30/09/2026
The IRTE Northern Centre kicked off their new season of CPD presentations with a return to the centre by Former Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell CBE and now operating as Chief Executive Officer at Beverley Bell Consulting & Training
The evening began with a little bit of reminiscing as the speaker informed the 59 members and guests who were present that 26 years ago, she had attended the centre having just taken up the post of NW TC to give her first address to the industry in her new role and that she always held the centre in high esteem and had returned on a number of occasions over the years to speak.
Beverley began her address by speaking about how the maintenance of commercial and public service vehicles is unregulated and that anyone can set up as a maintenance contractor, unlike many other industries. To address these failings, she spoke about good practice guides and Traffic Commissioner recommendations relating to maintenance standards, vehicle brake testing, staff training, earned recognition and MPRS (the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme).
Beverley then took some time to talk about several taboo subjects that can be easily forgotten, overlooked or shunned in an industry that can sometimes be guilty of being macho and not looking at the bigger picture that included, employee welfare, wellness, physical health, testing for fitness to undertake specified duties that related to drug and alcohol testing within the workplace.
The evening finished with a very informative and at times amusing Q&A.
Upon completion of the Q&A session, Northern Centre Hon. Vice Chairman Rhian Hughes thanked Beverley for once again attending the Centre and giving another informative and at times very amusing presentation.
As an act of appreciation, long standing committee member, and PSC member Chris Grime on behalf of the Northern Centre presented Beverly with an IRTE Northern Centre plaque and certificate to thank her for her continued support of the centre for over 25 years.
L to R: Rhian Hughes (Hon. Vice Chairman IRTE Northern Centre), Beverley Bell, Tom Reed (Hon. Chairman IRTE Northern Centre), Chris Grime (IRTE Northern Centre Committee member)
