Episode 42: Moving Matters with Pauline Collins of The Voerman Group

In this episode James Tutton, Managing Director of Chelmsford Removals discusses how he began in the industry by helping out his father at weekends in his parent’s removal company (Handy Removals) from the age of 10, and later in life while between work and serving in the army. Today James owns Chelmsford Removals which he started 16 years ago and Move It Removals which he acquired in 2019. Both companies are 90% domestic removals & storage (460 x 250 cuft containers), with some commercial and trade work, running 12 vehicles and employing 35. And both are members of the BAR (British Association of Removers). One of the challenges James had to overcome was not being able to afford to employ (let alone attract) the best removal guys when starting out, but today he couldn’t be prouder of those he employs. The one thing James would change from his moving past is to have taken much greater care of his back, which James has ensured forms a big part of the training he delivers to his staff. From a business perspective James would have liked to have focused on storage much sooner. James has several highpoints of being within the industry, consisting of, growing his own company much bigger than his Dad’s, getting his own warehouse in Chelmsford, joining the BAR, and acquiring Move It Removals. The one thing James would like to change within the industry is a standardised system in which removal companies are recognised, separating those that are couriers at worst and man & van at best apart from professional removal companies. The advice James would give himself just starting out within the industry again is to learn as much about business, the industry, and to get really good at your numbers. In the next 5 years James would like to acquire another company as he’s gearing up for an acquisition hopefully in 2025 (either a competitor for a larger market share, or a business in a complementary area), and to buy his own warehouse. Industry wise James doesn’t seem much changing, however in 10 years maybe autonomous trucks and AI moving robots. Outside of the industry James has a really good work life balance and enjoys a beer with his mates, a wine with his wife, and he also endures fitness challenges. And as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story regarding every mover’s necessity for the job, a cuppa. Enjoy! Links to Chelmsford Removals: * Website (https://www.chelmsfordremovals.co.uk) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/chelmsford.removals) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/Chelmsremovals) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chelmsfordremovals/) * YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT-bnZxeRcNhnqxTqhrp4w) Special Guest: James Tutton.

In this episode, Nancy Zafrani, General Manager of Oz Moving discusses how she began in the industry directly from school 32 years ago (31 with Oz Moving), cold calling companies from the phone book! Oz Moving, who have the greatest strapline of “The Wizard of Moving” was started in 1993 by Avi Oz in New York, and today consist of 4 branches. Oz Moving provides the standard removal services, and have a 185,000 sqft storage facility in Yonkers, as well as other storage facilities. Oz Moving have approximately 40 trucks and 170 movers within the operation. Oz Moving have recently merged with a boutique moving company called Movage who offered international moving services, something Oz Moving look to expand. Being in a male dominated industry Nancy has always had a really strong group that she works with and has always had an equal say as anyone else, but one challenge of being within the industry is moving itself as it’s often so very personal depending on circumstances. The one thing Nancy would like to change from her moving past is to have invested in cameras in and on the trucks sooner, which Nancy states was a complete game changer for Oz Moving. Nancy has two highpoints of being within the industry, her first is being part of bigger charitable projects and thus providing transport and storage, her second being within Oz Moving and helping it grow over the past 30 years to the well-known and reputable company it is today. The one thing Nancy would like to change within the industry is to have more and more moving companies doing things the right way as there is often a lot of dishonesty being that it’s an easy industry to get into and no personal accountability to the owner of the company. Nancy discusses how influencers are both helping and hindering the sales process of a moving company, and the challenges encountered when moving people in New York itself. The advice Nancy would give herself just starting out within the industry again is that every experience is a learning experience. In the next 5 years Nancy still sees herself at Oz Moving, expanding with branches in Texas and Florida, and growing the international side. Industry wise, Nancy is excited for self-driving trucks. Outside of the industry Nancy loves to travel, spending time with friends and family, and being pulled through Central Park by her 3-year-old rescue dog. And as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding a lost cat and the other her own move. Enjoy! Links to Oz Moving: * Website (https://www.ozmoving.com/) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ozmoving) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/ozmovingnyc) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ozmovingnyc/) * Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/oz-moving-&-storage-inc-/) Special Guest: Nancy Zafrani.

In this episode Chris Waymouth, an industry veteran (and one of the industry’s Mr Nice guy’s), discusses how he began in the industry back in 1969 at Walkers of Northampton, even though Chris was born into a family of teachers. At Walkers of Northampton Chris undertook a variety of roles within the business that gave him the grounding to pursue a career in management. In 1973 Chris took up a role within Amertrans where he honed his skills in export, shipping and forwarding, before joining Navtrans (North American Vanlines) in 1978, where he diversified the business into electronics stockholding & distribution, and airfreight (via the purchase of a company). In the late 1980’s Chris joined TransEuro (after a call from the late Paul Evans), where he remained for 12 years until the takeover with Amertrans, where TransEuro became TEAM Relocations. Chris then joined forces with Robby Wogan at MoveAssist to project manage OMNI Connect. After a telephone call from David Trenchard at QSS (Quality Service Standards) Chris took up a role to head the company, where he remained for 14 years. Today Chris is still involved within the industry, maintaining the development of the BAR database (BITS), as a BSI (British Standards Institute) Committee Chairman where he has been reworking the BSEN12522 (for the past 2/2.5 years) which will hopefully be released early this year, and being a keen photographer Chris can be found snapping away at BAR Conference. One of Chris’s challenges, personally, was self-confidence in his early days. In business, it was dealing with the less ethical side. Chris would change very little, if anything, from his moving past. Chris has loved being within the industry and has many highpoints, TransEuro undoubtedly being one where he led the building of the automated firesafe warehouse which opened in 1997 at a cost of £14m. Another was a flight on Concorde, thanks to the 4 guys that ran the airfreight business which was purchased during his time at Navtrans. The one thing Chris would like to change within the industry is more women involved in the frontline, such as the packing. The advice Chris would give himself just starting out within the industry again is honesty, fairness, and getting that grounding of what actually happens on the front line, getting to understand the grass roots of the business. In the next 5 years Chris still hopes to be clicking the shutter at BAR Conference and maintaining BITS for the BAR over the next couple of years. Industry wise, Chris believes electronics will play an even greater role, maybe not AI however, but Chris isn’t convinced by virtual surveys. Outside of the industry Chris runs a community cinema, has had a lifelong interest in photography, is a petrolhead with an interest in cars, follows motorsport quite seriously, and sailing, but in more recent years narrow boating. And as always, we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding Chris’s job interview at Walkers of Northampton and the other regarding his moustache. Enjoy! Special Guest: Chris Waymouth.

In this episode David Ozard, General Manager of John Mason International Movers discusses how he began in the industry some 50 years ago, and believes he’s only spent 2 weeks working outside of the industry! David started life as a remover in his father’s company based in Rochdale and has spent the past 31 years at John Mason International Movers. John Mason International Movers are based in Liverpool but do have a Southern operation in Hemel Hempstead. They are one of the largest shippers ex-UK Worldwide, and only offer international moving (deep sea and airfreight) and storage, working with partner agents from all over the world. One of David’s challenges is that he comes from Bolton, but joking aside, it’s the work ethic and enjoyment of working within the industry that can clearly bring the personal rewards. The one thing David would change from his moving past would have been to move off the vans and into management sooner to protect his health and body. David has two highpoints of being within the industry, becoming General Manager of John Mason International Movers which came to David as a shock, and becoming Chairman of the MTC (Movers Trading Club). The one thing David would like to change within the industry is the Ombudsman, which David believes is setup wrong as it’s sometimes used as a blackmail for clients to use against the remover. The advice David would give himself, just starting out within the industry again, is to work hard, play hard, and to stay in the best hotels! In the next 5 years David dreams of retirement, but realistically he enjoys work too much (even though he keeps checking his pension), so he still sees himself at John Mason International Movers. Industry wise David doesn’t know what the next 5 years holds as he believes it changes so much with challenge after challenge. Outside of the industry David enjoys sport, watching more than playing (especially football at grassroots level) but he did pay Rugby Union in his younger days. David also enjoys reading, walking (due to his new hips!) and watching foreign subtitled TV. And as always we end Moving Matters with a funny moving story, in fact two, one regarding falling asleep in a moving van, and the other regarding the use of a client’s clothing. Enjoy! Links to John Mason International Movers: * Website (https://www.johnmason.com/) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/johnmasonintl) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/johnmasoninternational) * Instagram (https://instagram.com/johnmasonintl) Special Guest: David Ozard.

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 (https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/47), 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 (https://www.purdieworldwide.co.uk/2022/07/13/giraffe-about-town-logistics1/) & Oor Wullies (https://www.purdieworldwide.co.uk/2019/09/24/moving-oor-wullie/) 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 (https://www.purdieworldwide.co.uk/2023/09/11/our-mighty-hike-2023/) 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: * Website (https://www.purdieworldwide.co.uk/) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PurdieWorldwideLtd) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/PurdieWorldwide) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/purdieworldwide/) * Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/purdie-worldwide) 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 (https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/21)). 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: * Website (https://www.mintboxremovals.co.uk/) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mintboxremovals) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mintboxremovals/) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/mintboxremovals) 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: * Website (https://www.moversandstorers.co.uk/) 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 (https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/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 (https://www.movingmatterspodcast.co.uk/47)) himself. Enjoy! Links to BK Moving & Storage Group: * Blatchford's Website (https://www.blatchfordsint.co.uk) * King & Kearey Website (https://www.kingandkearey.co.uk/) * King & Kearey Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kingandkearey/) * Westcountry Removals Website (https://www.westcountryremovals.co.uk/) 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: * Website (https://www.martellsremovals.co.uk/) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Martells.Removals.Storage/) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/MartellStorage) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/Martells2020/) 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: * Website (https://www.gbliners.com/) * Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/gblinersltd/) * Twitter (https://twitter.com/gbliners) * Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gbliners/) * Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gb-liners-ltd) Special Guest: Daniel Braddock.