Menzies joins Transaid in bid to improve road safety

Menzies Distribution Group has become the latest supporter to show its commitment to improving global road safety standards by becoming corporate members of international development organisation Transaid.

Menzies has pledged its support for an initial three-year period, just months after it acquired one of Transaid’s founding members Bibby Distribution (now Menzies Distribution Solutions).

The partnership will see Menzies contribute time, expertise, and resources to help Transaid deliver professional driver training programmes, transport management systems and provide rural access to transport in sub-Saharan Africa.

Alice Broster, Group Health & Safety Manager at Menzies, has also committed to joining Transaid’s Road Safety Advisory Board.

Greg Michael, Chief Executive Officer of Menzies, welcomed the news, saying: “Our colleagues from Menzies Distribution Solutions (MDS) did a fantastic job supporting Transaid for more than two decades, and we are excited to be continuing this strong association.

“Transaid’s commitment to global road safety is an issue close to our hearts at Menzies. With almost 5,000 employees and 4,000 vehicle assets operating across the UK, we recognise the huge value training plays in keeping our drivers and other road users safe. We firmly believe all drivers around the world should have the opportunity to build the skills they need to transform their future.”

The vital unrestricted funds provided by corporate members allows Transaid  to test and implement new projects, which have allowed it to develop longstanding HGV and PSV driver training programmes in both Tanzania and Zambia.

As a direct result of these projects, Transaid recently secured significant external funding to take its HGV training into West Africa for the first time, with a new three-and-a-half-year project starting in Ghana.

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, explains: “The support we receive from our corporate members means a huge amount, and is crucial to ensuring we can deliver many of our life-saving projects on the ground.

“Knowing we have the strength and support of Menzies and its nearly two centuries of supply chain experience behind us is amazing. We are really excited about the opportunities to work closely together.”