1. Preston Depot T: 01772 278040
Unit 21/22 Roman Way Ind. Est. F: 01772 693619
Roman Way, Preston PR2 5BB www.city-link.com
30th
December 2014
FAO: To whom it may concern:
Subject: Reference Gavin Westworth
I have worked with Gavin for just over 2 years, as his Depot Manager. Gavin was a quiet
unassuming warehouse operative on the nightshift. Following a number of failed attempts to
find anyone capable of the challenging role of routing approximately 8000 items daily to the
correct routes, taking into account weight limits, volume, delivery time constraints,
productivity levels and driver ability, Gavin self elected to trial out for this role and took to it
like a duck to water.
Gavin can analyse large amounts of information and decisively produced a plan that led to the
successful turn around at Preston City Link which saw the depot improve in a 12 month time
frame, from being one of the businesses worst performing units in terms of service delivery, to
top 4 in the country, out of 54 depots.
He clearly has an ability to grasp new situations quickly as he absorbed the responsibility with
ease yet he greatly underestimates his own abilities.
Gavin has the respect of all of his colleagues, the early shift management team, appreciated
the positive impact of his decision making and planning skills.
Gavin is cost focused and reduced the number of routes in accordance with volume levels.
Initially drivers would challenge Gavin for the excess parcels that they were routed, stating
that it was too much. Gavin was steadfast and uncompromising when he new the round was
achievable. Eventually drivers began to respect his work plan and ceased challenging him,
which led to very high driver productivity levels and low cost, at Preston depot.
As well as ‘routing’, Gavin was promoted to Supervisor and became responsible for all
supervisory aspects of the nightshift sortation operation. He was responsible for a team of
employed staff members and used agency staff when volume dictated. This required him to
understand all aspects of people management, such as return to work interviews, conduct
breaches, drug and alcohol testing, staff searches. Gavin is effective at all aspects of
compliance requirements which he completed religiously.
Gavin is dependable, flexible, trustworthy, quick to learn, hard working, tolerant, extremely
knowledgeable and assumes leadership. All of which led to, during our most critical period of
Christmas 2014, Gavin was temporarily promoted to the role of Nightshift Manager.
Gavin was an asset to my management team and will be to any team that has the good fortune
of working with him. I would vouch for his employment without hesitation.
Victoria Armstrong
Depot Manager
City Link Preston
