Before joining Pebbles as Fleet Manager in February this year, Colin owned and operated his own transport company. He started the business from scratch with just one truck, growing over the course of five years to a fleet of five trucks and 12 drivers. Colin’s business serviced major supermarket chains, including LIDL, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco, primarily delivering goods across Scotland.
Since joining the Pebbles family, Colin has taken on the complex task of managing and optimising the company’s vehicle fleet. Before Colin joined, fleet management was split between several team members including Derek Johnson, Head of Fleet, Health & Safety and Heather Innes, Procurement Officer, but the responsibility was gladly passed onto Colin to bring in his expertise and specialised skills.
Colin has implemented significant changes already to ensure the smooth management of our vehicles and the safety of our teams that use them.
One of the first things Colin did when he started was to overhaul the fleet system. He implemented a comprehensive filing system for each vehicle, including folders for spare keys, MOT records and tax documentation. He established a systematic process to ensure that all vehicle-related tasks are properly recorded and maintained.
Another huge task for Colin was streamlining the fuel card management process. He was able to review this and reduce active cards to ensure that there is only one active fuel card per vehicle.
Colin has negotiated better rates with garages and service providers, notably reducing costs for services like windshield replacements. He has also enhanced relationships with dealerships, working closely with Derek to manage new vehicle acquisitions.
Colin’s latest project is the implementation of telematics across the fleet. Colin thoroughly researched the available providers and has started to roll out a telematics system that will
improve fleet tracking and efficiency. The rollout of the telematics system will cover all 80 cars in the company fleet.
Colin is not just dedicated to his professional life; he also has a rich personal life and hobbies. He is a proud owner of three Chow Chows and has a passion for running. Before starting his business, Colin was an avid runner, participating in half and full marathons, including the Edinburgh Marathon in 2018. He ran to support charities like Kidney Kids
Scotland and Tommy’s Charity, which are close to his heart due to personal family experiences.
After a break from running due to business commitments, Colin is eager to get back into fitness and running. Last year, he completed the West Highland Way, and he has played golf throughout Scotland, experiencing some of the country’s top courses.
Colin’s dedication, both professionally and personally, makes him a valuable asset to Pebbles, continually driving improvements and efficiencies within the fleet. We are thrilled to have Colin on board and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact he will bring to the team.