See how Lomas Logistics grew from one van into a trusted courier operation across the UK, powered by Courier Exchange.
Dan Solomon — Updated
After years of working in various fields, including security, hospitality, and even at sea, Jonathan Lomas was ready for a change.
A well-timed advert led him to Courier Exchange, and from there, Jonathan built a business that could keep up with demand, provide excellent service, and grow without the burden of owning an expensive courier fleet.
I wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for Courier Exchange.
Jonathan Lomas, Founder, Lomas Logistics
Today, Jonathan runs Lomas Logistics, a courier business moving goods across the UK from his office in South Yorkshire.
Like many new couriers, Jonathan started by taking subcontracted jobs, including tough delivery routes for Amazon. The long hours and low pay made him look for better opportunities. That’s when he came across a Courier Exchange advert at just the right time.
“Joining CX was incredibly easy,” Jonathan says. Within a week or so he’d landed his first job with Sheffield Speedy Freight— “they’re still a customer to this day.”
At first, it was just Jonathan and his van. As work picked up, he began to expand gradually.
He used Courier Exchange to find reliable courier subcontractors, which allowed him to offer nationwide delivery without needing to own a fleet.
CX helped him find jobs and source owner drivers. By focusing on great service, Jonathan built strong relationships with customers and subcontractors, which helped him grow Lomas Logistics without buying more vans.
“Why would I buy more vans? Vans are expensive and they break down. Instead, I can use other companies’ vehicles and still make a profit.”
Along the way, Jonathan also learned how to run a business from the ground up, gaining valuable insights into accounting, VAT, and the logistics industry.
I learned business from Courier Exchange.
Jonathan Lomas, Founder, Lomas Logistics
“I’d worked in so many other areas before, but there’s a lot you have to learn with accounting software, courier VAT, vehicles, you know.”
“I found it a very, very good way, a doable way, a bite-sized way to start a business, and become savvy with everything that a business requires.”
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Over time, Lomas Logistics evolved—from life on the road to running a growing operation from his office in South Yorkshire. Today, he works with a trusted network of drivers to move goods across the UK on behalf of his own customers.
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Positive reviews
Jonathan now relies on CX daily to find the right driver for every job, no matter where it needs to go.
“Our customers can call us and we can move items from their suppliers to wherever they require it to be delivered… I can do it all from my sofa, I can make it happen at any time,” Jonathan explains.
The fleet manager app gives him complete oversight of operations, while the real-time tracking feature keeps customers in the loop every step of the way.
“The fleet manager app is fantastic because you can just do everything. You can manage all the guys. It’s very user friendly – nothing is complicated.”
Jonathan adds, “you can have a complete national distribution system just from your phone, and that’s been incredibly handy. It’d be impossible to do it any other way.”
Looking ahead, Jonathan has plans to expand Lomas Logistics but emphasises, “I don’t have ginormous global dreams. I just like to be proud of what we do.”
For Jonathan, success on the Exchange is all about seizing opportunities when they arise and growing at his own pace.
“It’s a great place to start, a great place to grow. Courier Exchange is always there, and I found I could grow around it when the time was right for me.”
It’s a great place to start, a great place to grow. Courier Exchange is always there, and I found I could grow around it when the time was right for me.
Jonathan Lomas, Founder, Lomas Logistics
Be your own boss. Set your own hours. Make your own money.
Sign upMike Morton founded Direct Courier Solutions in 2010 with a small warehouse, a fleet of vans, and a loyal base of customers in the northwest of England.
But after parting ways with a business partner, Mike decided to change course and build a courier business powered by technology, not vehicles.
Today, Direct Courier Solutions is a remote-first freight forwarder. They rely on Courier Exchange to find trusted drivers, Trustd to handle compliance checks, and SmartPay to simplify payments. The result? A leaner, more flexible way to operate.
Without the Exchange, where would we be? We’re completely reliant on it now – and it’s worked.
Mike Morton, Founder, Direct Courier Solutions
In the early days, Direct Courier Solutions used Courier Exchange mainly to find return courier loads for their outbound jobs. But as the business grew, so did the need for more flexibility.
Mike gave up the warehouse and fleet, choosing instead to build demand and use verified drivers through the Exchange to deliver. With Trustd managing compliance and driver feedback available on the platform, building a reliable network became easy.
“We’ve got drivers across the UK we’ve built relationships with on the platform. It’s no different to having your own courier fleet – except it’s easier and more scalable,” says Mike.
As operations became more efficient, the next step was simplifying payments. SmartPay removed the hassle of paying drivers individually – replacing dozens of transactions with one simple approval process.
“Rather than making 60, 70, 80, 100 individual payments per month… we can now do it in one click of a button,” says Mike. “SmartPay has transformed what we do.”
For Aimée-Jayne Cavanagh, director at Direct Courier Solutions, it’s made month-end invoicing a breeze.
“I just download a CSV file, adapt it for our courier accounting software, and send it to the bookkeepers. That’s it – five minutes instead of a couple of hours,” she explains.
It’s not just Direct Courier Solutions that benefits from SmartPay – the drivers do too, with faster payments and clearer visibility.
What’s not to like? It’s easier for everyone. If we’re all on SmartPay, the whole thing just works better.
Mike Morton, Founder, Direct Courier Solutions
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After 15 years on Courier Exchange, Direct Courier Solutions has built a business that’s simple to run, easy to scale, and without big overheads.
As a CX member
Positive reviews
By focusing on trusted driver relationships and making the most of the platform, they’ve kept things lean.
“We are now four people working from home, pressing buttons, and our profit margins are much higher than they ever were,” says Mike Morton.
With the full TEG platform – the Exchange, Trustd and SmartPay – they’re prepared for whatever comes their way.
“There is no ceiling,” says Mike. “We can turn over £100,000, £1 million, £5 million – sat at home, pressing buttons, basically.”
For Direct Courier Solutions, the Exchange has been key to their success, says Mike.
“It’s a perfect business model. All we need to do is market ourselves – the Exchange handles the rest.”
We’ve only ever seen the Exchange as a benefit to Direct Courier Solutions. Without it, where would we be? And that says it all really.
Mike Morton, Founder, Direct Courier Solutions
Richard Mountney always wanted to build something of his own.
“The reason we started it was because we wanted to achieve something in life, and it’s always been a goal of mine to have my own business and retire at an early age.”
He founded Hertfordshire Couriers in 2012. Starting small, Richard grew the business into a trusted logistics provider. But as customer demand rose, so did the pressure to stay fast, flexible, and reliable.
To scale up without sacrificing service, Richard turned to the Courier Exchange.
With CX, he could find trusted drivers fast, secure return loads, and take on bigger jobs. It reduced empty miles and boosted profits — all while keeping customers happy.
Today, Hertfordshire Couriers continues to expand its fleet and offer same-day delivery with confidence.
In the early days, Richard managed everything in-house. But as demand increased, it became harder to guarantee collections within the hour.
That’s when CX made the difference.
He joined in 2015 to bring in more flexibility. If his fleet was tied up, he could still cover jobs quickly using the Exchange’s trusted driver network and keep his customers happy.
As the business grew, their use of CX did too. It became a key tool for securing return loads, helping drivers avoid empty runs, and making each journey more profitable.
The Exchange has helped us grow our business definitely with the return loads, more so now than ever, especially with the fuel prices and everything else.
Richard Mountney, Founder, Hertfordshire Couriers
“At first, drivers were reluctant to wait for a return load, but now they understand it,” Richard says. “We’ve educated them on the benefits, and they’re more than happy to stay up there for a couple of hours. If they drop off late, we put them up in a hotel and get them a return load first thing in the morning.”
This approach doesn’t just benefit the drivers — it helps the business offer more competitive pricing too. “Because the drivers are looking for back loads, we can also offer return jobs at a lower cost.”
With CX, Hertfordshire Couriers could also say yes to bigger, last-minute jobs. Access to over 50,000 courier vans, haulage vehicles and specialist vehicles nationwide opened new revenue streams.
Bringing in Operations Manager Luke Hobbs has helped the business stay on top of rising customer demand. Luke supports logistics, warehouse operations, and driver coordination.
“I use CX daily”, says Luke. “If goods need to be picked up and delivered, I can request a driver in minutes without disturbing Richard. It makes warehouse operations much more efficient.”
He also highlights the tech tools CX offers.
“The diary feature is really useful. It keeps everything updated so I don’t need to chase drivers. Customers get instant updates, and PODs are available within minutes of delivery. That makes a huge difference.”
In their 10 years on CX, Hertfordshire Couriers has expanded their fleet, increased profits, and maintained high customer satisfaction.
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Positive reviews
Richard now runs the business with confidence, knowing every job will be handled professionally by CX drivers.
One of their biggest wins came when they successfully transported seabed samples from Norway to the UK for a major fuel company.
Basically, without the CX, I don’t think we could have ever achieved that.
Richard Mountney, Founder, Hertfordshire Couriers
“It was one of them ones where I wasn’t sure how we could do it. But with the help of the Exchange, we managed to get the samples back to the UK within, if I remember rightly, three or four days… our customers were over the moon.”
For 10 years, Richard has relied on CX to grow his business. It’s not just a tool; it’s part of how Hertfordshire Couriers runs.
“CX gives us the confidence to say yes to any job, knowing we have the network to get it covered quickly. It means we can offer a more reliable service, keep our drivers on the road, and grow our business without limits.”
Having started as an owner-driver, Richard’s advice is simple:
CX isn’t just a platform; it’s a way to build a thriving business. Work hard, use the tools available, and take every opportunity to grow.
Richard Mountney, Founder, Hertfordshire Couriers
Be your own boss. Set your own hours. Make your own money.
Sign upIn 2022, Eddy Martinho was delivering for a Lebanese restaurant after a stint as an Uber Eats driver. While the work kept him busy, he knew it wasn’t what he wanted long-term. That’s when a friend introduced him to Courier Exchange.
After researching the platform, Eddy decided to “give it a try” and started Eddy’s Logistics.
Through hard work, professionalism, and building strong connections, Eddy’s Logistics has grown rapidly. Eddy has also established a popular YouTube channel and is now focused on expanding his business even further.
Eddy joined CX in September 2022. “Everyone said it was the best time because it’s so busy leading up to Christmas,” he recalls.
Determined to make the most of it, Eddy focused on building a reputation for reliability, taking on as many jobs as possible during the busy season. “I worked flat out from September to December. I didn’t care if I had to sleep in a van or drive overnight to Edinburgh or Liverpool—I just got it done,” he says.
Eddy also knew that quieter months were part of being a courier, so he wasn’t caught off guard when things slowed down in the new year. “January was quieter, but I expected that. By March, things picked up again, and it’s been growing ever since.”
For Eddy, CX wasn’t just a job-finding platform—it was a way to grow his network and secure contracts. A lot of people think CX is just for finding work, but it’s also about building relationships,” Eddy explains.
A lot of people think CX is just for finding work, but it’s also about building relationships.
Eddy Martinho, Founder and Director, Eddy’s Logistics
By working with courier companies on the platform, Eddy formed long-term connections that became the foundation of his business.
When Eddy wanted to scale up, he relied heavily on CX to help him.
“I started with a Transit Courier van, which is very small. When I couldn’t take larger jobs, I used CX to subcontract work to other couriers and haulage drivers with great feedback,” he says. “This helped me build trust with shippers, and they started relying on me for all their deliveries.”
Like any success story, Eddy’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. “I had a standstill period where I felt like I wasn’t moving forward,” he shares. That’s when Eddy decided to put himself out there more. By becoming active on social media and launching his YouTube channel, Eddy’s Logistics, he started attracting new clients. “Once I did that, clients started coming to me instead of me chasing them,” he says.
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Eddy’s hard work, focus and strategic use of CX to build his business is paying off.
As a CX member
Positive reviews
“We’ve been growing quickly—faster than I expected.”
In fact, Eddy says “A lot of work now comes from CX, private customers, and direct calls from clients I first met on the platform.”
His YouTube channel, @EddysLogistics, has also become another pillar of his success. With 2.7k followers, it’s a space where Eddy shares advice, engages with the courier community, and grows his personal brand. This has opened new opportunities and strengthened the presence of Eddy’s Logistics in the industry.
What’s next for Eddy’s Logistics?
“I want to step back from driving and focus on working on the business instead of in it. This means growing relationships, securing contracts, and expanding further,” he says.
Reflecting on his success, Eddy highlights the importance of professionalism.
Being on time, reliable, and presentable makes a big difference.
Eddy Martinho, Founder and Director, Eddy’s Logistics
From delivering food on his motorbike to building a growing courier business, the story of Eddy’s Logistics shows how hard work, professionalism, and the right tools can lead to success.
Be your own boss. Set your own hours. Make your own money.
Sign upIn November 2020, Kieran Webb and Gary Smith decided to diversify their existing recruitment business and try their hand at logistics, leading to the creation of Cerberus UK Logistics.
“Kieran came to me with a business plan, and what we like doing here is thinking outside the box—how we can get more clients coming into the business instead of just offering one solution,” Gary explains.
Their journey into logistics was guided by a clear vision and the right tools for success. “The reason that we went for Courier Exchange is because it’s the number one platform for any transport and logistics company. It helps you win more contracts,” says Keiran.
Leveraging their construction connections, Cerberus quickly expanded their courier company to offer material storage and delivery services, alongside their recruitment operations.
The seven-year plan was to have office space, storage, a warehouse facility. We’re now in year four… and we’re already there.
Gary Smith, Co-founder and CEO, Cerberus UK Logistics
By embracing sustainability initiatives and tapping into Courier Exchange (CX) for distribution, Cerberus has built a successful business, achieving their goals ahead of schedule and paving the way for a greener future.
Based in Stevenage, Cerberus had ambitions to grow but faced significant logistical challenges. “We were limited to what we could do and locations as well, so there was only a certain radius that we’d take on internally. We had a couple of projects around Liverpool. We actually had one up in Scotland as well, but for us to send a courier vehicle from here to there just wasn’t cost-effective,” Gary recalls.
That’s where Courier Exchange came in. “We started with just me and Gary and one van… and spent two days nonstop on Courier Exchange testing the model. The model worked, so we pushed forward, added another driver and another van to the team,” Kieran explains.
With the help of Courier Exchange, Cerberus quickly expanded across the UK, overcoming logistical challenges and accessing the courier vehicles needed to meet customer demands. This growth allowed them to spot new opportunities to better serve their construction clients, including material delivery and storage.
With access to larger vehicles through CX, Cerberus were able to take on bigger projects and handle the size and weight requirements of construction materials effectively.
In construction, the materials are so large and bulky. But as our fleet only got up to three and a half ton, the need for Courier Exchange was huge because we couldn’t deliver much to a big site
Gary Smith, Co-founder and CEO, Cerberus UK Logistics
Sustainability has also become a key focus for Cerberus. “We’ve got sustainability consultants, and we’re currently tendering for solar panel battery storage, harvesting all across the UK,” Gary shares. This forward-thinking approach reflects their commitment to evolving alongside their clients’ needs.
Today, Cerberus’s services extend beyond traditional logistics, leveraging their construction industry connections to offer tailored solutions. Courier Exchange has played a key role in their growth, transforming them from a small operation into a business with national reach and diverse capabilities.
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Thanks to the simplicity and efficiency of CX, Cerberus can offer customers a nationwide collection within the hour.
“Within the first three weeks, we were running three people, two vans. We’re now in 2024 with an office team of 10, and our fleet has grown to 12.” Kieran explains.
In just four years, Cerberus achieved their ambitious seven-year plan, with CX playing an important role in their success.
As a CX member
Positive reviews
The platform has been instrumental not only in managing fleet operations but also in tracking and building driver feedback.
One of the features I like to use on the Exchange is being able to see the feedback for the drivers because obviously, I want to have a good driver go in for my collection for my customer.
Carla Lamkin, Transport Coordinator, Cerberus UK Logistics
It’s clear those drivers appreciate Cerberus too, with the business receiving over 1,861 positive feedback comments on courier jobs—highlighting their strong relationships on the CX.
Cerberus has grown from a small business in Stevenage into a nationwide logistics operation, with clients across the UK. Four years on, CX remains integral to their day-to-day operations.
“As well as having our fleet of drivers, the Exchange is brilliant because if, for instance, one of our drivers is ill or breaks down, we can immediately post out that job that collection and know that within two minutes of posting that job, somebody has put a bid on. It means we can get that job and our customer is kept happy,” Gary says.
If it wasn’t for the Exchange, we couldn’t have our day-to-day running contract.
Gary Smith, Co-founder and Logistic Director, Cerberus UK Logistics
With their dedication to sustainability initiatives and strong partnerships, Cerberus is well-positioned to achieve even greater milestones in the years to come.
Be your own boss. Set your own hours. Make your own money.
Sign upIn 2004, after almost 20 years of being a successful multidrop driver, Roger Netherwood felt it was the right time to go out on his own and so he founded R&B Logistics.
After 5 years of operating as an owner-driver, in 2009 Roger decided it was time to take his business to the next level – and that’s when he turned to the Courier Exchange.
Today, R&B Logistics has become a successful freight forwarder, from earning a 99.2% positive feedback rating in the app, Roger has built a thriving reputation among his customers.
I’ve got confidence in me, but I’ve also got confidence in Courier Exchange.
Roger Netherwood, Managing Director, R&B Logistics
To stand out from the crowd and grow R&B Logistics, Roger decided to focus on building out a niche customer base.
Drawing on his passion for advocating sustainability, net zero & carbon emissions, Roger started to build up his book of engineering customers.
Before long he had customers ranging from small engineering companies right up to wind turbine blade manufacturers.
As a freight forwarder, Roger knew the key to his success would not only be promising his customers a good service – but delivering it.
Thankfully, Roger’s customers quickly came to realise “they could ring me, and I could get a vehicle to them. Anything from a bike ride up to a four-meter sprinter within an hour, sometimes sooner. Sometimes it could be 10 minutes.”
“I always say to them, if it’s going to be any longer than that, I will let you know.”
Incredibly, in 20 years, he’s only ever had to do that twice. That’s how ‘on it’ CX is, Roger says referring to the “good driver base”.
[CX] have a good insight into how to recruit drivers and you’ve got a wealth of knowledge there that you can tap into quite readily and quite easily – and it’s not going to cost you a fortune.
Roger Netherwood, Managing Director, R&B Logistics
That’s why Roger has found the feedback feature on CX so helpful for his business.
“What I look for in a quote is obviously the first thing is feedback. Also what they put in the notes as to how soon they can be there and what vehicle size it is. It doesn’t always come down to price”
As a CX member
Positive reviews
His hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and confidence in the Courier Exchange has helped him build a “very profitable and very successful business” all on his own.
The Courier Exchange has been the backbone of my business.
Roger Netherwood, Managing Director, R&B Logistics
In the past year, whilst posting over 800 loads, Roger has upheld over 200 positive reviews on the platform, with not a single negative review.
It’s safe to say the numbers really do speak for themselves.
Reflecting on everything he’s accomplished, Roger attributes the success of R&B Logistics from the trust and confidence in himself and the Courier Exchange.
Much like Roger’s confidence in himself, his confidence in CX has allowed his business to thrive.
“If one of your customers is like, can you do HIAB work for me? And you’ve in the past said no… You see, I won’t do that. I’ll say, leave it with me…because I know what’s in CX”
Ultimately Roger says:
It’s all about making your own opportunities. Don’t say no, just go for it. Say yes, do it.
Roger Netherwood, Managing Director, R&B Logistics
Six years ago, Maria started S-Express out of her bedroom, with just a laptop and a van.
Today, S-Express Logistics operates from a dedicated office and warehouse and is a true family-run business. The team includes Maria’s husband, a former courier, and her two daughters – but there’s no playing favourites.
“Everyone in this company has started in a van delivery because you can’t tell someone what to do if you haven’t done it.” Maria says. “We know what pains drivers go through, so we’re quite adept at sorting that out.”
With a client base spanning industries from construction to e-commerce—and even handling unique jobs like transporting animals—S-Express has become a trusted name for specialist logistics needs. As Maria puts it,
There’s nothing we won’t move.
Maria Richards, Director, S-Express
How did S-Express leveraged Courier Exchange (CX) to take their family-run operation to the next level?
From the beginning, S-Express understood that meeting customer demands required more than their in-house capabilities back in Dartford, Kent.
“We couldn’t cover all work throughout the country because we had customers wanting things picked up from Birmingham or delivered there,” Maria explains. Her husband, having used the Exchange in the past, suggested they join as freight forwarders.
Once on CX, Maria understood the importance of building trust to establish a relable network. “You have to pay people early to show credibility,” she says. This approach helped S-Express earn a strong reputation among drivers, and they now handle around 70–80% of their same-day work through the platform.
CX allows S –Express can manage long-distance deliveries, navigate congestion in cities like London, and meet customer demands anywhere in the UK. “The Exchange is the place to go because no one else matches it. We’ve tried other platforms—they’re not on the same level at all. They don’t have the drivers to cover work, and their platform is not as user-friendly as what we are used to with the Exchange,” Maria says.
The platform also gives Maria confidence in the drivers she hires. “I can look up a driver and know his feedback and know he’s insured. I know if his van is old or new. I know everything about them, and that enables me to assure my customers that their delivery is going to be done by a good driver who is prompt, courteous, and on time,” she explains.
CX also serves as a “get out of trouble” tool in emergencies. Maria recalls one instance when a driver called at 3 a.m., unable to make their delivery due to a family emergency.
We advertised, dealt with it on the Exchange, boom, done, and the customer’s happy.
Maria Richards, Director, S-Express
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Since joining CX, S-Express has experienced significant growth, transitioning from a bedroom operation to a thriving business with a dedicated office and warehouse.
A key to their success has been the ability to rely on CX’s vast network of couriers and haulage vehicles to handle work outside their in-house capacity. While Maria’s team manages shorter, local runs, CX enables them to cover long-distance deliveries and meet customer needs nationwide, even during peak periods.
Maria understands how vital drivers are to her business, and her fairness and respect have fostered a network of trusted partners who value working with S-Express. “Drivers are important to everybody. A lot of people don’t see that, but they are. You’ve got to look after them as much as they look after you,” she explains.
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Positive reviews
CX has also allowed Maria to achieve work-life balance without compromising on service.
I can work from anywhere—home, a hotel, or even on holiday—and still ensure everything runs smoothly.
Maria Richards, Director, S-Express
This flexibility means the business can operate 24/7, giving customers peace of mind that their needs will always be met.
For S-Express, Courier Exchange is more than a tool—it’s an integral part of their day-to-day operations. “The Exchange is brilliant. If one of our drivers is ill or breaks down, I can post the job and know it’ll be covered within minutes,” Maria says.
CX has empowered S-Express to grow from a small family business into a trusted name in same-day and multi-drop transport.
We work hard, but thanks to the Exchange, we’re also able to enjoy a good quality of life. It’s a game-changer for us.
Maria Richards, Director, S-Express
In 2022, after 20 years in the same-day industry, Sally Golding decided to start her own business. Together with her business partners, who owned Pallex and APC depots on the south coast, she launched First 4 Sameday to complete their full end-to-end logistics offering.
“Sameday was really the only missing piece of the puzzle,” Sally explains.
Sally wanted to offer a flexible logistics service without the overheads of managing her own fleet. To make this happen, she turned to Courier Exchange (CX), giving her access to thousands of reliable couriers.
Without the couriers, I don’t have a business,
Sally Golding, Co-founder and Director, First 4 Sameday
Now, two years on, First 4 Sameday is thriving. With CX at the core of their operations, Sally and her team deliver everything from wedding cakes to scaffolding —always ensuring the right courier is on the right job.
From the beginning, First 4 Sameday made CX the backbone of their operations. “We use the Exchange to cover all of our client’s loads,” says Sally. “About 90% of the work we handle for our clients goes through the Exchange.”
CX makes it easy for Sally to match the right courier to each job, maintaining the high standards her customers expect. It also streamlines operations, enabling the team to track live courier jobs and invoice directly through the platform—a one-stop shop for managing their business.
For Sally, the flexibility CX offers is crucial to her business model. “I’ve got no intention of having my own fleet of drivers,” Sally explains. “I purely use the couriers on CX because that means that I don’t have to sell in any specific area. Geography, vehicle type specification is not a problem for any of my clients.”
Sally also highlights the importance of building relationships with couriers:
“I think what sets us apart from many members on the Exchange is the way that we treat our couriers. A lot of people don’t give work to suppliers that have no feedback. When actually, some of our best suppliers that we have relationships with – and now give work to daily – are ones we gave an opportunity to in the very beginning.”
Victoria, a key member of the customer service team, echoes this approach:
I love seeing new drivers learn and develop – they go from no feedback at all… to a few months later, suddenly loads of people are using them and they’ve got great feedback. It’s nice to be a part of that journey.
Victoria Adams, Customer Service , First 4 Sameday
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The flexibility of CX has allowed First 4 Sameday to deliver exceptional service without owning a fleet of courier vans or haulage vehicles. The platform allows Sally’s team to find the perfect courier for every job, ensuring reliability and flexibility for their clients.
“They’re so important to our business,” Sally says of the couriers. “They’re representing our brand, and we need to have the right courier on the right job.”
It’s not just about the price—it’s about treating drivers well and making sure everything works for everyone.
Sally Golding, Co-founder and Director, First 4 Sameday
“We’re adding 10 to 15 new couriers to our trusted list every single day,” Sally says.
Sally adds though, “It’s not just about price, it’s about doing the right thing morally. If we have a load that is long distance, we’ll always try and get a courier home without them even bidding on work. We’ll phone up and offer the load to them because it’s the right thing to do.”
There are many benefits to having a local courier, so there is logic behind what we’re doing also, but ultimately, we respect our couriers the same way that we do our clients because without them, I don’t have a business”. Sally says.
It’s clear this approach has led to incredible results. In just two years, First 4 Sameday has received 2,449 positive feedback comments, reflecting the trust and reliability they’ve fostered across their network.
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Positive reviews
By using CX, Sally and her team can focus on what matters most—delivering great service to customers and working closely with couriers to support their growth. The result is a business built on trust, reliability, and strong relationships.
For Sally and her team, CX is integral to their operations. It enables them to find the right courier for every job, no matter how complex or specific.
By fostering strong relationships, supporting new drivers, and prioritising reliability, First 4 Sameday continues to grow, delivering top-notch service to customers while helping couriers build their businesses.
AK Transporters began with the Courier Exchange (CX) in May 2023. In just three months, their start-up has grown into a thriving business on CX.
Thanks to exposure to big-name logistic companies (and with the power to network their business) they’ve expanded their fleet. And they’ve made an ROI of 1054% in their short time on CX. That’s 10 times their initial investment.
Managing Director, Mohammed Khan, talks us through his business’s growth.
As a CX member
Loads completed
Return on investment last year
Starting as a small team, AK Transporters faced scaling challenges during the early stages of their business.
Mohammed explains, “As a new courier company it was very hard achieving our growth targets, reducing our cost per mile and being at the level that we would have liked.”
Joining the Exchange exposed AK Transporters to a broader client base. They built a robust network. And they got to build something they never had before: brand recognition.
“Some think of CX as just a job*, but it isn’t just that. It’s a place to build your company, grow your brand, and make a name for yourself in the transport industry, especially for those who are just starting out.”
Mohammed Khan, Managing Director, AK Transporters
Mohammed adds, “CX exposed us to clients and helped us to reach big-name courier companies, big-name logistics companies. It just boosts your level up as well.”
“If you provide a good service, and invest in technology CX can make it easy to find new clients and grow partnerships.”
Mohammed Khan, Managing Director, AK Transporters
Remarkably, AK Transporters made their money back in less than ten days – with just a single van and two drivers.
Since then, it’s been nothing but brilliant results.
“We’re more than happy on our ROI,” Mohammed reports. “I think in the last two months, with adding CX to our operations, we’ve almost doubled our revenue whilst cutting our costs.”
AK Transporters elevated their name by collaborating with top-end logistics companies. They were soon able to invest in efficiency-enhancing tracking software to keep score of their metrics.
“We really value technology and biometrics, So, we can see we’ve decreased our dead miles by over 80% whilst also decreasing our cost per mile. And also providing our customers with a more streamlined service.”
Mohammed Khan, Managing Director, AK Transporters
And with efficiency comes higher revenue. After starting their business just 6 months ago, 3 of which have been on CX, AK Transporters are already planning to open their office before the Christmas period this year.
“I’d say we’ve exceeded our goals. We’ve already ordered more vans and we’re already expanding our fleet. It’s just onwards and upwards for us.”
Mohammed Khan, Managing Director, AK Transporters
In just three months, AK Transporters have really made a name for themselves.
“The Exchange is an exceptional platform,” Mohammed states. “If you’ve got the people, willpower and are willing to spend a bit of money it’s very easy to make the money back on CX.”
Networking also played a pivotal role in AK Transporters’ success, reinforcing Mohammed’s ethos: “The more people you know, the more money you’ll make.”
“But you can’t have everything put on a plate,” he points out. “You have to put in the work. Persistency is key. So, keep bidding for jobs until you get one.”
When asked, Mohammed’s advice to new start-ups is simple. “If you want yourself to be a big courier company in the future, if you want to grow, CX is necessary.”
In just six months Mohammed and his partner Afaq have built their company from the ground up. For AK Transporters, this is just the beginning.
Red Rocket Couriers began its journey seven years ago. Back then it was just Lee delivering loads in his trusty van.
7 years later, Lee’s transformed Red Rocket into a UK-wide courier empire.
With CX’s support, Red Rocket gained a new purpose – getting drivers loads. Earning accolades along the way, and consistently generating substantial revenue year after year.
In the past year they’ve made 16 times their initial investment.
Now the managing director, Lee talks us through his success story – one job at a time.
As a CX member
Positive feedback comments
Return on investment last year
In the early days, Lee started by using his van to find loads and expand his network. “To be honest with you,” he states, “when I first joined, I just needed the money.”
Then something shifted a few years on. And Lee began to get his friends jobs off the Exchange.
It started with people ringing me up. And me ringing some drivers up. One driver got in touch with me, and I got him a job. Another friend called me up for a job, and I got him one off CX too.
Managing Director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
Lee adds, “I set myself a target. If I could earn £50 from each driver each day, that’s £250 a week. When I got to 4 drivers, that’s when things got rolling. That’s when I started seeing the other side of CX.”
Lee’s proud to report that Red Rocket ranks among the “top 10 out of 4491 courier companies that offer jobs on the Exchange – and that’s in the past year.”
This comes as no surprise. Red Rocket has collaborated with big names like the BBC, NHS, ASOS, Boohoo, and more.
On our website, we claim we collect from anywhere in the UK in 60 minutes. To be honest, that’s because of CX. We get a job, put it on the platform and drivers bid. We go from there.
Managing director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
Feedback is another area where Red Rocket excels. They have an impressive 1667 positive comments for delivery feedback and 7653 positive comments for payment feedback.
We use the platform to build a list of contacts. We’ve also built enough trust on it to secure direct bookings and get feedback from our suppliers which boosts our business.
Managing director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
“Plus,” he adds, “the CX app is fantastic. Easy to use and find work. And we get to be one step ahead with the integration tracker. I wouldn’t use any other platform.”
Lee’s more than proud of how far he’s come. And we don’t blame him.
Without sounding like Jerry Springer at the end of his programme, I can only speak from my point of view. If you use the CX right, it can open that many opportunities.
Managing director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
And the opportunities are endless. Red Rocket currently sponsors three kids’ football teams, professional boxers, charity raves and churches.
“All the money we’re able to give back to the community diversifies from the courier work we’ve done,” Lee explains. “Red Rocket Couriers is my baby. It’s mine. CX has given me complete independence. It’s given me my life. What you put in you get out.”
Much like the man himself, Lee’s business advice for all new couriers starting out on the Exchange is to-the-point and exceptionally encouraging.
Get your head down and put in the effort. That’s all it takes to make it on CX. Trust me: if I can do it, anyone can!
Managing director, Red Rocket, Lee Gueller
Be your own boss. Set your own hours. Make your own money.
Sign upSo how has this winning combination – which blends human experience and know-how with next generation technology – helped them to compete and thrive in one of the most crowded and competitive sectors in the UK?
Co-founder Andy Martin explains, “To create a successful business you have to have a niche. Before starting the company, we had spoken to a range of different-sized businesses in the north west and discovered that most had grown tired of increasing prices and poor service.”
“In particular, companies fed back to us that a lack of communication was the biggest bugbear. It meant that they were losing money every day and, in the worst-case scenario, valuable customers. We realised very quickly that if we could solve this issue by providing them with greater transparency, there was scope and a clear gap in the market to create a very successful business.”
Prior to starting their own business, Andy and his business partner Stephen Doran had already amassed a powerful network of contacts. But with only three vans, the most pressing challenge was to find a way of scaling up their fleet before they could make good on their USP. They found the answer by joining Courier Exchange, the largest freight exchange platform in the UK.
Mr Doran recalls, “Courier Exchange gave us instant access to a skilled, experienced, and most crucially, a compliant fleet of over 8,000 drivers.”
Almost overnight we could satisfy customer demand. In the space of six months, our order book quadrupled in size.
With that barrier removed, the pair were able to put in place a customer-centric strategy for their business, which is woven deep into the fabric of Quickline Courier’s DNA. But how did they succeed in making industry-leading customer service the central pillar of their business, and how do they maintain it?
Mr Martin says, “Again, it’s the combination of people and technology that’s the difference. When we post a load on Courier Exchange – which we do over 60 times a day every day – not only do we know that each driver on CX is compliant, but the online feedback system lets us see feedback on every job they’ve done. Therefore, we know that every job we post is carried out by an experienced and reputable courier company.”
But both believe that the feedback system, while exceptionally useful, needs to be used in “a more nuanced way to get the best out of drivers”.
“Behind every feedback entry, there’s a human being. While online feedback is very useful, we don’t use it in isolation. What do I mean? Well, it’s possible for someone to pick up one piece of bad feedback, which may be a one-off – or may actually not be their fault. Therefore, if a driver who we haven’t used before quotes on a load – and has a minor blot on their copybook, then we’ll give them an opportunity to prove themselves.”
“The Exchange’s direct booking system helps us in this way because it means that we can offer that driver an incentive. Our approach is very much if they do a great job for us transporting that first load, we’ll give them a much more lucrative load next time round, and do it through a direct booking.”
But driver selection aside, Mr Martin and Mr Doran recognised that offering a professional and timely service wasn’t enough. To really excel, they realised that Quickline Couriers needed to provide real-time updates to their customers. Thankfully, the Exchange provided the solution.
Says Mr Martin, “As a rule of thumb, we believe that if a customer has to call us and ask where their load is, we’ve failed them. The vehicles in our private fleet are all fitted with hardwire trackers, so when they’re sent on a job, we know exactly where they are in real-time and can share instant updates with our customers. We wanted to offer our customers the same service for loads that are delivered via the Exchange too.”
“By using Freight Vision and integrated telematics, we can track every load we post on the Exchange in exactly the same way, and best of all, updates can be sent to our clients automatically. The Exchange’s e-quotation system has also saved us several hours each day, as managing 20 quotes digitally is far less time consuming than fielding 20 calls.”
The efficiency and cost savings that CX has brought about has enabled Mr Doran and Mr Martin to grow the Quickline Courier’s private fleet and introduce nine different services.
Mr Doran says, “We’re excited about the future. Last year we moved into a 1000-square foot facility in Liverpool. This year, we’ll be doubling the size of our fleet in the next three months, and will be taking on more drivers. We’re able to do this thanks to the Exchange. Not only has it provided us with the revenue and time to add to our fleet and grow our business, but CX has given us the peace of mind that our new vehicles will always be fully utilised, while at the same time allowing us to further develop and strengthen customer relationships.”
Made in the armed forces, born to be a courier. Mike Puplett, an owner driver from East Yorkshire, reveals how a career in the military helped open doors in logistics.
“Hi. I’m Mike. Some of you may know me by my trading name, ‘The Courier Guy (UK)’. If we haven’t already met, let me introduce myself. I’m an owner driver based in East Yorkshire. I run a same and next day delivery courier operation, which covers the whole of the UK.
While I’m fairly new to same-day logistics, a 20-year career in the Royal Navy and a further two decades spent in maritime search and rescue has prepared me well for my new career. In fact, you could say it’s the perfect training ground in many ways. Why? Well, in the Navy and the Coastguard, whether you’re working on your own or as part of a team – you have to be able to coordinate a coherent and effective plan of action under great pressure. Sometimes lives depend on it.
Logistics, which is closely linked to the just-in time manufacturing sector – has many parallels. Okay – I’d be exaggerating if I were to say that the pressures are as acute. But to be successful in same-day freight, I’ve had to draw on all of my 40 years’ experience of advanced planning and strategy.”
“When I first began operating as a courier driver a couple of years ago, the big challenge was getting in front of a big client. Why would they choose you when they can give the job to someone who has been operating all of their working life?
To gain experience, I began working for a logistics company. Whilst I was happy to do the work, I had little control over my work/life balance. Some weeks the work would come in thick and fast, but there were also times when I could go a day or two without a job. As I was being paid on a job-by-job basis, no work meant no money. I thought there must be a smarter way.
That’s when I found Courier Exchange. I’d never heard of it, and back then, I must confess that I didn’t even know what a freight exchange platform was, but I decided to look into it. I did my own in-depth research, talked to other couriers, and then called the customer services team. They provided a demo. While it seemed too good to be true, I realised that I had nothing to lose and I signed up. Two months on I haven’t been disappointed. I only wish that I’d found CX sooner.”
“So how has it benefited me? Well, when I was in the Royal Navy, I missed a lot of family life because I was at sea for many months at a time. From a family perspective, the Exchange has given me the freedom and flexibility to work for who I want, when I want and where I want.
Secondly, as I previously mentioned, the biggest barrier for any courier thinking of going it alone is ensuring that the work’s there. But CX solves that problem in one fell swoop. Imagine if I gave you a contact book containing the numbers of 6,000+ professional drivers and courier companies? That would cost 1000s of pounds, right? You’d think so. But CX gives you this virtual contact book for a fraction of that.
Thirdly, by giving the members access to driver feedback, CX puts merit above name. This has been important for The Courier Guy, who has vast knowledge in planning, but little direct logistics experience to call upon.”
CX technology has given me an edge
Mike Puplett
“But what really stands out is the technology of the mobile app. For me, the Live Alerts feature is the backbone of the app. It knows my position, my status and also takes into account that I’m driving a small van. But what’s really clever is that while I’m delivering a load, it’s working in the background looking for my next one. By sifting through all the loads available to me in a set-radius, it sends notifications to my mobile phone as soon as they come in. That means that I don’t have to ring my contacts on the off-chance that there might or might not be a load. Instead. CX gives me certainty that there will be.
CX also ensures that I rarely travel home empty by providing me with regular return journeys. Okay – I’m not going to lie to you. Sometimes the backloads I get don’t always take me all the way home – particularly on longer trips. But, if for example I’m in London and looking to come home to Hull, it’s nearly always possible to pick up a return load to Leicester, Derby, or Nottingham and then another one to East Yorkshire. Before signing up with CX, I never got a single backload opportunity in the two years I worked there, which meant travelling back empty, wasting fuel, and letting a potential job slip away. In a small way, I also see getting a ‘backload’ as environmentally friendly. Why? Because prior to using CX, both I, and another vehicle would travel the same journey. The other vehicle would get the job, and I would drive home empty and unaware. I subscribe to the saying ‘Every little helps.’”
Talking of sustainability, I really like the fact that the Exchange has created a digital invoicing system. While many logistics companies still require paper copies of both PoD and invoices, I think in a few years’ time everything will be digital. Perhaps the biggest selling point for me, however, is the time I save. For anyone who has never used the CX accounts feature, it’s not that I can send an invoice and my PoD by email that’s really smart. Rather, it’s the fact that it’s an intelligent invoicing system and creates the invoice on my behalf, populating it with information as I drive. No typing, no editing. I just send it with the signed PoD to the load poster when I’m done. What could be simpler than that? I’d urge anyone who is thinking of a career as a courier driver, to seriously consider joining CX, you won’t look back.
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