Ryan McBride: Exeter’s delivery hero

Exeter’s very own Ryan McBride is setting the bar high for delivery excellence, proving that heroes come in all forms, and sometimes with a wrench in hand!

An Exeter gas engineer, Ryan McBride, has been recognised for his exceptional dedication to customer service, earning a nomination in the ‘Delivery Hero of the Year’ category at the prestigious Retail Week Awards. The accolade highlights his commitment to going above and beyond in his role at online electrical retailer AO.

Ryan’s journey to this nomination is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Starting as a self-employed delivery driver with AO in May 2020, he quickly progressed through the ranks.

After completing AO’s in-house electric training course, he transitioned to an employee role and later secured a place in the company’s gas apprenticeship scheme in July 2022. His exemplary customer service has earned him glowing reviews, with an ‘amazing’ rating from 96% of his customers and zero complaints - a remarkable achievement in the industry.

Last Christmas, Ryan went the extra mile by coming in on his days off to cover for colleagues and ensure that customers received their appliances in time for the holiday. This act of dedication earned him recognition from his peers and a place on the award shortlist alongside five other logistics professionals from across the UK.

“I’m delighted to be nominated for this award,” said Ryan, who is also a proud father to a one-year-old son. “In the past four-and-a-half years, I’ve really enjoyed progressing from a delivery driver to an installations engineer, and our customers are always at the forefront of everything I do.”

Ryan’s manager, Steve Forster, praised his contributions, saying, “Ryan is an extremely valued member of the team. Not only is he a top performer in his outbase, he’s also a genuinely nice guy. This nomination is richly deserved.”

Ryan’s nomination is one of four that AO has received for the Retail Week Awards. The company is also in the running for ‘Best Retailer Over £250m’, ‘Green Initiative of the Year’, and ‘Head Office Heroes’.

The winners will be announced at the Retail Week Awards ceremony on 20th March 2025. Ryan’s nomination not only showcases his individual achievements but also highlights the dedication and excellence fostered within AO’s team.

Best of luck to Ryan and all the nominees!