Welcome to Driven By Excellence, your trusted place for all things logistics and road safety from PDT Fleet Training. Each month, join host Hattie Hlad as she interviews experts on a wide range of topics within the logistics field.
Driving the Verdict: Inside a Fatal Collision Mock Trial
Is your company truly prepared for the aftermath of a fatal road collision?
In this special episode of Driven by Excellence, host Samantha Leleu welcomes barrister Charlotte Le Maire to introduce a powerful new event, "Driving The Verdict." This immersive mock trial places a company's driver risk policies on trial in a real courtroom setting.
With recent reports highlighting that the UK's active HGV driver workforce has fallen by 1.9% in the last year, leading to increased pressure and potential inexperience, the conversation around fleet safety has never been more critical. Samantha and Charlotte discuss the shocking reality that even well-intentioned companies can fall short in court if their policies aren't properly implemented and evidenced. They explore the dangerous misconception that standard fleet insurance provides sufficient protection and reveal why being proactive and outsourcing to experts is the only way to genuinely mitigate risk.
This episode is a wake-up call for anyone responsible for drivers, from fleet managers to company directors.
(00:00) - Welcome to Driven by Excellence
(01:04) - Introducing 'Driving The Verdict'
(02:15) - Proactive Risk Management
(04:14) - The Reality of Compliance
(05:49) - The Importance of Evidence and Documentation
(12:48) - Event Experience: Immersive Mock Trial
(15:20) - Biggest Mistakes in Driver Safety
(16:45) - Challenges in the Logistics Industry
(19:07) - Who Should Attend the Event
(23:05) - Join Us for Driving The Verdict
Charlotte Le Maire: Charlotte is a specialist criminal and regulatory lawyer and barrister and the Founder and Partner of LMP Legal. She is nationally recognised as a leader in the field of fleet risk and provides critical advice to companies in the immediate aftermath of a serious or fatal incident. Charlotte has a formidable reputation for standing up to prosecuting authorities and frequently appears in all criminal courts to represent corporate bodies and individuals.
Samantha Leleu: Samantha is the Director of PDT Fleet Training Solutions and has over two decades of experience in the logistics, transport, and skills development sectors. She has built PDT into the UK's largest provider of driver fleet and classroom training and was recently appointed Chair of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) Logistics and Transport Sector Forum, a key strategic role focused on shaping national skills policy.
PDT Fleet Training Solutions: Founded in 2009, PDT Fleet Training Solutions delivers quality driver training services throughout the UK to enhance Driver skills, Driver behaviours and improve on-road safety. Driving is one of the most dangerous work-related activities in the country, with accidents occurring week in, week out on our roads. PDT Fleet Training Solutions offer a preventative and proactive approach with their wide range of courses. (https://www.pertempsdrivertraining.co.uk/training-and-services/)
Learn more about PDT Fleet Training Solution (https://www.pdtfleettrainingsolutions.co.uk/)
30 Apr 2025
Driving Change with Andrew Drewary: Building Safer Fleets Through Education
What if the biggest risk your business faces is something your team does every day without thinking?
In this episode of Driven by Excellence, host Hattie Hlad sits down with leading road safety expert Andrew Drewary to uncover why driving remains one of the most dangerous daily activities—and what organisations can do to minimise risk.
With over 40,000 road traffic investigations under his belt, Andrew shares real-world insights into the cost of collisions, the myths around driver culpability, and the leadership changes needed to embed a strong safety culture.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how proactive risk management, inclusive training strategies, and management accountability can significantly reduce fleet incidents. From the dangers of untreated medical conditions to the rise in post-lockdown drink and drug driving offences, Andrew outlines the critical issues every fleet operator and business leader needs to confront.
Whether you're in logistics, fleet management, or workplace safety, this conversation offers essential takeaways to future-proof your organisation and protect lives on the road.
(00:00) - Driving Change with Andrew Drewary: Building Safer Fleets Through Education
(00:18) - Meet Andrew Drewary: Road Safety Expert
(00:58) - Andrew's Journey into Road Safety
(01:44) - The Importance of Road Safety Awareness
(03:02) - Proactive Risk Management in Road Safety
(04:39) - Building a Safety Culture in Organizations
(06:09) - The Role of Management in Road Safety
(09:04) - Success Stories: Transforming Fleet Safety
(12:06) - Addressing Driver Health and Wellbeing
(17:48) - Continuous Improvement in Road Safety
(20:22) - Future Projects and Goals
(21:31) - Conclusion and Contact Information
Andrew Drewary: A multi-award-winning road safety specialist with over two decades of experience and 40,000+ traffic incident investigations, Andrew is known for transforming fleet safety cultures and helping businesses reduce road risk through tailored strategies and education.
Hattie Hlad: Hattie works for PDT fleet training as the coordinator of LGV advanced training, an investment for the next generation of drivers, funded by Pertemps Driver Division. Hattie made the move from fashion to the logistics training sector in early 2022. She jumped at the opportunity to become the host of Driven by Excellence to give her the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's best! Plus, she loves to chat… her friends often describe her conversations as ‘Chats with Hat’s’!
PDT Fleet Training Solutions: Founded in 2009, PDT Fleet Training Solutions delivers quality driver training services throughout the UK to enhance Driver skills, Driver behaviours and improve on-road safety. Driving is one of the most dangerous work-related activities in the country, with accidents occurring week in, week out on our roads. PDT Fleet Training Solutions offer a preventative and proactive approach with their wide range of courses. (https://www.pertempsdrivertraining.co.uk/training-and-services/)
Learn more about PDT Fleet Training Solution (https://www.pdtfleettrainingsolutions.co.uk/)
26 Mar 2025
Leading From the Front with Samantha Leleu
What does it take to build a thriving business in the logistics training sector while fostering a strong company culture?
In this episode of Driven by Excellence, host Hattie Hlad sits down with Samantha Leleu, Director of PDT Fleet Training Solutions and Pertemps Southwest. Sam shares her incredible journey from recruitment to leading one of the UK’s most recognised fleet training organisations. They discuss the challenges of starting a business from scratch, the importance of agility in the logistics sector, and how leadership and loyalty play a crucial role in business growth.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a fleet manager, or someone looking to understand the future of driver training, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
(00:00) - Leading From the Front with Samantha Leleu
(00:42) - Meet Samantha Leleu: A Journey of Leadership
(01:35) - Early Career and Recruitment Insights
(02:50) - Founding PDT Fleet Training Solutions
(05:36) - Challenges in the Early Years
(06:25) - Navigating the Pandemic
(07:48) - Balancing Multiple Roles
(09:05) - Building a Loyal and Motivated Team
(12:25) - Current Challenges in the Logistics Sector
(17:35) - The Importance of Agency Drivers
(26:44) - The Role of Culture in Safety
Samantha Leleu: Director of PDT Fleet Training Solutions and a leading figure in the logistics and driver training industry. With a career that began in recruitment, Sam identified a gap in the market for professional driver training and transformed PDT into the largest supplier of fleet and classroom training in the UK. She also serves as Director for Pertemps across the Southwest, overseeing workforce solutions and recruitment. Known for her strong leadership, strategic business growth, and dedication to improving road safety, Sam is passionate about developing talent and shaping the future of the logistics sector.
About the host:
Hattie Hlad works for PDT fleet training as the coordinator of LGV advanced training, an investment for the next generation of drivers, funded by Pertemps Driver Division. Hattie made the move from fashion to the logistics training sector in early 2022. She jumped at the opportunity to become the host of Driven by Excellence to give her the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's best! Plus, she loves to chat… her friends often describe her conversations as ‘Chats with Hat’s’!
PDT Fleet Training Solutions:
Founded in 2009, PDT Fleet Training Solutions delivers quality driver training services throughout the UK to enhance Driver skills, Driver behaviours and improve on-road safety. Driving is one of the most dangerous work-related activities in the country, with accidents occurring week in, week out on our roads. PDT Fleet Training Solutions offer a preventative and proactive approach with their wide range of courses. (https://www.pertempsdrivertraining.co.uk/training-and-services/)
Learn more about PDT Fleet Training Solution (https://www.pdtfleettrainingsolutions.co.uk/)
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