With over 2500 vehicles in our national fleet, the safety of our drivers is always a top priority within Kelly Group. We have introduced many initiatives over the years and won a number of awards recognising the efforts of our fleet department.
We currently have 6 driving assessors working nationally who coach and develop our workforce ensuring their safety and the safety of other road users.
We recently caught up with the team to gain an insight into the important work they deliver.
Driving Success across the Nation
The growing number of Elite Drivers is a fantastic indicator recognising the success of Kelly Group’s Elite Drivers Club, launched in December 2020. Our team’s dedication and commitment to enhancing driver’s safety on the road is one of the key reasons our Elite Drivers Club has been so successful. Thus far, over 26% of the group’s fleet are Elite Drivers with many more drivers showing potential.
Driver Risk Managers and Driving Assessors play a critical role in a driver’s journey at Kelly Group. Driving Assessors are based nationwide and welcome all new starters to the company by delivering a comprehensive drivers induction course. Once drivers complete their induction course, the Drivers Risk Managers will coach individuals along the rest of their journey within the group.
Samsara Partnership
Kelly’s Fleet Management team have collaborated with Samsara a real-time telematics system that monitors driver behaviour. Adopting their advanced technology has given an intelligent edge to the group’s vehicle & driver management program. Samsara automatically grades each driver with a weekly safety score, this system allows assessors to review individual statistics including driving behaviour and if required organise coaching sessions to eliminate the possibility of future incidents.
Green Approach
Our Kelly Fleet department is continuously looking for opportunities to capitalise on environmentally friendly solutions and are maintaining a valued service through effective fleet management.
Assessors have a focus on reducing fuel consumption while training drivers nationwide. Having completed the EST (Energy Saving Trust) eco / EV training course and coaching their drivers that slower is actually quicker, they get the benefit of better fuel consumption and a more relaxed driver which forms better driving behaviour.
Routing and scheduling engineer’s daily journeys is a prime example of the efforts to reduce fuel consumption. It minimises the number of unnecessary miles driven resulting in more efficient routes and burning less fuel.
The group carefully select the most economically friendly vehicles to use within the fleet, including the recent rollout of new hybrid vans. We are also testing a number of EV vehicles for future consideration.
Future Plans to Improve Safety on the Road
Kelly Group’s next step to enhance safety on the roads will be the launch of an internal National Highway Code theory test. We are also introducing a Driver Development Seminar on the last day of engineer training where we will refresh drivers about important road safety procedures. This will create a solid foundation for our driving course and creates an opportunity to reinforce the importance of road safety throughout the entire group.
Meet Kelly Group’s Driving Assessors
Andrew D. – Driver Risk Manager
“I started working for the group as an Engineer 16 years ago. Within two years I progressed from Engineer to Site Manager for our Edmonton depot. I decided to join our transport department 10 years ago where I qualified as a Driving Assessor.
Currently, I am one of the Driver Risk Managers and I am responsible for the safety of approx. 700 driver’s in the South of England. My job is to coach drivers on how to improve their driving style and eliminate any risk associated with driving company vehicles. My priority is to ensure all our drivers return to their loved ones and families at the end of a successful working day.
That was the primary motivation for the launch of the Elite Drivers Club. When engineers receive their new branded jackets and vehicles you can tell they are extremely proud for being recognised as one of the best. To qualify as an Elite Driver is now perceived as a friendly competition amongst the fleet and all drivers are highly engaged with the program. This safety initiative has many benefits to our elite drivers - they receive a goodie bag after 3 consecutive months and are given the newest vehicles where possible after 4 months – they also have a chance to win £1000 each month.
I am proud of my work and honoured to represent the brand. I enjoy coaching drivers; they often contact me because their performance score improves and it is the best message I can receive knowing I was successful in helping someone.
The best advice I can give to our drivers is to keep within the speed limits and keep your distance from other vehicles to allow enough reaction time to stop.”
Ryan S. - Driver Risk Manager
“I joined Kelly Fleet as a Driving Assessor just over 9 years ago. Since being promoted to a Driver Risk Manager the focus of my role has shifted to reducing driver risk and ensuring all Kelly Group drivers are safe while driving on the road.
What I love about this role within the Driver Risk Department is that no two days are the same! It is so fast-moving and so varied. I have an outline of what I need to do each day, but my plans change almost every hour.
Kelly Fleet Dept is a multi-award-winning team. Knowing I am part of an award-winning team gives me a huge sense of achievement and keeps me motivated.
The Driver Risk Department uses a wide variety of approaches to assist us in keeping the fleet safe. I advise all drivers to stop using mobiles on the road. Interacting with a mobile phone while driving has to be the single biggest danger while in control of a vehicle.
We have seen fantastic results since the launch of the Elite Drivers Club. Members of the Elite Driver Club are the best of the best. Rewarding our best drivers has developed a healthy sense of competition within the fleet. Drivers like to be rewarded and recognised for their safe driving. Those identified as Elite are rewarded with goodie bags, monthly cash prize draws and more. It has been a great success.”
John V. – Driver Risk Manager
“I started working for the group as a Residential Install Team Manager 9 years ago. Over the years, I worked in different managerial roles within Kelly Group before I decided to join Kelly Fleet as a Driving Assessor and shortly after, I was promoted to a Driver Risk Manager. Within this role, my biggest responsibility is to monitor driver behaviour and risk across circa 700 drivers.
I enjoy working as a Driver Risk Manager because I get to meet a lot of people from different departments across the group. My biggest achievement was to obtain my Approved Driving Instructor badge as only 33% of people pass the examination.
My advice for drivers is to adhere to speed limits and remember to keep a 3-second gap between you and other road users while you are driving – these simple principles will help you become an Elite Driver. The Elite Drivers Club is a fantastic initiative to improve safety across the group and gives us the opportunity to reward Kelly Group’s outstanding drivers.
There is no secret on how to become an elite driver, all you have to do is give yourself enough space between you and the vehicle in front as well as stick to the speed limit. If you can do both, you have given yourself enough time to react to any changeable hazards in front of you meaning you have reduced the risk to yourself and all road users. In a nutshell, the Elite Drivers Club is ‘keeping the roads safe for all to share.”
Bill W. - Driving Assessor
“I joined Kelly Group as a driving assessor 9 years ago. I am the first-person new starters get to meet when they join the group. I am responsible for delivering the meet and greet seminars for new starters, teaching the importance of health and safety and how our fleet of vehicles work as well as completing individual driving assessments.
I enjoy my job a lot because I get to develop different individuals while strengthening their competence as drivers. I encourage all employees to take pride in their driving and hope that they adopt my advice while driving their personal vehicles as well. As a team we are all proud of the multiple awards we won, it shows that what we do has a positive impact across the fleet. It also proves that it is essential to look for new opportunities for growth such as the launch of Kelly Group’s Elite Drivers Club.
Each day, we have people achieving Elite Drivers Status, which is great to see. I try to encourage new starters to aim for the title, so I make sure to include a segment about the best practices to become an Elite Driver within my driving seminars. It has improved the attitude towards safe driving and makes our drivers more cautious and look further down the road.”
Sean D. - Driving Assessor
“I started my career within Kelly Group as a manager 22 years ago. After the first couple of years, I decided to transfer to Kelly Group’s Training Department and became a Telecoms Engineer Trainer. At the time, completing driving assessments was also my responsibility. Once the opportunity was available, I did not hesitate to join our team of Driving Assessors.
What I enjoy about this job is that no two weeks are the same as I train different engineers each week. On Monday I start with delivering the group’s introductory drivers’ seminar for new starters and then focus on completing driving assessments for the rest of the week. I enjoy both seminars and driving assessments, as it makes me feel proud when I can teach new skills to our drivers.
My biggest advice is if you cannot see what is behind you when you reverse, get out and have a look at the space behind your vehicle. The statistics say if you are an elite driver, you are 46% less likely to be involved in an accident, which is why I encourage all drivers around me to do better - their safety is important to me.”
Jack G. – Trainee Driving Assessor
“I joined Kelly Group 9 months ago and started my journey as a Telecoms Engineer - within a few months, I was promoted to New to Field Team Manager. Only a couple of weeks ago, I started training as a Driving Assessor. I believe this is the perfect career choice for me as it combines my passion for driving and coaching people. I currently work closely with the other driving assessors hoping to adopt their knowledge and become one of the best in my current role.”
Kelly Group’s Fleet Department are proud to be market innovators in fleet management and driver’s safety. They are excelling in fleet management initiatives ensuring the long-term success of our award-winning transport division.
