LeaseVan.co.uk has launched a new contest to find the UK’s brainiest van driver.
The company has created the competition in an effort to dispel the stereotypical image of the ‘White Van Man’, an outdated and negative image of drivers. The stereotype may be deterring some people from starting their own businesses, says the company.
Through the competition, LeaseVan.co.uk aims to celebrate the many thousands of British van drivers who follow intellectual pursuits. Van drivers have until the end of November to enter, by sending in a photo of themselves enjoying their favourite ‘intellectual’ pastime.
The winner of the contest will be announced at the beginning of December and will receive a prize of £100 in Amazon vouchers in time for Christmas.
“At Leasevan.co.uk we firmly believe Britain’s van drivers are a fantastic bunch of honest, hard-working and, yes, bright, boys and girls,’ says a LeaseVan.co.uk spokesperson.
“We feel the image of the White Van Man leaves them short changed and doesn’t do them justice. It started out as a bit of fun but it’s become a negative for many.
“In fact, we think it may even put some potential drivers off from taking the plunge into self-employment as they don’t want to be perceived as a white van driver.
“We want to let those people know that driving a van is a noble profession and many of the van drivers on our roads are smart and highly successful.”
Harsha Rathnayake adds, “People are often surprised to hear that you have several degrees yet still drive a van for a living.
“It’s this sort of thinking that plays into the stereotype of a white van man, so I hope that this contest can help finally put an end to this image the public has of us.”
Entrants should send their photos to BrainyDriver@LeaseVan.co.uk
