New franchise owners at Driver Hire Hull

At Driver Hire we’re really pleased to welcome on board husband and wife team, Andrew and Debbie Wilkinson, the new owners of re-sale opportunity, Driver Hire Hull.

Driver Hire, a B2B management franchise, mainly provides temporary and permanent drivers and other logistics staff to local and national organisations in both the public and private sector. If customers are short of staff – perhaps because of illness, holidays or seasonal demand – Driver Hire offices will supply them with a suitable candidate.

“After 12 years managing a number of Yorkshire-based restaurants, we both felt it was time for a new challenge,” says Debbie. “The opportunity to buy a Driver Hire franchised came along at just the right time. We both liked the award-winning business model and, as Driver Hire has a network of over 100 offices, it clearly works! Another reason to go down the franchise route was the back-up and support it offers. Road transport is a highly regulated industry and, as our franchisor, Driver Hire has all the systems in place to help us ensure that both us and our clients stay compliant.”

Andrew is no stranger to franchising. During the 1980s he was proprietor of the used-car section of a VW/Audi car dealership in Huddersfield. He then used his motor industry experience with EMAP Automotive, where he became MD. Andrew’s contribution to the motor industry was recognised in 1997 when he was awarded life membership of the Institute of Transport Management.

Before creating their successful business partnership in the hospitality industry, Debbie honed her skills working as a PA for CAP Motor Research Ltd, an online publishing company. Alongside recruitment and HR, her responsibilities included project management, office systems and production of essential management information.

“The fundamentals of the business aren’t changing,” says Andrew. “Stephanie and Valerie Cook, who’ve been here for many years, are at the heart of the new team. Together we’re 100% committed to continuing the delivery of great service to clients old and new. At the same time, we’re also widening our range of services to include Driver CPC training and permanent recruitment.