Zoë Murray-Ross reluctantly decided to leave her post as Head of Enforcement in January 2018, due to a change in personal circumstances.
Hello there, I’m Zöe Murray-Ross - the new Head of Enforcement for DVSA.
I thought I’d introduce myself, to let you know a little bit about me and my background, and to set out what I’ll be doing at DVSA.
Where I’ve come from
Before coming to DVSA, I spent 18 years in the British Army. Having joined as a Private in 1999, I was chosen for leadership training and went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
In 2001, I was commissioned from Sandhurst as Second Lieutenant and initially joined the Staff and Personnel Support Branch (Combat HR), but after four years decided to transfer into the Royal Military Police.
I moved up to the rank of Major and, after commanding my own Provost Company in Germany, I moved to Catterick to finish my time as a Regimental Second in Command. My main reason for making this decision was the desire to lead people that could make a real difference.
My role throughout my career has included oversight and management of large volumes of investigations. These ranged from military offences, like fighting and drunkenness, to low-level civil offences, like assault and theft. I also provided day-to-day policing advice to the wider army and managed my soldiers through lots of different activities.
During my 18 years with the army, I travelled the world, including assignments to Germany, Canada and Australia, and operational tours to Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. As you can imagine, each of these places posed their own challenges for both me personally and the people under my leadership.
It gave me a wide perspective on the world, and instilled both a strong work ethic and a strong moral compass.
Why DVSA?
I decided to leave the military because I now have a young family, so didn’t want to travel to some of the most dangerous parts of the world anymore! But I wanted to stay somewhere, like the army, where the work I do can have a real, positive impact.
So, when the Head of Enforcement role came up at DVSA, I leapt at the opportunity. It fit the bill in terms of making a difference and having a positive impact.
Also, there’s a lot of overlap between my old job and my new one. There, I managed staff investigating military crimes and here I’ll be managing staff investigating non-compliance and fraud, amongst other things. So I thought it would be a good fit for my skills and experience.
What I’ll bring to DVSA
I’m still new and my first aim is to understand exactly how the DVSA jigsaw fits together and how our enforcement activities work. Once I’ve had some time in post I will be able to consider making potential changes and improvement.
More generally, I’ll bring my years of experience as a leader and manager. It’s all about the people. I love working with people and getting the best I can out of them.
The work our enforcement staff do - from fraud investigations to roadside checks - has a real, tangible effect on road safety.
I can’t wait to get stuck in.
What else?
In my free time, I both coach and take part in ironman triathlons. My enthusiasm far outweighs my talent, but I have completed IRONMAN Wales, Escape from Alcatraz and many half marathons.
I’m also a swimming instructor and own 2 crazy Boxer dogs!
23 comments
Comment by S Funnell posted on
I agree with J Hedges to be a fair enforcer in this industry does I feel demand a fair degree of getting the whole picture as things aren't always black and white and good paperwork doesn't always mean good job. Good Luck Zoe
Comment by DOug posted on
I only wish I had stayed on for a bit longer as a TE in the hope for some leadership and direction. Good luck in the challenge ahead and Im sure youll do well.
Comment by Carolyn Evans- CE Transport Law posted on
Congratulations and Good luck!
Comment by Trevor posted on
Hope the picture is starting to emerge? I tend to start with the corners and border then separate into colours.
I suppose the most important thing I have learned over the past 40 odd years is how reliant we are on drivers. Enabling and encouraging them to get it right seems to be the way forward.
I can recommend the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and the Chartered Institute of Transport. They are committed to delineating best practice.
Back to the jigsaw. The hardest part is the sky, large blue or grey areas. People are easy because they are all different. Lines, fences and walls are good to follow and sometimes looking at the puzzle from a different direction helps?
Regular breaks are of course essential!
Comment by Frank posted on
What the hell are you on about????
Comment by steve johns posted on
Welcolm
Comment by Stephen Smyth posted on
Congratulations!!
Its great to finally have someone in the role with the relevant background & experience especially in the field of Investigations & Fraud detection. Also as you have worked 'Outside the office' environment you will appreciate the hard work Compliant Operators have achieved. Can you recommend anyone that would take up the role here in Northern Ireland??
Stephen Smyth
Managing Director - Head of Enforcement, Investigations & Road Safety
TCTS Group Ltd
Comment by Shaun Hall posted on
Congratulations Zoe
after spending most of my working life either driving trucks or managing people that do i wish you all the best.
and would well be worth reminding the general public what the DVSA do and how with out your services many dangerous vehicles would be on the road.
also remind them without trucks and drivers the things they buy in their local super market wouldn't get there.
Comment by Richard J Fry posted on
Congratulations and best of luck settling into your new challenges.
As someone who spent about the same amount of time in the Army (RCT)before then joining a family haulier, a recollection from that time was quite often I would overhear " what does he know about running commercial trucks?" I was happy to take advise and I was lucky to be mentored by two very knowledgeable men, who both taught me civilians are a different breed than military, don't bark orders, please is a very strong word and have some patience, things sometimes take a bit longer to get done, think hard prior to doing things.
Best of luck
Richard
RJF Assicociates in Transport
Comment by Graham Smith posted on
Interesting comments from Jeremy Twigden (above) it would be great to hear a response to this.
Comment by Stephen Johnson posted on
Congratulations Zoe, from a fellow ex RMP!!
I wish you good luck in your career. I did 22 years before I left the army and still trying to find my feet!!
From your thoughts and your vision, DVSA will move forward a considerable way.
All the best.
Comment by SHELAGH GREEN posted on
Oh I wish you well and all the very best in your new job
Welcome to the hard world of Transport
Mrs Shelagh Green
Managing Director
GE BE TRANSPORT LTD
Comment by phil cornes posted on
welcome.
Comment by Muriel McClelland posted on
Good Luck in your new position.
Comment by Stephen Hicks posted on
Best of Luck in a New Challenge Zoe, at least here at The DVSA you will get home without all the transport pass's ....
Comment by Jeremy Twigden posted on
How about clamping down on the big firms like Eddy Stobart who do their own vehicle inspections, Mots and tachometer calibrations. How is it most of their vehicles manage in excess of 70mph when they are supposed to be restricted to 56mph. When is the DVSA going to act ? NEVER I suspect.My little Isuzu 7.5 ton is restricted to 56mph and these jokers fly past me. I clocked one the other day in my car doing 68mph. Time you did something about these jokers.
Comment by Emma Bithell posted on
I have so much respect for our Armed Forces and respect anyone who would stand a post for us. I've recently moved to this industry from a very different public sector myself. I wish you all the very best and every success going forward.
Comment by Colin Greenhough posted on
A very commendable military career but what does she know about road transport and the difficulties that drivers face in life on the road . For instance how many drivers have the time for the activities you participate in when they are working 15 hr days and away from home . With hardly anywhere to park up safely I might add. Incidentally do not pass on my email address to any other parties
Comment by Trevor posted on
I hope you find a successful approach. The fatality and accident rates on the roads are too high. The big questions are why and what can be done to reduce them? Which will work best? Enforcement or education? Engagement or alienation? There are currently many issues in transport which may be detracting attention from the big issue, which has to be safety?
Which has more sway? The letter of the law or the spirit?
Hope it goes well!
Comment by Roger Chaplin posted on
I hope you enjoy your new job many congratulations
Comment by Dave Brown posted on
Good luck with the new role, you are joining the industry as it is improving its image, and most operators and drivers are becoming far more professional.
Dave Brown,
Transport Manager,
C M Varley,
Darlington.
(Soon to be Dem Brown Agricultural Haulage, Owner/Operator.......again).
Comment by J Hedges posted on
Sorry no wish to be unkind but unfortunately she has no experience or qualifications in transport, engineering, logistics, road safety or legal. There must be many people out there who are far more qualied.
One wonders how the selection panel came to their decision. I will say that she does possess honesty. A steep learning curve ahead I think.
Comment by Pete Barton posted on
Nice to see that you enjoy triathlon. Me too, though Iron man is a bit too much for me. Maybe a half distance one when I retire from being a driving instructor.
Anyway, have fun in your new job.