ByBox is the UK market leader for field service solutions, specialising in delivering items pre 8am into the largest drop box network in the UK with 18,000 lockers at 1,500 locations. The lockers are located on convenient sites such as supermarkets, petrol stations and train stations and are accessible 24/7. In addition to the UK, ByBox has networks in the Republic of Ireland, France and the Benelux.
Warehouse & Logistics News – What brought you to this industry?
A friend of a friend, a chap called Paul Hagan owned a small niche logistics business in the north of England called Document Interlink, which was expanding into Yorkshire and he asked if I’d like to run it. At the time it was just a private post office for lawyers with hardly any staff, so we had to go and deliver the mail ourselves until we had enough customers to start employing couriers. I just loved the freedom, and the hard work – it was as close as you could get to being self-employed and I learnt a lot. I love the industry and it’s been great to see how over the years the sector has professionalised. Paul eventually sold the business and thankfully he now works for us!
WLN – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
The fact that my only boundary is my imagination and that I work with the most fantastic bunch of people you could ever hope to. We’re now in a position to launch the careers of a fabulous bunch of younger people that are coming through the ranks and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction.
WLN – Who inspired you most in your career?
It’s a difficult one to answer as it’s not just one person. My dad was an officer in the Air Force and from him I got my sense of duty and appreciation that you can’t do anything in isolation. John McLean, the MD of my second company, believed in me and my abilities more than I did myself and spent a lot of time developing me for which I’m eternally grateful. And then there’s Stuart Miller, founder of ByBox who has a natural enthusiasm and zest for life and from him I’ve learnt how important humility is and that if you believe in something enough, you’ll make it happen.
WLN – If you were an item in a warehouse, what would you be?
I’d be a scanner, scanning customer stock leaving the warehouse, it’s phenomenal how many packages pass through our warehouses.
WLN – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?
To be honest, I’ve been through some really exciting experiences and met some great people; I wouldn’t really do much different. Everything you do is good experience.
WLN – What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?
My birthday is just before Christmas and a colleague once sent me a card and what I believed to be aftershave. I opened the card and covered my face sparingly with the aftershave. I called to thank her, but discovered to my amusement that although the card was for me the ‘aftershave’ was in fact perfume she’d gift wrapped for one of our largest customers at the time. So I added a little water, re-wrapped and presented it to the customer. They never found out thankfully.
WLN – Who or what makes you laugh?
My friends make me laugh which is wonderful.
WLN – Do you have any hidden talents?
I race historic cars and have been lucky enough to race Jaguar E-types in the E-Type Challenge. I’ve also raced an Alfa in the Historic Touring Car Championship, and was invited to compete in the 2008 support race for the British Grand Prix. I currently race a 1965 Ford Mustang and with this car I came second in the 2013 Gold Cup.
WLN – Who would be your favourite party guest?
Alive, Bill Clinton, dead Martin Luther King.
WLN – What is the greatest luxury in your life?
Sharing time with friends and family.
WLN – What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
I love fizzy cola bottles.
WLN – Do you have any secret ambitions?
I’d like to compete in one of the support races at the Monaco GP weekend.
WLN – What’s your dream holiday destination?
I don’t actually hanker to go anywhere, but put me in a relaxed atmosphere, sat outside, with good food and wine, along with great company and a view and I’m happy.
WLN – What are your three favourite movies of all time?
You may have guessed a bit of a theme by now, The Italian Job, The Jungle Book and the Pianist.
WLN – What is your favourite book of all time?
I’ve read a lot of biographies, and enjoy a good spy or wartime novel. I also enjoy tales of unbelievable personal sacrifice and achievement. I honestly couldn’t choose one or even the top five, they all leave you with a sense of wonder and more often than not they are very humbling.
WLN – What’s your favourite pastime?
Racing cars.
WLN – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?
More car racing.
WLN – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into the industry (apart from “don’t do it”)?
True of any industry, success is not an accident and remember who pays your wages.
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