Shipping Wars UK cast member and passionate fundraiser from London, Russell Oliver, is the winner of the second ever Trucker of the Year competition by Staveley Head, in partnership with Trucking Magazine.

Following on from the success of last year’s competition where Kara Rouse was crowned the winner, once again the UK public nominated deserving HGV drivers from all over the country to be named as Trucker of the Year.

Now in its second year, the Trucker of the Year competition aimed to celebrate the unique community spirit within the trucking industry and all the hard working truckers, for whom trucking is more a way of life than just a job.

Following over 150 nominations, Staveley Head and Trucking Magazine had the difficult job of choosing 12 worthy finalists throughout October, with the overall winner announced on social media.

Trucker of the Year winner, Russell Oliver was a popular nominee, praised for being a helping hand within the trucking community, raising £23,000 in one week to help repatriate fellow trucker Paul Stanyard, who sadly passed away in Italy earlier this year. He also does plenty of other charity work, most recently raising money for Lincolnshire emergency services.

In a statement on his win Oliver said, “I'm over the moon with winning Trucker of the Year I did what any other old school driver would have done and looked out for an industry colleague, it's how it used to be, my dad taught me manners and respect and I'll pass them down to my children as well.

I'd like to thank everyone who nominated me and would like to send a big thank you out to everyone who donated and left a nice message for Paul Stanyard. I never knew Paul but I'm sure our paths have crossed in Europe at some point.

Like I said I'm blown away with being selected as there were some great nominations, at the end of the day we are all truckers of the year, this year and every year.”

Russell is also known as a cast member of the Channel 4 TV show Shipping Wars UK, where truckers compete to deliver some weird and wonderful loads across the country and further afield. He is also an active fundraiser, raising money for different causes.

Ashley Peters, Managing Director of Staveley Head said, “As providers of HGV insurance we are always looking to celebrate and support the trucking industry. This year’s entries have been brilliant. It has been great to see the sense of community within the industry and getting to know its drivers. We look forward to running the competition again in 2017.”

Oliver wins a Virgin Experience Gift card, a feature in (Trucking Magazine?) and the title of Trucker of The Year 2016.

ENDS

For hi-res images or more information, please contact:

James McManus, Staveley Head on 01244 834 277 or jamesmcmanus@staveleyhead.co.uk

About Trucker of the Year Competition

Inspired by Truck Driver Appreciation Week in the US, insurance broker Staveley Head partnered with Trucking Magazine to launch Trucker of the Year competition in 2015. Now in its second year, during the month of October, the public were asked to nominate deserving truckers to win the accolade of Trucker of the Year via Twitter and Facebook.

About Staveley Head

Established in 1991, Staveley Head has grown to become one of the most respected providers of specialist insurance products and today employs over 90 people, principally in North Wales. Staveley Head Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Staveley Head provides high-quality insurance covering:

• Commercial vehicle insurance
• Business insurance
• Personal vehicle insurance
• Home insurance
• Travel insurance

For more information, please visit: www.staveleyhead.co.uk