On 12th June 2000, a young-ish 29-year-old Alan Harris walked through the doors of GB Liners Brighton and began what would become a remarkable 25-year journey of commitment, loyalty, and hard graft.
Before joining GB Liners, Alan had already cut his teeth in the removals industry, working first with Howard Kents and then spending an impressive 16 years at Bishops Removals. It was there he worked alongside another now-longstanding member of the GB team, Ady Penfold. When Alan joined us, it was as a non-driving porter—but it wasn’t long before GB Liners saw the potential and invested in his training, putting him through his HGV driving qualifications.
Over the years, Alan has seen managers come and go, witnessed changes across the industry, and played a vital part in moving everyone from celebrities to your everyday family relocating across town. He’s done his fair share of European removals too, but his roots have remained firmly planted in the UK—and more recently, in our Brighton warehouse, where he now serves as our highly dependable Warehouse Manager.
Alan’s dedication to the job is something of legend. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he managed to squeeze in a major life event during his lunch break—he went out, got married, and came straight back to work like it was just another Tuesday. Now that’s commitment!
There’s never a dull moment with Alan around. His favourite move of all time? The Moat House in Chailey. “If I win the lottery, that’s my house,” he’s been known to say with a grin. His least favourite? A 10th floor move with no lift—“I’m not as fit as I used to be,” he admits. And when it comes to injuries, Alan takes the top spot by literally giving a finger to the job—losing part of one while helping load a container for a storage customer. A true badge of honour in the world of removals.
When Alan isn’t at work, he can usually be found tinkering in his garage, tending to his garden, or sketching. He’s an incredible artist, known for creating masterpieces using the intricate art of dotwork!
Today, we say a huge thank you to Alan for his 25 years of hard work, laughter, and loyalty. Your dedication, team spirit, and no-nonsense attitude have made you an invaluable part of GB Liners Brighton. Here’s to many more years of keeping the wheels turning—though hopefully with all your fingers intact!
Thank you, Alan—your service truly moves us.
