2025 WINNERS
The winners of the 2025 Motor Transport Awards were announced on 3 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
Safety in Operation Award
Partnered with Motia
WINNER: Arla Foods
Arla Foods’ collaboration with its 3PL partners has provided fresh milk deliveries across the country through
111,000 outbound direct-to-store delivery routes, but its initiatives to improve health and safety while doing so yielded
results that could not fail to impress our judges.
The trophy is presented by Motia sales director Conor Patton to Hannah Searle, general manager at Arla Leeds NDC, James Powell, general manager - logistics at Arla Foods and Mark Newman, general manager at XPO Logistics.
Customer Care Award
Partnered with Pall-Ex Group
WINNER: DFDS Logistics
Customer care is part of the culture at DFDS Logistics, with recent improvements including standardised KPIs
and regular reviews attended by senior management. The results of this focus can be clearly seen in the
high satisfaction levels reported by clients.
Pall-Ex Group chief executive officer Kevin Buchanan presents the trophy to the DFDS Logistics team
led by Scott Mullen, operations director.
Business Excellence Award
Partnered with Hireco
WINNER: Knowles Logistics
Over three generations and almost 100 years, Knowles Logistics has adapted to the needs of the market
and overcome obstacles to grow through exceptional customer service. With an expanded leadership team
and consistent investment, it continues to display ambition.
The trophy is presented by Hireco sales director Tim Gibson to Knowles Logistics MD Alex Knowles.
Network of the Year
Partnered with Lawrence David
WINNER: Menzies Distribution Solutions
Over the past three years, Menzies Distribution Solutions has improved the efficiency of its operations
and boosted revenues by increasing load volumes and cutting journeys, while also making great strides
in sustainability - all resulting in al loyal and happy customer base.
Lawrence David commercial director Ben McEvoy presents the trophy to
Menzies Distribution Solutions operations director Mark Davies.
Specialist Operator of the Year
Partnered with AS 24
WINNER: Explore
Trusted for decades by partners that need complex and oversized loads delivered for infrastructure
and construction projects around the UK, Explore not only excels in heavy haulage
but has also been working with Scania on a hydrogen fuel cell-powered HGV prototype.
AS 24 MD for UK & Ireland Matthieu Perret presents the trophy to the Explore team led by MD David Cox.
Partnership Award
Partnered with Pallet-Track
WINNER: Malcolm Logistics and Edrington UK
Malcolm Logistics and Edrington UK launched Project Fusion with a focus on customer service,
OTIF performance and ESG targets. The implementation of regular reviews and application of the latest
technology, combined with a multimodal approach, have delivered exceptional results.
The trophies are presented by Pallet-Track chief executive officer Stuart Godman to Freddy Solomon,
commercial and compliance director and Jim Haldane, logistics MD of Malcolm Logistics.
Operational Excellence Award
Partnered with Palletforce
WINNER: Speedy Hire
Speedy Hire’s commitment to compliance runs through the entire business, with a range of tools
employed to maintain its focus on safety and service excellence. Consistently positive customer feedback
demonstrates the success of this proactive approach.
The trophy is presented by Palletforce CEO Mark Tapper to Speedy Hire fleet and logistics director Aaron Powell.
Low Carbon Award
Partnered with Fraikin
WINNER: Gregory Group
Gregory Group has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2038 and has made significant progress
in a short space of time. The company’s integrated approach – including alternative fuels, operational efficiency
and the provision of carbon data – mark it out as a leader in this field.
Fraikin ESG director Jacinta Norris presents the trophy to Angela Butler, MD of Gregory Group.
Sustainable Transport Award
Partnered with Scania
WINNER: Knowles Logistics
Knowles Logistics’ ESG strategy includes a clear roadmap to reach net zero by 2045. With EVs making up 7%
of its fleet it has already made impressive progress, while the adoption of a bespoke tool that tracks
Scope 3 emissions is helping its customers keep on top of their carbon footprint, too.
The trophy is presented by Scania transformation director Mark Penn to Knowles Logistics MD Alex Knowles and his team.
Home Delivery Operator of the Year
Partnered with Parksafe Group
WINNER: AIT Home Delivery
AIT Home Delivery’s focus on operational efficiency and customer communication enables
it to offer a range of services and manage high volumes while maintaining a very impressive
first time delivery success rate of 99.9%.
The trophy is presented by Parksafe Group sales and marketing director Liam Barber to the AIT Home Delivery team
led by Andy Dale, commercial director – home delivery global.
Innovation Award
Partnered with Optimize
WINNER: Voltloader
By offering customers a solution that combines electric haulage with the necessary charging infrastructure,
Voltloader is encouraging the shift to greater sustainability by knocking down some of the barriers
that are holding back more widespread adoption adoption of eHGVs.
Optimize co-founder and MD Sarah Ferguson presents the trophy to Dave Rose, CEO and founder of Voltloader.
Haulier of the Year
Partnered with Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
WINNER: Malcolm Logistics
Malcolm Logisitics has risen to the challenges facing the road transport industry with
impressive agility, allowing greater flexibility across its workforce, investing in training, and prioritising safety
and sustainability throughout its operations while maintaining a strong financial performance.
The trophy is presented by Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland head of PR and media Martin Tomlinson
to Andrew Malcolm, chief executive officer of Malcolm Logistics.
Fleet Truck of the Year
Partnered with Texaco
WINNER: DAF Trucks XF
Efficiency, reliability and first-class support has almost inevitably brought the Fleet Truck of the Year award
back to the DAF XF, recognised by operators as the market leader when it comes to fuel-saving performance
and by drivers for its comfortable cab and excellent visibility.
Texaco Lubricants manager of Europe OEMs Eddy Devriese presents the trophy to David Kiss, MD of DAF Trucks.
Livery of the Year
Partnered with Tiger Trailers
WINNER: Fresh Direct (UK)
Fresh Direct wanted to create a livery that would reflect the ethos of the business and raise awareness of its offering.
The resulting vibrant designs, combined with witty slogans, have sparked engagement with
customers and consumers and become a national talking point.
The trophy is presented by Tiger Trailers MD Edward Booth to James Armitage, marketing director of Fresh Direct (UK).
Training Award
Partnered with The National Logistics Academy
WINNER: Dawsongroup
What began as inspiration from a GCSE textbook grew to become an award-winning Business Mastery Programme,
open to all Dawsongroup employees. The scheme has proved to be a wise investment, boosting profit
and leading to a transformation in company culture.
The National Logistics Academy chief executive officer Mark Currie presents the trophy to John Fletcher, MD of Dawsongroup.
New Talent Development Award
Partnered with EV Cargo Solutions
WINNER: GXO
With its Graduate Academy, wide range of apprenticeship pathways and tailored programmes for ex-military personnel, it’s clear that GXO takes an ambitious approach to nurturing talent and has been successful
in establishing a culture of learning and development.
The trophy is presented by EV Cargo Solutions CEO Andy Humpherson to Chris Dolby, senior director, HR, talent and learning at GXO.
Team of the Year
Partnered with Hiab
WINNER: Collett & Sons
The successful completion of a complex heavy-lift project for the Gretna Grid Stability Facility
demonstrated Collett & Sons' expertise in heavy haulage, meticulous route planning
and seamless collaboration across multiple disciplines.
Hiab vice president of sales and services for the UK and Ireland, Jason Stokes, presents the trophy to Collett & Sons director Sam Collett.
Contract Hire and Leasing Provider of the Year
Partnered with Harris MAXUS
WINNER: NRG Riverside
Through a focus on local and central government requirements and an emphasis on flexibility and understanding
its customers’ needs as they change, NRG Riverside has set itself apart in the contract hire market while
investing in an increasingly efficient fleet of more than 2,400 HGVs.
The trophy is presented by Harris MAXUS head of fleet Sean Smith to the NRG Riverside team led by Amber Greenhalgh, rental and marketing director.
Best Use of Technology Award
Partnered with Hankook Tyre UK
WINNER: Flexible Power Systems
FPS has adapted a digital platform originally designed for managing electric van fleets to monitor and control
electrically powered transport refrigeration units, offering a scalable solution that delivers sustainability
and financial efficiencies without significant upfront costs.
The trophy is presented by Hankook Tyre UK UK sales and marketing director Paul Emery to Michael Ayres, MD and Holly Nakatomi, business developer of Flexible Power Systems.
Service to Industry Award
Partnered with Aquarius IT
WINNER: Justin Laney, John Lewis Partnership
John Lewis Partnership fleet manager Justin Laney won the admiration of the judges for his commitment to
pushing ahead with JLP’s decarbonisation drive using what is available in the here and now – although
he also has a vision for the future and where development should be.
The trophy is presented by Aquarius IT director of marketing and operations Liz Haselden to Justin Laney, chief operating officer at the John Lewis Partnership.