The Milton Keynes Transport Partnership was formed through collaboration of five local business owners from the transport sector. The vision of MKTP is to highlight, develop and support initiatives to promote cleaner, environmentally friendlier and safer roads and to enthuse the next generation to enter a career in transport and celebrate the work of local businesses and individuals already in the sector.
The members of MKTP met through the networking group – Collaborate MK, founded by Tim Lee. Their philosophies mirror each other – working together in the spirit of mutual support and collaboration. Recently, the members – Ben Peters from Roadwise, Fleet Technology; Richard Jackman, owner of ST & L Consultancy; Paul Foster and Mark Lowery-Wiltshire from Coversure Insurance; Chris Raubach from Bond Vehicle Leasing and Mike Hayward, Transport Lawyer, Woodfines – came together for an interview with Graham Miller of Media Vu.
GM: Richard. I know you favour the personal approach. So, what does ST&L Consultancy bring to the partnership?
RJ: We’re all about customer engagement. We bring industry knowledge for compliance audits, training, and general management of customers’ operational systems. Our focus is on face-to-face reporting and engagement. Safety comes into our work massively. That’s why the compliance auditing and compliance management part of our work is so crucial.
GM: That brings us neatly to insurance. Mark from Coversure – how important is collaboration for you?
ML-W: Massively important – it brings together experience and knowledge from areas that I might not have myself. The other guys bring so much know-how that is going to prove invaluable in the future.
GM: And Paul, still on insurance, how do you ease the pain of insurance in commercial transport?
PF: It’s all about getting to know your client and their needs and then giving them the right relevant support.
GM: Chris, tell us about Bond Vehicle Leasing, how do you go about getting the customer?
CR: We use our network of nationwide funders and automotive suppliers so as to get the best deal, which we pass on to our customers. The electric vehicle market has grown tremendously. Environmental considerations are, and will continue to be, right at the forefront of the entire automotive industry.
GM: Ben, you’re the technology expert. Inside a cab these days, it rather looks like NASA Control Centre, doesn’t it?
BP: Absolutely. There’s so much we can glean these days from the data we gather. We can learn so much about compliance and reducing risk. We’re also able to help operators cut their fleet operating costs, and to engage with their drivers,
GM: It seems from what you’re all saying that, giving the customer what they want and looking after the drivers are at the heart of MKTP.
BP: We want to be able to support operators of all shapes and sizes. Between us, we have the unique skills that collectively deliver incredible value, knowledge and service to transport operators.
GM: Finally, Mike, what’s your role in this hub of excellence?
MH: I suppose we transport lawyers are the parachute team that drop in when something goes wrong. In fact, what we all want to do collectively is to avoid going wrong in the first place. We’re here in the background for when a legal issue arises that needs to be resolved. Of course, we aim to avoid any form of litigation if we can.
GM: I guess, with health and safety being what it is, avoiding legal problems, again, is one of those key issues.
MH: Yes, very much. And we’re seeing it day to day with COVID regulations. It’s about spending time with a business and asking ‘what could we do to improve this?’ It’s important to see health and safety as a positive. Employees need to know they’re being taken care of.
GM: Richard – finally, tell us what inspired you to get together and form MKTP?
RJ: We got to know each other last year in the early days of Collaborate MK and saw straight away that there was synergy there. We soon realised that we could create a partnership that would be mutually beneficial whilst offering something to the transport community. We got together over a beer, and here we are now!
GM: Thank you, gentlemen, for your time today. We wish you every success with MKTP. Thanks also to Tim Lee of Collaborate MK for hosting our conversation.
Find out more about Collaborate MK or email tim@CollaborateMK.co.uk.
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