Meet Our People – Gerard Finch

29th November, 2021

Gerard Finch is the epitome of excellent work ethics and motivation.  Joining Magnus Group Ltd in May 2021, Gerard is the Distribution Operations Manager. With the industry and economy being in turmoil, he has needed to hit the ground running.  His expertise and background in road haulage make him well placed to do that.

“With home deliveries up by 33%, and large corporations making the idea of next day delivery the new norm, the pressure is on,” explains Gerard. “The driver shortage has been building for years, and suddenly we are in the perfect storm of Brexit, Covid, driver shortage, and the shift in consumer expectation.”

Despite the challenges, the last six months have seen Gerard improve the freight client profile, increase efficiencies, and update processes.

Review

The senior team at Magnus Group recognised that the transport division needed a different structure and different skills in place if it was to develop and improve productivity and profitability. Gerard’s role as Distribution Ops Manager is one such new role for Magnus Group. Whilst he laughs he has yet to have an average day, his core role is to lead his team of five, overseeing the pallet distribution department. With a role on the Health and Safety Committee too, Gerard is part of the change driving Magnus Group forward.

“Before joining Magnus Group, I was really happy in my previous role and hadn’t any intention of moving on,” says Gerard. “Since joining Magnus, I’ve found new energy and am excited to be part of the team that is waking up a giant. The support from the Directors has been amazing and they are a real driving force, getting the best out of their team.”

From Chef to Road Transport

Gerard joined the truck haulage and transport industry twelve years ago. “I loved being in a kitchen but I had worked unsociable, long hours from 16 to 20, and I had just had enough. I went to Ayia Napa for two years to make up for my missed partying time, “laughs Gerard. On his return, life moved pretty quickly – not only a new career but a family too.

At 22 years old, Gerard was on a minimum wage job, printing labels and making tea. With a baby at home, he worked weekends as a taxi driver to supplement his wages.  His work ethic and hard work paid off, and he quickly moved his way up the promotion ladder.

Three children, two dogs, and 12 years later, Gerard started to see Olly Magnus’s LinkedIn posts.  “I found Olly’s openness and honesty about the business and his personal life refreshing and different for our industry”, explains Gerard. “I then met the four Directors, on a Saturday due to work commitments. I appreciated the level of experience and knowledge in the room and liked their approach and what they had to say about Magnus. Whilst I wasn’t looking for a change, I’ve never looked back.”

“It hasn’t been an easy journey. I know I have a huge opportunity in front of me and I plan to grab it with both hands”.

Fun facts

First Job – at 13 years old, peeling spuds in the local chippy.

First Album – Eminem The Marshall Mathers. This was in the days that Gerard wanted to be Eminem, and later in his teenage years even had the bleached hair.

Something you may not know – Gerard always intended to end up in hospitality. From his first job peeling spuds to doing work experience in a high-end restaurant. Gerard went to a prestigious catering college for two years which meant at 18 years old he was working 60 plus-hour weeks, over 7 days.  Expect high standards if you pop around his house for tea!

 

Magnus Group, a haulage, warehousing and freight forwarding logistics company, is based just outside Ipswich, Suffolk, ideally placed to serve the Port of Felixstowe with direct road links to the Midlands, the North and London.  If you would like to know more about our warehousing, transport or global forwarding teams call us on +44 (0) 1473836600 or email on commercial@magnusgroup.com.

We advertise our driver jobs on our company website: if you would like to join our team, follow our LinkedIn company page and check out our website.

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