Find out all about the best training school on the South Coast, take a look at our meet the team page to find out more about our staff members who will help you throughout your training process with 2 Start.
Our training area provides students with a wealth of additional information about our courses. You will get exclusive access to hidden training content when you become a student at 2 Start.
Find out all about the best training school on the South Coast, take a look at our meet the team page to find out more about our staff members who will help you throughout your training process with 2 Start.
Our training area provides students with a wealth of additional information about our courses. You will get exclusive access to hidden training content when you become a student at 2 Start.
Paul’s working career started at the age of 17 when he joined the armed forces. Having completed basic training, Paul was sent to 21 engineer regiment and served as a Royal Engineer for the next 9 years. During this time, Paul was deployed to a number of war torn countries and employed in a number of different roles, such as regimental crane operator and bridge commander. Through the latter stages of his forces career, Paul started to get more involved with driver training, training on LGV vehicles and Lorry Mounted Cranes. In April 2002, Paul left the forces and started working within recruitment, recruiting drivers for companies around the south. As the recruitment agency expanded a training division opened where Paul then gained the qualifications of Forklift truck instructor, LGV instructor and professional trainer.
In 2008, Paul acquired 2 Start Training. The company consisted of one other instructor and two training vehicles and it didn’t take to long for the business to start growing in size. Having started in a small office, it was soon apparent that with the company growing so rapidly that some bigger premises would be required. So 2 Start Training moved to Murrills Ind Est in Portchester. In 2013, 2 Start expanded once again and opened its second depot in Reading. With staff levels increasing and the awarding of an MOD contract, Paul’s attention turned to the growing fleet of vehicles, with an old for new replacement policy. Over the next couple of years, this involved the purchase of brand new tractor units, ridged LGVs, minibuses, Toyota Hilux cars and Iveco vans. The Forklift fleet also expanded adding different types to train on. In 2o16 Paul opened 2 Start Southampton and in February 2017 he moved 2 Start Portsmouth into a larger DVSA approved site. Paul still to this day can be seen in the vehicles and in the classrooms or warehouse training, whilst working on the new project for 2 Start.
Daisy is one of our ladies in the customer service department, with us since she first joined the team back in 2010. Before working with 2 Start; Daisy was on the sales and logistics team for a frozen foods transport company Dennis Edwards in Hilsea. After gaining invaluable experience in this field, Daisy joined as a two week holiday cover; years on, and Daisy is still going. Having now worked in most departments of the company, Daisy has knowledge of the inner workings of 2 Start – all the way from a phone call, right up to the accounts department and organizing the week.
Daisy and Esther together are responsible for organizing, planning and arranging upwards of 175 sessions a week across our fleet of fifteen vehicles and eight machines. That’s a staggering 33,600 hours of training a year! A mission certainly not for the faint hearted. From communicating with the licencing authorities to planning the week it’s all within Daisy’s field – it’s almost certain that at some stage of your training process, you’ll come across Daisy. Having joined for a career with us at 18 years of age, Daisy has seen many of the changes to 2 Start including massive expansion of the fleet; and is looking forward to more to come.
Tim is a recent recruit to the sales team at 2 Start having previously enjoyed a career in recruitment, logistics and travel.He enjoys spending time with his wife and two teenage children particularly watching his son play football at the weekends. Tim also (still) plays 5-a-side football every week with a group that includes 2 Start MD Paul – despite his senior years, he says he is not yet ready for walking football just yet!
To show that 2 Start really is an Equal Opportunities Employer in every sense Tim was taken on with the knowledge that he is a Saints fan!! He can be found every other week in his usual seat at St Mary’s moaning about most on-field calamities!!
Also on a weekend, Tim enjoys washing and waxing his sports car showing an overly sad attention to detail! His range of shampoos, polishes, waxes and microfibre drying towels would leave any manager of Halfords green with envy!!
Sales Team
Jack Day
Training Advisor / Portsmouth Depot Manager Read More
I started my working career at Highbury College in the call center, making outbound calls to employers regarding the apprenticeship scheme. In March 2015 I was given the opportunity to gain more experience working at 2 Start ltd working in the head office dealing with student enquiries and bookings. I enjoy playing and watching most football which is on TV. I also watch and play other sports such as tennis, pool, snooker and darts. I am 19 years old, I have a large family so we go on days out together regularly. I have also recently completed my Emergency first aid course with 2 Start and am now on hand at the Portsmouth depot to assist with any onsite issues which may arise.
Rosie the black Labrador has been with 2 Start since she was 11 weeks old and is a valued member of the team. She enjoys meeting clients (particularly at lunch time) and has been known to sit in on the odd DCPC course from time to time. She can often be found patrolling the corridor in our Portsmouth branch, hoovering the floor and catching up on sleep in one of her many beds in the offices.
Jennifer started her working career at 15 at Sainsbury’s. In her 4 and a half years there Jennifer worked in all areas of the shop from running the Sound and Vision department to being the store manager’s PA. Jennifer then moved with her Mum to Copenhagen to try her hand at working for Hard Rock Café! She also decided to try her hand at pulling pints at her local Danish pub The Shamrock. After 6 months of sampling the local delicacies like bacon and Carlsberg Jennifer returned home to start her career in the mortgage business from working in admin for a mortgage broker to arranging re mortgages with a Liverpool based Solicitors!
It was during this time Jennifer decided to start her family and also the time that the mortgage business collapsed and Jennifer had to re think her mortgage career. After spending an extra few months off with her new baby daughter, Jennifer decided working in Accounts seemed like stable environment and starting as a sales ledger assistant for a waste disposal company then moving onto Purchase Ledger for an Underfloor Heating Company. This is where Jennifer really excelled in Accounts learning all aspects of the Accountancy world. With that she changed to working as an account Clerk for a lighting company before deciding that 2 Start looked like an amazing place to work and ended up as the new accounts clerk!
Managing his own company formed in February 2001 starting in the Health and Safety Environment then moved into LGV driver training and forklift truck training including training for the logistics and warehousing industry. Recruitment agency providing temporary and permanent staff to logistics and industrial Health and Safety Management Consultancy / Advisory Services to a range of companies including Manufacturing, Retail, Food Premises, Offices and the Construction Industry. Registered CIEH training centre providing a comprehensive range of training in H& S and Food Hygiene and First Aid.
Ken has been an FSB since becoming a member, Ken became Chairman of the Wessex Region which is the largest region of the Federation representing almost 11000 businesses in 2006. He is a member of the UK Policy Committee and Chairman of the English Policy Committee, Hold the National Portfolio for the Foreign office and the EU.
Ken’s Extensive management experience gained both in the UK and overseas within manufacturing environments. Strategic leadership of a variety of teams including multi-cultural environment; project managed the expansion and development of a £15m business in the United Arab Emirates; where he built strong relationships throughout Europe; negotiating European agency/distribution agreements and technology transfers; implemented ISO9000. Produced £1m annual profit.
Robin is another of our Instructors here in Portsmouth; Teaching everything from Car and Trailer right through to Artic (and crowned Instructor of the Year 2013), He’s a top guy! Robin started in transport back in the 1800’s (we joke, 1967). Back in the 60’s Robin was a 7.5 tonne driver transporting metal components out of Portsmouth with roping and sheeting. When he was 21, Robin qualified for his HGV licence for articulated trucks. First off Robin started working out of Shoreham, transporting timber across the UK, then general haulage, (everything from portable buildings, aerosol sprays, and even the occasional pair of pants.) Robin then went to work for Freys (based in Stockholm, Sweden) running from Stockholm to Gothemburg and back to the UK.
Robin started teaching drivers back in 1994 and has taught literally thousands of drivers (too many to remember). Robin had a break from teaching in 2007 when he bought his own trucks and worked on refrigerated distribution. In 2012, Robin sold up and joined 2 Start here in Portsmouth; Since then he’s been teaching his heart out.
In his spare time, Robin likes to study archaeology; digging holes in local fields to search for gold! (though we haven’t seen any gold yet as such) Robin has two children and is happily married. (which is always a disappointment for our lady students). To meet Robin, come and see us – Robin will always see that you’re trained right first time.
Jane is another of our Portsmouth Forklift Instructor / Examiners. Jane has been working within the transport industry since 1978 (though we don’t believe her, because she doesn’t look old enough) , starting out as a Forklift operator working in a large warehouse moving sheet metal to the workshop, and then the new radiators on to vehicles. In that same warehouse, Jane developed her roping a sheeting skills and drove a 7.5 tonne to the customer in Leeds every Thursday night. In time, Jane decided to qualify for her Class 2 and her Category D (Coach) in 2003 and went to work on numerous large haulage projects; including agency work and overnight haulage. Jane also put her hand to driving the coach for school runs and school trips for a year in 2004. In the end of 2004, Jane qualified as an ITSSAR Instructor Examiner and started working to teach Plant Machinery.
Jane joined to work with us back in 2005, going from there to complete her PTLLS course (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector). In 2009 Jane went to work as a Driving Assessor, and as an NVQ assessor until 2010, when she came back to the Plant Machinery side. Since then Jane has been working solidly to train and test students across the various industrial groups. Jane also teaches Class 2, and the Coach!
Jane very much enjoys leaving the country to travel to warm and far off places; Friday night is the ‘food-shop’ night and she quite enjoys a good fish cake. Jane also loves to challenge of doing barbecues for her five children and her ten grandchildren!!
So, if you’re at 2 Start for some plant training and you come across Jane; you’ll certainly notice… beaming into life in the morning with a smile. (especially on a Monday)
At the age of 16 Don joined the Royal Navy and completed 38 years service J of which 34 years were spent in the Submarine service J. Having sailed much of the world in the surface flotilla he decided to transfer to the Submarine service. Don started his submarine service on diesel boats then worked his way through to nuclear, Polaris and then onto our latest Trident Vanguard class. His outstanding career guided him through to the rank of Warrant Officer (First Class) Coxswain (SM). Prior to leaving the Royal Navy he acquired all of his licences C1, C1+E up to C+E and also D1, D1+E and D class. In 2001 he set his mind to acquiring a Degree in Management which he successfully achieved.
Having left the Royal Navy in 2005 Don joined Babcock International and was based at HM Naval Base, Faslane, Scotland as a motor transport driver. After a short while with Babcock his talents were spotted and he was asked to become a fork lift truck instructor. He soon completed the RTITB fork lift instructor’s course shortly followed by his DVSA Vehicle Instructor licence. His training included, Counterbalance, Reach, Bendi, Side loader, VNA, HIAB, MEWP, Cherry picker, plus many more, and also qualified as an S Cape Instructor. Achieving the status of Senior Training Instructor he was also responsible for all driver training and assessments within HM Naval base Clyde
In 2011, Don and his family, decided to move south to be closer to his daughter, Rachel, who is a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, and his 2 grandchildren, Holly and Aiden. The weather in the south was also major factors as there are no midges plus there is plenty of sunshine. (Vitamin D)
Don’s claim to fame is that he is the only instructor in the organisation with a licence to drive a Trident Submarine!!
Don has been married to Christine since 1972 J. His hobbies include, bowls, DIY, swimming, and cruising. (Lots of cruises).
He also likes his cars and motorcycles and is always ready to buy a bargain when he can.
Don has a great sense of humour and is always ready to crack a few funnies, however, don’t let that fool you, he is a very experienced instructor and highly thought of. He does not suffer fools gladly and always demands high standards from his students.
Despite eating the weight of his body on a daily basis, Will is surprisingly a sporty person and enjoys most sport, running, football swimming and cycling. Most notably completed Jon o groats to lands’ end with Managing Director of the company Paul. Will specialises in instructing Forklift training and teaches the following; Counterbalance, Reach, Multi-Directional, Pivot Steer, and Transportable to name a few. And teaches these in both our Portsmouth, Southampton & Reading Depots, as well as offsite at companies.
Paul’s working career started at the age of 17 when he joined the armed forces. Having completed basic training, Paul was sent to 21 engineer regiment and served as a Royal Engineer for the next 9 years. During this time, Paul was deployed to a number of war torn countries and employed in a number of different roles, such as regimental crane operator and bridge commander. Through the latter stages of his forces career, Paul started to get more involved with driver training, training on LGV vehicles and Lorry Mounted Cranes. In April 2002, Paul left the forces and started working within recruitment, recruiting drivers for companies around the south. As the recruitment agency expanded a training division opened where Paul then gained the qualifications of Forklift truck instructor, LGV instructor and professional trainer.
In 2008, Paul acquired 2 Start Training. The company consisted of one other instructor and two training vehicles and it didn’t take to long for the business to start growing in size. Having started in a small office, it was soon apparent that with the company growing so rapidly that some bigger premises would be required. So 2 Start Training moved to Murrills Ind Est in Portchester. In 2013, 2 Start expanded once again and opened its second depot in Reading. With staff levels increasing and the awarding of an MOD contract, Paul’s attention turned to the growing fleet of vehicles, with an old for new replacement policy. Over the next couple of years, this involved the purchase of brand new tractor units, ridged LGVs, minibuses, Toyota Hilux cars and Iveco vans. The Forklift fleet also expanded adding different types to train on. In 2o16 Paul opened 2 Start Southampton and in February 2017 he moved 2 Start Portsmouth into a larger DVSA approved site. Paul still to this day can be seen in the vehicles and in the classrooms or warehouse training, whilst working on the new project for 2 Start.
For our students coming to 2 Start Romsey; they’re likely to meet Joe – either as their Instructor or Examiner, or both. (a keen motorcyclist) Joe (along with Paul) is our resident Tutor (Instructor Trainer). Joe trained with 2 Start back in 2012; qualifying for his Rigid (C) licence at 18 years of age, and his Artic (C+E) at 19. Along with his tickets for Counterbalance, Moffett, HIAB, and Reach, he left us as a new driver and went straight to work – everything from multi-drop and curtain siders, right up to mobile medical transport units (MRI).
Having covered many miles all over the UK, and a great many hours of Plant Operations; Joe was challenging himself to do more! He decided to try some international transport; as far as the far away reaches of Northern Ireland. Okay, so maybe his “international” transport didn’t go as far as some… but his experience proved invaluable and helped him on the way. Joe spent a year of his time as a tramper (living out of his truck) wherever it may take him… so ask him about some trucking memories if you’d like! (though he might not be able to stop talking, which I’m told is a common issue).
Joe came back to 2 Start in February 2013, and qualified to become an accredited Instructor/Examiner for the Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR). Now, he teaches on a staggering nineteen different Industrial Groups! (see below)
Joe is also one of our Module. 4 (initial) CPC Instructors; and also teaches three of our Periodic Drivers CPC courses. (Drivers Essentials, Loading and Load Security, and Driver Licensing and Fuel Efficiency). He’s come leaps and bounds since we first met him in 2012; and we think you’ll like him too – He’ll certainly see to it that you’re the highest trained around. Joe is also qualified as a DVSA approved Large Goods Vehicle driving instructor, so you’ll see him on the trucks too; as well as qualifying as an ITSSAR Category 4 Tutor for delivering Instructor and Examiner Training. Joe is also one of our Instructors for the National and International transport managers certificate of professional competence for both road haulage and passenger transport operations.
Word from Joe: “Working within transport is a challenging but huge responsibility. You’ll see a great many things either on the road or when working in Freight forwarding, and will certainly work with some of the best. The best key to mastering a career in the industry (from the perspective of a young person) is to get the best training possible at the start… and remember that any vehicle you drive carries that huge responsibility. Getting trained right will mean you can face the new challenges with confidence, and keep yourself and others safe.”
In July 2016 Joe was made the Branch Manager of the Southampton depot and is currently running his team there.
Carl began his career in transport way back in the 1980s in Chesterfield, working as a driver and transport supervisor for a large international transport firm specialising in the automotive industry. Here he specialised in vehicle transport and delivery of parts. From there, Carl decided to pack up his things and move over to become a depot manager for transport and logistics in the packaging sector, also in Chesterfield. In 1996 Carl moved down to Gloucester and started working in chilled and frozen food distribution; overseeing the compliance of the company, ensuring that operations were carried out legally and safely. After all that he needed a rest, and decided to manage the transport for one of the country’s biggest bedding suppliers. After his rest, Carl started to miss the cars and went back to working as a compound manager for one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world (we can’t say who… but the cars are nice!) Vorsprung Durch Technik. In amongst all this working, Carl has also been a fully qualified ADI for Car and Motorcycle instruction, as well as holding his National Transport Managers CPC.
After a few more years Carl decided to move to Southampton and seek to become an HGV Driving Instructor and subsequently joined the team here in March 2017. Carl now teaches across all of our categories of good vehicles, as well as the initial CPC. Later on, in the year, Carl will be aspiring to also become accredited Instructor/Examiner with ITSSAR.
Outside of work, Carl is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and can often be found at one of the country’s racing circuits (like Thruxton, Silverstone, Donington etc.) watching the races. If he’s not there, you’ll find him on the squash court where he continues to build on his previous experience of playing for the county, since records began.
Paul’s working career started at the age of 17 when he joined the armed forces. Having completed basic training, Paul was sent to 21 engineer regiment and served as a Royal Engineer for the next 9 years. During this time, Paul was deployed to a number of war torn countries and employed in a number of different roles, such as regimental crane operator and bridge commander. Through the latter stages of his forces career, Paul started to get more involved with driver training, training on LGV vehicles and Lorry Mounted Cranes. In April 2002, Paul left the forces and started working within recruitment, recruiting drivers for companies around the south. As the recruitment agency expanded a training division opened where Paul then gained the qualifications of Forklift truck instructor, LGV instructor and professional trainer.
In 2008, Paul acquired 2 Start Training. The company consisted of one other instructor and two training vehicles and it didn’t take to long for the business to start growing in size. Having started in a small office, it was soon apparent that with the company growing so rapidly that some bigger premises would be required. So 2 Start Training moved to Murrills Ind Est in Portchester. In 2013, 2 Start expanded once again and opened its second depot in Reading. With staff levels increasing and the awarding of an MOD contract, Paul’s attention turned to the growing fleet of vehicles, with an old for new replacement policy. Over the next couple of years, this involved the purchase of brand new tractor units, ridged LGVs, minibuses, Toyota Hilux cars and Iveco vans. The Forklift fleet also expanded adding different types to train on. In 2o16 Paul opened 2 Start Southampton and in February 2017 he moved 2 Start Portsmouth into a larger DVSA approved site. Paul still to this day can be seen in the vehicles and in the classrooms or warehouse training, whilst working on the new project for 2 Start.
Paul’s working career started at the age of 17 when he joined the armed forces. Having completed basic training, Paul was sent to 21 engineer regiment and served as a Royal Engineer for the next 9 years. During this time, Paul was deployed to a number of war torn countries and employed in a number of different roles, such as regimental crane operator and bridge commander. Through the latter stages of his forces career, Paul started to get more involved with driver training, training on LGV vehicles and Lorry Mounted Cranes. In April 2002, Paul left the forces and started working within recruitment, recruiting drivers for companies around the south. As the recruitment agency expanded a training division opened where Paul then gained the qualifications of Forklift truck instructor, LGV instructor and professional trainer.
In 2008, Paul acquired 2 Start Training. The company consisted of one other instructor and two training vehicles and it didn’t take to long for the business to start growing in size. Having started in a small office, it was soon apparent that with the company growing so rapidly that some bigger premises would be required. So 2 Start Training moved to Murrills Ind Est in Portchester. In 2013, 2 Start expanded once again and opened its second depot in Reading. With staff levels increasing and the awarding of an MOD contract, Paul’s attention turned to the growing fleet of vehicles, with an old for new replacement policy. Over the next couple of years, this involved the purchase of brand new tractor units, ridged LGVs, minibuses, Toyota Hilux cars and Iveco vans. The Forklift fleet also expanded adding different types to train on. In 2o16 Paul opened 2 Start Southampton and in February 2017 he moved 2 Start Portsmouth into a larger DVSA approved site. Paul still to this day can be seen in the vehicles and in the classrooms or warehouse training, whilst working on the new project for 2 Start.
Roy is the depot manager for 2 Start Reading. Roy started his career in 1980 when he qualified for his LGV whilst serving with the artillery regiments of the Army. After leaving the Army; Roy decided to start his own haulage company and was the owner operator and operators licence holder. He holds a National and International CPC qualification with 34 years of driving experience behind him. For the past 26 years, Roy has been working solely as a driving instructor/assessor, going out to a variety of companies and industries to help ensure drivers are safe and aware. Roy has been with us here at 2 Start since the opening of the Reading branch and soon settled into the depot with his team. Roy is also one of 2 Starts most recently qualified ITSSAR accredited Plant Machinery Instructor/Examiners and now works regularly with Joe and Jane to provide the highest quality training. If you come to the depot; Roy is one of the most likely faces you’ll meet, a friendly and welcoming guy with a brilliant approach to students. Roy also teaches the Module 2 and Module 4 CPC; as well as being in training to teach the Period CPC – Drivers Essentials. (Drivers hours and tachographs)
When Roy isn’t taking in the scenery from the cab; he loves to go fishing. (and is quite the expert) – Roy, with Joe, is a keen motorcyclist; and often flaunts (parks) his Hayabusa nearby. Spending time with his family is one of Roys’ main past times… and we’re really sure you’ll love him when you meet him!
Our Reading Depot is home to our very own Nicky, fun and bubbly, and with years of experience too – we think you’ll like her very much.
Nicky started her time in transport as a trainee bus driver in Brighton & Hove where she then became a fully qualified bus driver and served the local routes for six years, meeting and greeting the locals with a smile. Nicky then decided to broaden her horizons and moved over to coaches for both National and International, short and long haul journeys (chasing the sun) as far as Italy and everything in between. She continued with Coaches for four years before deciding to transfer to goods vehicles, quickly qualifying for her C (Rigid) and C+E (Articulated) licences. In the next few years Nicky found herself in a multitude of exciting roles whilst working as an agency driver; from Multi-drop to refrigerated, curtain-siders to flatbeds she’s done it all. But Nicky decided that she wanted to mix things up a bit and took a full time role with concrete mixers for the next few years.
But Nicky had always wanted to become an Instructor right from when she first started as a trainee Bus driver – Now was the time, and she joined the team at 2 Start in 2014. Nicky now teaches on all of our road going vehicles, is a fully qualified Instructor on the National Register of LGV Instructors, qualified for the carriage of Dangerous Goods, as well as recently qualifying as an ITSSAR Instructor/Examiner for forklifts; who knows what’s next!
Outside the Instructors seat Nicky enjoys a daily swim (750 meters a day, at least!), spending time with her family and having a nice hot curry. So come and meet Nicky, we think she’s great – and we’re sure you’ll agree.
2 Start Training is a well-established driver training organisation, established in November 2008. We have many thousands of satisfied customers, the majority of whom now enjoy a career in the logistics industry.
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