OD News Winter 2019

WINTER 2019/20 

O’D News 

Driving sustainability - Delivering excellence 

New CPC Course - doing it right 

Read more on page 4 

Inside this edition: 

Sir Frank Davies Trophy 

Jacqueline wins prestigious 

MPA award 


Inside Out 

O’Donovan team member Paul 

Neal shares his views 


First day of Spring 

Celebrations of St. Brigid’s day 

throughout the Capital 


0800 731 3332 sales@odonovan.co.uk odonovan.co.uk /OdonovanWasteDisposal @O’DonovanWaste

OdonovanWasteDisposal 

@ODonovanWaste WINTER 2019/20 

Welcome from 

Jacqueline O’Donovan 

2019 was a momentous year in O’Donovan’s history as we celebrated 

our 60th year in business, quite an achievement for us and also a time 

to remember Joe, our Founder and our Dad. 

On social media we shared lots of historical photos from our 60 years 

and had some great comments. We’re extremely proud to have stayed 

true to our roots and still be a family-run business; whilst looking to 

diversify and expand our company at the same time. 

Looking to 2020, it will be interesting to see how Brexit will impact 

our industries, now we’ve finally passed the January deadline. There 

is still so much uncertainty. 

On a more positive note, it was great to see one of our team members 

Paul, picking up an award at the end of 2019 and very well deserved. More on his success is 

opposite. Recently we’ve launched another new CPC course for our drivers, this time focussing on 

professionalism and customer service - find out more on page 4. 

As always keep an eye on our social media accounts to see what we’re doing. 

Jacqueline O’Donovan 

Managing Director 

Make It Your Business 

Recently Jacqueline was asked to speak at an event designed to encourage women into starting 

their own businesses. The Make It Your Business events and meet ups are run round the country 

throughout the year and take the form 

of informal seminars, where established 

female entrepreneurs share their 

stories and secrets. 

Jacqueline joined a panel of 

other business leaders to discuss 

entrepreneurship, the challenges faced 

by women in business. 

>2 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was 

also guest speaker at the event and 

he shared the government’s drive to 

facilitate another 600,000 female 

entrepreneurs and the economic 

potential of our country. 



/OdonovanWasteDisposal 

@ODonovanWaste 

Our own Paul Neal wins Future Fleet Award 

Paul Neal, our Logistics Supervisor and 

HGV Driver won the prestigious Driver of 

the Year award in January at the Future 

Fleet Awards that took place at London’s 

Guildhall. 

The awards ceremony followed on 

from the LAPV Future Fleet Forum 

event, hosted by The City of London 

and saw fleet and transport managers 

from the public sector and contracting 

organisations come together to address 

key challenges faced by the industry. 

The awards recognise the most 

innovative strategic, safety, and 

sustainable initiatives in the UK fleet 

management sector. The categories 

are judged by an expert panel with 

extensive knowledge and expertise in 

fleet management. Paul was chosen for 

being an exemplar role model of safety 

and best practice and for demonstrating a level integrity and customer care that was second to 

none; as well as for his dedication to working in the community to share his road safety knowledge. 

Paul has worked at O’Donovan Waste for 22 years and is a full time HGV driver as well as being our 

logistics supervisor. He helps train and provide ongoing guidance to our drivers and new starters, 

ensuring all staff are confident and prepared to operate to the highest standard possible. 

Paul is also heavily involved in our community work where he helps to promote road safety 

best practice and shares his knowledge with other road users through our educational safety 

programmes. These sessions include taking lorries to community events and local schools, 

providing access to the cab so that participants can experience the view from the lorry, particularly 

to help children be more aware and safety conscious when walking or cycling. 

Jacqueline commented: “Paul is an excellent ambassador for our company as well as for the driving 

profession. He is hard-working, dedicated and always happy to get involved in our road safety and 

training initiatives. He is a hugely valued colleague and member of our team and we are delighted 

that he has been recognised with this award.” 

“I am absolutely delighted – professional driving standards have changed so much for 

the better in recent years and it is no longer about just sitting in a vehicle and getting 

from A to B. I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all HGV drivers working to make 

a difference and raise the bar in our profession. Another aspect that I love being involved 

with is the community events and having the chance to help kids understand and learn 

about road safety and sharing the road is very rewarding.” Paul Neal 

>3 




New CPC course - Doing it right 

Our very latest Driver CPC course has recently been developed and designed for our drivers and 

follows the Moral, Economic and Legal (MEL) theme. Delivered in one day, this brand new training 

module is aimed at all our drivers to help them: 

• Maintain professionalism to safeguard our image 

and reputation 

• Deliver first-class customer service and manage 

our customers’ expectations 

• Continue to reduce road risk, improve safety and 

reduce costs 

• Communicate the importance of compliance 

with the law, our company policy and operating 

standards 

The course is divided into four sections: 

• You’re in the News which covers who O’Donovan 

Waste is, how our business has grown and how 

our drivers represent O’Donovan every day when 

they’re on the road 

• Customer Service includes our drivers as our 

ambassadors, who our clients are and how to 

deliver great customer service 

• Insurance and Risk looks at how our drivers can 

help reduce road risk, how we’re at the forefront 

of high vision cab use and education 

• Operational Compliance makes sure our drivers 

understand the importance of our licence to 

operate, the laws which govern our business 

and how we make sure we work at the highest 

standards 

>4 



Mineral Products Association Sir Frank Davies 

trophy awarded to O’Donovan Waste 

At one of the MPA’s most important events of the year, their 

annual conference and awards, we were honoured to be 

awarded the prestigious Sir Frank Davies trophy. 

This respected accolade is awarded to a company judged to 

keep safety at the top of its agenda and that has the best safety 

performance through continuous progression. 

On collecting the award, Jacqueline commented: “We work 

hard to ensure that health and safety is not only a top priority 

at O’Donovan, but it is second nature to the team in every 

operation we carry out. We never stop learning and work with 

our stakeholders, from clients to our insurance company Direct 

Insurance, who have been an integral part of our success and 

assist us in implementing innovative change and share our 

vision on all round safer working practices”. 

Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: “The judges felt O’Donovan Waste had sustained 

their health and safety performance year-on-year, transferring health and safety from a mere 

priority to a true value”. 

Growing Business Awards 

Established in 1998 the Growing Business Awards give 

recognition to exceptional growing businesses. Jacqueline 

won the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year award at a gala 

event at the Tower of London. 

Jacqueline was selected by the judges for her outstanding 

positive leadership, coupled with a strong track record 

of commercial success and driving a positive agenda for 

best practice and change in her sector; whilst demonstrating her commitment to the community 

through her charitable activities. 

The Growing Business Awards judges commented: “Jacqueline is a unique individual who is a real 

influencer in her sector. She is a passionate investor in people and is building sustainable business 

growth with clarity on value over price”. 

Mentor of the Year 



Jacqueline added another trophy to the cabinet at the end of last year, having been awarded the 

Forward Ladies Award for Mentor of the Year. 

Forward Ladies CEO Griselda Togobo said: “Jacqueline is a genuine inspiration and role-model for 

women. An undisputed leader and ‘disruptor’ in a male-dominated industry, Jacqueline is one of 

the waste and construction sectors’ most influential trailblazers – passionately advocating for 

road-safety and best-practice, she has championed improved standards, resulting in a safer and 

more responsible sector.” 

>5 




Celebrating the first day of Spring 

1st February marks the first day of spring, known as 

Imbolc or the Feast of Brigid, it celebrates the signs of 

Spring. In celebration of St. Brigid’s day there was lots 

going on in the Capital. The launch of the St Brigit’s 

celebrations was held at the Embassy celebrating female 

creativity. The London Irish Centre celebrated with a very 

special night of musical and spoken word performances 

featuring some of Ireland’s most talented female 

performers and at the Irish Cultural Centre the London 

Lasses and the Friel Sisters were joined by special guests 

Máiréad Ni Mhoanaigh and Nia Byrne for an evening for 

craic agus ceol! Some images of the celebrations are below: 

WISH Steering Group 

In January, Jacqueline, as a 

member of the Waste Industry 

Safety and Health (WISH) 

SME Steering Group, took 

part in a working group that 

communicates and consults 

with stakeholders to identify 

and promote activities that 

can improve industry health 

and safety performance. 

Institute of Couriers 

We went along to the Institute 

of Couriers Heads of Industry 

round table in February, looking 

at a range of subjects with 

presentations from Transport 

for London, the City of London 

and the Department for 

Transport. 

>6 




Inside Out: Paul Neal, Logistics 

Supervisor, O’Donovan Waste 


Paul has worked at O’Donovan since 1998 and is a full time HGV driver 

as well as our logistics supervisor. Having had a distinguished career 

in the military and an impeccable driving history, Paul is one of the 

longest serving members of the O’Donovan team. With a wealth of 

experience in the construction waste industry and in HGV driving, 

Paul is totally committed to best practice and raising the profile of 

the profession of HGV driving. He has a passion for road safety and 

sharing his knowledge and is actively involved in community events 

to raise awareness and make the roads safer for all. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your profession? 

Surprisingly there’s a lot to enjoy about the waste industry. 

I genuinely like coming to work every day and being part of a 

productive team. Every day we meet obstacles and challenges, 

but it’s how we successfully overcome them that defines how 

good we are together. I also enjoy challenging pre-conceived 

ideas of lorry drivers, we are professionals and we need to get 

away from the monosyllabic, full English fry up, troglodyte 

image that is bestowed upon us. 

Q: What would be your priority activity if you were the invisible 

man for the day? 

I would sit in on TfL (Transport for London) Town Planning 

meetings, just to see if they are all held in a pub after closing 

time. 

Q: Who is the person that has influenced you the most? 

Not one person but two. My closest friends that I have been 

joined at the hip with since I was 13 years old (40 years). One 

is super-intelligent, a lawyer, and a font of all knowledge and 

wisdom. The other is a student of the world, having travelled 

extensively and lived with many different cultures. Together, 

they have probably influenced who I am more than anyone 

else. 

Q: What’s the unending quest that drives you on? 

My children’s future. My son (17) is as bright as a button and I 

do not want to see that wasted. I would like my daughter (12) 

to realise how strong and independent she can be. 

Q: What piece of wisdom would you pass on to a child? 

It doesn’t matter what you end up doing as a career or job but 

do it to your best ability. If you become very good at it you 

will enjoy it even more. Failing that, listen to Baz Luhrmann’s 

‘Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)’ if you have not heard it, 

please give it a go. 

Q: What’s your biggest vice? 

Chocolate, in particular Cadburys. I think it reminds me of being 

a child again. 

Q: What’s been your biggest disappointment? 

Selling my flat in Stoke Newington and not keeping it to rent 

out. 

Q: How would you spend your fantasy 24 hours with no travel 

restrictions? 

Such a difficult question. I can’t think of anywhere I would like 

to go and spend such a short amount of time. When I go away, 

I like to assimilate myself into the local area and culture and 

really get to know somewhere. But here goes... We wake up 

at my friends house in San José, Cabo de Gata. After a swim in 

the sea, breakfast would be in Madrid. I lived here for a short 

while and love the city. The Spanish are not big on breakfast 

so anywhere near Puerto del Sol or Plaza Mayor will suffice, 

then on to The Prado museum to marvel at Goya, El Greco 

and Velázquez. If we have time we will pop our heads into the 

Reina Sofia museum to see Picasso’s Guernica. We leave Madrid 

for San Sebastian on the north coast and sit down for a late 

lunch at Akelarre overlooking the Bay of Biscay. On the way 

down south again we stop in at the Marqués de Riscal winery 

in the Rioja region of Spain. Sitting on the terrace we admire 

architect Frank Gehry’s gravity defying boutique hotel. I think 

it is time for a siesta, after all that wine. We awake in Paris, 

of course, if this city doesn’t move you, then nothing will! Le 

Relais De L’Entrecôte in Montparnasse is a restaurant where 

all they serve is steak and chips but it is so good. The queue is 

very long to get in. Our last stop is La Feria de Almeria, the best 

summer party ever. We drink fino vino all night and try to dance 

Sevillana with the locals. We usually leave here at 7 or 8 in the 

morning. 

Q: What’s the most fun you’ve had at work? 

Many years ago now, we were on the same two-way radio 

network as the tipper drivers and we would laugh all day. It 

was easy to impersonate the controller at the time and other 

drivers so you could send people wherever you wanted. We 

would make fun of each other and wind each other up all day. It 

was such a good laugh, of course you probably had to be there 

for it to make any sense. I think I would have paid to come to 

work then. 

Q: What’s been your greatest business challenge? 

Convincing my wife that I was a good proposition. 

Q: Is there one thing you avoid doing at all costs? 

Yes, despite my fondness for restaurants, unfortunately I have 

no interest in cooking whatsoever! 

>7 


Road Safety Week 

To kick off Brake’s Road Safety 

Week we headed back to 

school, visiting the children of 

St Martin of Porres Primary to 

help with their learning about 

road safety awareness. We 

had a great time showing them 

around one of our lorries, the 

children were so engaged and 

eager to learn. 

Breast cancer awareness 

On Wear It Pink day in October we decked out our 

lorries in pink ribbons to show our support and 

raise awareness for breast cancer. 

Remembrance Day 

In November as every year, our lorries 

were wearing their poppies to remember 

the British and Irish who fought for our 

freedom in the World Wars. 

>Email 

sales@odonovan.co.uk 

>Call 

0800 731 3332 

>Twitter 


> Find us on Facebook 


>Web 

odonovan.co.uk

OD News Winter 2019

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