For National Lorry Week, we speak to Paul Holland, Managing Director for UK Fleet at Fleetcor, who are sponsoring this year’s event.

Fleetcor operate The Fuelcard Company, one of the largest commercial fuel card resellers in the UK, alongside other subsidiaries. It currently serves over 16,000 business fleets across the UK, and helps RHA members to master their fuel management across the UK’s largest commercial fuel network.

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate the road transport industry?

It’s vital to celebrate the road transport industry as they supply everything that most modern industries need to thrive and survive. Without this industry, our economy would cease to exist as we know it. They supply building, manufacturing, and the food we need – there is no part of our society that doesn’t rely on trucking to make their businesses function.

Why should people get involved with this year’s campaign?

I think it’s important to get involved in this year’s campaign to not only celebrate the industry, but to also highlight the need to recruit more drivers. There’s a skills shortage, which although not a new phenomenon, is still a growing problem. More needs to be done to recruit and keep drivers in jobs which will keep our economy in motion.

Why do you think people should consider joining the industry?

Firstly, drivers are genuinely critical to the economy and as the pandemic highlighted, they are key workers in every sense of the word. There are some clear benefits for joining the industry as a driver and there is temporary, contract and permanent roles available. The added demand for drivers will continue to drive more attractive wages for some time to come.

Ultimately, there are lots of opportunities to progress your career into operations or other aspects of fleet management, or if you are so inclined, to owning your own vehicle and running a business.

What excites you about the future of road transport?

I’m excited about the future we’re transitioning to with regards to alternative fuels. Electric is getting the headlines for smaller vehicles and while the technology is not quite there for larger vehicles and lorries yet, exploring alternative fuels for them is an interesting area. As it stands, there are four options: biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil). We’re excited to support businesses alongside other industry partners to ensure trucks stay on the road in the future, no matter what’s under their bonnet.

To find out more about The Fuelcard Company, please visit: www.fuelcards.co.uk