AN expert in transport and logistics recruitment has taken over a Hampshire companyfirm which supplies drivers.

Chris Bryant is now at the wheel of Drive Personnel based in Fair Oak.

Chris and his business partner Simon Pritchard built another driver recruitment business, Milestones, into an a nationwide operation with a £60 million turnover before selling it.

He said that there is a growing shortage of drivers which is likely to get worse as more and more retire without being replaced.

“In the 1980s when I started the average age of drivers was 33, now its 54,” said Chris, 46.

“Driving is not seen as very sexy or attractive these days.”

However, the demand for drivers is starting to push wages up, added Chris.

He said a driver with a basic HGV licence could expect to earn around £30,000 a year but more skilled drivers, such as lorry loaders – who deliver building materials and suchlike with trucks fitted with a crane on the back – and car transporter drivers could take home almost twice as much.

“If you want to guarantee yourself of being in work get yourself and HGV licence,” said Chris.

Drive Personnel has about 35 regular customers in Eastleigh, Southampton and Winchester and has about 70 drivers on its books.

The firm currently employs six staff but is looking to expand and has acquired the office next door at Deer Park Industrial eEstate.

While Chris and Simon were at Milestones they were at Drive Personnel are the main sponsor of Matt Le Tissier (MLT) Natural Coaching which provides football training to youngsters.

Drive is now supporting MLT and has sponsored their van, which bears the company livery.