When Michael Fitzpatrick and Nikki Campbell of UniExpress first began working with ActionCOACH White Rose, the business was growing, but leadership often felt reactive rather than strategic. Despite Michael progressing from Managing Director to CEO, there was a growing realisation that the business needed more structure, planning and long-term direction.
“We realised that the business was running me rather than me running the business,” explains Michael.
As a fast-paced freight company with multiple departments, offices and managers, the day-to-day demands of the business often made it difficult to step back and focus on future growth. Working closely with lead coach Jenni Morgan has helped Michael and Nikki shift from constantly reacting to challenges, to building a clearer long-term strategy for the business. One of the first steps was creating a five-year plan, which is now broken down into yearly targets, departmental goals and manageable actions for each team across the business.
“As a freight company, we’re pretty different. We’ve got 10 different departments doing 10 different things. Sometimes that’s a little bit daunting, but Jenni helps us break it down, starting with the small stuff and then working up,” says Nikki.
The structure and accountability coaching provides has helped bring clarity and organisation across the company, while also acting as a valuable external sounding board for decisions and ideas.
“I definitely advise people to do it. It gives you that really neutral sounding board to talk through plans and ideas that you might not have thought of yourself,” Nikki explains.
“I think across the board we’ve seen improvements in most departments. The teams that really took the planning and ideas on board are the ones that have done the best,” Nikki and Michael agree.
While turnover can fluctuate significantly in the freight industry due to external shipping costs, UniExpress focuses heavily on gross profit as a more meaningful measure of success. In just one office alone, the business achieved almost £1 million additional gross profit compared to the previous year. Beyond the financial improvements, the coaching has also created a major shift in work-life balance for both Michael and Nikki. Where weekends and holidays were previously dominated by work, there is now more time to step away from the business and enjoy life outside of it.
“My wife has definitely noticed the difference. I’m at home more, more available at weekends compared to previously when I was always working,” says Michael
Today, UniExpress continues to grow with a clearer long-term vision, stronger leadership and a more strategic approach to running the business. And for Michael and Nikki, the biggest change has been regaining control, not just of the business, but of their time too.
“You’ve got nothing to lose. If you think you’re already as good as you can be, then you’re probably going down the wrong track,” adds Michael
