Written by
William Geldart
Content Manager
Whistl has won three awards at the 2026 National Courier Awards, with our Driver Training Team, apprentice Samuel Ritson, and colleagues Agnieszka Straczkowska and Artur Straczkowski all recognised.
Awarded by the Institute of Couriers, the three prizes celebrate very different achievements across the Group, from improving road safety and developing new talent to supporting colleagues when it matters most. Together, they recognise the people behind our operation and the contribution they make every day.
Driver Training Team Wins David Jamieson Safety Award
Our Driver Training Team received the David Jamieson Safety Award for the third year running, recognising a programme that combines driver training with a wider focus on driver health and wellbeing.
Over the past three years, the team has strengthened our approach to road risk through driver coaching, telematics analysis, vehicle familiarisation, refresher assessments, toolbox talks and supervisory assurance. This structured approach has helped to reduce network collisions from 171 in 2023 to 117 in 2024 and 110 in 2025.
The programme recognises that safe driving isn't only about what happens behind the wheel. Fitness to drive, fatigue awareness, eyesight checks, hydration, mental wellbeing and healthier lifestyles all form part of the team's work.
That approach has been strengthened through the team's work with Loughborough University, helping researchers better understand the day-to-day health and wellbeing needs of professional drivers. The team has also taken its road safety work into local communities, delivering practical sessions at schools in Bedford, Bolton and Bristol.
There is measurable progress behind the award too. Between January and June 2026, insurance-reported claims reduced by 17.7% compared with the same period in 2025, despite mileage increasing by 6.5%. The Vehicle Collision Frequency Rate improved by 22.7%, from 10.91 to 8.43 claims per million miles.
This recognition follows the team's recent Fleet Team of the Year win at the UK Fleet Champions Awards, where our structured driver training, telematics-led coaching and regular assessments were also recognised.
Samuel Ritson Named Apprentice of the Year
The second award recognises the progress of Samuel Ritson, who was named Apprentice of the Year.
Samuel joined Whistl in early 2025 as a newly qualified driver and has since developed into a trusted member of the transport team.
Alongside his day-to-day role, he achieved distinction grades across every component of his Express Delivery Operative Level 2 apprenticeship end-point assessment.
His recognition is a great example of what apprenticeships can offer people entering the logistics sector: an opportunity to combine learning with practical experience and build a career within the industry.
Colleagues Recognised for Outstanding Support
Our third award celebrates a very different type of achievement.
Agnieszka Straczkowska, Shift Manager, and Artur Straczkowski, Supervisor, received a Super Hero award for the support they provided to a colleague following a life-changing cycling accident.
Their help went beyond the workplace. Through sustained practical and emotional support, Agnieszka and Artur helped their colleague and his family through an extremely difficult period.
This award from the Institute of Couriers reflects the importance of relationships between colleagues and the difference people can make simply by being there when someone needs them.
Recognition for Our People
The National Courier Awards celebrate achievements from across the courier, express and logistics sector. The 2026 awards provided three different reasons for us to take pride in our people, recognising operational expertise, career development and the care colleagues show for one another.
Whether it's helping drivers stay safer on the road, supporting someone at the start of their logistics career or helping a colleague through an incredibly difficult time, each comes back to our people doing the right thing and acting with a can-do attitude.
Congratulations to our Driver Training Team, Samuel, Agnieszka and Artur on their well-deserved recognition.
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