Roadway – The Podcast

In this episode of Roadway, host Richard Smith explores one of the biggest challenges facing the transport and logistics sector today — how operators can secure the right finance to build resilience, support growth and prepare for the future.
With rising costs, margin pressures and increasing investment demands, access to the right funding has never been more important. From managing cash flow to funding expansion and new technology, finance is now a critical driver of business success across the sector.
Richard is joined by Callum Bull to share expert insights into how transport businesses can navigate today’s financial landscape and position themselves for long-term success.
The conversation explores:
The financial pressures currently impacting operatorsWhat lenders are really looking for todayHow to improve access to financeWorking capital solutions to support stabilityFunding growth through acquisitionThe financial realities of transitioning to net zero fleets
This episode highlights why finance is not just about reacting to challenges — it’s about enabling opportunity, driving growth and building a more sustainable future for the transport sector.
Listen to discover how the right financial strategy can help your business stay competitive and move forward with confidence.
https://www.rha.uk.net/
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway, host Richard Smith is joined by Liam Chatfield from RHA Insurance to explore the changing insurance landscape facing road transport and logistics operators.
With rising operational costs, increasing claims values, vehicle theft, and the transition towards electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles, insurance is becoming more than just a compliance necessity — it is a vital part of protecting business continuity and long-term resilience.
Richard and Liam discuss the key risks affecting operators today, why specialist sector knowledge matters when arranging cover, and how businesses can take practical steps to reduce risk and future-proof their fleets.
This episode provides valuable insight for fleet operators, transport managers, and logistics businesses looking to better understand how insurance can support safer, stronger, and more resilient operations.
Topics covered include:• The current insurance risk landscape• Rising premiums and claims trends• The importance of specialist transport insurance• Future considerations for electric and alternatively fuelled vehicles• Practical risk management advice for operators
Listen now to stay informed on the issues shaping the future of road transport.
 
 https://www.rha.uk.net/
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith speaks with Hannah Harper, HR Advisor at RHA, about the importance of culture, leadership, and putting people at the heart of a modern transport organisation. The discussion explores how a strong organisational culture supports both employees and members, and how leadership continues to evolve in a fast-moving and operationally focused sector.
The conversation also highlights the challenges of attracting and retaining talent, supporting employee wellbeing, and ensuring organisations remain relevant as workforce expectations and industry pressures continue to change. Hannah also shares insights on employee engagement, learning and development, and building a resilient workforce for the future.
This episode offers practical insight into the people strategies that help organisations support their teams while continuing to deliver for the wider transport sector.
Key Themes
- Organisational culture and leadership- Workforce attraction and retention- Employee wellbeing and engagement- Future skills and people development
https://www.rha.uk.net/
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith speaks with Carl Hughes, Managing Director of Hughes Driver Training, about the future of HGV driver training and the workforce challenges facing the logistics sector.
The discussion explores the ongoing driver shortage, barriers preventing new entrants from joining the industry, and the importance of creating clear and accessible career pathways into transport and logistics. Carl also shares his perspective on funded learning, government bootcamps, DVSA testing capacity, and the operational pressures currently facing training providers.
Richard and Carl also discuss the realities of leading a long-established family business within a changing industry, including succession planning, investing in people, and maintaining standards across more than 35 years of operation.
This episode provides practical insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of driver training, workforce development, and long-term industry sustainability.
Key Themes
HGV driver shortages
Workforce attraction and retention
Funded learning and training pathways
DVSA testing capacity and delays
Family businesses within logistics
Future workforce sustainability
https://www.rha.uk.net/
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by Andy Miles, Master of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, Allison Kemp, Senior Warden and member of the Administration Committee, and Vincent Digman, Junior Warden and Business Performance & Transport Group Manager at the City of London, to discuss the heritage, relevance and future of one of the City of London’s historic Livery Companies.
The conversation explores the long history of the Worshipful Company of Carmen and its deep-rooted connection to the transport and logistics sector, from the movement of goods by horse-drawn carts through to the modern logistics industry of today.
Richard and the guests discuss how the Company continues to support professional development, leadership, engagement across the sector, and the next generation entering transport and logistics. The discussion also explores how historic organisations can remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry shaped by technology, decarbonisation, workforce challenges and evolving expectations.
The episode also provides personal reflections from the guests on leadership, heritage, and the importance of maintaining strong professional communities within the transport sector.
This episode offers a fascinating insight into the role the Worshipful Company of Carmen continues to play in connecting the history of transport with its future.
Key Themes
The Worshipful Company of Carmen
Heritage and history within transport
Leadership and professional development
Supporting the next generation
The future of transport and logistics
Industry engagement and collaboration
https://www.rha.uk.net/
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by Paul Sanders from Allports APN to discuss the key pressures facing UK road transport and logistics operators and what can be done to support the sector through a period of significant change.
The conversation explores the impact of rising fuel costs, economic uncertainty and global instability on transport businesses, examining how operators are managing increasing costs, tighter margins and ongoing volatility across supply chains.
Richard and Paul also discuss the importance of Government policy in supporting the industry, including fuel duty, payment terms and the measures needed to help operators remain competitive and financially resilient.
The episode looks at the ongoing workforce challenges facing the sector, the role of the National Logistics Careers Partnership, and how the industry can attract, develop and retain the next generation of transport professionals.
The discussion also focuses on decarbonisation, exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with zero-emission vehicles, depot infrastructure investment and the practical realities of transitioning fleets while maintaining operational efficiency.
This episode provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing UK operators and highlights the importance of collaboration between industry, Government and stakeholders to secure a sustainable future for road transport and logistics.
Key Themes
Rising costs and economic pressures
Fuel prices and Government policy
Cashflow and payment terms
Workforce and driver shortages
Decarbonisation and fleet transition
Industry collaboration and resilience
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

The End of Reactive Vehicle Safety: The Role of AI
In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by Peter Squire and James Ashford from Brigade Electronics to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming vehicle safety and helping operators move from reacting to incidents to preventing them before they happen.
The conversation examines how vehicle safety technology has evolved, from traditional recording systems to intelligent AI-powered solutions that can identify risks in real time, improve driver awareness and protect vulnerable road users. Richard, Peter and James discuss how innovations such as AI-enabled radar systems and smart cameras are changing the way fleets approach road safety.
The episode also explores the impact of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and how AI is supporting compliance through predictive technologies that reduce false alerts, detect cyclists and pedestrians, and provide drivers with timely warnings to help prevent collisions.
Richard and his guests discuss the next generation of AI-powered safety systems, including driver monitoring, fatigue detection, distraction and mobile phone recognition, and how these technologies are helping operators improve both driver behaviour and overall fleet safety. The conversation also considers what the future holds for AI, regulation and the increasing use of connected technologies across the transport sector.
This episode provides valuable insight into how artificial intelligence is reshaping road safety and why proactive technology will play an increasingly important role in protecting drivers, operators and vulnerable road users alike.
Key Themes
Artificial intelligence in vehicle safety
Proactive vs reactive safety systems
Direct Vision Standard (DVS)
AI cameras and intelligent radar technology
Driver monitoring and fatigue detection
The future of fleet safety and regulation
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by Jim French and Kelly Taylor to discuss the RHA Benevolent Fund and the vital role it plays in supporting people across the road transport and logistics industry.
The conversation explores what the Benevolent Fund is, why it was established and who it is designed to support, highlighting the importance of looking after the people who keep our industry moving during times of hardship and unexpected challenges.
Richard, Jim and Kelly also discuss who can access support from the Fund, the types of circumstances it can help with and some of the common misconceptions around eligibility and applying for assistance.
The episode looks at how the Benevolent Fund works in practice, from the application process through to providing support to individuals and families, as well as the governance and oversight that ensures decisions are made fairly and transparently.
The discussion also focuses on the impact of the Fund and its key initiatives, including the Tooling Kit project, exploring how practical support can make a real difference to people working across the sector.
Looking to the future, Richard, Jim and Kelly discuss how RHA members and the wider industry can support the Benevolent Fund through fundraising, raising awareness and partnership, and why continued industry backing is so important to the Fund's future.
This episode provides valuable insight into the work of the RHA Benevolent Fund and highlights the importance of coming together as an industry to support people when they need it most.
Key Themes
- The RHA Benevolent Fund- Supporting people across the industry- Accessing support and eligibility- The application process- Governance and transparency- Key initiatives and industry impact- Fundraising, awareness and partnership
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by Sebastian Sanders and Stephen Hards to discuss the next generation and the future workforce of the road transport and logistics industry.
The conversation explores how we attract, develop and retain new talent in a sector that is critical to the UK economy, looking at the different routes into the industry and the experiences that shape careers in transport and logistics.
Richard, Sebastian and Stephen also discuss what more the industry can do to attract young people, including the importance of engaging with schools and colleges and showcasing the wide range of career opportunities available across the sector.
The episode looks at the role of apprenticeships and hands-on experience in developing future talent, as well as how employers can create clear career pathways and support the next generation of industry leaders.
The discussion also focuses on challenging outdated misconceptions about careers in transport and logistics, highlighting the diverse roles available beyond driving and how technology, innovation and decarbonisation are changing the industry.
Looking to the future, Richard, Sebastian and Stephen discuss the ongoing challenges around driver recruitment and retention, the barriers facing new entrants, and the opportunities for long-term career progression across the sector.
This episode provides valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation and highlights why attracting, developing and investing in people is essential to building a stronger and more sustainable future for road transport and logistics.
Key Themes
• Attracting the next generation• Careers in road transport and logistics• Apprenticeships and skills development• Breaking industry misconceptions• Driver recruitment and retention• Technology, innovation and decarbonisation• Career progression and the future workforce
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net

In this episode of Roadway – The Podcast, Richard Smith is joined by John Lucy, Richard Bartlett and Alastair Gunn to discuss borders, disruption and the future of UK–EU trade.
The conversation explores the current state of international trade and the operational realities facing freight operators, logistics businesses and supply chains as they navigate increasingly complex border processes and changing customs requirements.
Richard, John, Richard and Alastair also discuss the impact of geopolitical uncertainty and global supply chain disruption, including how changing trade routes, tariffs, documentation requirements and international instability are affecting UK businesses.
The episode looks at the challenges surrounding the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including the Windsor Framework, Red and Green Lanes and the Internal Market Scheme, and what these arrangements mean for operators in practice.
The discussion also focuses on compliance and the practical steps businesses can take to reduce delays, manage risk and build greater resilience into their international operations.
Looking to the future, Richard, John, Richard and Alastair discuss upcoming changes at UK and European borders, including the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), increasing border digitisation and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and what operators should be preparing for.
This episode provides insight into the challenges and opportunities facing international road transport and highlights the importance of resilience, effective border processes and collaboration between government and industry in supporting the future of UK–EU trade.
Key Themes
UK–EU trade and border movements
Supply chain disruption and resilience
Geopolitical uncertainty and global trade
Northern Ireland trade and the Windsor Framework
Red and Green Lanes
Internal Market Scheme (IMS)
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Border digitisation and future regulation
Customs, compliance and risk management
Road Haulage Association (RHA)Contact: marketing@rha.uk.net