Lucas O’Brien, of GXO Logistics, is undertaking a six-month secondment in Accra, Ghana, as a Project Officer with international development organisation Transaid, supporting the nationwide rollout of a new driver training standard alongside providing support to the establishment of a training centre for trainers of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers.
Alongside members of the Transaid team and driver associations, he is speaking with drivers and trainers to raise awareness of the new standard, developing presentations and materials to help ensure quality training, and representing Transaid at events and conferences nationwide.
Commenting on his secondment, Lucas says: “The opportunity came about as I was completing my Supply Chain Degree Apprenticeship and began looking for a new challenge at GXO. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone.
“My goal is to have made a notable change by the end of my time in Ghana, and with the support of the Transaid team, I am confident that is going to be the case. I’m grateful to be involved with such an interesting project that I know is going to save lives.”
Gavin Williams, Managing Director, UK and Ireland, GXO, and Transaid Trustee, shares: “We’re proud to partner with Transaid and to give our colleagues the opportunity to share their skills and see first-hand the importance of safety within logistics globally. Lucas is the fifth colleague from GXO to go secondment with Transaid, and I’m confident it will prove as rewarding, both personally and professionally, as it has been for those who went before him. At GXO, we’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s top employers for apprentices, and opportunities like this secondment demonstrate our commitment to developing early career talent and giving our apprentices and graduates the platform to grow, contribute and lead.”
As a Transaid corporate partner, GXO has the opportunity to send its colleagues on international secondments, offering participants the chance to use their skills and expertise to tackle new challenges and deliver valuable work for Transaid. Over the years, these placements have been tailored to suit a variety of individuals and organisations, with some trips as short as a week, and others lasting more than a year.
Thelma Ayisi, Project Manager for Transaid in Ghana, says: “Lucas has been an excellent addition to our team. It is always a joy to have the secondees from GXO as they continue to impress with their levels of professionalism and dedication.”
Transaid launched its driver training initiative in Ghana in 2021. Since then, Transaid has been supporting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to embed improved training and assessment across the country, reaching nearly 5,000 drivers with education and training informed by the new standard since August 2024. This critical programme, aimed at improving road safety and driving standards, is currently in its second phase, supported by funding from the Puma Energy Foundation.
With 500 colleagues completing their qualifications in 2025, including Lucas, GXO was ranked in the top 10 companies to offer apprenticeships. More than 1,700 apprentices are learning and earning through the 60 programmes available.
For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation visit www.transaid.org.
