Geraldine Lear

From the Falklands to Thirsk, there’s no disputing that Geraldine Lear has been to some interesting places in her career.

Geraldine is our Principle Transport Services Manager, having previously been Transport Manager for Todd Waste Management.

In her new role, which is based at Thirsk, Geraldine has gone from being responsible for a team of 21 to over 65, but it’s not something that phases her. That’s because after 12 years in the RAF, nothing ever does.

During her time in the RAF Geraldine saw a lot of the world, including a four-month stint on the Falkland Islands in 1994.

She says: “It’s a beautiful place but quite bleak. Put it this way, imagine the very windiest day we have in this country and in the Falklands, they would describe that as a slight breeze.”

Geraldine met her husband Dave in the RAF and the couple, who live in Thirsk, have four children.

After leaving the service, she was a stay-at-home-mum for a while before taking a job at the Next store in Teesside Park, quickly rising to the position as Warehouse Manager.

Looking for a job closer to home, she started working at Todd’s and has just celebrated her fifth anniversary.

She adds: “My main job is looking after the office staff and drivers, ensuring everyone knows what they are doing.

“The integration with Yorwaste means I have taken on a larger role but it is all still about interacting with people, whether staff or customers, and that’s what I like the most.”

When she is not working, Geraldine enjoys running (six miles 3-4 times a week) and spending time with her family.

She adds: “It’s definitely not a 9-5 job. I can get a call at 6am if a wagon breaks down and I have a tracker on my phone, so I can ensure the drivers are ok, which is especially important on an evening when some of my women drivers are working.

“Running helps me to think and clear my head so when I am work I am 100% focused on the staff and customers.

“I have been on the wrong end of poor customer service, so I know how important it is to try to get it right.”