Meet Neil Glazebrook, Director

Neil joined TJ in 2004, starting as a transport operator coordinating the daily vehicle movements. Within 10 years he was promoted to Director and is now responsible for leading the transport operations. Outside of work, Neil loves spending time with his family and watching his two sons play sports. 

What does your role involve?

Although I am a Director my role is still very operational, which I enjoy. On a day to day basis I predominantly work with the Transport and Fleet teams. I analyse systems and review performance, set KPIs and coach the team to assist with the overall development of the group. As part of the team of directors, I’m involved in the future planning and direction of the business. I’m also involved in special projects such as the recent haulage contract agreement with Tarmac, which involves us managing material movements of around 800,000 tonnes per year. We will be responsible for supervising 32 subcontractors on behalf of Tarmac, in order to successfully deliver the contract.

What are the most rewarding and challenging elements of your role?

The most rewarding element of my role is being part of the growth and development of a team. Over the past 15 or so years, the Transport team has changed – in terms of personnel, skill set and industry knowledge. It is rewarding to see the daily growth and improvements. The most challenging elements of my role centre around keeping up to speed with legislation, operating a large fleet efficiently and maximising capacity.

What roles did you hold at TJ before becoming a director?

I started working for TJ as a transport operator, which enabled me to learn about all the different aspects of transport. This involved building the daily routes, managing the drivers and working with the customers, as well as learning the financial expectations and requirements involved with the haulage industry. I then moved into the position of Transport Manager, which involved working with a team of transport operators who dealt with the day to day activity, while I expanded my knowledge of the business and developed planning and strategic understanding.

How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the way you work?

The pandemic has been extremely challenging in terms of work. The uncertainty within business in general makes for a very worrying time ahead for most. Within TJ we have altered our working practices, reviewing and updating risk assessments and cleaning requirements. We have also, like many, had a high proportion of staff absent through the furlough scheme. We are currently in the process of rebuilding, which will take months. I am sure we will have a number of ups and downs along the way, but I am confident we will pull together as a team to achieve the best possible outcome.

How has TJ changed in the time you’ve worked here?

TJ has expanded greatly in the last 16 years, both in terms of fleet size and geographically. The asset base has also increased, with material recovery facilities, chalk quarries, sand pits and various inert disposal resources being acquired. A different growth plan or idea is always on the table for discussion. Over the years I have been involved in a number of expansion projects, including the initial development of the Bristol base five or so years ago and most recently, securing the haulage contract with Tarmac.

What are your work objectives for the coming months and years?

As a team we have put together a revised plan for 2020, which is heavily influenced by the current pandemic. My immediate objective is to successfully rebuild the transport department, with the primary focus of keeping the team motivated during this time. The effects of the pandemic have altered the set-up of the team so we are looking at ways to boost morale and adjust staff roles to enable a more efficient, streamlined way of running the operation – working smarter rather than harder.

Why is TJ a great place to work?

Every year we look to improve TJ as a company, develop the business and develop individually. The constant growth and ongoing challenges means that each year is different and varied, making TJ an extremely enjoyable and rewarding place to work.

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