25 January 2007
For immediate release

Matrix Recognised at Business Travel World Ceremony

Radio Taxis Group subsidiary wins prestigious Business Road Services award

Matrix, a part of the Radio Taxis Group of companies, one of the UK’s leading ground transportation services suppliers has been announced as the winner of the Business Travel World Awards’ prestigious Business Road Service award.

The ceremony, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, celebrates the key players in the business travel sector, honours companies who have been instrumental in developing the industry and recognises extraordinary achievements.

Matrix was launched in 2005 as a joint venture with Radio Taxis Group and within 18 months has rapidly grown to become one of the top 10 ground transport companies in the UK. With more than 200 cars and 50 employees, Matrix offers a range of ground transport services from cost effective passenger cars, through executive and chauffeur driven cars. In addition the company also provides a highly praised in-house Driver Training School for its chauffeurs.

Matrix was commended for its innovative and ground-breaking strategies in the Road Services category including:

  • An environmental impact management programme - part of the only CarbonNeutral® ground transport company in the UK, Matrix offset all of its unavoidable emissions through a range of projects, including wind power generation in India and New Zealand and energy efficient lighting in Jamaica.
  • Implementation of a ’one stop shop’ management solution that has allowed clients to consolidate all of their different transport suppliers and provided real cost savings.
  • Use of technology to profile each traveller enabling Matrix to deliver a personalised and focused service to each client
  • A £2m investment in the first approved full time chauffeur training school in the UK, focusing on a variety of areas, including driving, first aid and customer service skills. The school has already been recognised by The Public Carriage Office as "outstanding and leading the way forward (in the area)."

Mathew Hassell, CEO of Matrix commented:

"We are delighted to have won the Business Travel World Business Road Services award. It is a reflection of the hard work that Matrix puts into all its programmes, be they with our clients, staff, or the environment and the quality of service we deliver for our clients. We are proud of our position as an industry leader on environmental and staff training issues and they will continue to be an important focus of our business."

Betty Low - Editor of Business Travel World said:

"The judges recognised that in the past year, Matrix has implemented ambitious projects to offset their carbon emissions and train their staff to the highest levels. We are delighted to see this achievement recognised with this important award."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  • Formed in 1953, Radio Taxis Group provides a single point solution for all business and private ground transport needs. It was de-mutualised in June 2004.
  • Based in North London with an office in Fulham, Radio Taxis Group’s fleet of over 3,000 vehicles includes chauffeur driven executive cars, black taxis, private hire vehicles (including an in-house driver training school) and a motorbike and van courier service.
  • Radio Taxis Group is the first UK company to offer a fully integrated booking and review system, allowing customers to book online and then quickly and accurately track their usage afterwards.
  • Radio Taxis Group has pioneered sustainable transport systems in the UK. It was the first CarbonNeutral® transport service provider, invests heavily in energy and emissions reductions programmes and has an in-house R&D facility dedicated to reviewing new technologies that target improving environmental performance
  • With over 4,000 corporate clients ranging from leading city businesses to the creative industries and from public sector bodies to charities and football clubs, Radio Taxis Group is one of the UK’s largest ground transport service providers. Clients include EMI Music, Allen & Overy and the British Library.
  • Radio Taxis Group has been recognised by a number of independent awards, including The Energy Savings Trust Best Practice Award, the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence, the Impact on Society Award and the CIMA Financial Management CSR Award.

For further information about Matrix, informed comment, interview or images please contact:

Paul Donlon / Oliver Williams (Four Communications Plc)
- E: rtg@fourcommunications.com
- T: + 44 (0) 870 420 3268