My alarm goes off at…
05.20am.
The first thing I do is…
make my bed (old military habit) and grab a strong coffee.
I prepare for the day ahead by…
doing a workout at the gym 3-4 days a week (weights, boxing, run, etc.) to clear my head, then a quick protein shake and look ahead for the day, checking my schedule, priorities and timings, then head to the office or site.
I can’t leave the house without…
saying ‘good morning’ to my wife and dog.
My typical day…
Every day is different for me, as no two days are ever the same. I am currently working on various large projects, to include new Truckstop acquisitions, so as you can imagine this takes a lot of time, travelling and meetings, together with preparing investment papers and capex papers for approval.
I am also working closely with our Engineering Team to redevelop the bunker estate (HGV Refuelling stations) of which we currently have 27 large ones. Therefore, given that over 5,000 HGVs refuel at these sites each day, managing the estate can be a task in itself, to achieve as near to 100% uptime as possible.
In addition to this, I have regular supplier meetings across the UK and sometimes Europe, and of course in-house and team meetings at our Warrington HQ.
I always like to visit the Hollies Truckstop each week, to check in with the team and Dave Weaver, who is the Truckstop Manager. Whilst on site, I like to engage with our loyal customer base of HGV drivers too, checking how they are, and if the Truckstop has met their expectations and high standards.
The driver community is not shy in coming forward and letting you know if something isn’t right, but that said, most of the time drivers are very complimentary and have had a good stay.
I believe that in addition to the great facilities at the site, including the restaurant, bar, retail shop, gaming area, launderette, hotel, Truckwash, fuel bunker and the large parking area attracting 220 HGVs each night, it is the staff that make their visits enjoyable.
The drivers order their food and drink from the vast menu at the counter and leave their name, before they sit down and relax. A short time later there is a cry out of ‘Pete, James, Steve’ or similar, as the staff whisk out the food to the awaiting drivers table with a smile on their face. Sometimes, this is the first time that the driver has spoken with anybody for 7-8 hours that day.
The staff are often heard singing joyfully from the kitchen area, as they prepare the meals from a new state of the art kitchen. I have also stayed over at The Hollies on a few occasions, and it is great to see like-minded drivers exchanging a few tales and stories in the evening, over a pint in the small bar, or in the warmer summer months sat outside on the patio area or benches.
Drivers often report that they feel safe at the Hollies Truckstop, which has, for the third consecutive year, achieved the ParkMark Freight Award, the highest UK standard for a safe and secure Truckstop, in addition to TAPA accreditation (Europe’s highest standard).
The site achieved this by demonstrating to the Police and British Parking Associated (BPA) low or zero crime at the site, investment in ANPR and CCTV cameras, LED floodlights, security fencing, exit barriers, and Security Officers with body cameras. We also went a step further, following feedback, and now have a defib unit and a blood pressure monitoring device at the site.
How does the energy transition impact your day-to-day role?
Certas Energy ,as a company, has invested heavily in the energy transition over the past two years, with the acquisition of various renewable companies to include Green Biofuels (GBF), the largest distributor of HVO in UK, Centreco (largest UK solar installer), Hafad, Freedom Heat Pumps and Next Energy.
I have successfully introduced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to the bunker estate, currently offering the product at 17 out of 27 sites. We have plans to develop this further, so eventually the whole bunker estate will offer HVO, as a drop in alternative to diesel.
In addition to HVO, I am currently working with a few suppliers to introduce e-HGV chargers at Truckstops. Again, this offers a new fuel alternative to traditional liquid fuels and even HVO.
I have also installed solar panels at the Hollies Truckstop, which generates approximately 10% green energy of the total energy used at the site. Again, I have an ambition to roll this out at any new Truckstops that we acquire.
When we sourced and scoped out a new industrial kitchen design for the Hollies Truckstop, I ensured that it was energy efficient, again further reducing the carbon produced at the site.
I try to keep up to date with the energy transition landscape, because although we are a traditional fuels company, we need to and will keep up with the market demand and investments.
My most memorable work moment…
winning twice at the APEA Awards, being a runner up, for the past three consecutive years, for Health and Safety at The Hollies Truckstop and also for the Environmental Protection and Sustainability Award at Tyseley Bunker and the Port of Southampton.
The worst part of my job…
is cutting through the red tape and time delays when bringing new projects and acquisitions to fruition, be that capital expenditure restrictions, planning delays, managing landlord and owner expectations, or supplier timescales.
The best part of my job…
is building a healthy pipeline of Truckstop acquisitions and progressing them through to delivery.
This initially involves meeting site owners, who may want to sell up, building relationships with property developers and real estate companies who often have off-market, in addition to on-market plots of land for various developments, together with real estate investors who acquire freeholds for long term leases.
Letting landowners, developers and the industry know of our intentions to buy or lease, is vital in the process, through word of mouth, cold calling, industry events, marketing and social media.
I relax after work by…
walking our Cockapoo, called Dexter. It is difficult in the dark winter months, however, in the lighter evenings and weekends we often take longer walks and even stop off for an occasional pint on the way home.
I like to socialise with friends and family at weekends which would normally include food and wine and the barbecue getting fired up in the summer months, of course.
My favourite meal is…
I love a Sunday roast (beef or chicken) with all the trimmings.
Although I can’t take credit for cooking it (my wife does that), I do help with peeling and preparing vegetables and choosing the wine!
The last thing I do each day is…
brush my teeth and say goodnight to my wife and dog.
I’m normally in bed by…
21.30 in the week (early to bed/ early to rise). Anytime at the weekends.
Image credit: Mike Heaton, Certas Energy