Pathways: Charlene Beaney, delivery driver for food wholesaler KFF

I was quite young when I started at the hospital and, as I grew up, I started to find the prospect of working in an environment where I was able to interact with customers and generally have fun working with a team of like-minded individuals much more appealing than cleaning.

What was your first job in hospitality?

My first experience of the hospitality sector was aged 17 when I went to work at the local AMF bowling alley. It was great fun, and really varied work – I did everything from cooking to working on the lanes and then behind the bar once I was old enough.

How did you make the transition into a job in hospitality?

While I was working at the hospital people I knew who worked at AMF started to say, "Come and join us, you will have a lot more fun". I think it just appealed to my young mind.

Who was your first mentor/role model in hospitality?

I guess my first role model was Gordon Ramsay – he is amazing! As soon as I tasted his food it was heaven, and I have never tasted anything like it since. In the world of driving, it would be Lisa Kelly, a US truck driver famous for the Ice Road Trucker series on TV.

How did you decide on your career direction? Were there any influences, influencers or experiences that encouraged you?

Believe it or not, I only passed my driving test in 2016. I wasn't a ‘car girl' up to that point, it was only when I got my first car that I really fell in love with driving.

I asked a friend, who worked as a picker in the warehouse at KFF, whether they had any vacancies and he said they only had van jobs. I said: "Brilliant, set me up with an interview".

At the interview I was told that it was a male team of 60 drivers, to which I replied: "You aren't going to treat me any differently to the others, so it doesn't bother me!"

Have you embarked on any additional personal career development that has supported your progression?

I am working on my Class 2 HGV driver training and have just passed my theory test. Covid was the catalyst for this. We are all aware of the shortage of HGV drivers and I wanted to give myself a skill or qualification that is sought after, while doing something that I genuinely love.

What are the biggest challenges you've faced?

Believe it or not, being a woman. In my early career women were definitely expected to do more than men at the places where I worked. I am delighted to say that this is not the case at KFF, they are very respectful and have supported me 100% in my quest to achieve Class 2 status.

What could be done to attract more woman?

Although things have got better there is still an outdated view in society that women should raise children and do the cooking. That said, I think it's also the case that women need to have more faith in their own abilities. Don't think you can't do it! Look at me. I thought I couldn't do it and here I am driving a 3.5 tonne truck, doing my Class 2 and leaving all the guys behind!

Do you have any regrets/things you wish you'd done differently?

I wish I had done HGV 2 sooner. I am really looking forward to it.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

Be strong, be independent, and be mindful of what you say and do around others.

What are your future career goals?

Car transporting! That's where I want to be. Lorries and cars, what could be better?