March 2022: An Update From Our CCO

Hi everyone,

The tube strikes during the first week in March had a significant impact on Addison Lee and across the London transport network, with longer journey times and increased traffic on the roads. We introduced measures to support drivers and customers but with some harsh weather thrown in, it was not an easy day to get around London and I would like to thank anyone who used us for their patience and understanding on what was a  challenging week for all concerned.

It is safe to say that on days like these and with an overall increase in demand for our services continuing, our recruitment drive to increase the size of our fleet is more important than ever. We have made significant improvements to our driver deal to ensure that it is by far the best in the market in a bid to attract new drivers and we are continually reviewing and discussing what more can be done with regards to driver recruitment. Our COO Patrick Gallagher recently wrote about the challenge the industry faces with driver recruitment. Click here to read his thoughts on the matter.

Sticking with the topic of drivers, I am delighted to be writing to you on the back of the most recent opening of our brand-new Addison Lee Fleet Hub at West Drayton on Monday 7th March – the purpose-built site has become the new home for Driver Liaison and Pay departments, driver training, vehicle servicing and EV charging.

There has been a real energy and togetherness in opening our Fleet Hub for several weeks now, which will have a very palpable impact on drivers, our driver support teams, and you, our customers. I’d like to thank all that were involved, and thanks also to the people who have posted and got in contact with me about the opening – this is just the beginning, there is a lot more to come.

Addison Lee, official car supplier for the EE BAFTA Film Awards

I’m pleased to announce that we will be the official car supplier for this year’s 75th EE British Academy Film Awards, best known as the BAFTAs. Presenters announcing the winners will be travelling to and from the event in our brand-new, zero-emissions Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicles.

We’re very proud to be part of this momentous event and it is a great vindication of our commitment to sustainability at the core of our business, and our efforts to drive sustainability forward across the industry. I see being a successful business and being a sustainable business as one and the same.

If you are interested in reading more about our new EVs as we work towards our pledge to make our passenger fleet fully electric by 2023 here, two years ahead of our major competitors and the mayor’s goal of a net-zero city by 2030.

OUR PLEDGE

Addison Lee are Albert certified

In recent weeks Addison Lee has been recognised for its efforts in sustainability and been awarded Albert certification. Albert is an organisation that supports the UK production and broadcast industry transition to environmental sustainability, and we are proud to be associated with them.

Following our pledge to be fully electric by 2023 and the initial roll-out of EVs into the Addison Lee fleet we opened a brand-new opportunity to become re-certified with Albert. My thanks go out to Andrew Wescott for reigniting conversations with Albert and to Tyrone Sullivan for leading the application which led to the accreditation.

We’ll see you at the Business Travel Show ‘22

The Business Travel Show returns for another year, on 29 – 30 June 2022 at ExCeL London and we’ll be there!

As someone that attends the show regularly, this is a great opportunity to learn about new solutions and exchange ideas with fellow travel buyers – Whether it’s through scheduled meetings or random encounters around the show, it’s a great way to exchange ideas and hear about the latest industry trends.

If you would like to catch up with me or our amazing account management team at our stand – You can register using our dedicated hosted buyer registration link, or share the link with colleagues: https://registration.gesevent.com/survey/3gkjyb421zxzl?actioncode=NTWO000005FIJ 

REGISTER

International Women’s Day – Meet Vari O’Neill

It is very important to me personally but also to our business, that the people behind the many great initiatives and projects at Addison Lee, get the recognition they deserve. In recent weeks and months, you may have seen several employee spotlights across LinkedIn, shining a light on different people and departments within our business – this month I wanted to introduce you to Vari O’Neill – Communications and Content Manager.

Published on International Women’s Day, Vari’s LinkedIn update includes what it’s like working in a male-dominated industry and business – our partnership with UN Women UK, co-designing safety training for PHV and taxi drivers – so they know what to do when concerned about an individual’s safety or an incident is reported to them.

READ MORE

Looking ahead at what 2022 might bring is pretty exciting, and although there will likely be some challenges and lessons to learn along the way (isn’t there always) we’re looking forward to continuing the busy start to the year and serving all of our customers as they continue to return to travel and dare I say it, get back to BAU!

Finally, it would be insensitive of me to write anything without acknowledging the terrible events that are unfolding in Ukraine and my heart goes out to anyone who has been impacted. We are supporting several businesses and individuals in many ways and will continue to help wherever we can.

Many thanks,

Wesley Bishop

CCO