BT gave its fleet drivers a reason to improve their skills at the firm’s annual driver of the year competition.

The communications giant gathered 40 finalists from around the country to battle for the £5,000 first prize at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) vehicle testing ground near Coventry.

The finalists had qualified after a nationwide contest open to all of BT’s 120,000-strong workforce. After a day of rigorous driving tests, the winner was Ken Killoh, a materials handler driver in the supply chain services division. He triumphed after skidpan driving in a 6.0-litre V8 Vauxhall Monaro, truck driving and reversing, parking and manoeuvring a 38–tonne articulated lorry, off-road driving and handling a JCB digger over a timed course.

BT group safety adviser, Dave Wallington, said the competition had helped retain focus on safe driving while providing incentives for drivers to maintain and improve driving and safety standards.

He said: ‘There was a serious message with this event, but we also wanted the drivers to enjoy it and have fun taking part.

‘I think we achieved that and our congratulations go to the winners and all the finalists, who showed just how high the level of driving skill is within the BT fleet.’