Gareth celebrating with Transport Operations Director, Neil Trotter and Operations Manager, Steve Newton
Our driver, Gareth Bell, who has been with the company for 16 years, has won the Extra Mile Award at the Microlise Driver of the Year Awards 2023, the UK’s premier HGV driver awards programme which recognises outstanding driver performance and excellence.
Gareth, who lives in Anglesey, was presented with his award at a black-tie VIP dinner, held earlier this week, at Coventry Building Society Arena. Before the final, as a reward for being shortlisted, Gareth was invited to attend a Porsche track day driving experience.
Competition organisers Microlise supply fleet management in-cab technology to support the monitoring and efficiency of vehicles for transport companies. This year’s awards were judged by a panel of industry experts.
The Extra Mile Award symbolises the extraordinary commitment and effort that an individual puts into their work life. This level of commitment means taking their day-to-day duties far beyond what is required and in Gareth’s case, becoming an ambassador for the company, both in and out of work.
Gareth was previously a finalist at the Microlise Awards last year for his heroic actions supporting a driver who was driving erratically and dangerously on the motorway due to serious health conditions. This is just one of the many qualities that make Gareth stand out as a great colleague and a man.
Gareth’s responsibilities are well above the call of duty for a driver, but he continues to excel at his job. As well as his day-to-day duties, Gareth is also a fantastic ambassador online, as he photographs and documents his time out with the Boughey trucks. He also takes an important role in educating children, and recently took his truck to his daughter’s school to show them the blind spots on a HGV.
At the finals, Gareth was accompanied by his wife, Boughey’s Transport Operations Manager, Steve Newton and Transport Operations Director, Neil Trotter.
Neil Trotter commented, “We are all extremely proud to have Gareth representing us at the Microlise Awards. Gareth has been shortlisted before and it’s fantastic that he has come away with an award that recognises what he does for the company. His commitment to the industry and to Boughey for the past 16 years is well worth celebrating.”
Driving wasn’t where Gareth started his working in life. At university, he gained a degree in Accountancy and Finance and went on to work as a trainee Management Accountant. During his training, Gareth realised his real love was being behind the wheel and followed in his father’s footsteps and become a driver.
Speaking about winning the award, Gareth said, “Getting nominated for anything is always a pleasure, but winning was fantastic. I enjoy my job and do it to the best of my ability. I wouldn’t say I do anything extra special; I just get on with it. If anything, winning this award is a great thing for the company as it’s the team that makes everything work, not any one individual.”
