We are so proud of our LGV Instructors who have helped thousands of learners gain a variety of licences over the years! All are incredibly hard workers, with excellent pass rates while keeping all their learners at ease.

Find out more about our LGV Instructor team below!

 

Mick Feeney

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - Mick FeeneyMick is our Driving & Examination Standards Lead at our home base in Carlisle! He is our longest serving instructor, having been with SP Training since the very beginning. He has also been a qualified driver for the longest, having gained his licence in 1979!

Mick attended the Army School of Mechanical Transport and is a Veteran of various campaigns, including the Falkland War of 1982. He first qualified as a HGV Driver in the army in 1983. After leaving the army he joined the Scottish Prison Service before eventually starting to drive as a living.

Mick moved into training drivers and onto the government HGV Trainer’s Register in 2004. He has been a driver trainer for Safeway Supermarkets and WM Morrisons, as well as a Training Manager for a national General Haulage company before coming to Carlisle 10 years ago. He was our first trainer employed by the business when we became SP Training, based on the runway next to the aircraft. He specialises in SAFED (Safe & Fuel Efficient Driving) and Instructor Training.

As I’m sure he will keep as a highlight of his career, he had the pleasure of training Freddy Flintoff from Top Gear here in Carlisle in 2022!

Fun Fact! Mick was the lead singer and keyboard player for a wedding and social club band for over 30 years!

 

Andy Bickers

Based at: Castlewood, Midlands

Driver Trainer - Andy BickersAndy works at our driver training site in Castlewood, Midlands, supporting our Co-Op Apprentices in gaining the licence as part of the LGV Apprenticeship route. Andy has previously worked for 22 years at the Port of Felixstowe (Britain’s largest shipping container port). It was there that he gained a vast skill set in the logistics and haulage industry.

Andy gained his C+E licence in 1992 and has driven extensively across agricultural (Bulk Tippers), general and ordinary cargo, shipping and for the Military until 2000. Andy then moved into Managerial Operational roles at the Port and became responsible for the day to day running of the operations.

In addition to his driving experience, Andy holds a foundation degree in Management from the University of Leicester, as well as Health & Safety Management qualifications, including IOSH Managing Safely in Ports and Logistics environments.

Fun Fact! Andy is a staff Sergeant in the Army Reserve and has also been a member of the Royal Logistics Corps as a Defence Driving Examiner for over 12 years! Andy is also a Technical Trail Mountain Bike Instructor!

 

Kai Sargeson

Based at: Thurrock, South East

Driver Trainer Kai SargesonKai is our most recent Driver Trainer, based in the South East!

His career has involved driving for over 20 years, and so he has plenty of experience to offer our learners. He has multi-drop work experience in 7.5t and 18t Lorries, Wag and Drag Containers, Flat Bed, Fridges, Double Deck, Box and Curtain Sided Trailers.

Kai has travelled all over Europe as a Driver, including routes to France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. He has also worked with recovery vehicles and was promoted to work as an internal trainer to train new Recovery Patrol recruits for the AA.

In addition to transporting food and general goods, Kai has worked as a Tanker Driver and has experience of loading/unloading Tank containers at container ports, discharged and/or loading liquid chemical products using a compressor. As such, his knowledge of ADR is current and vast, and he offers our learners a great insight to this area from his experience.

More recently, Kai has worked as a HGV trainer, delivering C+E training via the Skills LGV Bootcamp scheme for a national training company in the South East. He joins us now to expand this experience and train our national Apprentices and Bootcamp learners!

Fun Fact! Kai is also a Commanding Officer for the Sea Cadets in his local area for the MOD!

 

David Turner

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - David TurnerDavid is an LGV Instructor based at our airport site in Carlisle, having gained his PCV and HGV licence in the early 80s. He was an internal transport trainer for a bakery for around 10 years before he started full time HGV instruction back in 2005 when he joined a previous company of ours, System Group.

David has built an impressive portfolio of other relevant teaching and training qualifications, and he prides himself in the professional delivery of training to the highest standard. He brings plenty of experience with him as he has been driving for a living for over 30 years!

David is a qualified senior SAFED Instructor, and also qualified as a module 4 examiner in 2016. In 2017, he joined SP Training and has been an LGV and PCV examiner for instructors since we joined Skills for Logistics.

Fun Fact! David is club secretary for MCC (a motorcycle club) and has been a member since it started 15 years ago!

 

Richard Attenborough

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - Richard AttenboroughRichard is one of our LGV Instructors based in Carlisle, having been driving for a living for over 30 years!

Richard left school and went to work on a farm, gaining tons of experience with farm machinery before he joined the army in 1991. While there, he gained his HGV licences.

He joined the Royal Corp Transport (changed to Royal Logistic Corp) and in 1996 became a military driving instructor. He has now been training people to drive for 26 years – what an accomplishment!

In 1997, he became a Motorcycle (formally Cardington) Instructor, as well as a Defence Driving Examiner in 2008.

After serving 21 years in the army, he left in 2012 and worked as a long haul driver for 4 years. In 2016, he returned to training and came to work for us at SP Training.

Fun Fact! Richard coaches a youth rugby team, which SP Training sponsors!

 

Andy Hind

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - Andy HindBased in Carlisle, Andy is one of our LGV Instructors, having gained his HGV licence in 1998. He worked as an agency driver for 5 years, building up his experience. In 2003, he passed his instructor exam and was added to the DVLA register.

He worked as a MOD Instructor, quickly moving on to become a Defensive Driving Examiner for the MOD in 2007.

Prior to moving to Cumbria in 2020, he worked as a Detachment Transport Manager in York. After his move, Andy decided to join our team in 2021 and has been a valued member ever since!

Fun Fact! Andy enjoys keeping fit and health – he is a keen walker and goes swimming twice a week at 6am!

 

 

Carl Jones

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Carl is one of our HGV Driver Trainers based in Carlisle, also training learners who want to gain their Forklift Truck licence.

Carl began his career as a technician, working with farm machinery and in warehousing. He moved onto a more specialised role repairing hydraulic hoses and cylinders before becoming a depot trainer and harness inspector for a powered access platform business.

Since 2004, Carl has driven heavy goods vehicles in his roles and gained much experience in the field. In 2011, Carl moved into a full-time role as a Forklift Truck Trainer/Assessor and IPAF Instructor, training leaners on Forklifts and Access Equipment. He then also became a HGV Driving Instructor in Feb 2022 and has trained our local learners here in Carlisle ever since!

Fun Fact! Carl is a keen motorcyclist and trained TT legend John McGuinnes to gain his Class 1 licence in Feb 2022!

 

Andy Johnson

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - Andy JohnsonAndy Johnson is an LGV Instructor based in Carlisle and has worked for many years driving PCV Bus & Coach in London and the Home Counties. He has worked as an Operations Supervisor with National Express at Heathrow Airport and London’s busiest Coach interchange at Victoria Bus Station. His LGV career started in an 18 ton vehicle delivering frozen goods in and around London to the hospitality sector. Andy moved onto Class 1 Articulated lorries s a few years later and has had experience up until very recently with drawbars, walking floors, bulk tippers and curtain siders. Having worked as a Prison Officer in his earlier career, Andy has worked in Drug Referral Units, Dedicated Search Teams and Disturbance Teams.

Fun Fact!  Andy is a keen motorcyclist and aviation enthusiast and loves travelling around USA and Canada with his family.

 

 

David Trousdale

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - David TrousdaleJoining us in May 2022, David is an LGV Instructor based in Carlisle after almost 23 years in the Royal Navy, most recently as a Squadron Department Coordinator and General Service Driving Instructor. His earlier Navy career included Phase 1 Recruitment Instructor, Building Manager, Flight Deck Manager and Watch Manager at a Fire Station.

David Gained his Rigid and Artic licences in 2000, his Minibus licence in 2002 and coach licence in 2010. He has consistently held his ADR (Dangerous Goods) licence since 2000, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge. He is experienced in a huge range of vehicles, with over 20 years of experience in driving coaches, fire and rescue vehicles, rigid fuel tankers, and other military vehicles.

In addition to his driving qualifications, he has a BTEC Level 5 and a CIM Level 5 in Leadership & Management, as well as a Level 3 in Teaching Adults. You will certainly be in excellent hands with David!

Fun Fact! David has worked 200 miles inside the Artic Circle and has seen the Northern Lights – now that is an office with a view!

 

Steven Bulman

Based at: Carlisle, Cumbria

Driver Trainer - Steven BulmanSteven is an HGV Instructor based in Carlisle, having held his HGV licence since 1996. Steve drove full-time for a living from 1996 until April 2022, when he joined us at SP Training and retrained to become an instructor with us.

Steve has also gained his forklift licence and worked as a forklift driver. His driving experience includes ridged tippers and cement mixers to artic refrigeration and taut liner.

Fun Fact! He is an Emergency Response Driver and has worked on call for Longtown Fire Station for 18 years!

 

 

 

Eddie O’Brien

Based at: Bedford & Biggleswade

Driver Trainer - Eddie O'BrienEddie is an LGV Instructor currently based in Bedford, supporting our LGV Apprentices from Asda. He is set to move to our Biggleswade site in January 2023 to start training with the LGV Bootcamp Learners.

Eddie began his driving career on the London buses, driving the iconic Routemaster buses in 1994. He has also worked as a Continental Coach Driver for 2 years on tours all over Europe!

Eddie gained his city in guilds and NVQ Level 3 in Commercial Instruction Qualification in 1997.

He is an experienced driver and has done plenty of it in a variety of vehicles, including Class 1 and Class 2. He gained his car ADI licence to teach car drivers in 2018, and on his last check test he received an A Grade.

Eddie has loved teaching people to drive any and all types of vehicles – from cars to Class 1 – for many years, having taught people from all over the world.

Fun Fact! Eddie has a keen interest in boxing, swimming, Formula 1 and football, being a strong Millwall supporter!

 

Bob

Based at: Bedford & Biggleswade

Driver Trainer - BobCurrently based at our Bedford site, Bob is normally training from Biggleswade in the South East. He has been driving for over 40 years – since passing his Class 2 licence in 1980 he has continued to update his qualifications ever since! This includes his ADR and First Aid at Work.

He became a qualified LGV Instructor in 2005, and has worked as Driver Trainer ever since.

Bob has a real passion for driving, and has seen and done it all! With so much to offer our learners, it is a real pleasure to have him on board our ever-growing team.

In amongst working as an instructor, Bob has kept working as a full-time driver on and off during his career. His roles have included transporting heavy plant, trucks and vans, as well as food stock for Ocado.

Fun Fact! Bob is a volunteer Supervisor Steward for Arsenal Football Club, and has been for over 32 years!

 

Richard Fenge

Based at: Thurrock, South East

Richard currently worked at our Co-Op training site in Thurrock, training our Co-Op Apprentices and local Bootcamp HGV Learners.

He has driven for all of his working life and has a wealth of experience in many different types of trucks, including – Class 1 and 2 vehicles (such as low loaders, roll on roll off Lorries, Hiabs, Moffat, small box vans and curtain side lorries). He also holds his Transport Manager Qualifications.

Richard has plenty of experience in the construction and demolition industries, as well as transporting heavy equipment to and from sites.

While working for John Lewis, Richard provided driver assistance to new recruits and returning drivers, supporting them to get the best out of the vehicle. He ensured they were driving efficiently and safely. While there, he was awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ due to his initiative to find solutions to problems when making difficult deliveries!

Following this, Richard decided that he would like to become an HGV Instructor, and joined us at SP Training in 2022 to help others gain their Class 1 licence!

Fun Fact! In his spare time Richard enjoys restoring vintage cars!

 

John Podlesak

Based at: Doncaster

With a rich and versatile background, John brings a wealth of experience and a customer-centric approach to our training programs.

John embarked on his career as a delivery driver with Royal Mail, concurrently establishing and successfully running his own driving school, JSP Driver Training, focusing on car licences. Over the span of eight years, he built a solid foundation in the world of driving instruction.

In 2014, John expanded his qualifications, securing his Class 1 licence and taking on roles as an HGV Driver and Driver Assessor at Bibby Group Ltd. His dedication led to accreditation for conducting driver assessments adhering to Roadcraft and SAFED standards. John’s in-depth knowledge of the UK road network, coupled with his unwavering commitment to safety and fuel efficiency, firmly established him as a responsible and skilled driver.

More recently, John took on the role of Assistant Manager at The Caravan & Motorhome Club, where he assumed diverse responsibilities, including the crucial position of National Network Trainer. John’s innate ability to connect with customers and tailor his teaching approach to individual needs shines through in his training methods.

"We find the team at SP Training to be highly experienced, knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. Their understanding of our training needs and the logistics sector in general is second to none. With an innovative and flexible approach to our requirements this makes them an ideal business partner and our training provider of choice."

Neil Robinson, Director – Tyson H. Burridge

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