CHIPPENHAM-based independent recruiter 24-7 Staffing has achieved the Freight Transport Association’s coveted Driver Agency Excellence certification for the sixth consecutive year.

Driver Agency Excellence (DAE) is a voluntary initiative aimed at recognising, encouraging and promoting best practice within the sector. It is awarded to those achieving the highest levels of quality and compliance in the agency driver field.

“We are immensely proud to have once again achieved Driver Agency Excellence following successful completion of a thorough audit of our core business, driver recruitment and driver management standards,” said Julian Thompson, MD of 24-7 Staffing. “This recognises our high standards of compliance and provides reassurance to our employees and clients that we are promoting good practice.”

The scheme is managed by FTA and steered by a Governance Group made up of specialist driver agencies. Julian was among those instrumental in help the FTA to set up the excellence scheme and since 2015 has chaired the Governance Group. DAE is referenced within the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency’s Earned Recognition scheme as a means of attaining best practice in the management of agency drivers.

Keith Gray, FTA’s General Manager Training, Audits and Standards said: “We are delighted to award Driver Agency Excellence certification to 24-7 Staffing. The scheme has been created for, and can provide benefits to, operators and driver agencies alike. For operators, it can help to identify driver agencies who understand the logistics industry and the importance of an Operator Licence and those that are prepared to go that extra mile to demonstrate this. For driver agencies, it demonstrates to employees and customers that they are an exemplar agency with regular auditing providing a continual review and improvement of their systems and staff development.”

24-7 Staffing, an independently owned and managed recruitment business, specialises in the driving, industrial, commercial and healthcare sectors. Founded in 2004, this year it is celebrating 15 years in business.