Matthew Young of AAH Pharmaceutical won the third annual FTA Van Excellence Driver of the Year competition at Mercedes-Benz Wentworth Park, Barnsley, last month.
The runner-up was Lisa Hanley of G4S, with Gary Day of Riverford Organic Farms in third place.
The 12 finalists who took part in the contest were nominated by their fleet manager who had recognised their professionalism and driving skills. Each van driver was rated on six separate tasks – driving style, economical driving, manoeuvring, defect checking, legislation knowledge and risk awareness.
The Freight Transport Association introduced two new driving contests this year following the hugely successful Van Excellence Driver of the Year events in 2014 and 2015 – a 44 tonne contest, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and an 18-tonne Truck Driver of the Year category.
The winners of all three contests will be assessed, and the overall winner of the FTA Driver of the Year award for 2016 will be revealed at the Freight in the City expo at Alexandra Palace on 2 November.
The competitions celebrate the skills and abilities of professional drivers across the whole sector and aim to raise awareness of the importance of freight and logistics.
