People’s Champion Finalist: Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester)

Start-up name: Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester)
Founder: Vance Parsons
Started in: July 2013
Based in: Worcester
Business description: Transport and logistics recruitment specialist

The Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester) story:

In October 2013, Vance Parsons acquired a Driver Hire franchisee licence permitting him to provide specialist transport and logistics recruitment services to the Hereford & Worcester area.

As the UK’s largest specialist in its field Parsons recognised and was motivated by the prospect of providing the local community with employment. And with the brand and support of an established company, Parsons has managed to expand operations in his territory rapidly.

Starting midway through a financial year, the Worcester-based franchise nevertheless recorded impressive revenue growth and is already well on the way to exceeding targets for the year to March 2015.

But it’s not been achieved through modicum of effort. Having assiduously identified businesses in need of drivers and then cold calling and travelling around the entire region to meet potential clients, there’s been no shortage of burnt rubber along the way.

And the dialogue has been just as intensive with the drivers, with Parsons actively reaching out to the unemployed workforce by collaborating with the local Jobcentre and “taking people off the unemployment register and putting them back to work”.

A measure of Parsons’ ability to get the business motoring can be seen in its “structured approach to recruiting and assigning our drivers”. After less than five months trading, the franchise successfully secured the NQA international standard for quality management systems with ISO 9001 : 2008 certification.

Now the company offers a round-the-clock service to keep up with demand and all drivers are properly trained and tested through the company’s Driver Certificate of Professional Competence training (Driver CPC) and online driving licence checking service.

Though busy hitting targets and keeping an excellent level of service, the franchise makes sure to do its bit for the community – which Parsons and his co-director wife Sue have been a part of since 1995.

The husband and wife team provided assistance to businesses during the last winter’s floods, sponsoring local charities and events and being active members of the local Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Why Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester) made our 50:

The success of a franchise lives and dies with its franchisees and in Vance Parsons it seems very clear Driver Hire has recruited well. Their approach has quickly led to repeat custom and increased demand for their services, which are pushing their strong financials in the right direction.

Where to find out more about Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester):

Website: www.driverhire.co.uk/Microsites/Hereford-and-Worcester/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/driverhirehandw