Unipart Logistics driver wins Microlise Driver of the Year award

Microlise has announced the winners of its annual Driver of the Year awards at a ceremony in Coventry.

The independently judged awards recognise the exceptional performance and dedication of commercial drivers in the UK.

The rigorous selection process combines advanced analysis of anonymised telematics data, collected from more than 230,000 drivers during the previous 12 months, with qualitative assessments from employers. 

This approach, says Microlise, ensures that the awards highlight outstanding driving performance and acknowledge the invaluable contribution drivers make to the transport industry and the broader economy.

The ‘Overall Driver of the Year’ award was won by Graham Pagett of Unipart Logistics.  

The complexity of his job involving difficult loads which require high levels of skill to achieve his driving scores were integral to his victory. His manager, John Maguire, praised him, saying: “If I had a workforce full of Grahams, I could retire. 

“His work is legally compliant, while his actual paperwork is exemplary as are his electronic versions. He epitomises the modern, professional driver and is the archetypal high performer who never lets an issue pass to the next person, nor perhaps gets the recognition he deserves.”

Microlise Group CEO, Nadeem Raza, said: “We could not have hoped for a better line-up for this year’s Driver of the Year awards. 

“Our nominees are a testament to the tireless work of drivers up and down the country who keep goods and services moving.

“We are proud to support these often-unsung heroes and to shine a light on their vital work. The recognition of their excellence and the reward for their performance is thoroughly justified.” 

The nominations and winners in each of the ten categories are as follows:

Compliant Driver and overall Microlise Driver of the Year 2025: Graham Pagett, Unipart Logistics

Short Distance: Ted McLean, Aldi

Medium Distance: Peter Gunthorpe, Maritime Transport 

Long Distance: Alan Dodds, Schenk UK 

Extra Mile: Stephen Dore, CCF 

Young Driver: Josh Anderson, Bidfood Scotland

Lifetime Achievement: Derek Parry, Wincanton 

Most Improved: Olegs Kovalko, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain 

Driver Hero: Aleksandras Surpickis, Greggs 

Driver Excellence: Tesco