On Friday 21st May a group of Expect employees including Managing Director, Neil Rushworth, plan to sleep outside their head office in Bradford to raise much needed funds for local charity Centrepoint.

This fundraiser was planned in 2020, after Centrepoint had to cancel their Big Sleep Out due to the pandemic, unfortunately Expect then also had to cancel after further national restrictions were put in place.

Expects Sales and Marketing Manager, Gemma Bentley said “We are really excited to start making a difference to the lives of youngsters in our local area. The restrictions over the last year not only put on hold our fundraising events, we also had to delay discussions with the team at Centrepoint, on how we can assist in providing work experience and future career opportunities.
The sleep out will give those that take part an idea of what young homeless people experience on a day to day basis.”

Centrepoint is a charity set up to support homeless young people with accomodation, physical and mental health and education and employment.

If you would like to sponsor Team Expect you can click on the link below;

Expect Distribution is fundraising for Centrepoint (justgiving.com)

On Friday 19th March Expect Distribution took part in Comic Reliefs Red Nose Day by inviting all employees to come to work wearing something red for a small donation. There were other activities throughout the day including a team quiz, children’s colouring competition and a guess the weight of the sweet jar.

Red Nose day was founded in 1988, the very same year as Expect Distribution. Since that date they have gone on to raise an amazing £1 billion, with all donations helping to tackle important issues including homelessness, hunger, domestic abuse and mental health stigma, all of which have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gemma Bentley, Sales and Marketing Manager said, “It was great for the team to get involved in this years Red nose Day, especially as the theme was ‘the Power of Funny’ I think this is so important after the year that we have all had, and we did manage to have quite a few laughs on the day.

Our charity partner is Centrepoint and we hope to be able to host larger fundraising events during 2021 after having to cancel them last year, but in the meantime it’s nice for the team to be able to get involved in supporting other charities on a smaller scale,”

We raised a total of £117.50 for Comic Relief, and we will continue our fundraising efforts as the year progresses.

Following a successful period of growth for Bradford-based, family run logistics and warehousing company Expect Distribution, the business has appointed Sophie Metcalf to the new role of Head of HR.

The appointment signals a strategic focus on celebrating the people at the heart of Expect Distribution, as the business readies for growth in 2021 and beyond.

In her new role as Head of HR, Sophie will carve out strategic short-, medium- and long-term plans to develop Expect’s people and practices, creating and fostering brand advocacy from within. Metcalf brings with her over 15 years of experience in human resources and mentoring, and using this expertise, she will spearhead the business’s internal and external corporate CSR initiatives.

Initial focuses include supporting Expect’s apprentices and growing its apprenticeship programme, mentoring new graduates and University placement students, tackling the gender and skills gaps within the warehousing, logistics and distribution industries, and supporting in strengthening the business’s relationships with local charities such as Centrepoint, The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and The Overgate Hospice.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director at Expect Distribution, says,

“We are delighted to bring Sophie on board. Expect has always prided itself on its family values and the team is what makes the business the success it is today, so it is only right that we nurture those in return. The loyalty we receive from our employees is unparalleled, something which is demonstrated by our internal long service awards, at which many of the team have been rewarded for 10, and even 20, years of dedication.

“Despite the challenging environment we have found ourselves in of late, we have seen outstanding growth in the last 12-24 months and so as we move forward, it is paramount that we continue to put our team first. Appointing Sophie will allow us to do this.”

Commenting on her appointment, Sophie Metcalf, from Scissett says,

“I am really pleased to be joining Expect Distribution as Head of HR. It is an exciting place to be and coming to work in a business that celebrates its people and recognises their talent is a great opportunity. I’m looking forward to supporting the growth of the business in an organisation that really values the employees, as well as the customers.”

Expect Distribution continues to grow and develop its team, with recent new client wins resulting in the creation of jobs in the local community. Metcalf has previously worked in a variety of human resourcing roles for SimplyBiz and Versus Arthritis, to name but a few.

Expect Distribution has had a strong start to 2021, winning two new clients for its warehousing and distribution offering.

The five-year contracts with global pet pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturer Beaphar and multi-million pound Norwegian panelling business Fibo begin in January 2021, creating an additional 11 jobs at Expect’s Bradford and Halifax sites. Expect have hired a warehouse operative, contract manager and team leader roles across both locations.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director for Expect Distribution said, “What better way to start the year than announcing not one, but two, new clients to add to our roster. This is testament to the Expect team and our warehousing and distribution offering, which continues to go from strength to strength.

“As we face an unsettling year ahead, and reflect on 2020, we are even more grateful and fortunate to be in a position to create new jobs at Expect, at a time when they are so needed and especially in our local area. We are looking forward to working with the teams at Beaphar and Fibo over the coming years.”

Shaun Williams Distribution and Logisitcs Manager at Beaphar said, “In 2020 we were shipping our UK customer orders directly from our warehouse in The Netherlands. As Brexit loomed, I was asked by the Steering group at Beaphar to source a solution to the ever complex and ever-changing environment of Brexit. As part of our strategy to safeguard our UK Customers we started our journey with Expect Distribution back in August 2020.

“I can say that along with the team both at Beaphar and Expect we really nailed the project. Open and clear channels of communication were created and we are now live at Expect six months after our first conversation. To handle a project and deliver this within six months is incredible and my thanks goes out to Neil and this team for accepting the challenge and completing it on time. Not bad considering due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, we’ve only seen the warehouse through Microsoft Teams. Well done and I wish Expect Distribution and our partnership all the success for the future.”

Scott Beattie, Managing Director at Fibo, adds, “I am delighted to appoint Expect Distribution to handle Fibo’s warehousing and freight across England and Wales. I have been really impressed with the integration of our business by the Expect team and look forward to working in partnership with Expect as we continue to grow Fibo in the UK.”

Expect will contribute over £2,000 worth of toys and games for children at Bradford’s Teaching Hospital this Christmas.

Bradford Hospitals’ Charity called on partners and local businesses to contribute to gifts this year by creating an online wish list. Due to the pandemic, the children will be unable to use the shared play and activity areas this Christmas and visiting restrictions will still be in place. These gifts are even more important than ever before, and Expect’s donation ensures that every child in hospital will receive a present this Christmas.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director for Expect Distribution said, “Bradford is really close to our hearts. Most of our team are from here and it’s so important to us that we give back whenever possible, especially after such a hard year.

“The teaching hospitals in the region do some incredible work throughout the year and we continue to support them in whatever way we can. Although 2020 has been very different for so many reasons, it’s important that those who most need it are still offered the support they need. We’re really proud to be able to contribute to the children in Bradford’s hospitals this year and offer them gifts this Christmas.”

Hayley Collis, Head of Fundraising at Bradford Hospitals Charity said, “We are absolutely thrilled that Expect Distribution are supporting us in sprinkling some magic for children and babies in Bradford hospitals this year.”

“Christmas time is always a difficult time for children to be in hospital as we often have the sickest of babies and children in the care of the NHS staff at Bradford Teaching Hospitals. This Christmas is going to be even tougher as strict visiting restrictions will need to remain and children and families are confined to their rooms and unable to use the shared play and activity areas.

“We ordinarily ask our wonderful community of local businesses and individuals to play ‘Secret Santa’ by buying a gift for a baby or child in hospital and have a Santa’s Grotto where we are able to receive these. However, this year, due to the pandemic we needed to think differently to ensure the safety of both our patients and staff. Working alongside our play specialists, nurses and staff we have devised an amazon wish list of appropriate toys and games that will be delivered directly to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.”

Expect Distribution has won a five-year warehousing contract with Manchester-based Julian Charles, the long-established manufacturer and supplier of home furnishings and decor.

The new partnership kicked off in Autumn 2020, creating an additional 15 jobs at the family run business, including a Contract Manager at Expect’s Grattan site in Bradford. Julian Charles currently has 72 stores nationwide, with a fast-growing e-commerce site which requires a bespoke pick and pack operation.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director for Expect Distribution said, “I am delighted to share the news of this new business partnership with the team. It highlights our ongoing success at Expect Distribution and the strength of our warehouse division. As a result of this win, we are thrilled to be in a position to create jobs at Expect, particularly during such a difficult time. We plan to continue growing our warehousing facilities in the future, to accommodate client growth and demand, which will lead to the opening of a new site within the next 18 months, creating even more career opportunities within our local community.

“We are looking forward to supporting Julian Charles as they embark on an exciting journey to grow their ecommerce offering.”

Simon Peck, Managing Director at Julian Charles adds, “With over 70 stores nationwide, we needed a trusted and reliable warehousing partner on board, particularly at this crucial time, to meet consumer demand. Expect Distribution perfectly fit the bill and we are already impressed by their services.”

We are delighted to have won the Motor Transport Haulier of the Year 2020 award in a virtual ceremony.

Taking place on 7th October 2020, the MTAs, as they are known, celebrate everything that is great about haulage, logistics and warehousing. Although this year attendance was virtual, the victory tastes no less sweet for the team; capping off what has already been a successful year for Expect. The business has worked hard to ensure that customers continue to receive top quality service despite the current climate.

Building on strong family values, the company continues to go from strength to strength. 2019 was a successful year for the company with the business developing and launching an online customer dashboard, providing all clients with live tracking of their deliveries. These steps forward helped provide the foundations for a strong 2020. Prioritising a contract logistics approach, Expect aims to provide each and every client with a solution that is customised and uniquely suited to their situation.

Commenting on the victory, Managing Director Neil Rushworth said: “It’s the people that make Expect the company that it is today. I’m proud of each and every individual for the passion and professional nature with which they do their work. When I ask our customers what it is that they value most from Expect they often say that it’s the personal approach from the Expect team that helps them feel valued. I’m delighted to see their hard work come to fruition with this award.”

Employees at Expect Distribution are entitled to 1 paid day off work to volunteer in the local community and this was kicked off last week by Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor, Andrew Howard and Palletline Assistant, Steph Gibson, as they both spent the day helping to sort through huge piles of donations for the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice shops.

The day started at 9am with a short induction, including Health and Safety procedures and a tour of the warehouse, before being shown to their individual work stations.

After donations had been quarantined for 72 hours, due to the current Covid restrictions, the donations were all placed in a large pile for the volunteers to take to their own work stations to sort into groups ready to sell at the shops.

Andrew commented “It was a great feeling being able to help the hospice and I would definitely do it again, it was good seeing the amount of donations at the beginning of the day and the pile decreasing as we sorted through everything. I really feel like we had impacted on the work that the hospice do later down the line”

Steph added “I really enjoyed the day and felt it was therapeutic to see the amount of donations in the large pile decrease as we worked through the day, I have some holidays coming up shortly and I have arranged to go back again. A lot of the volunteers were older people, which is understandable as they will have more free time, so it’s great that Expect allow us a paid day off to experience helping out in our local community”

Expect Distribution continues to look for local volunteer opportunities, which are then advertised to the team and dates arranged for those that are interested in taking part.

On Wednesday 23rd September Expect employees Kirsty Maginnis, Steph Gibson and Andrew Howard head down to Brighouse to assist in sorting through the mountain of donations made to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice over the last few months.

The hospice appealed for volunteers on their social media sites shortly after Expect announced that all employees are entitled to 1 paid volunteer day each year to help out in our local community, as part of their new and improved employee benefits package.

Gemma Bentley, Sales and Marketing Manager said ‘We have worked with the hospice for many years now and it’s great to be able to help out where we can, especially during such difficult times when they need our support more than ever before. The response when I communicated this volunteering opportunity to colleagues was fantastic and really does demonstrate the relationship we have built up over the years’

The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice deliver pioneering Care through pregnancy, childhood and loss, whenever families need them and whatever the future holds.

Expect Distribution, is joining forces with Centrepoint Bradford to help make a difference to young people’s lives in the area. At a time of surging poverty and with a huge rise in unemployment in Bradford, the worst affected area in Yorkshire, due to COVID 19, Expect Distribution is passionate about giving back to the local community that is so important to them.

Providing housing and career support across the country, Centrepoint works hard to give homeless young people a future. The charity wants to see an end to youth homelessness and works hard in local areas such as Bradford to pursue its goal; Centrepoint Bradford supports over 150 young homeless people in the city every day.

Working with local authorities and partners, including Expect Distribution, the charity makes sure those in need get health support, help with education and advice seeking and securing a job. New research shows that for every job vacancy in the city there are currently 22 people out of work, now more than ever it’s important that Centrepoint are able to get on with helping those in need.

Neil Rushworth, Managing Director at Expect Distribution, said: “We are really proud of Bradford and the surrounding area so to be able to partner with Centrepoint Bradford and give something back is really important to us.

“During the pandemic we were able to improve the employee benefits package for our team including additional holiday, extended maternity and paternity leave and a new onsite gym facility. We’re committed to doing whatever we can to support not only our employees, but also the wider city of Bradford. We value our people over everything so it is crucial we support up and coming talent, and young people especially, when it comes to seeking employment.

“Working with Centrepoint, we will be able to make a difference to hundreds of lives every day. We’re really looking forward to raising as much money as we can for Centrepoint and kicking off the partnership with a sleep out fundraiser. Now more than ever, young people need our help.”

Jess Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Officer for Yorkshire & North East, added: “We are delighted that Expect Distribution has chosen to partner with Centrepoint in Bradford. Every pound raised will allow us to continue to support homeless young people, when they need it the most. Their support will help Centrepoint to ensure we give homeless young people in Bradford the best opportunity to build a heathy, independent future.

“Centrepoint supports 150 homeless young people a day in Bradford, but for every young person who is able to move on from Centrepoint into a job and home of their own, there is another young person needing a safe place to stay. To add to this, the number of homeless young people is only set to rise due to the social and financial pressures caused by Coronavirus. The support from Expect Distribution will also contribute to our recovery from Coronavirus, which has caused a £2m loss of income, and a concerning 50% increase in 16-25 year old’s asking for our help with homelessness.

“The team’s fundraising activities will help to change the lives of homeless 16-25 year-olds in Bradford and we are absolutely delighted that Expect Distribution will be hosting a sleep out challenge for their employees. We look forward to working with Expect Distribution.”