Microlise unveils driver of the year awards shortlist
Microlise has announced the shortlist for its 2026 Driver of the Year Awards, spanning 11 categories and featuring drivers from retailers and logistics operators across the UK.
The programme recognises drivers in both data-led and nomination-based categories, with awards covering safety, efficiency, mentoring and long service. The shortlist includes drivers from companies such as Aldi, Co-op, Hovis, Tesco and Waitrose.
The awards highlight a workforce central to moving goods around the country. More than 220,000 drivers working for hundreds of operators travel billions of miles each year in support of UK supply chains.
Nadeem Raza, chief executive of Microlise, said: "Professional drivers play a critical role in keeping the UK's supply chains moving every single day. Behind every delivery is a driver whose skill, commitment and professionalism ensures goods reach businesses and communities safely and efficiently.
"The Driver of the Year Awards are about recognising the individuals who consistently demonstrate those qualities. The standard of entries this year has once again been extremely high, and we are proud to celebrate the drivers who represent the very best of the industry."
Shortlist categories
The Short Distance category includes John Mckinney of XPO Logistics, Andrew Phillips of Tesco Distribution and Andrew Toll of Gist.
Shortlisted in Medium Distance are Peter Gunthorpe of Maritime Transport, David Hallam of Gist and Daniel Szebeni of Maritime Transport.
The Long Distance category features Paul Dowdalls of Co-op, Timothy Stocks of Wincanton GXO and Christopher Sullivan of Aldi.
In the Compliant Driver category, the shortlist is Arjan Berisha of Europa, Declan McAdams of Hovis and Christopher Sullivan of Aldi.
The Extra Mile shortlist comprises Dale Cox of CCF, part of Travis Perkins, Sally Jones of Celtic International Freight and Paul Moir of Howard Tenens.
In Rookie Driver, the shortlisted names are Shanalee Johnson of Tesco Distribution, Fletcher Peart of Brian Yeardley Continental and Vanessa Porter of Sainsburys/GXO.
The Lifetime Achievement category includes Ben Cooper of Floorspan Contracts, Geoffrey Dixon of Tesco Distribution and Graham Whitby of Matthew Clark.
For Commitment to Improve, the shortlisted drivers are Ionut Budurca of Great Bear, Mareks Kvetins of Wincanton GXO and Ian Wheatley of XPO Logistics.
The Driver Hero category has two shortlisted names: Connor Brennan of Wincanton GXO and Sharon Longthorne of Loveden Travel.
For Outstanding Mentor, the shortlist includes Jason Brennan of Waitrose & Partners, part of John Lewis, Gavin Jones of Warburtons and James Tollitt of Schenk Tank Transport.
Judging panel
An independent judging panel from across the transport and logistics sector will choose the winners. It includes Phil Roe, president of Logistics UK; Richard Turfitt, traffic commissioner for the East of England and Scotland; Stephen Hards, head of operations at the Road Haulage Association; and Jackie Mitchell, director of HR at Microlise Group.
Richard Turfitt said: "As a regulator, I often deal with drivers who have not complied with the law, so it is a genuine pleasure to read about the nominees and their outstanding achievements.
"They represent the industry at its very best, and each nominee deserves recognition for their outstanding contribution. Their dedication sets a powerful example for the sector, highlighting the professionalism and commitment that are essential to the industry's future."
The overall winner will succeed Graham Pagett of Unipart Logistics, who received the Overall Driver of the Year award in 2025.
Established in 1982 and listed on AIM, Microlise provides fleet management and connected vehicle technology. It works with more than 2,500 clients globally and handles more than 800,000 subscriptions annually.