New franchisees at Peterborough recruitment business.

Driver Hire Peterborough, a leading local supplier of staff to the road transport and logistics industry, has new owners, husband and wife team, Brian and Lin Kilroe. They’ve bought the business from long-standing franchisee, Ged Sanderson.

Brian and Lin travelled the world before choosing Peterborough as the spot for their new business venture. Born in Zimbabwe, they worked in South Africa before taking an eight-year sabbatical in Thailand.

“Brian ran several Nissan franchise motor dealerships and I worked in motor finance for Mercedes-Benz Finance, where I reached board member level as Head of Sales”, Lin explains. “We had some money to invest in the UK and were looking for a new challenge.”

They were introduced to Driver Hire by friends who run a Driver Hire franchise in Manchester. “We visited several Driver Hire offices across the UK and concluded that it is a fantastic, well structured business with a strong brand within the industry. After doing our research, we both agreed that buying a Driver Hire franchise was the right thing to do.”

In common with many successful Driver Hire franchisees, Brian and Lin have not previously worked in logistics or recruitment, but bring significant business and customer service experience. They spent two weeks on an intensive Driver Hire Foundation course, joining other new franchisees in person for the first week and with the second week delivered virtually. To ensure continuity within the business, they’ve retained a highly experienced member of staff.

“We’ve moved into new offices in Fengate Industrial Park,” Lin continues. “We’re currently busy contacting existing customers to introduce ourselves and, to grow the business, we’re looking forward to meeting potential new clients in the months ahead. Also, key to our strategy for success, is looking after our existing team of drivers and clients – and recruiting new ones.”

The UK’s largest specialist supplier with a nationwide network of franchised offices, Driver Hire provides temporary and permanent drivers and other logistics staff to local and national organisations in both the public and private sector. If they’re short of staff – perhaps because of illness, holidays or seasonal demand – Driver Hire will supply them with a suitable replacement.