Logistics Stories

I am an Automation First Line Manager for GXO Logistics. My role’s priority is to meet KPIs and to enable the AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicle) to work efficiently to deliver results. My main responsibility is to oversee the daily operation within the newly implemented automation. Within the area, it is important to manage the allocation of workstations per department, with a need to be agile with fast decision making, based on volume fluctuations and staffing requirements. This task requires great communication between all operational management, as well as collaborating with other functions such as Health, Safety & Facilities, Engineering and Project Management to continually communicate the vision. As well as managing operational efficiencies, I also lead a team of ‘Jam Busters’, whose role is to alleviate any traffic within the AGVs and assist in the daily maintenance of the robots. With this comes HR responsibilities such as managing annual leave requests, probationary reviews, absence management and other administrative duties.

I’m currently in my fourth and final year of study at Sheffield Hallam University, where I study Professional Practice in Supply Chain Leadership through the GXO Apprenticeship scheme. During my studies I’ve focused a lot of my research on automation and used it as a focal point for some of my work-based projects. In doing this, I found a passion for automation, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career down this path. I’ve always been an analytical person, and find I can pick up systems quickly, I think this is what drew me to this type of work originally, and my interests have grown from there.

I joined the GXO apprenticeship at 18, fresh out of Sixth Form, where I studied triple business (BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business) and had previous qualifications in Engineering at GCSE level. Both subjects taught me valuable skills, including problem solving and decision making, two of the most used skills in my role. When studying the global market, and supply and demand in business studies, it piqued my interest in logistics; however, it wasn’t until I found the job description for the apprenticeship that I thought logistics could be possible for me, as it was not a well-discussed job opportunity in school.

As much as my passion is for automation, the best thing about my role is that I’ve been able to curate a team of individuals to work alongside me. I love being able to lead the team and I find it very rewarding watching us grow together, especially as a start-up department. We’re all learning from each other every day, and personally, I find sharing that experience is the best part of my role. My career highlight to date is happening right now! The opportunity to lead the automation implementation project for a brand which I’ve always admired, has been such an honour to play a part in. It was, and still is, an incredibly rewarding experience that combines strategic planning, collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving. Being part of a team that successfully enhances operational efficiency and has optimised processes has been not only fulfilling personally, but also significantly improved the workflow and productivity of the warehouse. Seeing the positive impact of automation first-hand, has reaffirmed my passion for driving technological advancements in the workplace.

I was lost, and logistics found me.

Bouncing from job to job, I could not determine my next move. What did I want for a career? How could I find it? Then someone gave me the opportunity of a life time.

What started as an Operations Administration Apprenticeship, a means for financial stability and a way forward, quickly turned into an open door.

I entered the world of logistics blindly, oblivious to the magnitude of career path choices which would unfold in front of me.

My curiosity spiked. I found a spark within myself, a desire to understand how the products I use every day come to be.

I became devoted to my development. Keen to enhance my skills and knowledge, I soaked up every piece of information I could. I invested in projects, joining internal teams as Key User and onboarding new staff members. I worked with a vast customer portfolio, learning every avenue of order execution from entry to cash.

I came to recognise my passion was leadership. Drawing on my own experiences in Account Management, I felt I could truly make a difference leading within the department. I discovered a drive within myself for developing people, and was motivated by watching people grow.  I found strength in highlighting process gaps and stripping them apart to rebuild for the better, thus positively impacting the customer and my team.

Fast forward 11 years, and I am working in the role that I set out to achieve.

As an Account Management Coordinator and Contract Manager at Den Hartogh Liquid Logistics, I have the ability to influence my team personally and professionally, supporting them through their own career journey. I respond to errors with coaching and guidance to instil confidence in openness, and encourage learning best practices. I invest in structure to ensure work-life balance is prioritised. Working alongside imperative stakeholders and drawing on their expertise, I can also facilitate customer experience by recommending options to achieve operational success.

It has been a journey, a road taken, with zero regrets.

As an Area Compliance professional, Chryssa’s primary responsibility involves providing support and guidance across the organization. Her role centres on upholding compliance and facilitating seamless processes within and between departments. This encompasses adherence to both local laws and policies, as well as the ethical standards and values established by the Group.

Chryssa believes that a law degree is a big advantage for this role. She was drawn to this internal opportunity due to the prospect of overseeing the entire UKI organization, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of each department’s functions. This aligns with her professional goals and allows her to contribute effectively to the overall success of the organization.

In the course of my prior professional experiences, Chryssa cultivated a strong sense of agility, a keen understanding of pain points, and a problem-solving mindset. These attributes have consistently proven instrumental in navigating complex challenges and contributing to successful outcomes.

Chryssa’s tenure at the Liverpool Civil and Family Court afforded her the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with esteemed barristers. This experience equipped her with the skills to confront challenging issues head-on while maintaining a resolute demeanour, even in adverse situations.

Hi, I’m Zaina Salim, and I’ve been a Supply Chain Degree Apprentice with Asda Logistics for the past two years. During this time, I’ve had the opportunity to complete placements at Warrington ADC and Skelmersdale CDC, and I’m currently continuing my journey at Lymedale Clothing.

I’m originally from Manchester and studied at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. With a background in sales, I chose to pursue this apprenticeship because I thrive in hands-on, fast-paced environments where I can learn by doing.

A career in logistic, especially within a dynamic and forward-thinking business like Asda offers endless opportunities for growth and development. Throughout this apprenticeship, I’ve gained valuable experience not only in the technical areas of supply chain management, but also in key leadership skills such as team management, delegation, and supporting others. The personal and professional development I’ve experienced, along with the strong relationships I’ve built, has been incredibly rewarding.

I’m excited to keep building on this foundation and make the most of the time I have left on the programme. I’m committed to unlocking my full potential and approaching the next stage of my career with confidence, ambition, and enthusiasm.

A passion for technology might be what got Benjamin started on the path to a career in logistics, given he knew little about the sector.

“If you asked me what I knew about the sector, I’d say not a lot!”

“I’d never considered logistics, due to my interest in sports, but this changed when I read about GXO’s graduate programme.”

The programme led to a role in projects, with Benjamin now identifying new technology solutions to implement across Northern European sites, and supporting innovation projects.

The best thing about the role?

“Being able to induce my genuine interest in new solutions. I’m surprised at the technology used in logistics – I wasn’t aware there could be roles like this focussed on technology.”

Benjamin’s initial placement has now become a permanent role – one where he’s looking to grow within his team, and to continue the hunt for exciting new technologies.

It’s a role that fits Benjamin perfectly, and he thinks there could be a fit for you too.

“Logistics is so vast and offers all sorts of different roles for different characters. It’s incredibly diverse and can help you develop quickly.”

Thomas is the Inventory Manager for Maersk at East Midland Gateway, we are a multi-user site, handling a large SKU range and stock holding. He oversees all contract’s stock on site, and ensure all customer requirements are met, with regards to stock integrity.

Thomas’s role didn’t require any formal qualifications, only logistics experience. He was approached on LinkedIn by Maersk’s talent team for a Startup site in his region. He was always interested in puzzle solving and have found that Logistics is just an ever-evolving set of interconnected puzzles that need solving. During his Career, Thomas has relished every time he is presented with a problem that needed a resolution.

As an Inventory Manager, Thomas loves being able to guide and support his team to better themselves, as well as support the operations to achieve their goals, to be the best logistics team we can be!

In his last role, Thomas led the team to records an increased location accuracy from 46% to 95% in the quarterly Cycle Counts across over 100k locations in the warehouse. This would be a career highlight that instantly comes to mind.

Leightons current position is as a Sales Representative within the sales team. On a daily basis, he engages with new individuals, offering guidance and recommendations on the most suitable course options for obtaining an HGV license and pursuing their desired career path.

Leightons role does not necessitate specific qualifications, but it does require a high level of motivation, a strong work ethic, excellent time management skills, and effective phone etiquette when interacting with customers “My interest in business processes, particularly the end-to-end journey, has been a consistent passion of mine.”

Leighton learned about this role through Michael, the current director, with whom he had been in contact during my studies. He introduced him to Carl, the managing director. After thoroughly researching their future business plans, Leighton recognized their potential to lead the market and decided to join their team.

Being part of the world of business, Leighton initially embarked on an apprenticeship in Business Development. Upon its completion, he discovered his enjoyment for sales and the fulfilment of witnessing my customers’ journeys, especially when they succeed at the end of their training.

In his current role at this family-run business, the close-knit office environment fosters a positive and collaborative atmosphere. The most satisfying aspect of Leightons role is the opportunity to interact with diverse customers, each with unique goals, and guide them through the process until they achieve their desired outcome of obtaining their HGV license.

One of Leightons significant career milestones was when he obtained his HGV license in 2019. This achievement has provided him with the chance to experience the driving aspect of the industry first-hand, allowing him to balance his office job with road activities and enjoy the peace of his own company while on the road.

Alice works across operations to spot, assess and reduce risk so supply chains stay resilient and people, assets and reputation are protected. Partnering with teams from frontline operations to senior leadership, she strengthens processes, builds compliance, and embeds a proactive, risk-aware culture that helps CEVA deliver reliable, secure and sustainable logistics for customers.

Alice’s route into logistics wasn’t linear. After a BSc in Equestrian Psychology & Sports Science and an MRes in Equine Performance at Nottingham Trent University, she moved from insurance into risk, joining CEVA as an Insurance & Risk Technician before stepping up to Risk Manager. Along the way she earned the International Certificate in Enterprise Risk Management and a Business Continuity Institute (CBCI) certificate, credentials that now underpin her day-to-day decision-making.

Her academic background sharpened the skills she uses constantly: recognising patterns, analysing data, and communicating findings clearly. Early roles in veterinary practice and retail taught her to challenge the status quo—questioning processes, seeking efficiencies, and driving practical improvements to reduce operational, financial and regulatory exposure.

What she loves most is the variety: no two days are the same. One moment she’s refining governance and continuity plans; the next, she’s supporting teams through change or advising leaders on emerging risks. Recent highlights include earning her IRM certificate, promotion to Risk Manager for the UK, Ireland and Nordics, and being recognised as a high performer – milestones that reflect real impact and fuel her ambition to keep raising the bar for risk management in logistics.

My name is Victoria Manole and I have a diverse background that spans education and logistics. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Philology and started my career as an English teacher in my home country, Romania, where I developed strong communication and organisational skills. In 2016, I moved to the UK, where I transitioned into logistics, and in 2017, I started my journey at ASDA Lymedale, where I’ve spent the past several years working as a Warehouse Operative and most recently as a Function Support Colleague. I’m passionate about logistics because it offers dynamic challenges, requires efficient problem-solving and directly impacts the flow of goods. I chose a career in logistics because of its vital role in the economy and the opportunities it provides to work hands-on in an organised and goal-oriented environment. Logistics combines the need for efficiency with strategic planning, which are areas I enjoy working in. After teaching, where planning and structure were crucial, logistics felt like a natural fit. It allows me to continuously improve processes, solve problems in real-time and make a real impact on operations.

I have built my career within ASDA Distribution, where I started as a Warehouse Operative more than seven years ago. In this role, I gained a strong foundation in inventory management, order processing and operational safety. Over time, I took on additional responsibilities and became a key colleague, supporting new team members by sharing best practices and helping them integrate into the workflow. Recognised for my expertise, I was appointed as a trainer, where I guided new hires through operational procedures, safety standards and system usage, ensuring they were well-prepared for their roles. Earlier this year, I advanced to a Function Support Colleague role, which has given me broader responsibilities. Now, I work closely with management to help ensure that team targets are met and troubleshoot operational issues. This role has been an important stepping stone in my career, allowing me to develop leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of logistics operations. I am now in the process of further developing my management skills, preparing for a department manager role soon, and I’m currently enrolled in You Can Be programme, a developmental path towards a department manager role.

My ambition is to grow into a leadership role within logistics, where I can contribute to strategic decision-making and help drive the success of my team and department. I am eager to become a Department Manager, focusing on efficiency, process improvement and team development. Long-term, I aspire to build a career that combines my operational expertise with leadership responsibilities, potentially overseeing larger-scale logistics operations. Throughout my career, I’ve invested time in training and development to continuously improve my skills in order to make this progression a reality, and to add value to my team. I’ve completed various courses and certifications relevant to logistics, including a First Aid course. This course helped me to handle emergency situations, which I believe enhances both my personal confidence and my ability to support my colleagues. I’ve also completed a trainer qualification, which has enabled me to take on the role of a key colleague at ASDA, responsible for training new and existing team members. This course helped me to develop my communication skills, allowing me to share my knowledge effectively with others. These training experiences have not only helped me to improve my skill set but have also prepared me for greater leadership responsibilities in the future.

I would tell someone considering joining the logistics profession that logistics is a fast-paced, rewarding field with plenty of room for growth. To succeed, it’s important to be detail-oriented, adaptable and comfortable with problem-solving. Logistics can be challenging, as it requires handling unexpected issues quickly, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to see the results of your efforts daily. I’d also recommend investing in training and professional development, as these can open opportunities for advancement and help you stay current with standards.

Annabel’s role in the UK Investment team at SEGRO mainly covers acquisitions into and disposals out of our UK portfolio, as well as oversight of the bi-annual valuation of all of SEGRO’s UK assets. Day-to-day she may be running a cashflow to buy a warehouse on the M25, visiting a newly completed SEGRO development, or speaking to our agents to understand what our industrial property competitors are doing.

When she joined SEGRO as a graduate, she needed an RICS-accredited degree, which she had achieved in the form of an MSc in Real Estate at Reading University. At the end of her two-year graduate scheme. Annabel sat an exam to become a Chartered Surveyor and am now a member of RICS.

Annabel originally found out about the SEGRO graduate scheme at the Reading University Real Estate careers fair while studying for my MSc. For her current role, she was approached internally when her time on an internal secondment was coming to an end. She was attracted to the market-facing nature of the investment role and the team members she would be working with.

Annabel gained specific Real Estate knowledge throughout my MSc that is still directly relevant to her job and enabled her to have a solid foundation when starting the SEGRO graduate scheme.

The best thing about her role is that no day is the same and there is always a learning opportunity.

Going on a secondment with SEGRO to Paris for a year and working with her development and investment colleagues in France, Spain, and Italy to present and bring forward opportunities in those countries have been career highlights.

Faith is currently a Graduate Surveyor in the Thames Valley Asset Management Team, having previously been on rotation in the Greater London Development and Investment Team.

To become a Graduate Surveyor, Faith needed a 2:1 in any degree and found her current role through her university careers team. What drew her to SEGRO was the opportunity to work for a leading property company that is committed to investing, managing and developing best in class warehouses and her time at university helped Faith to get the job, not only because she had a degree, but because she had learnt skills such as time management, problem solving and teamwork.

Faith says the best thing about her role is the opportunities she’s offered. She has enjoyed assisting the team on the redevelopment of a SEGRO-owned industrial estate, gaining valuable experience on how to make a development viable and how to find solutions to configure the layout to the meet the needs of future occupiers.

After attending the University of Stockholm to study teaching, but leaving to come to the UK, I joined the Europa Worldwide Group HR team as a Learning and Development (L&D) Trainer in February 2023 based at the firm’s headquarters in Dartford. My role is to deliver training across all the organisation’s divisions. My current role was recommended to me by a colleague from my previous job. I was desperate to try something new! My previous position was a little too ‘jack of all trades’ for me so I was really looking for a position that was specifically focused on L&D. The role in general was really appealing to me; it incorporated everything I wanted to be doing and it provided a new challenge, exposing me to the dynamic logistics sector. My former colleague was part of the HR Team and spotted a vacancy for a Learning and Development Trainer as part of Europa Worldwide Group and recommended I apply. Europa really encourages the team to recommend people for roles, in fact, there is an incentive scheme to support this, which worked out perfectly for me. From the moment I joined Europa, I have felt so welcomed and can’t really imagine myself anywhere else now.

Since joining Europa, I have worked on various projects including remote training for our Europa Air & Sea teams in Shanghai, Dubai and Hong Kong and the development of e-learning modules. No two days are the same for me. We work in such a fast-paced sector and company that there are constant moving parts. My role has exposed me to a completely new world, and I can see first-hand the positive changes being made within the sector. Currently I am delivering our in-house Management Training Programme which has been designed to ensure quality and consistency in management practices across the company.  This training will be delivered across our three divisions Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea and Europa Warehouse and our Group Central Services teams. Now employing over 1,400 staff globally, we have trebled our workforce over the past 10 years which means providing our teams with the necessary training to ensure future progression and growth is vital.

The 12-month programme, being rolled out across our 17 sites in the UK and Ireland, consists of one full day classroom training session per month and all learners are supported with additional content and regular 1-2-1 sessions.  Given the wide variety of different functions across the organisation (Sales, Warehousing, Transport planning, Finance, Supplier Relationship Managers to name just a few), it is really important that we understand how each team works and also what our learners’ primary challenges are.  This helps us adapt each session to best meet the learner needs. In the past two years, our Learning and Development team has increased threefold which shows Europa’s investment in the vast and diverse training needs across the business. As a company, we work to drive out complexity whilst creating inspiring workplaces with motivated and empowered employees and our training programmes are a big part of this. Each programme is unique, inspired by our company values, from ‘We give great customer service’ to ‘We build positive teams with family spirit’, our values help to shape the team we are and the success we achieve.

Learning and devlopment is important to me, personally, too! I am currently working towards my CIPD Level 3 training in Learning and Development that will support my current work and future progression. I am originally from Stockholm, Sweden, and left my degree for a gap year, which is when I came to the UK and started working in retail first, then Learning and Development. Since joining the Europa family, I have found a real passion for logistics and get a lot of fulfillment enabling the team to increase their skills. I am excited to be working towards a qualification that I feel will really support my growth within this sector.

My real standout memory from my time so far at Europa has to be the first training session I designed and delivered. Supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace has always been something that I am passionate about and so when, only four months into the role, I was given the opportunity to take ownership of creating our in-house module ‘Managing Mental Health Conversations’ it was both exciting and daunting at the same time. It was a big step so early into my role, but I delivered the training and received some brilliant feedback and felt such pride. This training programme was originally delivered to the Road and Customer Service Branch Managers and due to its success, is now fully integrated into our management training programme.

For me, now I have joined the logistics profession, I couldn’t imagine working within another sector. I find the variety, the people, the knowledge, and the enthusiasm of everyone is so powerful and motivating. I take great pride in delivering our training sessions and always feel so pleased when another cohort has passed through our programmes. In the future, I am looking forward to continuing my work towards my CIPD qualification, creating more effective, bespoke training sessions, and further developing my knowledge and skill set. I think logistics is a great sector to work in and I know it has some amazing possibilities for me as I progress within learning and development.

Jake currently holds the position of Sales Representative at Hughes Driver Training, where he manages multiple client accounts on a daily basis. A significant aspect of his role involves cultivating strong customer relationships, and he’s proud to maintain a remarkable 95% customer satisfaction rating.

The qualifications required for Jakes role as a Sales Representative typically revolve around effective communication and interpersonal skills, a solid understanding of the products or services offered, and the ability to build and maintain customer relationships.

After completing college, Jake chose not to pursue further education because he had a clear vision of entering the workforce. He had studied Business and Information Technology during college, and it became evident to him that a career in sales was his calling.

Jake learned about my current role through a close friend from school who also works at Hughes Driver Training. “Joining this company, alongside my friend, has proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career journey.”

Jakes strong work ethic drives him to set ambitious goals for himself. This determination led him to pursue a career in sales, and the family-oriented environment at Hughes Driver Training resonated with his values.

The most rewarding aspect of Jakes role at Hughes Driver Training is the ability to transform lives by helping individuals achieve their dream of becoming qualified HGV/PCV drivers. Knowing that he’s played a significant role in someone’s journey and personal growth is incredibly fulfilling.

“One of the most significant highlights in my career has been assisting a candidate who faced multiple rejections from other driving schools due to a specific disability. He enrolled with Hughes Driver Training and, with our support, passed his test for the Articulated vehicle on his first attempt. It was a truly gratifying moment in my career.”

Brothers Paul and Simon began their careers in logistics alongside their father 30 years ago.

“Our dad also said to us when we were out with him: ‘that’s the firm you want to be working for boys, Tesco!’ We all applied for Tesco jobs, and we got them.”

Both Paul and Simon became drivers straight from school and have worked alongside each other ever since.

“We’ve progressed to driver trainers. It’s rewarding when you see the apprenticeship guys come through. It’s great to see that someone else has taken on your knowledge and put it into action.”

For both, the appeal of the job isn’t just the teaching, but the togetherness of the team.

“We love our jobs. It’s like coming to work with our family, you know? That’s what helps keep a lot of people here, the camaraderie.”

For the past four months, Fraser has been heading up the digital sales role for UK&I as well as working closely with the European Director of Digital Sales – he has grown the platform for MyCeva by 180% in his first four months, doubling quoting and booking figures month on month. He has presented to some of the largest automotive and retail customers worldwide, both in person and digitally.

Fraser has recently moved to a new role, Junior Business Development Manager for the Paris 2024 Olympics! This will involve finding and winning new business.

He needed three A-Levels or the equivalent, such as a BTEC, and then also needed Maths and English at GCSE level for his role. Fraser found it helpful having studied business and a language as well, as it’s a great talking point in interviews. He found his role through networking on LinkedIn, which allowed him to gain two weeks work experience at CEVA before he had the opportunity to speak to the Director of Sales for UK&I and introduce himself.

The two best things about his role are the respect he is given by his coworkers and the networking his role requires, not only in the company but in the whole sector. The thing he learned very quickly was that, in logistics, everyone is different; you will never find two of the exact same people as everybody has a different skill set, which is what makes the sector tick!

“It’s super important, especially in sales, to be able to bounce things off each other, as well being able to offer your area of expertise and no matter how old you are or how much experience you have. If you are confident and understand your area, in my experience, you are respected and given the same platform as everyone else to express your quality.”

To date, Fraser’s career highlight was  being given the responsibility and confidence from his co-workers to be able to present MyCeva in front of a leading global company only six months into his role.

I currently have a split role – 50% of my time is spent in an engagement-focused role, which involves defining our business-wide engagement calendar, working closely with our sites to support their engagement activities, and also managing our bi-annual Employee Engagement Survey across the UK, Ireland and the Nordics. The other 50% of my time is spent within our Learning and Development team, supporting the delivery of exciting new projects, including brand-new learning offer launches and face-to-face learning events. My career in logistics began when I started in an entry-level role within the finance team at CEVA. After 18 months, I took the leap into HR on secondment as maternity cover, and since then, I’ve been exposed to so many amazing learning and development opportunities, not least completing my Level 5 CIPD qualification through an apprenticeship, which has really supported me in both aspects of my  role. I learned so much more about the areas I work in and the other specialist areas of HR. I also developed many valuable skills that support me within my role and empower me to challenge myself and think more broadly and strategically.

Before I joined the logistics industry, my perception was quite stereotypical; I saw it primarily as moving goods from point A to point B. However, after joining the industry, my understanding has completely transformed. I am now in awe of the numerous moving parts and intricate processes required to run the sector effectively. Logistics is truly the backbone that keeps the world moving, and witnessing firsthand the innovation and technological advancements within the industry has been incredibly inspiring. I also didn’t anticipate the vast array of opportunities within the business and the HR team and the emphasis on constant development and learning. I was also guilty of thinking the workforce was made up of male lorry drivers. However, my team is predominantly made up of strong and successful women, which is so inspiring! It’s incredible to be surrounded by that every day and to see other women paving the way in the industry – it gives me the drive and determination to follow in their footsteps and hopefully pave the way for many more women!

The best thing about my role is the variety I get – no two days are the same, which I love! It’s also great to work so closely with sites and people across the wider business, not just within the UK but on a global basis, too. My proudest achievement would be successfully launching a brand-new bitesize learning offer – ‘2Minutes2Learn: Pour yourself a cup of curiosiTEA’. We wanted to bust the myth that learning has to be completed in long, classroom-style sessions and prove that you can actually learn something new in the time that it takes to boil a kettle! We’ve now launched nearly 10 new topics as part of this suite of learning (and counting!), and we’ve received great feedback from across the business. Given the industry’s fast-paced nature, completing a learning module in just 2 minutes means learning is so much more accessible and that’s something I’m really proud to have accomplished! I think I’ll stay in the industry because of the mix of flexibility and development that I have. After returning from maternity leave at the end of 2023, I reduced my hours to four days a week, meaning I get an extra day at home with my daughter to be present for her and not have to miss out on making memories together. I am also starting my Level 7 Senior People Professional apprenticeship later this year, which I’m really excited about! It feels amazing to have a work-life balance that works for me and my family and still have development opportunities available. I’m really proud to show my daughter that, as women, there are no limits to what we can achieve!

My advice to someone considering a career in logistics would be to jump in head first and take every opportunity that’s presented to you! Logistics is such an exciting industry with such an exciting future ahead, and there are endless opportunities for you to grow and develop the most incredible career and the most incredible version of yourself! I would say the top three skills that stand out for success in the industry are:

1. Adaptability—The logistics industry is dynamic and fast-paced, and circumstances can change often at the drop of a hat. Being adaptable means you will thrive within this ever-changing environment and become a master at handling and successfully navigating unexpected challenges!
2. Great communication—Within the industry, you are exposed to so many different stakeholders. Whether you’re meeting with a customer, involved in implementing a new site/contract, or part of a brand-new project team, you are always interacting and communicating with a variety of different people at different levels and within different teams, both externally and internally.
3. Drive—pardon the pun! There are so many opportunities to grow and develop and be exposed to so many exciting things. The opportunities are endless for those who want to grow and develop within the industry, so grab each one with both hands!

I manage the toyou Service Experience Team and support the toyou Operations Model. My primary responsibilities include ensuring service level metrics are met, addressing any challenges by analysing and resolving issues, minimising parcel loss, identifying ways to reduce future loss, and developing process models that safeguard service quality to support new services.

I found my role through part time work in my local ASDA store while studying for A-Levels and applied for an industrial placement at ASDA Head Office for my third year at Sheffield Hallam University, where I was studying a BSc in Business Modelling & Management . The role I was assigned was within the Imports Logistics Team. I was then offered a job straight out of university within the same team. I have worked for ASDA ever since, working in different roles within logistics and worked my way up to a line manager position.

During my degree, I gravitated towards the operational and mathematical aspects of Business Management, which I found particularly engaging. My work placement, followed by returning to the logistics sector after graduation, sparked a genuine passion for supply chain and in particular, logistics. I enjoy the opportunity to influence costs, optimise processes, and ensure that products are delivered to customers accurately, efficiently, and on time.

One of the best parts of managing a Service Experience Team in logistics is the ability to directly impact both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. It’s a dynamic role that involves problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Every day brings new challenges, from resolving service issues to identifying trends and implementing changes that prevent future disruptions. There’s a real sense of purpose in ensuring parcels move through the network smoothly and customers receive their orders on time. Leading a team in this environment means fostering a culture of accountability and innovation, where everyone’s input can make a tangible difference to performance and service quality.

I am currently completing a level 7 Senior Leader Executive Apprenticeship through ASDA with Cranfield University, which even though challenging, is a great opportunity to be able to further my academic development at the same time as supporting my career within ASDA. Having the ability to do this whilst continuing to drive change and innovation in the role, is something that I did not think I’d be able to do, but it is very rewarding.

I am an HGV driving Instructor with Asda Logistics Services. Asda recruits warehouse colleagues from around the country onto their Licence Acquisition programme. Those colleagues come to our training facility at Lutterworth for a period of approximately 10 days and, during this time, they sit all their theory tests, which they take at our in-house Theory Test Suite. They then learn how to drive an HGV to test standard, covering is coupling/uncoupling the unit from trailers and a reversing exercise to display competence.

My role involves dealing with a wide range of people with a vast range of skillsets and confidence levels and guiding them through this very intensive process installing the knowledge and confidence to serve them well on the road driving an HGV and to pass their HGV practical driving test. I have held my HGV licence for 22 years. You need to have this licence yourself to be able to instruct others. I also am qualified to train as I hold an RTITB HGV qualification and I am on the NRI (National Register of Instructors)

I did not attend university; I was employed by Asda three years ago to set up the new Licence Acquisition program that they wanted to launch. I had previous experience in HGV training and I brought these skills and knowledge with me when I joined the business. I found the posistion on Indeed (a job website) after looking for a new challenge, and this was a perfect fit. My previous experience in being an HGV driver myself for an extended period, coupled with the drive to share my knowledge with new people coming into the sector, meant that I was well suited to a role in training, and I found this an easy, and natural progression.

The best thing about my role is going on the development journey with the colleagues that come through the program. It is a pleasure to watch them grow as individuals and achieve the results in gaining their HGV Licence. Moving on to become drivers and really having a massively positive effect on their whole lives. My biggest highlight to date was when I first joined the business, and I set up the program that the business wanted. I was the last piece in many months of work behind the scenes to get this idea off the ground – my part was to put it all together and make it work and deliver results. This I achieved and now the Licence Acquisition program is ever evolving and growing year on year, helping hundreds of colleagues to upskill and futureproofing the business in their retention of HGV drivers for years to come.

Sunnah came into logistics without really knowing what to expect; she hoped that the experience would be useful and she could build her confidence and capabilities along the way.

“My first impression of the business was that everyone in the room is treated equally. It’s easy to feel intimidated when senior leaders are in the room, but it’s as easy to speak to the CEO as it is your line manager.”

The graduate scheme has seen Sunnah travel across the country, fulfilling her placement and getting a comprehensive introduction to the sector:

“I worked on an automated guided vehicle project in Doncaster – which was a great experience for someone who hadn’t worked with robots before. My first placement was in Bristol as a transport manager for Howdens, then I went to Derby as a transport planner for Morrisons, and now I’m in the customer fulfilment centre for Waitrose in Greenford.”

Sunnah is revelling in the variety of the scheme and sees it as a potential positive for lots of other young people like her:

“My advice would be to not limit yourself when it comes to choosing placements, there will be many options to decide from but it’s good to go for roles that you would probably never go for!”

Hi, I’m Ethan Larkin, and I’ve been a Logistics Degree Apprentice at ALS for the past two years. I spent my first year at Wakefield CDC before moving to Yorkshire XDC in August 2024, where I’m currently based.

I applied for the apprenticeship shortly after completing my A-Levels, making this my first full-time role. Prior to this, I gained part-time experience working as bar staff at a local pub during college and as a junior football referee while in high school.

I was drawn to this apprenticeship because logistics is a field I’ve always been interested in, despite having limited prior knowledge. The opportunity to develop into a seasoned leader within such a fast-paced and critical industry really appealed to me.

Outside of work, I’m a big football fan (a loyal Manchester United supporter, for my sins!) and enjoy keeping active by going to the gym regularly. I find that training helps me stay motivated and focused, both personally and professionally. That same drive carries into my work, I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving in a dynamic depot environment, which constantly pushes me to adapt and improve.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to take on more senior responsibilities and step into higher levels of management. I’m keen to prove myself as a capable, reliable leader and continue developing the skills needed to succeed in a leadership role within the logistics industry.