several companies and is always on the lookout for business with a turnover of £500k+.\n\nWe discover that Courtenay believes domestic customers get a better deal with traditional 250 cuft storage containers over Self Storage, citing that customers do not need regular access and that there is a massive disparity in cost. Courtenay would never undertake the investment required to ‘kit out’ a property for Self Storage unless he owned the freehold and be within a town with ‘plenty of chimney pots’.\n\nWe discuss the challenges Courtenay has experienced, the main one being 10 years ago when Clockwork had too much debt and the company was not running as well as it should, even with a turnover of £19m at that time.\n\nWe discover that one change Courtenay would make to his past would have been to join another removal company, such as Pickfords, to learn the trade first-hand, therefore saving Courtenay years of ‘hardship and pain’ from the mistakes made in the early years of trading.\n\nWe discuss Courtenay’s highpoint, and it is now, as last year (2020) was a very good year for Clockwork, hitting 10% nett profit even during the pandemic.\n\nWe discover that Courtenay would not make a single change to the industry, the industry hasn’t changed from a moving perspective, 300 years ago you would have moved by horse and cart but the way in which you loaded that cart is no different from loading a truck, so it is incredibly resistant to change. I challenged Courtenay on the public perception of the industry, and he stated that it has always been like that and it will never change, citing 'buy cheap, buy twice'.\n\nWe discuss the advice Courtenay would give to a younger self and it was to go and work for a Pickfords or similar company and ‘learn on other people’s time’.\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Courtenay see’s low loaders being more prevalent in London and other major cities with 18 tonne truck restrictions becoming increasingly challenging. For Clockwork, Courtenay believes the storage market has never been busier, and see’s continued growth in this sector. Edwards Trade Storage currently house 5,500 containers but are looking to increase this by a further 2,000, and at that point Courtenay will then look to build a 100,000 sqft warehouse to hold 12,000 containers within 90 minutes of NW10 in London in the next 3/4 years.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Courtenay enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children and is keen to get back to playing rugby and enjoy a few pints afterwards, once the current lockdown restrictions are relaxed.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story that ended up in court due to non-payment and the customer’s goods being skipped!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Clockwork Removals & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Courtenay Morison.","content_html":"In this episode, Courtenay Morison, Director of Clockwork Removals & Storage, discusses how he started in the industry back in 1994/5 after he was asked to move a wardrobe for a friend across town (which he did with a friend for the princely sum of £20), using one of his long wheelbase vans from his Caller Keg business, where he delivered kegs of beer for weddings, parties, etc., but as this was mainly work on Friday’s and weekends the vans had nothing to do during the week. So having moved the wardrobe Clockwork Removals & Storage was born, in Edinburgh with a Luton van and a 7.5 tonne truck, operating originally from Aardvark Self Storage.
\n\nWe discover that Clockwork Removals & Storage have an annual turnover of £11/12m and run 4/5 branches in Scotland and a further 4/5 in England, including the well-known brand of Edwards Trade Storage which runs out of Gloucestershire and services the London storage market. Clockwork employs approximately 130 full time staff and run 100 vehicles (which includes trucks, vans and cars).
\n\nWe discuss Courtenay’s acquisitions over the years and although there have been none in the past three years, he is negotiations with several companies and is always on the lookout for business with a turnover of £500k+.
\n\nWe discover that Courtenay believes domestic customers get a better deal with traditional 250 cuft storage containers over Self Storage, citing that customers do not need regular access and that there is a massive disparity in cost. Courtenay would never undertake the investment required to ‘kit out’ a property for Self Storage unless he owned the freehold and be within a town with ‘plenty of chimney pots’.
\n\nWe discuss the challenges Courtenay has experienced, the main one being 10 years ago when Clockwork had too much debt and the company was not running as well as it should, even with a turnover of £19m at that time.
\n\nWe discover that one change Courtenay would make to his past would have been to join another removal company, such as Pickfords, to learn the trade first-hand, therefore saving Courtenay years of ‘hardship and pain’ from the mistakes made in the early years of trading.
\n\nWe discuss Courtenay’s highpoint, and it is now, as last year (2020) was a very good year for Clockwork, hitting 10% nett profit even during the pandemic.
\n\nWe discover that Courtenay would not make a single change to the industry, the industry hasn’t changed from a moving perspective, 300 years ago you would have moved by horse and cart but the way in which you loaded that cart is no different from loading a truck, so it is incredibly resistant to change. I challenged Courtenay on the public perception of the industry, and he stated that it has always been like that and it will never change, citing 'buy cheap, buy twice'.
\n\nWe discuss the advice Courtenay would give to a younger self and it was to go and work for a Pickfords or similar company and ‘learn on other people’s time’.
\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Courtenay see’s low loaders being more prevalent in London and other major cities with 18 tonne truck restrictions becoming increasingly challenging. For Clockwork, Courtenay believes the storage market has never been busier, and see’s continued growth in this sector. Edwards Trade Storage currently house 5,500 containers but are looking to increase this by a further 2,000, and at that point Courtenay will then look to build a 100,000 sqft warehouse to hold 12,000 containers within 90 minutes of NW10 in London in the next 3/4 years.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Courtenay enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children and is keen to get back to playing rugby and enjoy a few pints afterwards, once the current lockdown restrictions are relaxed.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story that ended up in court due to non-payment and the customer’s goods being skipped!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Clockwork Removals & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Courtenay Morison.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Courtenay Morison, Director of Clockwork Removals & Storage","date_published":"2021-04-08T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/1dabf3aa-cc45-456d-af1c-a8d85b5e02d0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":22413931,"duration_in_seconds":1867}]},{"id":"31f60aa5-4e4d-43e5-96a4-389352c12c56","title":"Episode 18: Moving Matters with Melissa Campbell of McGimpsey Brothers (Removals) Ltd","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/18","content_text":"In this episode, Melissa Campbell, Managing Director of McGimpsey Brothers (Removals) Ltd, discusses how she got started in the removals industry, by purchasing the family business at the tender age of 26!\n\nWe discover Melissa never really had any involvement within the business beforehand, as she studied accountancy at university before joining KPMG in the audit department, where she studied for her charted accountancy exams at the same time! Then in 2018 her career took a U-turn and she ‘stumbled’ across the removals industry.\n\nWe discuss that Melissa, daughter of Campbell McGimpsey, knew that McGimpsey’s were planning for succession as her father and Uncles were looking to retire in the coming years, and during her fiancé’s (Steven) birthday dinner they decided together that they would make an offer to buy the company, which she made initially by text that evening! \n\nWe discover that McGimpsey’s was formed in 1983, started by Brothers Peter and Campbell, selling fish and vegetables from a van, where one evening they were asked if they could move a chest of drawers for a regular customer, which they did, and soon discovered they could make more money moving furniture than selling fish and vegetables. Fellow Brothers Stephen and Paul joined the company a few years later.\n\nWe discuss how Melissa has found life in what is considered a male dominated industry and find that she has not faced any real issues, with the majority being very respectful towards her.\n\nWe discover that Melissa thought her biggest issues when taking over the company were both her age and not having a removals background. But she soon discovered she had many transferrable skills, and being a Millennial, she had a good grounding in the use of technology in today’s society.\n\nWe discuss Brexit, and Melissa highlights that January was a challenge, with 5 to 6 vehicles on average moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland on a weekly basis, which now all require import declarations for every single one of those movements. Melissa also highlights that their European work has suffered a massive change, where pre-Brexit they would have gone through the GB land bridge, but post-Brexit is now an import and export into Great Britain and an import and export back out again, so she is constantly looking for new ways, including going direct from Northern Ireland to Europe.\n\nWe discover that every day brings a new challenge, however, Melissa’s biggest challenges to date, have been Covid and Brexit.\n\nWe discuss that Melissa’s high point of being in the industry is opening opportunities within McGimpsey’s, providing more career prospects for moving up the ladder.\n\nWe discover that even after a short period of time within the industry that Melissa would like a form of regulation to exist, which would help to make the industry more professional and in turn introduces better health and safety aspects.\n\nWe discuss that Melissa is the current Secretary for the BAR Northern Ireland Area and that she felt it important to put herself forward for such a role not only to continue the networks created by her predecessors, but also to drive attendance at meetings as she believes the BAR is such a great support network.\n\nWe discover that over the next five years Melissa hopes that McGimpsey’s have grown and introduced more technology and processes into the company – this year they have outgrown their storage facility at their Head Quarters in Bangor, taking on an additional 35,000 sqft warehouse. Industry wide Melissa believes the industry will still grow and the use of technology will expand.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Melissa rarely switches off from the industry, however, during lockdown she took up baking which she enjoys, during times when there are no bars or restaurants open.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Paul McGimpsey assisting a client in finding their chequebook to pay for their move.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to McGimpsey (Brothers) Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nFacebook\nYouTube\nLinkedIn\nSpecial Guest: Melissa Campbell.","content_html":"In this episode, Melissa Campbell, Managing Director of McGimpsey Brothers (Removals) Ltd, discusses how she got started in the removals industry, by purchasing the family business at the tender age of 26!
\n\nWe discover Melissa never really had any involvement within the business beforehand, as she studied accountancy at university before joining KPMG in the audit department, where she studied for her charted accountancy exams at the same time! Then in 2018 her career took a U-turn and she ‘stumbled’ across the removals industry.
\n\nWe discuss that Melissa, daughter of Campbell McGimpsey, knew that McGimpsey’s were planning for succession as her father and Uncles were looking to retire in the coming years, and during her fiancé’s (Steven) birthday dinner they decided together that they would make an offer to buy the company, which she made initially by text that evening!
\n\nWe discover that McGimpsey’s was formed in 1983, started by Brothers Peter and Campbell, selling fish and vegetables from a van, where one evening they were asked if they could move a chest of drawers for a regular customer, which they did, and soon discovered they could make more money moving furniture than selling fish and vegetables. Fellow Brothers Stephen and Paul joined the company a few years later.
\n\nWe discuss how Melissa has found life in what is considered a male dominated industry and find that she has not faced any real issues, with the majority being very respectful towards her.
\n\nWe discover that Melissa thought her biggest issues when taking over the company were both her age and not having a removals background. But she soon discovered she had many transferrable skills, and being a Millennial, she had a good grounding in the use of technology in today’s society.
\n\nWe discuss Brexit, and Melissa highlights that January was a challenge, with 5 to 6 vehicles on average moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland on a weekly basis, which now all require import declarations for every single one of those movements. Melissa also highlights that their European work has suffered a massive change, where pre-Brexit they would have gone through the GB land bridge, but post-Brexit is now an import and export into Great Britain and an import and export back out again, so she is constantly looking for new ways, including going direct from Northern Ireland to Europe.
\n\nWe discover that every day brings a new challenge, however, Melissa’s biggest challenges to date, have been Covid and Brexit.
\n\nWe discuss that Melissa’s high point of being in the industry is opening opportunities within McGimpsey’s, providing more career prospects for moving up the ladder.
\n\nWe discover that even after a short period of time within the industry that Melissa would like a form of regulation to exist, which would help to make the industry more professional and in turn introduces better health and safety aspects.
\n\nWe discuss that Melissa is the current Secretary for the BAR Northern Ireland Area and that she felt it important to put herself forward for such a role not only to continue the networks created by her predecessors, but also to drive attendance at meetings as she believes the BAR is such a great support network.
\n\nWe discover that over the next five years Melissa hopes that McGimpsey’s have grown and introduced more technology and processes into the company – this year they have outgrown their storage facility at their Head Quarters in Bangor, taking on an additional 35,000 sqft warehouse. Industry wide Melissa believes the industry will still grow and the use of technology will expand.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Melissa rarely switches off from the industry, however, during lockdown she took up baking which she enjoys, during times when there are no bars or restaurants open.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding Paul McGimpsey assisting a client in finding their chequebook to pay for their move.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to McGimpsey (Brothers) Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Melissa Campbell.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Melissa Campbell, Managing Director of McGimpsey Brothers (Removals) Ltd","date_published":"2021-03-25T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/31f60aa5-4e4d-43e5-96a4-389352c12c56.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25583733,"duration_in_seconds":2131}]},{"id":"88ecf141-b43c-41b0-bda0-9c665736346f","title":"Episode 17: Moving Matters with Danny Pollard of Pollards Moving & Storage","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/17","content_text":"In this episode, Danny Pollard, Managing Director of Pollards Moving & Storage, discusses how he started in the industry some 20 years ago, working for a friend who’s business sadly went bust.\n\nWe discover after this Danny wrote a business plan and received a small loan from his parents, which he used to acquire the assets and formed Pollards Moving & Storage, some 16 years ago, and has since acquired Wades Removals in 2009/10, but primarily trade under the Pollards brand. \n\nWe discuss that Pollards Moving & Storage predominantly offer domestic home moving services but aim at the higher end of the market. They have a 10,000 sqft containerised storage facility and offer Commercial relocation and European & International albeit on a smaller scale.\n\nWe discover that for over 10 years Danny has collaborated with local charities on a ‘Gift Box’ scheme and explains that for those moving, Pollards provides the customer with boxes into which the customer packs their unwanted items, where they are then returned to store and finally distributed to local charity shops once the volume is large enough. The main charity that Danny supports is the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.\n\nWe discuss Danny’s challenges, the last recession being one of the hardest as Pollards were in financial difficulties, which Danny turned around after meeting his current wife, due to her positive influence upon him. The lockdown was another challenge where Danny struggled, feeling like he had let customers, staff, and his own family down as he cancelled approximately 30 house moves.\n\nWe discover two things that Danny would change from his past. Firstly, not to start out cheap, to believe in himself and to market himself more to the higher end of the market when he started, and he discusses how difficult it was to make the switch from being cheap in his area to being the most expensive, by adding value to the client. Secondly, to have undertaken his Class 2 and CPC, he hopes to address the latter this year.\n\nWe discuss Danny’s high points of being in the industry and it’s the people he’s created friendships and relationships with, another being asked to become the BAR Yorkshire Area Secretary and then Chairman, and then representing the area on the BAR National Council.\n\nWe discover the one thing Danny would change within the moving industry is public perception, yet again.\n\nWe discuss the advice Danny would give to a younger Danny, and its people and the investment placed in them, with Danny’s moto being; employ well, treat well, train well, where necessary.\n\nWe discover that over the next five years Danny sees continued growth and recognition of the Pollards brand within the Yorkshire region, and that he has a success story and business model that he would like to help others within the industry use. In the industry Danny sees a definite change in how they operate over the next couple of years where it will remain stagnant, but he still sees growth and hopes that the public will now see more value in the industry since the pandemic.\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Danny enjoys Huddersfield Town FC, where he and his children are season ticket holders. Danny also enjoys golf, activities with the children, weekends away with the wife, travel and general outdoor pursuits, but Danny does find it hard to switch off.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a job to Aberdeen with a deeply religious 85 year old lady, and her 4 goldfish.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Pollards Moving & Storage:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Danny Pollard.","content_html":"In this episode, Danny Pollard, Managing Director of Pollards Moving & Storage, discusses how he started in the industry some 20 years ago, working for a friend who’s business sadly went bust.
\n\nWe discover after this Danny wrote a business plan and received a small loan from his parents, which he used to acquire the assets and formed Pollards Moving & Storage, some 16 years ago, and has since acquired Wades Removals in 2009/10, but primarily trade under the Pollards brand.
\n\nWe discuss that Pollards Moving & Storage predominantly offer domestic home moving services but aim at the higher end of the market. They have a 10,000 sqft containerised storage facility and offer Commercial relocation and European & International albeit on a smaller scale.
\n\nWe discover that for over 10 years Danny has collaborated with local charities on a ‘Gift Box’ scheme and explains that for those moving, Pollards provides the customer with boxes into which the customer packs their unwanted items, where they are then returned to store and finally distributed to local charity shops once the volume is large enough. The main charity that Danny supports is the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.
\n\nWe discuss Danny’s challenges, the last recession being one of the hardest as Pollards were in financial difficulties, which Danny turned around after meeting his current wife, due to her positive influence upon him. The lockdown was another challenge where Danny struggled, feeling like he had let customers, staff, and his own family down as he cancelled approximately 30 house moves.
\n\nWe discover two things that Danny would change from his past. Firstly, not to start out cheap, to believe in himself and to market himself more to the higher end of the market when he started, and he discusses how difficult it was to make the switch from being cheap in his area to being the most expensive, by adding value to the client. Secondly, to have undertaken his Class 2 and CPC, he hopes to address the latter this year.
\n\nWe discuss Danny’s high points of being in the industry and it’s the people he’s created friendships and relationships with, another being asked to become the BAR Yorkshire Area Secretary and then Chairman, and then representing the area on the BAR National Council.
\n\nWe discover the one thing Danny would change within the moving industry is public perception, yet again.
\n\nWe discuss the advice Danny would give to a younger Danny, and its people and the investment placed in them, with Danny’s moto being; employ well, treat well, train well, where necessary.
\n\nWe discover that over the next five years Danny sees continued growth and recognition of the Pollards brand within the Yorkshire region, and that he has a success story and business model that he would like to help others within the industry use. In the industry Danny sees a definite change in how they operate over the next couple of years where it will remain stagnant, but he still sees growth and hopes that the public will now see more value in the industry since the pandemic.
\n\nWe discuss that outside of the industry Danny enjoys Huddersfield Town FC, where he and his children are season ticket holders. Danny also enjoys golf, activities with the children, weekends away with the wife, travel and general outdoor pursuits, but Danny does find it hard to switch off.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a job to Aberdeen with a deeply religious 85 year old lady, and her 4 goldfish.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Pollards Moving & Storage:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Danny Pollard.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Danny Pollard, Managing Director of Pollards Moving & Storage","date_published":"2021-03-11T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/88ecf141-b43c-41b0-bda0-9c665736346f.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":30502068,"duration_in_seconds":2541}]},{"id":"f9124d3f-bddd-49aa-976f-e413a2fa3d20","title":"Episode 16: Moving Matters with Rob Horrobin of John Lomas Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/16","content_text":"In this episode, Rob Horrobin, Managing Director of John Lomas Removals, discusses how he started in the industry some 22 years ago at the tender age of 14, where he began as porter during his school holidays.\n\nWe discover that after a few years of portering Rob became involved in the Sales and Operations side of the business, and that in 2006 John Lomas Removals was brought by Clockwork where Rob became the fulltime Sales Estimator having just completed his Business Studies degree, and soon after became Operations Manager and subsequently Branch Manager.\n\nWe discuss how during the recession Rob was told that Clockwork were looking to close down the branch and run everything from their Sheffield location, but that got Rob thinking, and in 2011 together with his father they took over ownership of John Lomas Removals.\n\nWe discover that John Lomas Removals are a Bishop’s Move franchise, and Rob explains that Bishop’s bring policy and procedural knowledge, provide access to European and International rates that allow Rob to compete in those markets, and that they bring a revenue generating stream of work.\n\nWe discus that one of Rob’s biggest challenges to date has been COVID-19, sorting out policies and procedures to ensure safe working practices.\n\nWe discuss Rob’s high points of being in the industry and find that they are when being asked to move family and friends, winning the big jobs that take lots of planning, commercial work (although John Lomas Removals are not a member of the BAR’s Commercial Moving Group, but I sense a yet!) and the acquaintances and friends made along the way.\n\nWe discover that Rob would change two things within the moving industry. Firstly, the conveyancing process, because Rob believes that the industry loses too many good people, especially drivers, due to not knowing when they are going to be finished at the end of the day. And secondly, regulating the 3.5 tonne sector, bringing it under the operators licence jurisdictions.\n\nWe discuss that the advice Rob would give to a younger Rob would be to work harder at university, specialising in law, and become a solicitor! But on a more serious note, Rob would not allow the business or the industry run himself and not to become a slave to it.\n\nWe discover that outside of work Rob likes to spend time with his family, holidays, watching sport such as football (Rob is a massive fan of West Bromwich Albion), boxing, UFC and he’s a big golf fan, both watching and playing, as well as the usual eating out, socialising, watching films and bingeing on Netflix with the wife.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one that involved Rob himself and a driver desperate for ‘a number two’, and another involving the site manager on a new build.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to John Lomas Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Rob Horrobin.","content_html":"In this episode, Rob Horrobin, Managing Director of John Lomas Removals, discusses how he started in the industry some 22 years ago at the tender age of 14, where he began as porter during his school holidays.
\n\nWe discover that after a few years of portering Rob became involved in the Sales and Operations side of the business, and that in 2006 John Lomas Removals was brought by Clockwork where Rob became the fulltime Sales Estimator having just completed his Business Studies degree, and soon after became Operations Manager and subsequently Branch Manager.
\n\nWe discuss how during the recession Rob was told that Clockwork were looking to close down the branch and run everything from their Sheffield location, but that got Rob thinking, and in 2011 together with his father they took over ownership of John Lomas Removals.
\n\nWe discover that John Lomas Removals are a Bishop’s Move franchise, and Rob explains that Bishop’s bring policy and procedural knowledge, provide access to European and International rates that allow Rob to compete in those markets, and that they bring a revenue generating stream of work.
\n\nWe discus that one of Rob’s biggest challenges to date has been COVID-19, sorting out policies and procedures to ensure safe working practices.
\n\nWe discuss Rob’s high points of being in the industry and find that they are when being asked to move family and friends, winning the big jobs that take lots of planning, commercial work (although John Lomas Removals are not a member of the BAR’s Commercial Moving Group, but I sense a yet!) and the acquaintances and friends made along the way.
\n\nWe discover that Rob would change two things within the moving industry. Firstly, the conveyancing process, because Rob believes that the industry loses too many good people, especially drivers, due to not knowing when they are going to be finished at the end of the day. And secondly, regulating the 3.5 tonne sector, bringing it under the operators licence jurisdictions.
\n\nWe discuss that the advice Rob would give to a younger Rob would be to work harder at university, specialising in law, and become a solicitor! But on a more serious note, Rob would not allow the business or the industry run himself and not to become a slave to it.
\n\nWe discover that outside of work Rob likes to spend time with his family, holidays, watching sport such as football (Rob is a massive fan of West Bromwich Albion), boxing, UFC and he’s a big golf fan, both watching and playing, as well as the usual eating out, socialising, watching films and bingeing on Netflix with the wife.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with two funny moving stories, one that involved Rob himself and a driver desperate for ‘a number two’, and another involving the site manager on a new build.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to John Lomas Removals:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Rob Horrobin.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Rob Horrobin, Managing Director of John Lomas Removals","date_published":"2021-02-25T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/f9124d3f-bddd-49aa-976f-e413a2fa3d20.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":25842345,"duration_in_seconds":2153}]},{"id":"65533542-a43c-458a-9e79-5d1d5ecb3144","title":"Episode 15: Moving Matters with Steve Jordan of The Mover Magazine","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/15","content_text":"In this episode, Steve Jordan, Editor of The Mover Magazine, discusses how he began in the industry some 47 years ago with ScotPac as a Shipping Clerk, before leaving 6 months later to form Avalon Overseas with Glyn Thomas & Jimmy Hannah, which they then sold in 1989 to Paul Evans of TransEuro.\n\nWe discover that The Movers Trading Club, as mentioned in Episode 13 by Tony Tickner of The Eurogroup, was started in 1989/90 due to ‘bolshy’ Steve’s involvement within the BAR Overseas Group Council and in those days the Freight Negotiation Committee.\n\nWe discuss why Steve wanted to get out of the industry in around 1992, to do something different, and started his own copywriting business, from his shed, before expanding to start The Words Workshop with his brother David and becoming the Editor of the BAR’s Removals & Storage Magazine from 2005 to 2011.\n\nWe discover that Steve ‘absolutely adored’ being the Editor of R&S, but after a difficult relationship with the then BAR Director General in his final years Steve left and started The Mover Magazine, an independent magazine for the Removals & Storage industry.\n\nWe discuss the reasons why Steve made the transition of The Mover Magazine from hard copy to digital and discover they have an app too!\n\nWe discover that social media has had a huge difference on the PR side of Steve’s business and Steve provides some tips for our business owner listeners and discuss just how easy it is to get your story published in The Mover Magazine.\n\nWe discuss some of the challenges Steve has faced, several being ‘jumping off the cliff in the dark’ ones, like starting his own business with no money, leaving R&S to start The Mover Magazine, and one very surprising one, an arson attack on the warehouse at Avalon Overseas in 1982 that very nearly destroyed the company.\n\nWe discover that Steve’s high point is clearly starting The Mover Magazine.\n\nWe discuss that Steve would make two changes in the moving industry, the fixation on price and length of service within the industry, where Steve does not think the industry cherishes the youth of the industry in the way that it should do.\n\nWe discover that Steve’s advice, to everybody, is to be an exceptional employee, by doing the following three things; turn up time, smile, and do your absolute best every day. And his advice to a young Steve would be to take a public speaking course and to stand on a stage at every opportunity and tell people how you feel about things.\n\nWe discuss where Steve sees himself and the moving industry in five years’ time, and while there are currently no succession plans for The Mover Magazine Steve would like to still be Editor at that time. As for the moving industry Steve believes it needs to become very flexible, more efficient, use technology far more than it does now, and that people will have to think more laterally, pushing the boundaries of possibilities.\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Steve is a butterfly person - someone that does a lot of things, but not very well! Steve plays guitar and sings, enjoys walking with his dog, running, cycling and playing table tennis, where in his youth he had a trial to play for England!\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a survey with the Smellies!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to The Mover Magazine:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nLinkedin\nYouTube\nSpecial Guest: Steve Jordan.","content_html":"In this episode, Steve Jordan, Editor of The Mover Magazine, discusses how he began in the industry some 47 years ago with ScotPac as a Shipping Clerk, before leaving 6 months later to form Avalon Overseas with Glyn Thomas & Jimmy Hannah, which they then sold in 1989 to Paul Evans of TransEuro.
\n\nWe discover that The Movers Trading Club, as mentioned in Episode 13 by Tony Tickner of The Eurogroup, was started in 1989/90 due to ‘bolshy’ Steve’s involvement within the BAR Overseas Group Council and in those days the Freight Negotiation Committee.
\n\nWe discuss why Steve wanted to get out of the industry in around 1992, to do something different, and started his own copywriting business, from his shed, before expanding to start The Words Workshop with his brother David and becoming the Editor of the BAR’s Removals & Storage Magazine from 2005 to 2011.
\n\nWe discover that Steve ‘absolutely adored’ being the Editor of R&S, but after a difficult relationship with the then BAR Director General in his final years Steve left and started The Mover Magazine, an independent magazine for the Removals & Storage industry.
\n\nWe discuss the reasons why Steve made the transition of The Mover Magazine from hard copy to digital and discover they have an app too!
\n\nWe discover that social media has had a huge difference on the PR side of Steve’s business and Steve provides some tips for our business owner listeners and discuss just how easy it is to get your story published in The Mover Magazine.
\n\nWe discuss some of the challenges Steve has faced, several being ‘jumping off the cliff in the dark’ ones, like starting his own business with no money, leaving R&S to start The Mover Magazine, and one very surprising one, an arson attack on the warehouse at Avalon Overseas in 1982 that very nearly destroyed the company.
\n\nWe discover that Steve’s high point is clearly starting The Mover Magazine.
\n\nWe discuss that Steve would make two changes in the moving industry, the fixation on price and length of service within the industry, where Steve does not think the industry cherishes the youth of the industry in the way that it should do.
\n\nWe discover that Steve’s advice, to everybody, is to be an exceptional employee, by doing the following three things; turn up time, smile, and do your absolute best every day. And his advice to a young Steve would be to take a public speaking course and to stand on a stage at every opportunity and tell people how you feel about things.
\n\nWe discuss where Steve sees himself and the moving industry in five years’ time, and while there are currently no succession plans for The Mover Magazine Steve would like to still be Editor at that time. As for the moving industry Steve believes it needs to become very flexible, more efficient, use technology far more than it does now, and that people will have to think more laterally, pushing the boundaries of possibilities.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the industry Steve is a butterfly person - someone that does a lot of things, but not very well! Steve plays guitar and sings, enjoys walking with his dog, running, cycling and playing table tennis, where in his youth he had a trial to play for England!
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a survey with the Smellies!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to The Mover Magazine:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Steve Jordan.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Steve Jordan, Editor of The Mover Magazine","date_published":"2021-02-11T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/65533542-a43c-458a-9e79-5d1d5ecb3144.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":38919348,"duration_in_seconds":3243}]},{"id":"5b4b11fd-9962-4cb4-94f4-42567e1d4deb","title":"Episode 14: Moving Matters with Robert Bartup of GB Liners","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/14","content_text":"In this episode, Robert Bartup, Managing Director of GB Liners, discusses how he is now in his 46th year in the industry after completing a Business Studies Degree at Leicester in 1975, and that he’s only ever worked for the illustrious GB Liners.\n\nWe discover that Robert is the progeny of another man who was in the removal industry, who’s father was also in the removal industry, making him not a 3rd generation removal man but a 3rd generation removal director.\n\nWe discover that GB Liners was formed by Robert’s Grandfather in Brighton back in 1923, and today GB Liners consists of 11 branches using the GB Liners brand and has approximately 100 vehicles and employs 250-300 staff across the group, which also includes 2 Self Storage businesses, Clark & Rose with 3 branches in Scotland, and surprisingly Unique Van Bodies, who build trucks for the removal industry. We also discover that Robert concentrates on doing the job right and being the most expensive mover in town, rather than doing it wrong and being the cheapest mover in town!\n\nWe discuss challenges, where Robert explains no money was the challenge in the early days, and that a fire nearly destroyed the business in 1990!\n\nWe discover that one thing Robert would change from his past was not working outside of the family business for a period, as he has always been an employer and never an employee.\n\nWe discuss some of Robert’s high points of being in the industry, consisting of some of the buildings and trucks he’s built, the Moving Up project that he did in the late 1990’s, his BAR Presidency and more recently being awarded BAR Honorary Life Membership. We also discuss how ‘Rebel’ Robert became involved in the BAR APG Scheme.\n\nWe discover that one thing Robert would change within the industry is for the industry to be proud of the service it provides and prouder of the price it charges for it, as the industry has a great tendency to underestimate its own value, skill, effort, and risk that it undertakes.\n\nWe discuss that the advice Robert would give to a young Robert, or Roberta, would be to find themselves a mentor or a series of mentors, and tap into their knowledge and experience, and not to be afraid to ask questions.\n\nWe discover that Robert is immortal, but in 5 years’ time he doesn’t want to be involved in the nitty gritty day to day stuff that comes along and will nudge other people into taking over those roles, however, he has a challenge to find people to take over the non operational type of issues. Robert does believe that the process of consolidation will continue and that customers will be stolen and sold back by the lead generation type people.\n\nWe discover that outside of the business Robert is a keen Hereford Football Club fan being a season ticket holder and club sponsor, he likes his holidays, and would also like to spend more time in the South of France, maybe purchase a second home there.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, both concerning victorious County Court appearances!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to GB Liners:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Robert Bartup.","content_html":"In this episode, Robert Bartup, Managing Director of GB Liners, discusses how he is now in his 46th year in the industry after completing a Business Studies Degree at Leicester in 1975, and that he’s only ever worked for the illustrious GB Liners.
\n\nWe discover that Robert is the progeny of another man who was in the removal industry, who’s father was also in the removal industry, making him not a 3rd generation removal man but a 3rd generation removal director.
\n\nWe discover that GB Liners was formed by Robert’s Grandfather in Brighton back in 1923, and today GB Liners consists of 11 branches using the GB Liners brand and has approximately 100 vehicles and employs 250-300 staff across the group, which also includes 2 Self Storage businesses, Clark & Rose with 3 branches in Scotland, and surprisingly Unique Van Bodies, who build trucks for the removal industry. We also discover that Robert concentrates on doing the job right and being the most expensive mover in town, rather than doing it wrong and being the cheapest mover in town!
\n\nWe discuss challenges, where Robert explains no money was the challenge in the early days, and that a fire nearly destroyed the business in 1990!
\n\nWe discover that one thing Robert would change from his past was not working outside of the family business for a period, as he has always been an employer and never an employee.
\n\nWe discuss some of Robert’s high points of being in the industry, consisting of some of the buildings and trucks he’s built, the Moving Up project that he did in the late 1990’s, his BAR Presidency and more recently being awarded BAR Honorary Life Membership. We also discuss how ‘Rebel’ Robert became involved in the BAR APG Scheme.
\n\nWe discover that one thing Robert would change within the industry is for the industry to be proud of the service it provides and prouder of the price it charges for it, as the industry has a great tendency to underestimate its own value, skill, effort, and risk that it undertakes.
\n\nWe discuss that the advice Robert would give to a young Robert, or Roberta, would be to find themselves a mentor or a series of mentors, and tap into their knowledge and experience, and not to be afraid to ask questions.
\n\nWe discover that Robert is immortal, but in 5 years’ time he doesn’t want to be involved in the nitty gritty day to day stuff that comes along and will nudge other people into taking over those roles, however, he has a challenge to find people to take over the non operational type of issues. Robert does believe that the process of consolidation will continue and that customers will be stolen and sold back by the lead generation type people.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the business Robert is a keen Hereford Football Club fan being a season ticket holder and club sponsor, he likes his holidays, and would also like to spend more time in the South of France, maybe purchase a second home there.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, both concerning victorious County Court appearances!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to GB Liners:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Robert Bartup.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Robert Bartup, Managing Director of GB Liners","date_published":"2021-01-28T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/5b4b11fd-9962-4cb4-94f4-42567e1d4deb.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":32969072,"duration_in_seconds":2747}]},{"id":"f3e7e200-90f5-42dd-a976-7733b37a7491","title":"Episode 13: Moving Matters with Tony Tickner of The Eurogroup","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/13","content_text":"In this episode, Tony Tickner, Managing Director of The Eurogroup, discusses how he began in the industry some 32 years ago, forming the company with a friend from quite a large freight forwarding company.\n\nWe discover that Tony started with general cargo before realising there was very little money to be made, and switching to become a destination agent, handling household goods for the likes of Four Winds Middle East.\n\nWe discover The Eurogroup operate from 3 depots, with an additional 2 that are purely storage only, running approximately 40 vehicles, employ 44 staff, and that they do not provide domestic or commercial moves, they purely do household moves to and from Europe and Internationally.\n\nWe discuss Tony’s challenges, his biggest personal one being his dyslexia, while his biggest commercial challenge was being recognised within the industry for their corporate accounts, and discuss how Tony changed the tariff structure for unloading deepsea containers.\n\nWe discover that Tony wouldn’t change anything from his past but does highlight that in the early days he didn’t truly understand his costs, something he definitely does today!\n\nWe discuss Tony’s high point of being in the industry, and discover he has many; moving high profile celebrities, being chosen as the management company for one of the largest contracts in the UK, and that he was chosen to be a joint supplier for the drawdown of personnel out of Germany for the MOD back in 2015, moving 2,500 families over a 12 week period. But his real high point was being asked to become BAR President.\n\nWe discuss the Movers Trading Club, of which Tony is the current Chairman and discover what it provides to its membership and how to join such an illustrious group.\n\nBeing the immediate past President of the BAR, we discover just how much Tony enjoyed undertaking that role, yet found it challenging at times.\n\nWe discover that one thing Tony would change in the industry is regulation, but this time at a governmental level!\n\nWe discover that the advice he would give to a young Tony would be to know your costings and not to be a busy fool.\n\nWe discuss where Tony see’s the industry in 5 years, and on the shipping side he does think we’re in the biggest transition the industry has ever been in as shipments are decreasing in size as we live in a more disposable world and carry so much information in a digital rather than a physical form.\n\nWe discover that outside of the business Tony never truly switches off. However, he is a car fanatic and is currently rebuilding a 40 year old Suzuki Jeep, which he tracked down in Ibiza to then discover it was sold by his father’s dealership in the UK back in the day! Being a car fanatic Tony is an avid fan of F1 and loves off-road racing, something he may look to get back into.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny story regarding the shipment for a VIP of a really big blue chip company, a polaroid camera and a statue of Eros!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to The Eurogroup:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Tony Tickner.","content_html":"In this episode, Tony Tickner, Managing Director of The Eurogroup, discusses how he began in the industry some 32 years ago, forming the company with a friend from quite a large freight forwarding company.
\n\nWe discover that Tony started with general cargo before realising there was very little money to be made, and switching to become a destination agent, handling household goods for the likes of Four Winds Middle East.
\n\nWe discover The Eurogroup operate from 3 depots, with an additional 2 that are purely storage only, running approximately 40 vehicles, employ 44 staff, and that they do not provide domestic or commercial moves, they purely do household moves to and from Europe and Internationally.
\n\nWe discuss Tony’s challenges, his biggest personal one being his dyslexia, while his biggest commercial challenge was being recognised within the industry for their corporate accounts, and discuss how Tony changed the tariff structure for unloading deepsea containers.
\n\nWe discover that Tony wouldn’t change anything from his past but does highlight that in the early days he didn’t truly understand his costs, something he definitely does today!
\n\nWe discuss Tony’s high point of being in the industry, and discover he has many; moving high profile celebrities, being chosen as the management company for one of the largest contracts in the UK, and that he was chosen to be a joint supplier for the drawdown of personnel out of Germany for the MOD back in 2015, moving 2,500 families over a 12 week period. But his real high point was being asked to become BAR President.
\n\nWe discuss the Movers Trading Club, of which Tony is the current Chairman and discover what it provides to its membership and how to join such an illustrious group.
\n\nBeing the immediate past President of the BAR, we discover just how much Tony enjoyed undertaking that role, yet found it challenging at times.
\n\nWe discover that one thing Tony would change in the industry is regulation, but this time at a governmental level!
\n\nWe discover that the advice he would give to a young Tony would be to know your costings and not to be a busy fool.
\n\nWe discuss where Tony see’s the industry in 5 years, and on the shipping side he does think we’re in the biggest transition the industry has ever been in as shipments are decreasing in size as we live in a more disposable world and carry so much information in a digital rather than a physical form.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the business Tony never truly switches off. However, he is a car fanatic and is currently rebuilding a 40 year old Suzuki Jeep, which he tracked down in Ibiza to then discover it was sold by his father’s dealership in the UK back in the day! Being a car fanatic Tony is an avid fan of F1 and loves off-road racing, something he may look to get back into.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a funny story regarding the shipment for a VIP of a really big blue chip company, a polaroid camera and a statue of Eros!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to The Eurogroup:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Tony Tickner.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Tony Tickner, Managing Director of The Eurogroup","date_published":"2021-01-14T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/f3e7e200-90f5-42dd-a976-7733b37a7491.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":31517395,"duration_in_seconds":2626}]},{"id":"b2c09e2d-c9cb-48c8-8601-59825b4b35a3","title":"Episode 12: Moving Matters with Chris Smallwood of Britannia Anchor Removals","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/12","content_text":"In this episode, Chris Smallwood, Director of Britannia Anchor Removals of Salford, Greater Manchester, discusses how he first began in the industry in 1990 with Whitby Oliver, where he was snapped up by Charles Oliver after Charles had heard he was being made redundant from his garage receptionist role.\n\nWe discover that Chris served 2 stints at Whitby Oliver’s, first serving as porter, packer, driver and then surveyor. Chris left in 1994 to work at Devereux in Cleveland, but returned to Whitby Oliver in 97/98 as joint Manager, eventually taking over as Manager.\n\nWe discus how Anchor Removals came about, which was originally started by ex-sailor Roy Featherston in 1992. Roy took the company into the BAR and as Roy and Chris became good friends within the industry Roy came to him when he decided to retire, and so in 2008 Chris became the new owner and thus Director, taking it into Britannia and increasing its turnover from £125k then to £600k today.\n\nWe discover that Chris has had to overcome several challenges in the past, being undervalued, suffering from mental illness and depression, but his biggest challenge was becoming a business owner and discovering that he was answerable to everybody in the business.\n\nWe discus that his high point of being in the industry was being named Salford Business Employer of the Year in 2019, which was the pinnacle of what had been a lot of hard work over the last 10/12 years.\n\nWe discover what being a member of Britannia Movers International brings to the table, as Chris’s industry experience comes from working at fellow Britannia members during the past.\n\nWe tap into Chris’s passionate side and discuss in length his philosophy regarding the treatment of employees, the living wage foundation and zero hour contracts, and I for one learned an awful lot from this.\n\nWe discover Chris has a strategy in place when the time comes to hand over the reins, and he believes the industry will have many challenges ahead of itself in the next 5 years with the advent of Brexit and COVID.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover that Chris is a passionate fan of Manchester City Football Club and York City Knights who play rugby league. Chris also enjoys getting out on his road bike where he comes up with most of his business solutions and ideas.\n\nAnd as always we end with a funny moving story regarding some obstructive neighbours who parked their cars in the way of the removal truck, well one in particular anyway!\n\nEnjoy.\n\nLinks to Britannia Anchor Removals:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\nLiving Wage Foundation Website\n\nSpecial Guest: Chris Smallwood.","content_html":"In this episode, Chris Smallwood, Director of Britannia Anchor Removals of Salford, Greater Manchester, discusses how he first began in the industry in 1990 with Whitby Oliver, where he was snapped up by Charles Oliver after Charles had heard he was being made redundant from his garage receptionist role.
\n\nWe discover that Chris served 2 stints at Whitby Oliver’s, first serving as porter, packer, driver and then surveyor. Chris left in 1994 to work at Devereux in Cleveland, but returned to Whitby Oliver in 97/98 as joint Manager, eventually taking over as Manager.
\n\nWe discus how Anchor Removals came about, which was originally started by ex-sailor Roy Featherston in 1992. Roy took the company into the BAR and as Roy and Chris became good friends within the industry Roy came to him when he decided to retire, and so in 2008 Chris became the new owner and thus Director, taking it into Britannia and increasing its turnover from £125k then to £600k today.
\n\nWe discover that Chris has had to overcome several challenges in the past, being undervalued, suffering from mental illness and depression, but his biggest challenge was becoming a business owner and discovering that he was answerable to everybody in the business.
\n\nWe discus that his high point of being in the industry was being named Salford Business Employer of the Year in 2019, which was the pinnacle of what had been a lot of hard work over the last 10/12 years.
\n\nWe discover what being a member of Britannia Movers International brings to the table, as Chris’s industry experience comes from working at fellow Britannia members during the past.
\n\nWe tap into Chris’s passionate side and discuss in length his philosophy regarding the treatment of employees, the living wage foundation and zero hour contracts, and I for one learned an awful lot from this.
\n\nWe discover Chris has a strategy in place when the time comes to hand over the reins, and he believes the industry will have many challenges ahead of itself in the next 5 years with the advent of Brexit and COVID.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover that Chris is a passionate fan of Manchester City Football Club and York City Knights who play rugby league. Chris also enjoys getting out on his road bike where he comes up with most of his business solutions and ideas.
\n\nAnd as always we end with a funny moving story regarding some obstructive neighbours who parked their cars in the way of the removal truck, well one in particular anyway!
\n\nEnjoy.
\n\nLinks to Britannia Anchor Removals:
\n\n\n\nLiving Wage Foundation Website
\n\n
Special Guest: Chris Smallwood.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Chris Smallwood, Director of Britannia Anchor Removals","date_published":"2020-12-24T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/b2c09e2d-c9cb-48c8-8601-59825b4b35a3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35138594,"duration_in_seconds":2928}]},{"id":"7e60ea94-7f62-468c-b484-e6a2dbdd52f2","title":"Episode 11: Moving Matters with the BAR Young Movers Group Council - Part 2 of 2","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/11","content_text":"Episode 11 is part 2 of a 2 part recording with the BAR Young Movers Group Council, which consists of Chairman Ciaran Mullarkey of George Pickersgills & Son, Deputy Chairman Mairead Almandras of Britannia Sanderstead's, Immediate Past Chairman Daniel Braddock of GB Liners and fellow councillors, Michael Dunbar of McGimpsey's, Alexandra Lane of Britannia Lanes, Tommy McNee of Guardian Moving & Storage and Calvin Tickner of The Eurogroup.\n\nWe discover what one thing my guests would change as a whole within the moving industry, with Michael discussing the general outside perspective for a trade in which he believes is a skilled trade (and I totally agree!), Mairead has a real dig at solicitors over exchange and completion dates, Tommy agrees with Mairead and provides an example on how it can effect the Working Time Directive as he believes the moving industry is always an afterthought, Alexandra covers the service being offered over the race to the bottom line and also agrees with Mairead, Calvin echo’s the comments already made and touches upon the professionalism of the moving industry, Ciaran would like to see some form of regulation, and Daniel reiterates public perception and would like the industry to work together a bit more.\n\nWhen it comes to what advice this young bunch would give to a young mover just starting out in the moving industry, Michael suggests that you show initiative as there is so much room for development and progression within this industry, Mairead echo’s Michaels views and highly recommends that you get involved with the BAR Young Movers Group, Tommy recommends the invaluable networking, Alexandra reminds everyone that it’s not a weakness to ask questions, Calvin reiterates the advice already given and adds that if you are office based then hot desk to increase your own value within the company, Ciaran recommends training, lots of training, and Daniel suggests you surround yourself with the people that have the knowledge.\n\nWe discover where each of my guests see themselves and the industry in 5 years, where Michael believes his own future is in the hands of his Directors, and that the young movers can drive the industry forward, Mairead believes the industry will slow down for city movers as more and more people relocate to their ‘forever home’ in the countryside being as they are now able to work from home as a result of the recent pandemic, and she sees herself as maybe moving more into a surveying role, Tommy would like a Directors role within Guardian Moving & Storage and would like to become a voice for the industry, and he hopes a form of regulation comes about for the industry, Alexandra sees herself growing within her current role and expanding her knowledge, but doesn’t see any huge incoming changes to the industry, Calvin would have served his stint as Chairman of the BAR Young Movers Group as he moves into the role of Vice Chairman next year and sees more responsibility coming his way from the family business, in the industry he has noticed shipments are getting smaller and has seen a change in commercial relocation as more and more of us are now able to work from home, Ciaran is in the process of buying a warehouse to stand the business in good stead for the future, but isn’t too sure on the industry, and Daniel would like to still see himself as part of GB Liners and driving it forward and maintaining his involvement within the BAR.\n\nAnd finally, we end with several funny moving stories, Michael didn’t have a funny story as they were far to incriminating, but he did recite a story that involved moving Professional Golfer Rory Mcllroy and how curiosity got the better of him, Mairead recites a packing job she was once on where she was tipped in Home Made Greek Halloumi Cheese, and the moment she took the DNA from a cup Rock Legend Liam Gallagher drank from while in attendance at their warehouse, Tommy recites a story where he and his crew pranked an apprentice by telling him he needed a passport to cross the border into England, Alexandra is far to young to have a moving story but does recite the history of Lanes, Calvin recites a story he had been told regarding a couple of PBO boxes coming from a bedroom making the sound of a battery powered toothbrush, and Calvin clears the company name regarding receipt of a damaged shipment for British Long Distance Runner Sir Mo Farah, just in case its mentioned on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, Ciaran recites a story regarding a foreman, the foreman’s wife and a snooker table, while on a removal, and Daniel recites a charming story regarding a large bronze garden statue of a lady, with a black mark on her thigh.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to the BAR Young Movers Group:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\n\n\nSpecial Guests: Alexandra Lane, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Mairead Almandras, Michael Dunbar, and Tommy McNee.","content_html":"Episode 11 is part 2 of a 2 part recording with the BAR Young Movers Group Council, which consists of Chairman Ciaran Mullarkey of George Pickersgills & Son, Deputy Chairman Mairead Almandras of Britannia Sanderstead's, Immediate Past Chairman Daniel Braddock of GB Liners and fellow councillors, Michael Dunbar of McGimpsey's, Alexandra Lane of Britannia Lanes, Tommy McNee of Guardian Moving & Storage and Calvin Tickner of The Eurogroup.
\n\nWe discover what one thing my guests would change as a whole within the moving industry, with Michael discussing the general outside perspective for a trade in which he believes is a skilled trade (and I totally agree!), Mairead has a real dig at solicitors over exchange and completion dates, Tommy agrees with Mairead and provides an example on how it can effect the Working Time Directive as he believes the moving industry is always an afterthought, Alexandra covers the service being offered over the race to the bottom line and also agrees with Mairead, Calvin echo’s the comments already made and touches upon the professionalism of the moving industry, Ciaran would like to see some form of regulation, and Daniel reiterates public perception and would like the industry to work together a bit more.
\n\nWhen it comes to what advice this young bunch would give to a young mover just starting out in the moving industry, Michael suggests that you show initiative as there is so much room for development and progression within this industry, Mairead echo’s Michaels views and highly recommends that you get involved with the BAR Young Movers Group, Tommy recommends the invaluable networking, Alexandra reminds everyone that it’s not a weakness to ask questions, Calvin reiterates the advice already given and adds that if you are office based then hot desk to increase your own value within the company, Ciaran recommends training, lots of training, and Daniel suggests you surround yourself with the people that have the knowledge.
\n\nWe discover where each of my guests see themselves and the industry in 5 years, where Michael believes his own future is in the hands of his Directors, and that the young movers can drive the industry forward, Mairead believes the industry will slow down for city movers as more and more people relocate to their ‘forever home’ in the countryside being as they are now able to work from home as a result of the recent pandemic, and she sees herself as maybe moving more into a surveying role, Tommy would like a Directors role within Guardian Moving & Storage and would like to become a voice for the industry, and he hopes a form of regulation comes about for the industry, Alexandra sees herself growing within her current role and expanding her knowledge, but doesn’t see any huge incoming changes to the industry, Calvin would have served his stint as Chairman of the BAR Young Movers Group as he moves into the role of Vice Chairman next year and sees more responsibility coming his way from the family business, in the industry he has noticed shipments are getting smaller and has seen a change in commercial relocation as more and more of us are now able to work from home, Ciaran is in the process of buying a warehouse to stand the business in good stead for the future, but isn’t too sure on the industry, and Daniel would like to still see himself as part of GB Liners and driving it forward and maintaining his involvement within the BAR.
\n\nAnd finally, we end with several funny moving stories, Michael didn’t have a funny story as they were far to incriminating, but he did recite a story that involved moving Professional Golfer Rory Mcllroy and how curiosity got the better of him, Mairead recites a packing job she was once on where she was tipped in Home Made Greek Halloumi Cheese, and the moment she took the DNA from a cup Rock Legend Liam Gallagher drank from while in attendance at their warehouse, Tommy recites a story where he and his crew pranked an apprentice by telling him he needed a passport to cross the border into England, Alexandra is far to young to have a moving story but does recite the history of Lanes, Calvin recites a story he had been told regarding a couple of PBO boxes coming from a bedroom making the sound of a battery powered toothbrush, and Calvin clears the company name regarding receipt of a damaged shipment for British Long Distance Runner Sir Mo Farah, just in case its mentioned on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, Ciaran recites a story regarding a foreman, the foreman’s wife and a snooker table, while on a removal, and Daniel recites a charming story regarding a large bronze garden statue of a lady, with a black mark on her thigh.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to the BAR Young Movers Group:
\n\n\n\n![\"baryoungmovers\"](\"https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/1/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/dQc514K9.jpg\")
Special Guests: Alexandra Lane, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Mairead Almandras, Michael Dunbar, and Tommy McNee.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with the BAR Young Movers Group Council","date_published":"2020-12-10T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/7e60ea94-7f62-468c-b484-e6a2dbdd52f2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":43591923,"duration_in_seconds":3632}]},{"id":"37cdfd69-f605-4a1e-baad-adf7b46b982a","title":"Episode 10: Moving Matters with the BAR Young Movers Group Council - Part 1 of 2","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/10","content_text":"Episode 10 is part 1 of a 2 part recording with the BAR Young Movers Group Council, which consists of Chairman Ciaran Mullarkey, Deputy Chairman Mairead Almandras, Immediate Past Chairman Daniel Braddock and fellow councillors, Michael Dunbar, Alexandra Lane, Tommy McNee and Calvin Tickner.\n\nWe discover that Michael is 33 and works for McGimpsey’s in Belfast, Mairead is 29 and works for Britannia Sanderstead’s in Surrey, Tommy is 33 and works for Guardian Moving & Storage in Edinburgh, Alexandra (the baby of the group) is 22 and works for Britannia Lanes in Devon, Calvin is 28 and works for The Eurogroup, Ciaran is 38 (and not 28 as I mistakenly wrote down!), and works for George Pickersgill & Son and Daniel is 32 and works for GB Liners.\n\nWe discuss the BAR Young Movers Group as a whole and discover from Ciaran that the group networks and socialises together, and have previously sold out 3 educational events, held at remover locations in Birmingham, Cardiff and Brighton, with Belfast on the calendar for 2021.\n\nWe discover from Daniel that membership has just been launched, at the mere cost of £55 + VAT per year, and is available to BAR and non-BAR members, with non-BAR members requiring individual membership too at the cost of £100 + VAT per year. Being that it is a group for ‘young movers’, there is a cut-off age of 40. We discover from Calvin that there was a Young Movers Group in the past and how he set about resurrecting it.\n\nWhen asked who has the aspirations to become the next BAR President, Ciaran threw Calvin’s name into the ring before both agreeing that Mr GB (Daniel) was first off.\n\nWe then delve into each council member and discover how they got started in the industry, discovering their previous roles as well as their current. We discover that 3 work within the family business, thus being Mairead, Alexandra and Calvin, and that Ciaran is a partner of George Pickersgills & Son. We discover that Calvin went to University in Nottingham, chosen purely on the ratio of women to men! And we discover that Dan is a 3rd generation remover.\n\nWe discover the personal challenges of each, Michael losing his driving licence, Mairead being sent to a Young Movers Conference in Budapest not knowing anyone, but it really helped with her confidence, Tommy not being taken seriously as a 22 year young project manager, as well as losing his father on a job, Alexandra has had no challenges as yet but there is the child of the boss syndrome that goes with the territory, as Mairead, Calvin and Ciaran also discuss, and Dan’s biggest challenge was moving from the operative side of the business to the office and into management.\n\nWe discus what each person would change from their moving past, even though they are all so young, and discover that most would not change anything, yet. Calvin regrets not starting out on the vans and holding back at conference due to nerves, Ciaran would have joined the BAR earlier and Dan would have joined GB Liners earlier. \n\nAnd Calvin corrects me!! I had mistakenly taken down the age of one guest and Calvin just wanted to set the record straight, much to the dismay of Ciaran, who is actually 38 and not 28 as I had noted, and is therefore nearly no longer a young mover! 😊\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to the BAR Young Movers Group:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\n\n\nSpecial Guests: Alexandra Lane, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Mairead Almandras, Michael Dunbar, and Tommy McNee.","content_html":"Episode 10 is part 1 of a 2 part recording with the BAR Young Movers Group Council, which consists of Chairman Ciaran Mullarkey, Deputy Chairman Mairead Almandras, Immediate Past Chairman Daniel Braddock and fellow councillors, Michael Dunbar, Alexandra Lane, Tommy McNee and Calvin Tickner.
\n\nWe discover that Michael is 33 and works for McGimpsey’s in Belfast, Mairead is 29 and works for Britannia Sanderstead’s in Surrey, Tommy is 33 and works for Guardian Moving & Storage in Edinburgh, Alexandra (the baby of the group) is 22 and works for Britannia Lanes in Devon, Calvin is 28 and works for The Eurogroup, Ciaran is 38 (and not 28 as I mistakenly wrote down!), and works for George Pickersgill & Son and Daniel is 32 and works for GB Liners.
\n\nWe discuss the BAR Young Movers Group as a whole and discover from Ciaran that the group networks and socialises together, and have previously sold out 3 educational events, held at remover locations in Birmingham, Cardiff and Brighton, with Belfast on the calendar for 2021.
\n\nWe discover from Daniel that membership has just been launched, at the mere cost of £55 + VAT per year, and is available to BAR and non-BAR members, with non-BAR members requiring individual membership too at the cost of £100 + VAT per year. Being that it is a group for ‘young movers’, there is a cut-off age of 40. We discover from Calvin that there was a Young Movers Group in the past and how he set about resurrecting it.
\n\nWhen asked who has the aspirations to become the next BAR President, Ciaran threw Calvin’s name into the ring before both agreeing that Mr GB (Daniel) was first off.
\n\nWe then delve into each council member and discover how they got started in the industry, discovering their previous roles as well as their current. We discover that 3 work within the family business, thus being Mairead, Alexandra and Calvin, and that Ciaran is a partner of George Pickersgills & Son. We discover that Calvin went to University in Nottingham, chosen purely on the ratio of women to men! And we discover that Dan is a 3rd generation remover.
\n\nWe discover the personal challenges of each, Michael losing his driving licence, Mairead being sent to a Young Movers Conference in Budapest not knowing anyone, but it really helped with her confidence, Tommy not being taken seriously as a 22 year young project manager, as well as losing his father on a job, Alexandra has had no challenges as yet but there is the child of the boss syndrome that goes with the territory, as Mairead, Calvin and Ciaran also discuss, and Dan’s biggest challenge was moving from the operative side of the business to the office and into management.
\n\nWe discus what each person would change from their moving past, even though they are all so young, and discover that most would not change anything, yet. Calvin regrets not starting out on the vans and holding back at conference due to nerves, Ciaran would have joined the BAR earlier and Dan would have joined GB Liners earlier.
\n\nAnd Calvin corrects me!! I had mistakenly taken down the age of one guest and Calvin just wanted to set the record straight, much to the dismay of Ciaran, who is actually 38 and not 28 as I had noted, and is therefore nearly no longer a young mover! 😊
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to the BAR Young Movers Group:
\n\n\n\n
Special Guests: Alexandra Lane, Calvin Tickner, Ciaran Mullarkey, Daniel Braddock, Mairead Almandras, Michael Dunbar, and Tommy McNee.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with the BAR Young Movers Group Council","date_published":"2020-11-26T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/37cdfd69-f605-4a1e-baad-adf7b46b982a.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":51241516,"duration_in_seconds":4270}]},{"id":"8aa904d4-59ec-4fb6-a56e-f00ffc7912f3","title":"Episode 9: Moving Matters with Greg Wildman of Basil Fry & Company","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/9","content_text":"In this episode, Greg Wildman, Managing Director of Basil Fry & Company, discusses, in quite some length, how he began in the industry in 2001, although he started in the world of work at the age of 13 as a paperboy.\n\nAfter a stint at university, and travelling the United States of America teaching tennis, we discover that Greg returned to a company he used to work for as a Saturday boy during his college days, Russell & Bromley, where he then set about making a successful career for himself, but soon began to realise that the opportunity to climb to the top the career ladder would be limited as Russell & Bromley was and still is a family owned company.\n\nIn 2001 Greg was headhunted by his brother, Philip Wildman, and offered an opportunity to join his brother at Basil Fry & Company, which he duly accepted, and in 2004 Greg spearheaded the recruitment side of the business, adding the likes of Ria Houston, Peter Doman and Adam Kellaway over the years to name a few.\n\nWe discover that Basil Fry’s jewel in the crown is Removal Claims Services, which provides claims handling for goods in transit policies. And discover that over the years one claim was for half a bag of pasta that went missing, and how Chris Thorpe (now retired) was so disgruntled by one claim that he settled it in stamps!\n\nGreg explains the difference between liability cover and an insurance solution, and declares that from the 1,500 removers on his books 70% offer an insurance solution while 30% offer liability cover. \n\nGreg also offers an important piece of advice for movers, ensuring you have a signed acceptance of contract form from your customers at all times – vitally important!\n\nWe discover several challenges Greg has overcome, purchasing the company with brother Philip heading up the management buyout in 2007, recruiting the right people to drive the company forward, making preparations to buy the company himself 10 years later in 2017, and on a personal level, Greg’s colon burst in 2010, putting him out of action for 9 months.\n\nGreg goes one better than David Bunting did on episode 7 and lists 6, yes 6, highpoints of being within the industry!\n\nWe discuss how Greg would like the public perception of the moving industry to change, citing once again just how skilled the workforce actually are, and how he would like to see the insurance industry be more proactive and improve on their service levels.\n\nWe discover that outside of the world of work Greg has a passion for AFC Wimbledon, enjoys collecting watches, and it will come as no surprise that he enjoys socialising, with the friends made through business relationships formed from working within the industry.\n\nAnd as always we end with a funny story regarding a well known member of the Basil Fry team that involves a revolving door and a bloody nose, and another regarding Greg’s very own house move and a little present left by a fox.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Basil Fry & Company:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebok\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Greg Wildman.","content_html":"In this episode, Greg Wildman, Managing Director of Basil Fry & Company, discusses, in quite some length, how he began in the industry in 2001, although he started in the world of work at the age of 13 as a paperboy.
\n\nAfter a stint at university, and travelling the United States of America teaching tennis, we discover that Greg returned to a company he used to work for as a Saturday boy during his college days, Russell & Bromley, where he then set about making a successful career for himself, but soon began to realise that the opportunity to climb to the top the career ladder would be limited as Russell & Bromley was and still is a family owned company.
\n\nIn 2001 Greg was headhunted by his brother, Philip Wildman, and offered an opportunity to join his brother at Basil Fry & Company, which he duly accepted, and in 2004 Greg spearheaded the recruitment side of the business, adding the likes of Ria Houston, Peter Doman and Adam Kellaway over the years to name a few.
\n\nWe discover that Basil Fry’s jewel in the crown is Removal Claims Services, which provides claims handling for goods in transit policies. And discover that over the years one claim was for half a bag of pasta that went missing, and how Chris Thorpe (now retired) was so disgruntled by one claim that he settled it in stamps!
\n\nGreg explains the difference between liability cover and an insurance solution, and declares that from the 1,500 removers on his books 70% offer an insurance solution while 30% offer liability cover.
\n\nGreg also offers an important piece of advice for movers, ensuring you have a signed acceptance of contract form from your customers at all times – vitally important!
\n\nWe discover several challenges Greg has overcome, purchasing the company with brother Philip heading up the management buyout in 2007, recruiting the right people to drive the company forward, making preparations to buy the company himself 10 years later in 2017, and on a personal level, Greg’s colon burst in 2010, putting him out of action for 9 months.
\n\nGreg goes one better than David Bunting did on episode 7 and lists 6, yes 6, highpoints of being within the industry!
\n\nWe discuss how Greg would like the public perception of the moving industry to change, citing once again just how skilled the workforce actually are, and how he would like to see the insurance industry be more proactive and improve on their service levels.
\n\nWe discover that outside of the world of work Greg has a passion for AFC Wimbledon, enjoys collecting watches, and it will come as no surprise that he enjoys socialising, with the friends made through business relationships formed from working within the industry.
\n\nAnd as always we end with a funny story regarding a well known member of the Basil Fry team that involves a revolving door and a bloody nose, and another regarding Greg’s very own house move and a little present left by a fox.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Basil Fry & Company:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Greg Wildman.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Greg Wildman, Managing Director of Basil Fry & Company","date_published":"2020-11-12T06:00:00.000+00:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/8aa904d4-59ec-4fb6-a56e-f00ffc7912f3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":46378037,"duration_in_seconds":3864}]},{"id":"a834fe6f-9c58-4b99-89bf-07439a2f6cd9","title":"Episode 8: Moving Matters with Ian Palmer of White & Co. PLC","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/8","content_text":"In this episode, Ian Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of White & Co. PLC, discusses how he began in the industry some 43 years ago, starting at White & Co. in Plymouth which was ran by his father at the time. \n\nWe discover that Ian wanted to become a Geography Teacher, before trying to get into the Royal Navy as a Navigation Officer, but life on the vans soon took over and Ian became a second-generation remover, with his son Adam since becoming third-generation.\n\nWe discover that Ian is a really good packer, being both quick and efficient and how management training from White & Co. lead him to becoming an Estimator, Assistant Branch Manager at Forres in Scotland before returning to Plymouth to a become a Branch Manager himself.\n\nWe discuss that being made a Director of White & Co. at the mere age of 35 Ian relocated to Hertfordshire to run a newly opened branch in North London, while also managing branches in Jersey & Guernsey. And how in 2003 Ian moved to Head Office in Botley, Southampton to take over as Chief Executive Officer.\n\nWe discover that White & Co. PLC was founded by A.W. White in Portsmouth in 1871, working with the Royal Navy providing staff cartidge facilities in the dock yard, which then morphed into transportation and then removals. Today White & Co. have an impressive 19 branches, 210 vehicles and 460 staff, and are founder members of FIDI and OMNI.\n\nWe discuss how in Ian’s earlier years he had to overcome the challenge of being the boss’s son, and professionally how Ian is seemingly very impatient, which he has learned to curb a little.\n\nWe discover that becoming CEO of White & Co. was a personal high point for Ian, but also becoming the current BAR President was a pretty special occasion for him.\n\nWe discuss how the conveyancing situation is a major frustration, just one thing Ian would change within the industry, as well as it being unregulated.\n\nWe discuss archive storage, or records management to some, and discover that the digital age has not really affected business as the number of physical files currently being stored is the highest it’s ever been.\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Ian has no intention of retiring from his role as CEO of White & Co. At the end of his BAR Presidency (May 2021) Ian hopes to return to the Overseas Group Council. Ian predicts that the industry is going to make greater use of technology in the coming years, electric vehicles, perhaps even hydrogen, and there will be greater focus on shared facilities, operations, and resources.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Ian likes riding his motorcycle, fast, he enjoys watching rock bands at venues around the UK but also at a local Southampton venue, and that he has a passion for Cricket as the Rose Bowl is literally 500 metres from his home.\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, one where Ian discovered that not all wood floats, and all White & Co. branch managers switch off now because we also learn how Ian came 2nd at a privateers track day, in his company car!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to White & Co. PLC:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nLinkedin\nSpecial Guest: Ian Palmer.","content_html":"In this episode, Ian Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of White & Co. PLC, discusses how he began in the industry some 43 years ago, starting at White & Co. in Plymouth which was ran by his father at the time.
\n\nWe discover that Ian wanted to become a Geography Teacher, before trying to get into the Royal Navy as a Navigation Officer, but life on the vans soon took over and Ian became a second-generation remover, with his son Adam since becoming third-generation.
\n\nWe discover that Ian is a really good packer, being both quick and efficient and how management training from White & Co. lead him to becoming an Estimator, Assistant Branch Manager at Forres in Scotland before returning to Plymouth to a become a Branch Manager himself.
\n\nWe discuss that being made a Director of White & Co. at the mere age of 35 Ian relocated to Hertfordshire to run a newly opened branch in North London, while also managing branches in Jersey & Guernsey. And how in 2003 Ian moved to Head Office in Botley, Southampton to take over as Chief Executive Officer.
\n\nWe discover that White & Co. PLC was founded by A.W. White in Portsmouth in 1871, working with the Royal Navy providing staff cartidge facilities in the dock yard, which then morphed into transportation and then removals. Today White & Co. have an impressive 19 branches, 210 vehicles and 460 staff, and are founder members of FIDI and OMNI.
\n\nWe discuss how in Ian’s earlier years he had to overcome the challenge of being the boss’s son, and professionally how Ian is seemingly very impatient, which he has learned to curb a little.
\n\nWe discover that becoming CEO of White & Co. was a personal high point for Ian, but also becoming the current BAR President was a pretty special occasion for him.
\n\nWe discuss how the conveyancing situation is a major frustration, just one thing Ian would change within the industry, as well as it being unregulated.
\n\nWe discuss archive storage, or records management to some, and discover that the digital age has not really affected business as the number of physical files currently being stored is the highest it’s ever been.
\n\nWe discover that over the next 5 years Ian has no intention of retiring from his role as CEO of White & Co. At the end of his BAR Presidency (May 2021) Ian hopes to return to the Overseas Group Council. Ian predicts that the industry is going to make greater use of technology in the coming years, electric vehicles, perhaps even hydrogen, and there will be greater focus on shared facilities, operations, and resources.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Ian likes riding his motorcycle, fast, he enjoys watching rock bands at venues around the UK but also at a local Southampton venue, and that he has a passion for Cricket as the Rose Bowl is literally 500 metres from his home.
\n\nAnd as always we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny moving stories, one where Ian discovered that not all wood floats, and all White & Co. branch managers switch off now because we also learn how Ian came 2nd at a privateers track day, in his company car!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to White & Co. PLC:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Ian Palmer.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Ian Palmer, Chief Executive Officer of White & Co. PLC","date_published":"2020-10-22T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a834fe6f-9c58-4b99-89bf-07439a2f6cd9.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":34435794,"duration_in_seconds":2869}]},{"id":"a69d2cc6-4040-4096-8d6f-0e7a8041e7a2","title":"Episode 7: Moving Matters with Retired Remover David Bunting","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/7","content_text":"In this episode, retired remover, David Bunting, a true gentleman of the moving industry, discusses how he began his illustrious 60 year career within the transportation industry, the last 40 being in the moving industry.\n\nWe begin at Pickfords Heavy Haulage, where David started as Traffic Clark in Preston, taking every opportunity to use vehicles for back loading purposes to reduce dead time, albeit by pony express at the time!\n\nAt the young age of 20/21, David had progressed to Traffic Manager, and further promotions led David to the branches of Liverpool, Newcastle, Derby and Sheffield.\n\nAfter 20 years David left Pickfords Heavy Haulage and joined a local heavy haulage and crane company back in Preston, but due to a lack of progression David applied for the role of Depo Manager at Giltspur Bullens Transport Services and joined in 1983.\n\nWhen Giltspur Bullens were acquired by Pickfords, David left and took on the role to develop the office and commercial division of a company in Preston, Whittle Movers, in 1996. In only 2 years David was offered a directorship within the company and when he retired 12 years later the division had a turnover of £3m!\n\nWe discuss David’s high point within the moving industry, and not content with one he lists five!\n\nWe discover David’s long and distinguished roles and achievements within the British Association of Removers - Chairman of the Commercial Moving Group 1997/99, President in 2005/06, Honorary Life Member in 2008, just to name a few.\n\nWe discuss David’s time as a judge of CMotY (Commercial Mover of the Year), which David won while at Whittle Movers in 2003.\n\nWe discover that David, although retired for 12 years now, never switches off from the industry, and neither does he want to.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover David enjoys golf, gardening, time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and of course his beloved Preston North End, where you will hear a wager placed by Nigel Shaw (guest on Episode 2) was accepted by David – So watch this space!\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny stories, one that made David more money and another involving a known character within the moving industry, synonymous for his card tricks and anticks.\n\nEnjoy!Special Guest: David Bunting.","content_html":"In this episode, retired remover, David Bunting, a true gentleman of the moving industry, discusses how he began his illustrious 60 year career within the transportation industry, the last 40 being in the moving industry.
\n\nWe begin at Pickfords Heavy Haulage, where David started as Traffic Clark in Preston, taking every opportunity to use vehicles for back loading purposes to reduce dead time, albeit by pony express at the time!
\n\nAt the young age of 20/21, David had progressed to Traffic Manager, and further promotions led David to the branches of Liverpool, Newcastle, Derby and Sheffield.
\n\nAfter 20 years David left Pickfords Heavy Haulage and joined a local heavy haulage and crane company back in Preston, but due to a lack of progression David applied for the role of Depo Manager at Giltspur Bullens Transport Services and joined in 1983.
\n\nWhen Giltspur Bullens were acquired by Pickfords, David left and took on the role to develop the office and commercial division of a company in Preston, Whittle Movers, in 1996. In only 2 years David was offered a directorship within the company and when he retired 12 years later the division had a turnover of £3m!
\n\nWe discuss David’s high point within the moving industry, and not content with one he lists five!
\n\nWe discover David’s long and distinguished roles and achievements within the British Association of Removers - Chairman of the Commercial Moving Group 1997/99, President in 2005/06, Honorary Life Member in 2008, just to name a few.
\n\nWe discuss David’s time as a judge of CMotY (Commercial Mover of the Year), which David won while at Whittle Movers in 2003.
\n\nWe discover that David, although retired for 12 years now, never switches off from the industry, and neither does he want to.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover David enjoys golf, gardening, time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and of course his beloved Preston North End, where you will hear a wager placed by Nigel Shaw (guest on Episode 2) was accepted by David – So watch this space!
\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with a couple of funny stories, one that made David more money and another involving a known character within the moving industry, synonymous for his card tricks and anticks.
\n\nEnjoy!
Special Guest: David Bunting.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with retired remover David Bunting","date_published":"2020-10-08T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/a69d2cc6-4040-4096-8d6f-0e7a8041e7a2.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":27803096,"duration_in_seconds":4109}]},{"id":"92b608c5-578a-4ef1-9727-6a5693af765d","title":"Episode 6: Moving Matters with Ian Studd of the British Association of Removers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/6","content_text":"In this episode, Ian Studd discusses how he began his lifelong career in the industry 49 years ago, assisting his father from the age of 13 in the family business, GTS Light Haulage & Removals.\n\nWe discover how a successful blind date in the early 80’s, led Ian to relocate to Norfolk, where he applied for a job with Abels and joined them as a driver.\n\nWe discuss how in Ian’s later years with Abels he became responsible for the output of the office and commercial moving, and how in the mid 90’s a takeover by Hays PLC seemingly made progression within the company less accessible.\n\nWe discover how in January 97, Ian joined Harrow Green, which was Ian’s biggest culture shock he has ever had in his entire life! Ian’s career with Harrow Green was incredibly successful and rewarding, starting as Sales Executive, becoming Sales Manager in 2002, heading up Exclusive Group which Harrow Green acquired, to joining the board of directors in 2006.\n\nWhen asked what Ian would change from his moving past we discover that he would not change anything at all, however, if he could add to his past experiences it would be to have a peer group such as the BAR Young Movers Group where they learn and support each other as their careers develop.\n\nWe discover a few of Ian’s high points, becoming HGV Class One driver, gaining his International CPC Licence, and another, smashing his first year’s sales target of £860k of new business within 3-4!\n\nWe discuss Ian’s current role, Director General of the British Association of Removers, and what prompted him to apply for such a position.\n\nWe discover what the role of Director General entails, and how his time has been during the past 5 years.\n\nIan jumps onto his ‘soapbox’ when we discuss what one thing he would change within the moving industry, and he chooses only one even though he had the opportunity to answer as a Remover and Director General.\n\nWe also discuss where Ian see’s himself and the industry over the next 5 years.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Ian is a volunteer dog walker, helping wife Elaine with her business, spending time with his two daughters and their respective family, and how at the tail end of last year he convinced Mrs Studd that he bought a motorbike and became a born again biker for the third time.\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with four, yes four, funny moving stories, one of which is just a lovely story about Ian falling in love with a vision of loveliness, HRH Princess Diana.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to British Association of Removers:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\n\n\nLink to BAR Young Movers Council National Three Peaks Challenge:\n\n\nDonate\nSpecial Guest: Ian Studd.","content_html":"In this episode, Ian Studd discusses how he began his lifelong career in the industry 49 years ago, assisting his father from the age of 13 in the family business, GTS Light Haulage & Removals.
\n\nWe discover how a successful blind date in the early 80’s, led Ian to relocate to Norfolk, where he applied for a job with Abels and joined them as a driver.
\n\nWe discuss how in Ian’s later years with Abels he became responsible for the output of the office and commercial moving, and how in the mid 90’s a takeover by Hays PLC seemingly made progression within the company less accessible.
\n\nWe discover how in January 97, Ian joined Harrow Green, which was Ian’s biggest culture shock he has ever had in his entire life! Ian’s career with Harrow Green was incredibly successful and rewarding, starting as Sales Executive, becoming Sales Manager in 2002, heading up Exclusive Group which Harrow Green acquired, to joining the board of directors in 2006.
\n\nWhen asked what Ian would change from his moving past we discover that he would not change anything at all, however, if he could add to his past experiences it would be to have a peer group such as the BAR Young Movers Group where they learn and support each other as their careers develop.
\n\nWe discover a few of Ian’s high points, becoming HGV Class One driver, gaining his International CPC Licence, and another, smashing his first year’s sales target of £860k of new business within 3-4!
\n\nWe discuss Ian’s current role, Director General of the British Association of Removers, and what prompted him to apply for such a position.
\n\nWe discover what the role of Director General entails, and how his time has been during the past 5 years.
\n\nIan jumps onto his ‘soapbox’ when we discuss what one thing he would change within the moving industry, and he chooses only one even though he had the opportunity to answer as a Remover and Director General.
\n\nWe also discuss where Ian see’s himself and the industry over the next 5 years.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Ian is a volunteer dog walker, helping wife Elaine with her business, spending time with his two daughters and their respective family, and how at the tail end of last year he convinced Mrs Studd that he bought a motorbike and became a born again biker for the third time.
\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with four, yes four, funny moving stories, one of which is just a lovely story about Ian falling in love with a vision of loveliness, HRH Princess Diana.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to British Association of Removers:
\n\n\n\nLink to BAR Young Movers Council National Three Peaks Challenge:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Ian Studd.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Ian Studd, Director General of the British Association of Removers","date_published":"2020-09-24T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/92b608c5-578a-4ef1-9727-6a5693af765d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":30843179,"duration_in_seconds":4794}]},{"id":"4adce7a2-ccad-48d7-9e17-f8e83e48e95d","title":"Episode 5: Moving Matters with Paul Bullock of PHS Teacrate","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/5","content_text":"In this episode, Mr Crate Hire himself, Paul Bullock of PHS Teacrate, discusses how he began in the industry over 40 years ago, in 1977.\n\nHe also discusses how he may be responsible for the start of the dreaded man and van removals, after loosing his first job as a car salesman.\n\nPaul discusses how Crates International, started by his father and a business contact, were bought by Rentacrate and closed down, and how Paul went on to run GB Crate Hire for Giltspur Bullens, which was eventually snapped up by Pickfords. He then started Quick Crates with a parent company OCS, where eventually Rentacrate and Quick Crates were bought by Teacrate, which is where Paul works today as Key Account Manager.\n\nWe discuss how technology, especially barcoding, has made a huge difference to the Crate Rental industry.\n\nPaul discusses how the one thing he would change in the moving industry is perception, something I personally wholeheartedly agree with.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover that Paul is not an Arsenal fan at all, but is a Rugby Union fan, and follows Wasps.\n\nWe discuss the RBA (Removers Benevolent Association), a charity for members of the BAR (British Association of Removers), his role within the RBA, and how the RBA can help, and has helped, those in need.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with 2 funny moving stories, one about a naked lady and a naked gentlemen at a BAR Conference, and it’s taken until Episode 5 but we finally have a funny story regarding a mistaken torch found under a bed that needed new batteries!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to PHS Teacrate:\n\n\nWebsite\nTwitter\nLinkedin\n\n\nAnd if you would like to make a financial donation to the RBA, no matter how big or small, please use the links below to help those in need. In fact, if you have enjoyed listening to Moving Matters to date then please make a donation to the RBA to show your appreciation - Many thanks!\n\nLinks to RBA (Removers Benevolent Association):\n\n\nWebsite\nDonate\nSpecial Guest: Paul Bullock.","content_html":"In this episode, Mr Crate Hire himself, Paul Bullock of PHS Teacrate, discusses how he began in the industry over 40 years ago, in 1977.
\n\nHe also discusses how he may be responsible for the start of the dreaded man and van removals, after loosing his first job as a car salesman.
\n\nPaul discusses how Crates International, started by his father and a business contact, were bought by Rentacrate and closed down, and how Paul went on to run GB Crate Hire for Giltspur Bullens, which was eventually snapped up by Pickfords. He then started Quick Crates with a parent company OCS, where eventually Rentacrate and Quick Crates were bought by Teacrate, which is where Paul works today as Key Account Manager.
\n\nWe discuss how technology, especially barcoding, has made a huge difference to the Crate Rental industry.
\n\nPaul discusses how the one thing he would change in the moving industry is perception, something I personally wholeheartedly agree with.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover that Paul is not an Arsenal fan at all, but is a Rugby Union fan, and follows Wasps.
\n\nWe discuss the RBA (Removers Benevolent Association), a charity for members of the BAR (British Association of Removers), his role within the RBA, and how the RBA can help, and has helped, those in need.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with 2 funny moving stories, one about a naked lady and a naked gentlemen at a BAR Conference, and it’s taken until Episode 5 but we finally have a funny story regarding a mistaken torch found under a bed that needed new batteries!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to PHS Teacrate:
\n\n\n\nAnd if you would like to make a financial donation to the RBA, no matter how big or small, please use the links below to help those in need. In fact, if you have enjoyed listening to Moving Matters to date then please make a donation to the RBA to show your appreciation - Many thanks!
\n\nLinks to RBA (Removers Benevolent Association):
\n\nSpecial Guest: Paul Bullock.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Paul Bullock, Key Account Manager of PHS Teacrate.","date_published":"2020-09-10T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/4adce7a2-ccad-48d7-9e17-f8e83e48e95d.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":14080468,"duration_in_seconds":1964}]},{"id":"18c446b2-0393-4e3a-ac4c-1b31c2f532d0","title":"Episode 4: Moving Matters with Geoff Archer of P.W. Archer & Son","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/4","content_text":"In this episode, fourth generation removal man, Geoff Archer, discusses how, even though P.W. Archer & Son is a family firm, he had to go and get a job before returning with his worldly experience of work.\n\nWe discuss how P.W. Archer & Son was started by Percy William Archer and his brother Horace in May 1920, where they drove to Darlington to buy ice, which they then sold back in Northallerton to butchers, ice cream parlours and anyone else that wanted ice. And how centenary celebrations have sadly been put on hold due to the current pandemic.\n\nWe discuss challenges from the past, one being during the time of his forefathers, the Second World War, and how he couldn’t imagine that someone could come walking through the door and cut the company by two thirds due to nationalisation! And the biggest challenge in his living memory was Black Wednesday in the 90’s.\n\nGeoff controversially talks about how he would change the moving industry by bringing in tachographs and O-licences for anything hire & reward.\n\nWe cover framework agreements, one of Geoff’s high points to date, showing that a small family firm can compete with the big boys.\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Geoff’s passion for Citroen 2CV’s.\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with some funny moving stories, one I am sure all removers will relate to regarding addresses, and I dare you not to laugh when you hear about Steve!\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to P.W. Archer & Son:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nInstagram\nSpecial Guest: Geoff Archer.","content_html":"In this episode, fourth generation removal man, Geoff Archer, discusses how, even though P.W. Archer & Son is a family firm, he had to go and get a job before returning with his worldly experience of work.
\n\nWe discuss how P.W. Archer & Son was started by Percy William Archer and his brother Horace in May 1920, where they drove to Darlington to buy ice, which they then sold back in Northallerton to butchers, ice cream parlours and anyone else that wanted ice. And how centenary celebrations have sadly been put on hold due to the current pandemic.
\n\nWe discuss challenges from the past, one being during the time of his forefathers, the Second World War, and how he couldn’t imagine that someone could come walking through the door and cut the company by two thirds due to nationalisation! And the biggest challenge in his living memory was Black Wednesday in the 90’s.
\n\nGeoff controversially talks about how he would change the moving industry by bringing in tachographs and O-licences for anything hire & reward.
\n\nWe cover framework agreements, one of Geoff’s high points to date, showing that a small family firm can compete with the big boys.
\n\nOutside of the industry we discover Geoff’s passion for Citroen 2CV’s.
\n\nAnd as always, we end Moving Matters with some funny moving stories, one I am sure all removers will relate to regarding addresses, and I dare you not to laugh when you hear about Steve!
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to P.W. Archer & Son:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Geoff Archer.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Geoff Archer, Operations Manager of P.W. Archer & Son.","date_published":"2020-08-27T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/18c446b2-0393-4e3a-ac4c-1b31c2f532d0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":35111322,"duration_in_seconds":2775}]},{"id":"c42895f9-55af-4a53-9191-a81a8eb650c0","title":"Episode 3: Moving Matters with Anthony & Karen Groves of D.C. Groves & Son","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/3","content_text":"In our third episode, my first husband and wife duo Anthony & Karen Groves discuss how Anthony took over the business, D.C. Groves & Son, at the mere age of 24, as a second generation removal man, after his father sadly past away at the age of 64, while on a removal with Anthony.\n\nWe discuss how Covid procedures put in place are limiting the number of moves at the moment to 2-3 a day rather than 4-5 with hired assistance, as they look to keep themselves, their staff and their customers safe.\n\nWe also discover that their low point from the past would be the purchase of Turks of Lydd from their friend Andrew in March 2008, where due to bad advice and the biggest collapse of world banks later that year the newly acquired company was forced into liquidated less than 12 months from purchase.\n\nWe learn about Anthony’s Director role within QSS, Quality Service Standards, and discover just how much Anthony loves standards, and how later in life he would like to become an auditor himself - you heard it here first!\n\nWe discover that Karen would like solicitors to change the exchange process, making it more like Scotland, and how Anthony would enforce tighter regulation of the moving industry.\n\nOutside of the moving industry we find that Karen enjoys spending time with her daughters, Anthony enjoys spending his time fishing and gardening and how together they both work alongside the Lions Club, when not cruising.\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with 3, yes 3 funny moving stories, which I am sure most removers will relate too.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to D.C. Groves & Son:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: Anthony & Karen Groves.","content_html":"In our third episode, my first husband and wife duo Anthony & Karen Groves discuss how Anthony took over the business, D.C. Groves & Son, at the mere age of 24, as a second generation removal man, after his father sadly past away at the age of 64, while on a removal with Anthony.
\n\nWe discuss how Covid procedures put in place are limiting the number of moves at the moment to 2-3 a day rather than 4-5 with hired assistance, as they look to keep themselves, their staff and their customers safe.
\n\nWe also discover that their low point from the past would be the purchase of Turks of Lydd from their friend Andrew in March 2008, where due to bad advice and the biggest collapse of world banks later that year the newly acquired company was forced into liquidated less than 12 months from purchase.
\n\nWe learn about Anthony’s Director role within QSS, Quality Service Standards, and discover just how much Anthony loves standards, and how later in life he would like to become an auditor himself - you heard it here first!
\n\nWe discover that Karen would like solicitors to change the exchange process, making it more like Scotland, and how Anthony would enforce tighter regulation of the moving industry.
\n\nOutside of the moving industry we find that Karen enjoys spending time with her daughters, Anthony enjoys spending his time fishing and gardening and how together they both work alongside the Lions Club, when not cruising.
\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with 3, yes 3 funny moving stories, which I am sure most removers will relate too.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to D.C. Groves & Son:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Anthony & Karen Groves.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Anthony & Karen Groves, Partners of D.C. Groves & Son.","date_published":"2020-08-13T06:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/c42895f9-55af-4a53-9191-a81a8eb650c0.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":33729758,"duration_in_seconds":3279}]},{"id":"6d391a40-5bda-4749-a9a7-a8fa100b0ad1","title":"Episode 2: Moving Matters with Nigel Shaw of Specialised Movers","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/2","content_text":"In our second episode Nigel Shaw discusses how he began working life by completing his apprenticeship as an Engineer, and how a £300 loan from his Mother in 1982 (which I hope he’s since repaid!) helped him purchase a Bedford TK and start his illustrious career in the Moving Industry, starting Shaw & Simpson Removals with mate Paul Simpson. Today, he and wife Carole run Specialised Movers, turning over nearly £3 million a year!\n\nWe discuss how a real low point in his career, a fatality in the workplace in 2004, gave him the strength and fight to turn Specialised Movers into what it is today, and how one of his many high points was being awarded the contract to move the Qatar National Library.\n\nWe also cover how he became Chairman of the Commercial Moving Group of The British Association of Removers, how Specialised Movers won the Commercial Mover of The Year in 2012 and how he has a bigger trophy cabinet than West Ham due to the award of merits throughout the office!\n\nOutside of the moving industry we discover Nigel’s passion for Clay Pigeon Shooting and Cars.\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with a very funny moving story about a cat.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to Specialised Movers: \n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nTwitter\nSpecial Guest: Nigel Shaw.","content_html":"In our second episode Nigel Shaw discusses how he began working life by completing his apprenticeship as an Engineer, and how a £300 loan from his Mother in 1982 (which I hope he’s since repaid!) helped him purchase a Bedford TK and start his illustrious career in the Moving Industry, starting Shaw & Simpson Removals with mate Paul Simpson. Today, he and wife Carole run Specialised Movers, turning over nearly £3 million a year!
\n\nWe discuss how a real low point in his career, a fatality in the workplace in 2004, gave him the strength and fight to turn Specialised Movers into what it is today, and how one of his many high points was being awarded the contract to move the Qatar National Library.
\n\nWe also cover how he became Chairman of the Commercial Moving Group of The British Association of Removers, how Specialised Movers won the Commercial Mover of The Year in 2012 and how he has a bigger trophy cabinet than West Ham due to the award of merits throughout the office!
\n\nOutside of the moving industry we discover Nigel’s passion for Clay Pigeon Shooting and Cars.
\n\nAnd we end Moving Matters with a very funny moving story about a cat.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to Specialised Movers:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Nigel Shaw.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Nigel Shaw of Specialised Movers","date_published":"2020-07-23T06:15:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/6d391a40-5bda-4749-a9a7-a8fa100b0ad1.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":37504760,"duration_in_seconds":2695}]},{"id":"12c8c800-8721-4631-bb11-3933938506a3","title":"Episode 1: Moving Matters with Gary Wheadon of D. Sully & Son","url":"https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/1","content_text":"In our very first episode Gary Wheadon, or 'Bert' as he's commonly known, discusses how he started in the moving industry, in fact immediately after leaving school, working for his father's company before leaving and joining D. Sully & Son as Manager, before eventually taking over ownership with his wife.\n\nHow technology and bureaucracies are some of the challenges Gary has had to overcome, together we touch on the current pandemic and how that has affected business, and, how the 1968 Transport Act completely changed the moving industry.\n\nWe also cover how an opportunity arose that became the high point of Gary's time to date within the industry, becoming President of the British Association of Removers, and how he would do it again in a heartbeat.\n\nOutside of the moving industry we discover Gary’s passion for Golf, Dogs & Basket Weaving!\n\nAnd we end the very first episode of Moving Matters with two very funny moving stories.\n\nEnjoy!\n\nLinks to D. Sully & Son:\n\n\nWebsite\nFacebook\nSpecial Guest: Gary Wheadon.","content_html":"In our very first episode Gary Wheadon, or 'Bert' as he's commonly known, discusses how he started in the moving industry, in fact immediately after leaving school, working for his father's company before leaving and joining D. Sully & Son as Manager, before eventually taking over ownership with his wife.
\n\nHow technology and bureaucracies are some of the challenges Gary has had to overcome, together we touch on the current pandemic and how that has affected business, and, how the 1968 Transport Act completely changed the moving industry.
\n\nWe also cover how an opportunity arose that became the high point of Gary's time to date within the industry, becoming President of the British Association of Removers, and how he would do it again in a heartbeat.
\n\nOutside of the moving industry we discover Gary’s passion for Golf, Dogs & Basket Weaving!
\n\nAnd we end the very first episode of Moving Matters with two very funny moving stories.
\n\nEnjoy!
\n\nLinks to D. Sully & Son:
\n\nSpecial Guest: Gary Wheadon.
","summary":"An insight into the past, present and future with Gary Wheadon, Managing Director of D. Sully & Son.","date_published":"2020-07-09T02:00:00.000+01:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1f2066ce-d058-407d-b73c-a8b36d49ccb5/12c8c800-8721-4631-bb11-3933938506a3.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":53402013,"duration_in_seconds":3113}]}]}