On the road
As our business has developed and grown over the decades, colleagues' roles have changed too as we adapt to our customers’ evolving needs.
Katie Minto (pictured), from Birmingham Vehicle Operations Centre (VOC), is one of our youngest HGV drivers. Outside of work, she enjoys walking her German Shepherd, Ajax, and travelling, having recently snorkelled in the crystal clear, but freezing waters over the Silfra Fissure, a giant rift in Iceland where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Before joining Royal Mail, Katie worked in retail. But she says it was only ever a stopgap until she figured out what it was she really wanted to do.
‘After I got my Class 1 licence in 2017, I worked as a driver for various companies before joining Royal Mail,’ said Katie. ‘I fill in for other drivers when they are on leave so no two weeks are the same. Being based at Birmingham VOC, I regularly drive to Chester, Bristol, Redditch and Yorkshire.
‘You quickly get to know people here. I meet a lot of other female drivers in the other depots and when we get a chance, we’ll take our break together and have a good chat.’
Based at our Scottish Distribution Centre in Wishaw, Gerry Dawson is one of our most senior and experienced drivers. He joined Royal Mail in the 1980s at the age of 40.
When he’s not in an HGV, Gerry can be found at Knockhill Race Track driving Formula 4 cars with his grandson. Gerry spent 26 years in the Territorial Army and has shares in three racehorses.
‘At 21 I obtained my HGV Class 1 through the Territorial Army,’ he said. ‘I worked for a paper recycling firm and a logistics company before joining Royal Mail. Apart from a six-year stint as a transport manager, I’ve always been a driver. Over the past 31 years I have driven every make of truck and trailer in the fleet.
‘There are 100 drivers at the centre where I work, and they are all good people – and interesting characters. Our managers always congratulate us when they know we’ve done something good. It makes a real difference.
