Today, we’re introducing a new regular feature, where people across the business will tell us a bit about themselves. First up, Steve Telford.
Name: Steve Telford
Job title: Logistics Manager
Tell us a bit about yourself.
47 years old born in Newcastle upon Tyne. Married to Claire with two girls, Shannon 18, Beau 8 (don’t ask I worked away a lot). Love all things Jaguar in particular classic Jaguar cars. I collect anything Jag-related; old key rings, car badges and bits, cigarette cards, pictures etc.
Have a dog called Charlie who’s 10 years old. He’s a miniature Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Jack Russell so he yaps at everything and in particular anyone in hi viz which is almost everyone who comes to your street or your door these days.
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I am Logistics! I work with a team of people who move anything and everything from any place – farm, factory or port – from any country to the shops or to your door.
What do you like most about your job?
You get to see a very diverse set of problems and get to create solutions to those problems every day. I really enjoy seeing the solutions we put in together helping others around me to be become more experienced and learn things that they can use time and time again in solving problems both inside and outside of work.
How did you get here?
Started work as a HGV mechanic working mainly on coaches then became a coach driver/mechanic. I then moved to working in a chilled warehouse as a picker for a company called UCD which was part of Unigate Diaries and under the logistics arm known as Wincanton Distribution. I missed the wheels so saved up and took my class one HGV and then moved over to class one work doing night deliveries into Scotland before becoming an out-based driver delivering to 40+ Woolworth stores all over the North East and Scotland. Moved into Transport Management and then went through three years of ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) level training before moving into wider roles in specialist logistics services. From there held a number of positions in logistics at Operations and General Manager level for various customers, Argos, Screwfix, and Micheldever Tyres.
What motivates you?
Seeing and doing things that work for everyone in a positive way and support a real team ethic to how we all work together in bringing about positive change that spills over into our social and personal life.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Clint Eastwood (I always wanted to be a cowboy)
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film?
He’s gonna buy a dingy and call it Dignity – Dignity by Deacon Blue.
Your favourite app?
Hayday. I have at least 30 pigs now
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
Agreeing to be interviewed. 🙂