LATEST NEWS FROM: SAY HELLO, WAVE GOODBYE
In the epic song by Soft Cell it is time to say hello and wave goodbye. Some of you may have already heard about my future plans; however I wanted to tell you all properly within the pages of your own truly national newspaper, with which I’ve had the privilege to be involved for nearly 30 years. I am retiring from my post as director of the NPHTA as my family and I are relocating to California to be near my son and daughter and their families. However, this has been a momentous and difficult decision for me to have taken, as I have enjoyed every moment of my involvement with the taxi/PHV industry in the UK. I wanted to assure you that the NPHTA will carry on offering support, guidance and assistance to operators, drivers and affiliated local associations countrywide. But there is sig- nificant grounds for optimism…
The reason for my optimism and confidence in this regard is that I have appointed David Lawrie to take over the directorship of the NPHTA. Many of you will already know Dave: he has been a licence holder in Rossendale for over 20 years; he ran a successful local asso- ciation for ten of those years. His knowledge and grasp of taxi/PHV legislation far surpasses mine, and his dexterity and involvement with social media knocks me out of the ballpark! You want to communicate via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp? Dave’s your man. He’s also some 20-odd years younger… which believe me, counts for a lot. He is absolutely passionate about the trade, and you will immediately see evidence of this in any future dealings you may have with him. You may know Dave through his company Safe Systems Ltd., a Rossendale-based CCTV company. Because of the commercial connec- tions under this umbrella, Dave has had dealings with virtually every licensing authority across the UK. This will be a beneficial element in NPHTA networking and exchanges of ideas over both sides of the desk. Our administrator Karen Barlow will continue her work with the NPHTA; she’s been an absolute treasure for over 17 years, and you can rely on her to field your calls, answer your initial queries… and chase you for membership subs! My message to you all is this: It is absolutely crucial that every single licence holder in the country is aware of the latest trade devel- opments; and that you have a personal involvement with a trade-based group so that you have more of a voice where it is needed: with the governing bodies both at local and national level. Joining the NPHTA means that A unified trade has a powerful voice. We’re still here for you every step of the way. I shall carry on as an Honorary Board member of the NPHTA, and also as an occasional editorial contributor to PHTM.
In these days of
advanced communication, it will be very easy to stay in touch with me if any of you who wishes to do so. Thank you to you, the loyal trade, for all your years of support for me, and the NPHTA. KEEP FIGHTING!
Donna Short
After many years of working closely with the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, imagine my shock to learn of Donna’s decision to retire in order to move to America to spend some precious time with family. Who can blame her after all the years she has devoted to our cause and our protection. This shock was soon overshadowed by the request that I try to fill her shoes (trainers or flats I don’t mind but I do draw the line at high heels!) Well, having been a licence holder for several years, most of those doubling up as chair of firstly the local independent taxi drivers’ association, and then on to take over the Rossendale Taxi Association; having seen the results first hand of allegations, attacks, runners, suspensions, appeals and changes to conditions both locally and nationally; making representations accordingly in order to try to bridge that gap between licensing and licensees, and to find a common ground to work with - why not? I’m certain that experience
will stand me in good stead in my new role. Well, I have watched over the years firstly with the late great Bryan Roland, and then with Donna, the change from being mainly private hire focused, to opening up to represent and work with everyone: private hire and hackney carriage drivers, private hire and hackney operators, local taxi/PHV associations… and even some trade suppliers. I have watched the NPHTA grow from strength to strength. I have seen many other groups come and go; some are still around of course – some being national generic groups, some only interested in representing operators, some only in it for the hackneys, or indeed only for private hire. I must stress that the NPHTA will continue to represent the whole trade: anyone who has an issue, concern or fear for the future. Indeed, anyone who wishes to have the comfort and reassurance of having the equivalent of vehicle breakdown cover, but instead for your licence, is more than welcome to join and benefit from the wealth of experience, knowledge and support that myself, as the director, and informed board members can offer you. There is already a new drive for membership and social media presence taking place, with a revamped website and Facebook page. We have legal support on board, we have connections to suppliers, and we will continue to have a role within the pages of PHTM which is the only national monthly trade publication for our industry, with a very active Facebook page.
We care about you all: A UNIFIED TRADE HAS A POWERFUL VOICE. We are the NATIONAL PRIVATE HIRE AND TAXI ASSOCIATION - JOIN US TODAY!
Dave Lawrie 22
0161 280 2800
info@nphta.co.uk www.nphta.co.uk
MARCH 2020
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