From military precision to FORS excellence
Glen Davies
FORS Technical Advisor
As Technical Advisor at FORS, Glen provides independent expertise to ensure the scheme remains practical, progressive and operator-focused. He’s also the editor of the RHA’s Operator Handbook and Chair of the CILT Transport and Logistics Safety Forum.
I joined the Army in 1984 at 17, enlisting in the Royal Corps of Transport. I was trained on my HGV Class 3 licence and posted to Germany. Over 23 years, I worked in various military transport and logistics roles, including operations, driver training, licensing, and fleet management. I also became a qualified transport manager, dangerous goods safety advisor, and collision investigator. My experience spans general goods, explosives, tanker operations, and both on and off-road fleets, providing a strong foundation for my current role.
After leaving the military in 2007, I came across a job ad in Focus, the CILT magazine. It was for a new initiative at Transport for London (TfL) the ‘Freight’ Operator Recognition Scheme as it was then called. At the time, nobody really knew what it was because it was still just a concept. I took a chance, went for the role, and got it. I was tasked with building the foundation, developing the FORS Standard, establishing the audit capability, and delivering on TfL’s vision. It was a blank canvas, and I had the opportunity to help shape something meaningful from the ground up.
It’s a broad role. I support multiple teams within FORS and often provide guidance on technical matters, particularly around audit interpretation, training delivery and transformation opportunities. I also develop training content, like the recent rewrite of the FORS Practitioner suite and the new Safe Driving virtual reality module. I represent the concession on Governance and Standards Advisory Board, (GSAG) and bring a level of institutional memory that’s increasingly rare. Ultimately, my job is to provide the advice that ensures FORS is fit for purpose, technically sound, progressive and, ultimately, usable for operators.
It was a challenge. There were demands, particularly from GSAG and TfL, to push the FORS Standard in certain directions, and we had to balance ambition with what was achievable for operators. Some of the language in Version 7, such as ‘well-to-wheel emissions’, has been intimidating for some FORS Operators unfamiliar with certain concepts. That’s why we’ve worked hard to provide toolkits, guidance and support to help operators adapt. Our aim is always to ensure the FORS Standard is helpful and progressive not prescriptive or overwhelming.
There’s a lack of appreciation for the transport industry generally. Drivers often downplay their role, saying things like, “I’m just a driver”, but they’re essential to the supply chain. This cultural undervaluing can lead to a race to the bottom, with cost-cutting taking precedence over quality and safety. Operators can find themselves having to make compromises, whether in training, safety equipment or even accreditation. COVID highlighted the vital role of logistics, but as an industry, we didn’t capitalise on that moment.
That perception really misses the point of what FORS is about. Legal compliance is a baseline; something every operator achieves as a matter of course. FORS goes beyond that. It’s not there to simply check boxes. It’s a framework for continuous improvement. It supports operators in enhancing safety, efficiency, environmental performance as well as the professional development of their people.The real value in FORS lies in helping businesses raise standards across the board, from road risk management to decarbonisation to driver and manager training. Unfortunately, there’s still a cultural mindset in parts of the industry where compliance is treated as the end goal rather than the starting point. FORS challenges that by showing what ‘better’ looks like, and giving operators a framework and the tools to get there.
A few things. First, work has already started on Version 8 of the FORS Standard. FORS, Digital transformation is a key area to focus on. This is still quite an analogue industry, but telematics and AI offer huge potential in areas like predictive maintenance, safety analytics and fuel optimisation. I believe, FORS has had a real influence on informing regulation. For instance, we began specifying camera systems years before they were required by law. So, we’ll continue scanning the horizon for best practices.We also have to look at non-exhaust emissions. Tyre and brake wear are emerging concerns, and FORS needs to stay ahead of the curve. Finally, and just as importantly, we need to make the scheme more accessible. FORS shouldn’t just be for high-performing operators. It should also encourage those taking their first steps in quality assurance. If we can create an entry level without compromising standards, we’ll grow the scheme and raise industry performance overall.
FORS must continue to evolve, that’s why we see a revision to the FORS Standard every two years. Not just to meet operational compliance requirements, but to genuinely support operators in improving their performance and sustainability. We can’t afford to tread water. The more inclusive and forward-thinking we are, the more value we’ll bring to transport and logistics profession as a whole.
