REVELLS REMOVALS - Key Persons
Antony joined the Merchant Navy in 1967 as a navigating cadet on an iron ore carrier trading between Liverpool and Brazil and later became a director of Small Craft Deliveries Ltd, delivering yachts, dredgers, tugs and other vessels around the world. Following this, he joined the oceanographic company, Marine Exploration Ltd, studying the behaviour of icebergs off the west coast of Greenland.
In 1978 he teamed up with Sir Ranulph Fiennes on the Transglobe Expedition (the first longitudinal, surface circumnavigation of the world via North and South Poles). As Marine Coordinator he successfully located and managed the ice-strengthened ship Benjamin Bowring. He recruited the 16 crew members and sailed aboard the ship for three years, covering over 100,000 miles from the Arctic to the Antarctic. During the expedition Antony married the ship's cook Jill McNicol in Sydney, Australia.
From 1983 to 1987 he joined explorer, Col. John Blashford-Snell, and took over responsibility for the expedition ship Sir Walter Raleigh, operated by the youth project Operation Raleigh (now Raleigh International).
He has worked with Sir Ranulph Fiennes for over 30 years on a number of record breaking expeditions. Together, they launched The Coldest Journey (an attempt at the first crossing of Antarctica in winter) in 2007.
In 1998 Antony bought Revells and has used his logistic experience to build up a superb and hard working team of colleagues to develop the business into a pioneering removal and storage company reaching from Suffolk to all corners of the world.
Before joining Revells, Darren was a department manager in a large supermarket. He was recommended to Revells by a friend and in October 1998, he was recruited to drive a small van. Since then, he has become a team leader and deputises for General Manager, Paul Nichols, when necessary.
"I passed my LGV Cat C in 2006 and I'm now one of the team leaders. I enjoy the work because it is varied - every job is different. We all get on well with the customers. Often, when in London or further afield, I'll visit a family to survey their removal and storage needs so that a quote can be prepared. It is amazing how far we travel to pack and load customers' furniture and other objects. I particularly like going to Ireland. It's like going abroad but everyone speaks English!"
At home, Darren likes spending time with his family and friends especially his two daughters. He has many interests, not least Ipswich Town football team.
Lisa joined Revells in October 2004, initially working part time. Her father, Malcolm, (now retired) was a driver and porter with Revells. Since then, her responsibilities have developed and she now spends much of her time liaising with customers. Her duties include all the normal administrative activities as well as answering customers' queries.
"I really enjoy working here, and feel that we have a great team. Not only are we all work colleagues, but, importantly, we are friends too. Moving house is said to be very stressful and I like to think that we at Revells look after our customers very well and take a lot of that stress away. We get lovely letters, cards and e-mails from customers which makes the job particularly rewarding".
When she's not at work, Lisa likes to spend time with her fiancé Michel and her two children Shannon & Jordan.
Toby joined Revells in June 2008 as a porter, responsible for assisting the drivers with loading and unloading household and personal effects.
In 2010 he took over management of the new, purpose-built warehouse and the safe storage of customers' household contents and personal effects.
"At any one time, we could have the property of around 75 or more customers to look after" says Toby. "Part of my job is to ensure that everything is in good condition and secure. We have sophisticated environmental monitoring equipment and alarm systems which would alert us should it be necessary. I am also a qualified fork-lift driver and responsible for loading/unloading storage containers to and from vehicles.
I thoroughly enjoy meeting customers and looking after their furniture and effects. It is a rewarding job and full of variety. No two days are the same".
Following an early career in the Army and before joining Revells Removals in 1998, Paul had been working for another removal company as a driver/porter for 5 years.
After about 6 months at Revells, Paul was offered the post of General Manager with responsibility for dealing with the day-to-day running of the business. In his words; "I was delighted to be given such an opportunity and, after over 15 years at Revells, I still thoroughly enjoy my job and look forward to going to work every day".
"Revells has an excellent team of drivers and porters which makes life as manager an easy one. I hardly ever have concerns from customers to deal with. Without their complete satisfaction, Revells would struggle. As it is, we have developed a wonderful relationship with a regular clientele who use Revells for transporting anything from a single item to the entire contents of their home. Some jobs are simple and require a couple of chaps and a van to move just a few miles. Other jobs are complex requiring antiques and valuable items to be moved across the country and further afield. Sometimes we export wrap and containerise the entire contents of a house for shipment to far away places. I really enjoy my job as every day is different. I like going out and meeting people (probably the most enjoyable part of my job), discussing their needs, preparing the quotes and planning their moves".
For recreation, Paul enjoys walking, cycling and spending time with his partner and children.
Richard has also spent many years with Revells - so many, in fact, that he can't exactly remember when he started! Richard and Oli are brothers-in-law. Richard is strongly built which is a big advantage if you are moving a concert grand piano! He regularly visits the Snape Maltings concert hall with a team to move the Steinways back and forth.
"I'm happiest driving my van. We go all over Europe. All of us drivers have a van for which we are responsible. Mine is one of the newest and biggest. I enjoy looking after it. We have to keep vehicles in perfect condition so that we don't get breakdowns. Also, with the new Emission Zone around London, only the newest, cleanest vehicles are allowed in. Luckily ours are OK. Even so, driving an HGV is not straightforward anymore. You have to be tested and have your vehicle inspected regularly. You have limited driving hours and speed-restricted engines. Safety is our major concern. Nowadays, you cannot afford to get it wrong".
When relaxing, Richard enjoys spending time at home with his family. He's also a keen rugby player and once a year he manages to get a day off work to go to Wimbledon and watch the tennis championship.