The Team
Mark Tresler – Managing Director
Mark is a qualified accountant by profession and joined Britannia in 2003 as Financial Controller. Just 15 months later he was appointed as Finance Director, and 6 years after that he became Managing Director. He never expected to be working in removals for nearly 20 years, but Mark has found the community of professionals within this industry to be unmatched for their hard work, good humour, and willingness to go the extra mile for their customers.
Mark’s career as an accountant before joining Britannia was remarkably varied. He initially qualified within professional practice, but then moved quickly into industry because he wanted to have more of an impact of the direction of the companies he worked for. He started at the bottom and worked his way up through various businesses, including manufacturers of moulded foam seating for Jaguar Land Rover, metal switch and socket boxes which are in every property in the country, and paper cups and napkins for McDonalds. He also worked for two different recruitment companies before joining Britannia. None of this experience entirely prepared him for the removals industry, but it did teach him to ask the ‘why’ questions and refuse to accept the ‘because we’ve always done it this way’ answers.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys walking and travelling, and recently completed the NC500 which involved driving and walking 500 miles around the beautiful North Coast of Scotland. He also plays occasional golf, and is frustratingly good at it despite his complete lack of regular practice. He is a big Elvis fan, and ascribes his energy and youthful outlook to his 5-year-old granddaughter, who always keeps him on his toes.
Gavin McCarthy – Sales & Marketing Director
Gavin joined Britannia in 2004 as a Business Development Manager focusing on Corporate Sales and overseeing the Corporate Operational Team across Britannia’s two main offices in London and Birmingham. In 2009 Gavin was appointed Sales Director, moving onto Britannia’s Board at the same time. His responsibilities include acquisition of corporate business, contract negotiation, managing commercial partnerships and overseeing Britannia’s Marketing team.
Before Britannia Gavin held a number of roles in sales, marketing and business development in the banking, retail and service sectors. Gavin speaks several languages and is currently learning Mandarin, although extremely slowly. Outside of work Gavin is a keen swimmer, cyclist and runner – sometimes one after the other. He enjoys travelling with his family, particularly to Asian countries where he finds the culture fascinating, but the food an occasional challenge.
During his time at Britannia, Gavin has developed numerous corporate partnerships with large brands and fronted various projects focusing on digital marketing and technology. He has been an active fundraiser – most recently raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a charity he has a personal connection to. In terms of future challenges Gavin says he still has unfinished business as far as the London Marathon is concerned; in 2009 his daughter decided to turn up 5 weeks early meaning a last-minute withdrawal. Something Gavin says he will be eternally grateful for.
Looking ahead, Gavin is a keen environmentalist and is passionate about taking Britannia forward to ‘greener’ pastures in the future.
Charlotte Parslow – Marketing & Communications Manager
Charlotte joined Britannia full time in 2021, but had previously worked for Britannia since 2007 as a freelance marketing and events specialist. Together with the marketing team, she is responsible for delivering promotional initiatives, organising Britannia’s events programme, and managing communications across our 40 UK depots. She also has a keen interest in sustainability, and is part of the team working to move Britannia towards a greener future.
Before Britannia, Charlotte ran her own company and worked with clients from the transport, telecoms and property sectors, delivering projects all over the world. Her career highlights to date include transforming a dilapidated beach in Cornwall into a functioning outdoor events venue, managing a conference in Monaco the week before the F1 Grand Prix, and of course bringing Britannia’s 40th anniversary celebration event – Britfest – from concept to reality!
With three children in her house, Charlotte regularly claims that she doesn’t have any free time, but she still manages to fit in regular walks and bike rides, and she is Chair of the Board of Governors for her local primary school. She hates flying but enjoys visiting other countries, and is also a keen baker.
Dave Aldridge – Operations manager
Dave joined Britannia way back in 1997 when Britannia opened their central shipping depot in New Malden. Dave was appointed warehouse manager, covering duties such as the day to day running of the warehouse, loading and unloading of groupage containers and receiving in shipping from Britannia`s members.
18 months later Dave decided to spread his wings and relocate to Sweden, living in a little town in the north of Sweden called Ostersund for 12 months whilst going to evening school to learn the language and working in bars at night to pay his way. Dave then moved to Stockholm for a few years working for two different international movers and loved every minute of his time living in this beautiful city.
He then moved back to the UK in 2005 due to his father`s ill health and his younger brother having to have a heart transplant as he knew this was the right thing to do.
In 2006 Dave re-joined Britannia at their warehouse in Croydon and took up from where he left off but this time on a much bigger scale bringing the knowledge he had learnt whilst working in Scandinavia. He has progressed within the company and now holds a few hats, warehouse manager, facilities manager, transport manager and operations manager. No day is ever dull!
Dave’s interests cover his beloved Chelsea, Britpop music especially Oasis, Pulp etc, Pink Floyd and even Bob Marley. Dave is married with children which keeps him busy at both ends of the day. He’s partial to the odd beer and believes if it wasn’t for him one or two breweries would have gone under by now.
