HGV Driver: Robert Matthews

How long have you been working in your current role?

I’ve been driving since I was 21, so around 4 years.

Which company do you work for and what do they do?

I work for Slough International, which is based in Slough. The company owns six trucks. We work for different clients across road transport, sea freight and air freight.

What does your job involve in a typical day?

I normally start work at around 5 in the morning and sometimes I’m not finished until 6 or 7 in the evening. I spend about two nights a week away from home - it really depends on what’s going on and how busy we are.

How did you get into your current job, and what were you doing before?

I was put on the young drivers training scheme. The company who I work for now trained me. I found out about it by reading an article about someone who’d trained through a drivers training scheme.

What qualifications did you need for the job?

I got an LGV licence when I was 21. I’ve also got a fork lift licence, which I use quite a lot. I sometimes do some fork lift work when I get back to the yard.

What vehicle do you drive?

I drive a DAF 95XF. I’ve got air brush painting all over my truck. The theme of the painting is a movie called Memphis Belle – I picked it because I like the film. The truck belongs to the company but I think of it as my own as I’m always driving it.

Where do you drive to and from?

We generally drive all over the UK.

What sort of load do you carry?

We carry food products, artists materials and other goods.

What do you like about driving?

On a good day it can be great fun. You go to so many different places and you never know where you’re going to be from one day to the next. If you’ve got a truck like mine, it’s a pleasure to do. It makes you proud to drive it and so many people come up to you to talk to you.

What are your next steps?

At some point, I might move to office work and help out behind the scenes, but I’d like to continue driving for the moment.