XPO Logistics is a European leader in developing innovative and sustainable end-to-end supply chain logistics solutions. The company operates 206 sites across 14 countries and serves its customers with 20,000 trucks and trailers, 1,000,000 sq m of warehouse space, and 14,000 employees throughout Europe. The company’s European headquarters are located in Lyon, France.
XPO, Inc. is a leader in asset-based less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation in North America. The company’s customer-focused organisation efficiently moves 17 billion pounds of freight per year, enabled by its proprietary technology. XPO serves 55,000 customers with 608 locations and 38,000 employees in North America and Europe, and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.
XPO’s Approach
When most people hear “apprenticeship” or “graduate scheme,” they tend to picture someone fresh out of school or university. But that’s only part of the story. At XPO Logistics, our apprentices range from 17 to 60 years old. Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow, XPO Logistics offers real opportunities to build something lasting.
What sets XPO’s apprenticeship and graduate programmes apart is that they are not just about ticking boxes; they are about building careers. On average, our graduate programme alums stay with us for nine years. Many, like our UK&I Managing Director Dan Myers, started their journey through these schemes. Since 2017, we have made sure these opportunities are open to colleagues already in the business, not just new starters.
Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of this success. We are proud of our nearly 50/50 gender split across teams, and of the 62 apprentices currently in the business, 24 are women. In 2024 alone, 227 female colleagues completed over 2,000 hours of classroom training, and 741 women completed more than 250 hours of eLearning in areas like compliance, health and safety, and inclusion. Over the past 18 months, 10 women have completed apprenticeships in Transport, HR, Accountancy, H&S, and Leadership & Management. We also launched our Female Driver Academy in 2024, providing funded training to female students to help combat the gender imbalance within operational logistics.
This culture of support, both professional and personal, is why XPO have been recognised as one of the UK’s top 10 most sought-after employers in the Cibyl Sector Rankings 2025. It reflects our belief that logistics is, first and foremost, a people business. When you invest in people, they thrive.
The Outcome: A spotlight on Marcus Oliver’s journey
Marcus Oliver is the General Manager of XPO Logistics – UK & Ireland and graduated from the Supply Chain Academy’s Level 6 Supply Chain Degree Apprenticeship in 2025.
Marcus said: “My journey into logistics was not exactly textbook. I left comprehensive school with GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science, but no clear career direction. I started in retail at Safeway (which later became Morrisons), where I spent ten years learning the ropes, teamwork, operations, and the value of excellent customer service. That foundation led me to ASDA, where I took on roles including Transport Manager and worked on the Solutions Project Team. It was there that I began to understand the scale and complexity of logistics.
“I joined XPO in 2018 as an Operations Manager. Since then, I have progressed through roles, including Contract Manager, to my current position as General Manager, overseeing multiple sites and leading a team of over 200 colleagues. What has made the difference? Support. Real, consistent support from XPO Logistics, primarily when I enrolled in the Level 6 Supply Chain Degree Apprenticeship in 2022, which was delivered in partnership with Leeds Trinity University and the Supply Chain Academy. I did not start my career here, but I have grown here, and that is the point.
“The apprenticeship was a game changer. It gave me confidence, sharpened my decision-making, and equipped me with tools I have used to drive significant business improvements, from redesigning fleet operations to enhancing KPI reporting. The investment XPO Logistics made in me has paid off in tangible ways, cost savings, better efficiency, and stronger customer service, all backed by data and team feedback. I am living proof that career development does not follow a single path.
“I am now looking forward to a Level 7 qualification to build my strategic leadership skills. And I would recommend our programmes to anyone, regardless of age or background, who is ready to challenge themselves and grow.”