Moving Matters

In this episode Robert Cooper, General Manager of Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage discusses how he got involved within the industry 8 years ago after a phone call from his childhood best friend Neil (Purdie) who was looking for someone to take over his role, someone he could not only trust but someone who knew the family and the dedication they put into the business – there was no mention of knowing the moving industry!

Prior to joining Purdie Worldwide Robert worked for a Government Agency, HMRC, where he spent 11 years, starting in the call centre before working his way up to Operations Manager in charge of 500 people.

To recap from Neil’s episode, Purdie Worldwide provide domestic, commercial, and overseas moving, containerised storage (in approximately 1,500 containers) and self-storage. And to compliment the moving side there is also Purdie Property Maintenance.

Robert faces challenges every day, but his biggest personal challenge was the attitude of people towards him at the very start, where he was just seen as Neil’s friend. Another challenge has been family life and adapting to the non 9-5 working hours often found within the industry.

Robert wouldn’t change a thing from his 8 years of being within the industry, because he has learned something every day, no matter how big or small, and continues to do so.

Robert has a few highpoints of being within the industry, being tasked with the relocation of a school after only being in the industry for 3 years, being involved in the Giraffe About Town & Oor Wullies projects, being the current Chairman of the Scottish Area of the BAR, and representing the Scottish Area on the BAR’s National Council.

The one thing Robert would like to change within the industry is to have it viewed as a trade, and joking aside Robert would like the customer to haggle with the solicitors rather than the movers!

The advice Robert would give himself just starting out within the industry again is don’t be scared to try something, and to apologise when the need arises.

In the next 5 years Robert see’s himself exactly where he is today, however, he would like to become a director of the company, hold the Operator’s Licence, and allow Archie (Neil’s father) to retire. Industry wise, Robert doesn’t think anything specific will change in the next 5 years but does see the guys working shorter days as removals will be prolonged. Robert is interested in electric vehicles and the role they could potentially play within the industry, but sees this as 10-15 years down the road.

Outside of the industry Robert enjoys walking with his miniature schnauzer, music, festivals, and very recently took part in the 26.2 mile Mighty Hike with 4 others from Purdie Worldwide, where they raised £2,330 for Macmillan Cancer Support (a tremendous achievement by all involved).

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, two in fact, one regarding a small move and the other regarding the recent BAR Conference in Brighton.

Enjoy!

Links to Purdie Worldwide Removals & Storage:

Special Guest: Robert Cooper.

In this episode David Cran, Managing Director of MintBox Removals discusses how he got involved within the industry only 5 years ago, but the seed of being a remover was potentially sowed much earlier on in life.

David’s life as a remover didn’t start according to plan, a night out on the town ended early after an accident with a taxi, which resulted in David being hospitalised and on crutches for several weeks!

MintBox Removals is based in Edinburgh and provides predominantly domestic removals, packing and storage services (mostly via third party storage companies), running 3 x Luton Vans and 1 x HGV (recently purchased from Richard Webster at Tonks - Listen to Richard's episode here).

David’s challenges have been, his personal accident at the start of his removal life, Covid and the stamp duty holiday, and growing the business.

The one thing David would change from his relatively short time in the moving industry is to have spent a couple of years gaining experience while working for a large Edinburgh based mover.

David’s highpoints of being within the industry are, moving several Aberdeen FC footballers, being involved with the Ireland RFU during the Six Nations, being the ‘kitman’s assistant’ as David puts it, and purchasing the HGV.

David wouldn’t change a great deal overall within the industry but would like to see the conveyancing system making use of Proptech (property technology).

The advice David would give himself just starting out within the industry again, apart from look right and left when crossing the road, would be connecting, and communicating with other movers earlier, and to enjoy the process.

In the next 5 years David would like to go down the route of palletised storage, an industrial warehouse to operate from and an additional HGV. Industry wise, David see’s more use of the demountable body system, ran by several companies currently.

Outside of the industry David enjoys family time with his two children, and gardening, in which David has developed a passion for lawn care!

And as always we end Moving Matters with four, yes four funny moving stories, an April Fool’s prank, a famous Irish Comedian, an attic incident, and the CEO of Hibernian FC.

Enjoy!

Links to MintBox Removals:

Special Guest: David Cran.

In this episode a very fired up Matt Faizey, Managing Director of M&G Movers & Storers, continues what started as a pre-recording discussion on the so called 3.5 tonne brigade, where Matt makes his views on the subject very clear indeed.

Matt began in the industry delivering mahogany and new furniture on Saturday mornings from the tender age of 14 (circa 1993), for his father’s sideline, although Matt’s target in life was to become a barrister or journalist.

M&G Movers & Storers are based in the Midlands and turnover between £1-1.3m a year, £400k of that being from storage and the rest from domestic moving. M&G Movers & Storers USP is that they do not subcontract any work whatsoever, interact with other firms, or bring in any outsiders, and no employee is on less than a full 40-hour week annual basis.

Matt was previously heavily involved within the industry, but has been rather quiet in recent years, and explains why.

Matt has had several challenges, many of which were personal, and family rated, but still concerned the business, and is very lucky to have the support of his extremely suffering other half Donna.

Jokingly the one thing Matt would change from his moving past is to have never done it in the first place, however, if he hadn’t had then he probably wouldn’t had met Donna, his now wife. On a more serious note, Matt would have liked to have got a better education of the industry sooner.

Matt’s highpoint of being within the industry is his wife staying with him! Again, on a more serious note it’s the privilege that he has had to experience all ends of the industry, and also watching people develop skills in an industry that most people regard as unskilled and uneducated, and become a professional removalist. Another highlight is the money!

The one thing Matt would like to change within the industry is to bring the entire industry together and have one collective voice, which can then be used to be heard, in which Matt makes a strong case for, and for those within the industry to get educated and learn the system in which you operate within.

The advice Matt would give himself just starting out within the industry again is, apart from keeping his mouth shut, to understand the gravity of what you are getting into.

In the next 5 years Matt hopes to have caught up with growing the revenue of the company that he should have done in the past 5 years or have left the industry. Industry wise, what happens with the efforts of a mandated key release time and/or atomic settlement and how the industry reacts to it, and also what happens next economically.

Outside of the industry Matt enjoys motor racing in which he participates, time with his wife and children (which should have come first, but Matt has petrol flowing through his veins!) and reading.

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding a survey, and Matt provides an interesting story about witness relocation.

Enjoy!

Links to M&G Movers & Storers:

Special Guest: Matt Faizey.

In this episode Adam Chudley, Director of B K Moving & Storage Group discusses how he got involved within the industry about 20 years ago, although he feels he was born into the industry as he is the son of Mark Chudley (episode 23) and grandson of Derek Blatchford.

B K Moving & Storage Group are based in Exeter and trade under the names of Blatchford’s International, King & Kearey and Westcountry Removals. Blatchford’s was started by Adam’s great grandfather Walter Blatchford in the 1930’s, making Adam a fourth-generation remover! B K Moving offer local and national removals, some commercial and specialise in International, but not so much European due to changes in recent years. They have a 13,000 sqft containerised warehouse, and currently run 3 trucks and 1 van, employ 5 with a crew of 3.

Adam’s challenges have been related to family businesses, starting with working within the family business (Chudley Moving & Shipping), then leaving the industry for a few years in an emergency, which was unplanned and happened overnight, to help with another family business, and finally returning to the industry in his current role within another family business.

Adam doesn’t believe in changes from his past, but more what lessons has he learned, ‘bend from the knees’ being one! However, Adam is sad that his time out of the industry coincided with Mark’s (Dad) BAR Presidency.

Adam’s personal highpoint of being within the industry was his last BAR Conference in Bournemouth, which not only did he attend with his father and grandfather, but also gave a presentation on the BAR Young Movers Group, which he was involved in at the time.

After hearing several previous podcast episodes regarding regulating the 3.5 tonne brigade, Adam would controversially not like to have additional regulation in place but would rather push DVSA to use the laws already in place. However, he would like to change the key handover and the way the industry is treated by the Estate Agent/Solicitor, and encourages every mover to not only have a strict waiting time charge policy but to enforce it too.

The advice Adam would give himself (or gave himself recently) just starting out within the industry again is to network – as an industry we are very friendly and are prepared to share a lot of information.

In the next 5 years Adam will transition more into working on his own as David (Adam’s business partner) will be looking at retirement. Industry wise, Adam doesn’t see any huge changes, apart from truck and van technology that will be enforced upon us, but he does believe we have an interesting couple of years ahead due to the current economic climate.

Adam’s current situation does allow him to have a good work/life balance, so, outside of the industry he is a football fan (a season ticket holder at Bristol City FC), enjoys family time with his wife and 2 daughters and has a passion for the theatre and amateur dramatics.

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a previous podcast guest, Mr Neil Purdie (episode 47) himself.

Enjoy!

Links to BK Moving & Storage Group:

Special Guest: Adam Chudley.

In this episode Edward Kessel, Removals Manager of Martell’s of Sutton discusses how he got involved within the industry, probably like many, working as a porter during the summer holidays from his A levels, and has completed over 25 years’ service, all for Martell’s.

Martell’s are a family owned and run company, and have been trading mainly in retail since 1917, starting as a pram and bedstead shop in the Elephant & Castle, London. Martell’s have a department store in East Grinstead, own several properties which they rent within the private sector, and commercial premises for storage and office space. On the moving side they cover all of the usual removal services, running a mixed fleet of 6 vehicles, employing 15 fulltime staff and offer self-storage as well as containerised storage (using the 250 cuft steel containers).

One of Ed’s biggest challenges is staff, not only finding new staff but also current staff are less inclined to want to spend days and nights away from homes, and some are not even interested in overtime. Ed has even had to incentivise bonus schemes for some of the staff to do nights away.

Ed doesn’t have anything major that he would change from his moving past, although he has learned some hard lessons along the way.

Ed’s highpoints of being within the industry are; professionally, being the Chairman of the BAR National Group Council, which gives Ed a seat on the BAR Board, and personally, the jobs Ed has quoted and moved, one in particular to the Cayman Islands.

Ed would like to change a couple of things within the industry, one being more regulation for the 3.5 tonne sector and the other being the house purchase process, two controversial topics indeed!

The advice Ed would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to embrace every opportunity presented.

In the next 5 years Ed hopes to still be at Martell’s looking after operations, and to still be involved with the BAR. Industry wise, the electric vehicle rollout is coming but Ed doesn’t think as an industry (and as a nation) we are ready for it.

Outside of the industry Ed likes to travel, spend quality time with the family, cooking and enjoys go-karting.

And as always we end Moving Matters with not one but three funny moving stories; a move to Portugal with Ed’s now wife, a TV cameo debut, and a bit of removal banter.

Enjoy!

Links to Martells:

Special Guest: Edward Kessell.

In this episode, former guest Dan Braddock, Branch Manager of GB Liners, reminds us how he began within the industry some 18 years ago, working for the family business before joining GB Liners where he has spent the last 14 years.

GB Liners have 11 branches, run approximately 100 vehicles, employ in-excess of 250, and offer self-storage, containerised storage, document storage, and provide local, nationwide, European, and international removals for the domestic and corporate markets – and this year celebrate 100 years since the start of the family business.

One of Dan’s biggest challenges was when Sophie, Dan’s wife, was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2013, at a time where Dan was given an opportunity to move from the vans to the estimating and sales side of the business, and Dan will always be grateful to GB Liners for their continued support during Sophie’s treatment.

The one thing Dan would change from his moving past is to ask more questions, question a lot more things, and not to be so worried about the unknown.

Dan has had several highpoints of being within the industry so far, the development he’s had within GB Liners and the industry and what he’s achieved, becoming part of the BAR Young Movers Group, and being elected as the youngest DED (Directly Elected Director) of BAR, which we discuss in more detail.

The one thing Dan would like to change within the industry is have a mentorship program.

The advice Dan would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to listen to the advice and the criticism, to never stop learning, and getting the balance right.

Dan is very happy with what he is doing at the moment but feels that he should probably get his head up (rather than down) and answer that question for himself, so we will just have to see how the next 5 years pans out for Dan. Industry wise, Dan does see a change in trucks, but maybe hydrogen over electric?

We discuss getting new blood into the industry and Dan asks the question of whether it’s more of an issue retaining rather than getting new blood?

Outside of the industry Dan is ruled by his children, he enjoys being busy with family life, and loves to get away when the opportunity arises.

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a Friday night in Cologne.

Enjoy!

Links to GB Liners:

Special Guest: Daniel Braddock.

In this episode, Derek Milner, Managing Director of Intransit Removals & Storage, discusses how he began within the industry in 1997 as a part time venture, selling his car to buy a transit van, and having no background in removals and storage at all.

Derek maintains that having a side line to removals, such shop deliveries, is a necessity to help with the quiet times within the moving industry. In 2015/16 Derek was running 15 vehicles and an average of 22 staff, today, Intransit Removals & Storage run 10 vehicles (5 x vans, 1 x 7.5 tonne, 2 x 12 tonne, 2 x 18 tonne), with a crew of 7, and are primarily domestic removers and storers, offering mainly containerised storage (approximately 130) but they do have shipping containers too.

One of Derek’s biggest business challenges was being taken to court by a trade association in 2014, which Derek and his legal team (Backhouse Jones) won. However, Derek’s biggest personal challenge was to come shortly after this on April 6th (2014), a motocross accident, where Derek was revived twice, and not only did he break his spine but suffered brain damage too! – Derek was given a 10% chance of walking and only a 3% chance of survival!

Derek wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he’s quite pleased and proud with what he’s achieved.

Derek’s highpoint of being within the industry is the current staff and vehicles that he has, and a ‘reasonable’ highpoint was being accepted into the British Association of Removers and is a regular attendee of the Western Area meetings.

The one thing Derek would like to change within the industry is how everything is current so last minute and would like customers to contact removers well in advance of their actual removal day.

Apart from don’t, the advice Derek would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to not give up, as it's not just about moving the contents of someone’s home.

In the next 5 years Derek believes the industry will continue to be a struggle for another 12 months yet, but then it will kick back in.

Outside of the industry, despite being a workaholic and since his horrific accident, Derek has undertaken a healthy lifestyle and become a gym freak, attending the gym 3-4 times a week. He also enjoys watching motorsport on TV and spending time with his family.

And sadly, we don’t end Moving Matters with a funny moving story as Derek didn’t have one to tell.

Enjoy!

Links to Intransit Removals & Storage:

Special Guest: Derek Milner.

In this episode, Rod Hepworth, Director of It’s Your Move Ilkley, discusses how he began within the industry 23 years ago at the ripe old age of 40, after a life of many careers including a Cow Inseminator and a Professional DJ!

Rod founded It’s Your Move Ilkley in 2007, which provides mainly domestic moving, storage and packing services, local and national (although they do International too using forwarding agents), running 2 HGV’s, 4 low loaders, a panel van, and 7 members of staff.

It’s Your Move Ilkley have been members of Move Assured for the last 3 years but is hoping to join the British Association of Removers imminently.

Rod’s biggest challenges were learning to grow the business and become a professional company, and becoming VAT registered (in 2013) where he had to compete with local non-VAT registered movers.

The one thing Rod would like to change from his moving past is to learn the industry quicker.

Rod hopes his highpoint of being within the industry is still to come (even at the age of 63!) but believes joining the BAR will be one. Covid, or rather the Stamp Duty Holiday was a highpoint (the golden age of removals).

The one thing Rod would like to change within the industry is the conveyancing system which Rod says is outdated and disjointed. Rod would also like to see the VAT threshold lowered.

The advice Rod would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to do it 20 years earlier!

In the next 5 years Rod hopes to be doing a little bit less, delegating a little bit more, and It’s Your Move Ilkley to continue being successful. Industry wise Rod sees no major changes, he doesn’t believe in legislation for the 3.5 tonners, or that electric vehicles will make too much of an impact.

Outside of the industry Rod follows football, sponsoring his local team Guiseley, but his passion lies with Manchester United. Rod also loves traveling, music and attending concerts, Rod is a big Bruce Springsteen fan!

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding Mrs Mad.

Enjoy!

Links to It's Your Move Ilkley:

Special Guest: Rod Hepworth.

In this episode, Martin Budd, Sales Director & Brand Ambassador of Pickfords, discusses how he began within the industry, firstly within records management in 2001 with Hays, before joining Sirva (Pickfords) in 2003 for 3 years followed by Crown, and then PHS Data Solutions. And in 2016, Martin was invited to re-join Pickfords where he remains to this day.

Martin discusses what a Brand Ambassador is, it’s not just your logo, it’s what you do and the way you do things.

Pickfords is the de facto brand recognition of the industry (for those 35 and older, states Martin), and they move anything, anywhere, anytime. Pickfords have approximately 50 branches (46 warehouse units) throughout the UK, where they took on an additional 15 branches/warehouse units last year and are looking to put more dots on the map as they return (once again) to the local markets, where back in the hay day Pickfords had approximately 175 locations within the UK with a fleet of 6-700 vehicles!

Martin is the current Chairman of the BAR Commercial Moving Group (which has 50 members). However, his tenure finishes in May when Robert Poyner of Crown Workspace takes over the role.

Martin’s biggest challenge is working within an industry that is very tyre kicking focused, but also managing the relationship between the technical and sales parts, as Martin likes to look at things from the customers perspective. A challenge for Pickfords is that it has an aging workforce, but they do run a pro-active apprenticeship program for a variety of roles within the business.

Martin wouldn’t change anything from his moving past as he feels incredibly lucky to have joined Pickfords at a time (2003-2006) where he was able to soak up as much knowledge and experience as possible from some great people working there.

Martin’s highpoint of being within the industry was winning the contract to move NATO’s headquarters in Brussels in 2016/17, where 2/2.5 years was spent on the project management alone, and the physical move consisted of 4,200 staff, 19km of secret archives, 200 safes and 2,700 crate movements, into a building of 254,000 square metres! Martin even convinced NATO to make a film of the entire moving process, something you can see yourself on the Pickfords TV YouTube channel here.

The one thing Martin would like to change within the industry is how customers try to commoditise our industry, by doing a group walk around on commercial moves.

The advice Martin would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to soak up as much knowledge and experience as you can.

In the next 5 years Martin hopes to still be at Pickfords doing what he does today as he absolutely loves it. Industry wise, he does see people moving back to working in office environments again, albeit different to pre-pandemic days, and the man and van industry scares Martin where the consumer does not see the value or expertise of getting a professional mover.

Outside of the industry Martin loves great food, great drink, travelling, meeting people, and loves to live life.

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding a defibrillator.

Enjoy!

Links to Pickfords:

Special Guest: Martin Budd.

In this episode, Paul Taylor, Managing Director of White Rose Removals, discusses how he began within the industry working for removal companies in West Yorkshire before setting up his own company 12 years ago.

Today, White Rose Removals are based in Leeds and share office and warehouse space with GB Liners. White Rose Removals primarily undertake domestic moving and packing services as well as storage, and commercial relocations (passing European and International work to GB Liners), running 3 x HVG (soon to be 4), 5 x 3.5 tonne (including Paul’s battered old sprinter!) and have a manual labour force of 6-7 full timers and several self-employed.

Paul see’s every day as a challenge, but his main one was the teething pains of growing a business.

The one thing Paul would like to change from his moving past is getting his pricing right, which he should have done years ago by having confidence not only in himself but his business too.

Paul has two highpoints of being within the industry, firstly becoming a member of the BAR (British Association of Removers), and secondly the recent stamp duty holiday. Paul also claims another highpoint is every time he gets a new truck, which he names after a woman in his life, although the sprinter remains unnamed!

The one thing Paul would like to change within the industry is to legislate it, making it more professional and therefore giving it more respect.

The advice Paul would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to professionalise everything from the start, and to not be afraid to charge more money.

In the next 5 years Paul hopes to expand the business further, but he would also like to address his and Hannah’s (wife) work life balance, taking more of a backseat within the business. Industry wise Paul believes it will be very similar to what it is today and remain very cutthroat.

Outside of the industry Paul is a massive Leeds United Football fan, something his dad introduced him to as a child, and is a home and away season ticket holder. Paul (and Hannah) loves a trip to Tenerife (every 2-3 months), and spending time with his wife and children.

And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, regarding an email of complaint.

Enjoy!

Links to White Rose Removals:

Special Guest: Paul Taylor.