MY ALARM GOES OFF AT…
6am. It’s been the same for 30-odd years, whatever job I do.
THE FIRST THING I DO IS…
read the news headlines of all the main newspapers and summaries on news that impacts the industry.
Then I have breakfast while doing the Times Crossword (it’s a way of getting my brain tuned for the day).
I PREPARE FOR THE DAY AHEAD BY…
If only every day could be predictable. I usually check what is happening in parliament as a lot of my job is based around what politicians are doing and, with the many different changes in ministers in the last few years, nothing can be taken for granted.
During winter I also check the weather forecasts around the country.
I spend about 25% of my time away from the office and so part of the early morning activities will be making sure I have the right notes and presentations for each meeting I am attending, checking flight and train times. In the last few years, a lot of the job has been talking to MPs and civil servants.
I CAN’T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT…
my mobile phone. I once left it on top of the car and when I crossed the Forth Road Bridge all I could see in my rear-view mirror was it flying towards the river. I was inconsolable for months. I still have PTSD.
MY TYPICAL DAY –
A lot of trade association activity is geared either towards the seasons, geopolitical events, or political activities. You can end up talking to an MP one day and be on telly the next.
Every day is different, and the motto is expect the unexpected. I rely heavily on making sure I have a lot of data to hand. I find it so much easier explaining things through the use of data especially if you are on the spot.
About 25% of the time, I am in some form of transport going somewhere for a meeting.
During the winter UKIFDA collects data on supply and demand issues from a wide range of distributors in order to speak to government about any problem areas.
The last three years have been punctuated with various government consultations – from future fuels to driver hours – and, because we work across five different countries, we have at least one of these in train at any one point of time.
We start with what data we would like to present and then how to collect and refine it – I have at least ten spreadsheets open at any one point in time and I’m constantly talking to people about what data they have.
In the early stages of the Ukraine war, when prices were rocketing, I spent a lot of time on the TV and radio talking to worried audiences and then in meetings with concerned local MPs.
April and May tends to be EXPO or conference time, with a lot of meetings with my brilliant team ensuring we have the venue filled, speakers arranged and logistics sorted. It is one of the biggest shows of its kind and really takes some organising.
Every day I have a team meeting at 11.30am which is mostly virtual as we are all in different places. It is good to connect, not only for work purposes but just to find out how the team are or if Villa have lost again!
A big part of the job has been our work on future fuels and so I spend a lot of time with colleagues at OFTEC and also with Caroline, our indispensable communications lead, talking through the next leg of the campaign.
MY MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT…
I seemed to have packed a lot into the three years I have been at UKIFDA. Probably the most rewarding part of the job has been the work we have done on future fuels – sitting in parliament watching a bill being laid that could alter the prosperity of the industry always sends shivers down my spine.
THE WORST PART OF MY JOB…
Trying to explain to people that UKIFDA is a team of six people and not all full time. Expectations, quite rightly, are always high but sometimes it’s a struggle.
We also run a very successful training academy, but the detail and accuracy required every day for regulatory purposes is off the scale – one driver turning up late has immense consequences!
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB…
I started off my time at UKIFDA in lockdown and didn’t meet anyone face to face for six months. So, physically meeting up with the team, which we try to do on average at least once a month, is a real highlight.
It is about connecting as humans more than anything else. I also thoroughly enjoy meeting members at their depots and offices and have been fortunate to travel the length and breadth of all five nations that we cover. The driverless car in Ireland was a real highlight!
I RELAX AFTER WORK BY…
This has changed recently. Our last set of children (twins) have now flown the nest and so I get more time to spend with my wife. Before we spent our downtime as KenKabs1 & 2 – always on call with no meter running.
We live in a very picturesque part of the world and, during the summer, walking is high on the list.
MY FAVOURITE MEAL IS…
I enjoy Tapas. It is not only about the food but the fact you can spend several hours chatting and drinking with friends while nibbling away. When Tapas is mentioned clearly Spain comes to mind but I have also partaken in both Scottish and Yorkshire Tapas which were both equally as memorable!
ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE IS…
Very boring I am afraid – a light and the phone and whatever book I am reading.
THE LAST THING I DO EACH DAY IS…
If I am home, I thank the spirits I am home – too many times in the last few years I have been marooned in places by our transport system or the weather and it always nice to rest your head somewhere familiar.
I’M NORMALLY IN BED BY…
11pm the latest.
Image credit: Ken Cronin
