1. A Life Far From Transport

The road you’re meant to take isn’t even on your map yet.

My background? Nowhere near transport. My family had nothing to do with driving, and honestly, I never saw myself in this industry. I was just a guy who liked driving and gaming. After school, I skipped university – I had no idea what I wanted to do. I became a sports teacher at my old primary school for two years, which I loved. Then I got caught up in day trading. I got pretty good at it, but I also saw the dark side – the truth that winning big means risking big, and competing with massive institutions isn’t a fair fight when you’ve got a small account. So, I walked away. But I didn’t yet know I was about to fall headfirst into something completely different…

2. The Unexpected Detour

Opportunity doesn’t always knock – sometimes it whispers during a lunch break.

Next, I became an editor for a start-up. I poured my heart into it, building it from zero to thriving in less than a year. Things were going brilliantly – until my boss stopped paying me. I had to take him to small claims court just to get what I was owed. Six months of job hunting followed. Nothing. Not a single break. I was running out of options when I decided to take a warehouse job for some quick cash. On my very first day, during induction, the trainer casually told me he was getting his Class 1 licence to work for Iceland – and when he mentioned the pay, my jaw hit the floor. That night, I made a decision that would change everything…

3. Baptism by Fire

The fastest way to learn is to be thrown straight into the deep end.

I went straight for my HGV licence. Three months later, I passed my theory and driving test with flying colours. But breaking into the industry wasn’t smooth sailing. I lost my first job and couldn’t find another in the same sector. I landed my first proper driving role at John Lewis doing 7.5T work (£16.50ph on agency) – but just three days later, I jumped to Best Food (£20ph on agency), delivering to Pret a Manger stores across the South of England on night shifts. It was intense. I learned a lot, fast. Still, my dream was Class 1. And I was about to find out just how hard it was to make that jump…

4. The Hard Way Up

Every tough job is really just training for the one you’re meant for.

After losing my Best Food job, I took whatever Class 2 work I could get – until I finally landed my first full-time Class 1 role at Müller. That’s where I learned to reverse like a pro. Then came Iceland GXO. People said, “If you can work here, you can work anywhere.” They weren’t wrong. It was tough – but it made me stronger. And without knowing it, this chapter would lay the groundwork for something much bigger…

5. From Driver to Creator

When you share your journey, you inspire someone else to start theirs.

After almost nine months at Iceland, I picked up my phone and started filming my day-to-day just for fun. I didn’t expect much – but the views, likes, and followers started rolling in fast. The momentum was addictive, but more than that, it gave me purpose. I realised I could use my platform to help new drivers, to show people the reality of the job, and to challenge the negative stigma around HGV work. People needed to see that this was a good career, with good people. But helping online was only the beginning…

6. HGV Academy is Born

The road is easier when someone shows you the way.

Now, as a driver who loves life on the road, I know how rewarding this career can be. I also know how tough it can feel when you’re starting out with no one to guide you – I’ve been there. That’s why I founded HGV Academy: to cut through the noise, to give straight-talking, hands-on training, and to provide the support I wish I’d had. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just real skills, real guidance, and real community. Because when you win, our whole industry wins – and your journey is just beginning.