A North Staffordshire courier company is expanding its services into Europe after the founder’s son stepped up to lead the family business.
Compass Couriers has launched a new service supporting urgent deliveries between the UK and destinations across Europe, as managing director Jack Cooke looks to grow the firm following a recent leadership change.
The Bignall End-based business was founded in 1989 by Jack’s father, David Cooke, who started the company after leaving his role as a manager at the Co-op.
After more than three decades running the business, David stepped back last year, with Jack taking over the role of managing director in September.
Jack said: “The business was my dad’s first baby and I grew up with it. When I was at school I always thought I would work with my dad but I never thought about the day when I would take over.
“He is a real role model and had got the business to a very good place. We still have 35 years of experience within the team on the operations side.”
The company has expanded significantly over the past year, including the acquisition of local firm M6 Couriers and Light Haulage. The deal added new drivers, vehicles and customers to the business and helped drive a surge in revenue.
Now the business is focusing on expanding their services into Europe, and has partnered with Customs Complete to manage post-Brexit paperwork and reduce difficulties for customers.
Jack said: “We’re seeing growing demands from firms who need parts or products moving quickly between the UK and Europe and we want to support them. As part of that, we’ve been building new transport and customs partnerships across Europe so we can support businesses that previously relied on slower freight options.
“I’m over in Spain now having conversations with firms to support moving goods from Europe into the UK and provide more avenues to extend our services.”
The expansion is also creating demand for more drivers as the company looks to grow its fleet.
Jack said: “We are always looking to extend our fleet and add new talented, committed drivers. We have a huge amount of work in the UK and now with the Europe expansion we are constantly looking for new drivers.
“I’m really focused on growth. I’m quite energetic and want to grow as quickly as we can. It’s an exciting time for us – I want us to be the number one choice in Staffordshire for urgent deliveries and from there we will continue to extend across the UK and Europe.”
