Yorkshire’s largest independently owned vehicle-hire firm is celebrating national Pension Awareness Day by shining a spotlight on its older workforce.
Arrow Self Drive which formed in 1988 employs several 60+ year olds, advising that these team members are often the most punctual, reliable, happy and confident to talk to customers.
Teaming up with neighbouring Yorkshire-based firm Pension Geeks behind the national Pension Awareness Day campaign on 15th September to ‘change the way people think about pensions’, Arrow Self Drive wants to support a change in the way businesses think about employing those of pension age.
Founded by Robert Hill and Chris Taylor in 1988, Arrow Self Drive is the largest independently owned car, van, minibus and truck rental company in Yorkshire. With eight depots based around the region, the firm employs more than 80 local people.
One of Arrow Self Drive’s team members is 72-year-old Ian Taylor, who joined the company in 2015. Affectionately known as ‘Laughing Larry’ due to his upbeat, positive and jovial personality, Ian has worked part time as a rental assistant in Arrow’s Wakefield and Barnsley depots.
Ian has worked in many roles throughout his career, building skills and knowledge in the car, insurance and mortgage industries. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer, Ian has always enjoyed working and when he retired in 2011, aged 65, found that he quickly became frustrated and tired of playing golf every day. After only three months of retirement, Ian found a job in merchandising for Coca-Cola before joining to us where his many years’ experience is invaluable to our vehicle hire firm.
Similarly, 71-year-old driver for Arrow Self Drive, Mick Foster provides the company with a wealth of knowledge in business development. Mick has worked at the firm since its inception more than 30-years ago.
Managing director, James Hill says:
“Mick was a great inspiration to me when I began working in our sales department at 23 years old. I learnt a lot from Mick including how to take a disciplined approach towards work; he also taught me how to effectively manage my time, other people and how to prioritise and delegate and he remains a trusted and reliable colleague.
“It’s clear that businesses can find dependable employees in older generations. Their unique skills and values can have potential cost savings for a company, making their overall contribution to a company extremely positive.”
Jonathan Bland, Head Geek at Pension Geeks, said:
“We are living in an ageing society, so it’s vital that people can work for as long as they need and for as long as they want to. Having a diverse and inclusive workforce can bring so many benefits to businesses and in fact, research has shown multi-generational workplaces to be more productive than those that are not, so it’s so important that we spread this message far and wide.
I think it’s fantastic that firms like Arrow Self Drive recognise the importance of this and are championing their older workers.”
