Wincanton – At the heart of British supply chains
Wincanton is a leading British supply chain solutions company. The Group provides business critical services including storage, handling and distribution; high volume eFulfilment; retailer ‘dark stores’; two-person home delivery; fleet and transport management; and network optimisation for many of the UK’s best known companies.
It is active across a range of markets including food and consumer goods; retail and manufacturing; eCommerce; the public sector; major infrastructure; building materials; fuel; and defence. With almost 100 years’ heritage, with almost 100 years’ heritage, our 20,300-strong team operates from more than 170 sites across the country, responsible for 8,500 vehicles.
Lee Buckland, Royal Engineers British Army, 1994 to 2017
“After completing a full and engaging military career the time finally came to engage in the transition back to civilian person. In the same manner as all other service leavers, this process was through the local Army Education Centre and Career Transition Partnership.
Having attended all the mandatory briefs and resettlement courses that I felt would enable a successful transition, I began to search the jobs market for something that would suit my work life balance moving forward. At this point I decided that the logistics industry would be where I would start the search.
The construction supply chain is where I decided that my future would lay and, after a little research, it became clear that the market leaders in this area were Wincanton. After a successful telephone interview, I was offered a position working to deliver construction logistics to construction sites across the UK.
Within the first weeks, in this new career I was enrolled on an in-house training course to obtain my Lorry Mounted Crane licence. It was at this point that the veterans network came to light and, with the instructor on the course also an army veteran, who identified I had a similar background and skill set as himself, he asked if I would be interested in a potential move to the Regional Driver Training Team.
Following a successful interview and practical training session delivered to the National Driver Training Manager, I was offered an opportunity to join the Regional Driver Training Team. Here I would deliver classroom based and practical training sessions to drivers within the central region of the United Kingdom. This was a skill that came easy to myself, as part of my military career I was employed as a phase one training instructor.
After a successful two years delivering training, an opportunity arose to apply for the National Operational Training Manager position. After another successful interview I was offered the opportunity to become responsible for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) programme, where I would write the course content which would be delivered to all Wincanton drivers. I would also manage the internal quality assurance process, to ensure training delivery would be consistent across all 100 driver trainers within Wincanton.”
Bob Whittard
What part of the armed forces did you serve in?
I served as an infantry soldier in the Territorial Army, notably 3rd Bn Yorkshire Volunteers (3 Yorks) – which became 3rd Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (3DWR), transferring when I moved South from Yorkshire to 2nd Bn Wessex Regiment (2Wessex) which was merged into 2nd Bn Royal Berkshire Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Regiment (2RGBW).
What was your role and what did it involve?
My role was that of an infantry soldier, rifle platoon commander – great job! a spell running the battalion recruit training, and rifle company second in command. As an officer my role was to lead, train and develop the soldiers in my unit.
What are some of the reasons that you wanted to join the military?
I had been a cadet and enjoyed the challenges and activities. Joining TA was a natural choice offering adventure, travel, challenge, and the pay from a second job – very useful when I was student.
How would you describe your time in service?
Hard work, often challenging, but very enjoyable with great camaraderie and experiences
What are some things you remember most about your deployment?
Funny stories, strong memories/feelings that comes to mind and why? The Army is responsible for my 35 year career in the Logistics industry as I gained my HGV licence on a 1 week course at the Army Driving School at Leaconfield at the age of 21, which led me to taking a job as a driver. Spending 2 weeks on attachment with the US National Guard in America was an interesting experience, they have a very different way of doing things. Regularly going with no sleep on exercise, – my record was 72 hours after spending all of night 3 extracting an unconscious casualty from an isolated ravine. Due to my units’ roles, I never had to deploy on active service – which will always be both a regret on one level and a relief on another.
When did you leave the military? How did you feel leaving and entering civilian life/routine?
I decided to leave in 2000 after over 14 years. It was the right time – infanteering is a young person’s game, and my unit was going through another draw-down and merger with 2 other battalions, which I was not enthusiastic about. As a soldier in the Territorial Army I did not face the huge change faced by regulars when they leave. I had all my weekends back to pursue other activities.
Do you have advice for family members, friends or employers of people who are transitioning out of the military?
Look to the future not the past, but be proud of your service and what you achieved
