-Brief Business Travel InsightsFrom Resilience to Reinvention: CEO Mike Bell on leading through change
“We’ve got your back”
When Mike Bell joined Driven Worldwide in 2009, the company was already punching above its weight—delivering premium ground transport services for global investment banks from a relatively small base. But over the years, under his leadership, Driven has become a sharper, more agile business, shaped by both seismic global events and a relentless commitment to quality.
A Culture That Shone from Day One
Mike’s early impressions of Driven were defined not by strategy decks or slick branding, but by the people. Friendly, capable, and committed to delivering excellence, the team made a strong impression—and that culture of warmth and professionalism has remained a consistent thread as the business evolved.
Leadership Lessons and Letting Go
Initially joining as Business Development Director, Mike stepped into the CEO role with a sense of apprehension. “I didn’t know how to be an MD,” he admits. In the early days, he held tightly to control, trying to ensure everything was delivered the way he would have done it. But over time, he learned to trust his team, empower them, and let expertise flourish. “I’m being less hands on and giving senior managers headroom to make their own decisions,” he says, “and the company’s better for it.”
COVID: Crisis and Catalyst
The pandemic was a near-existential threat to Driven. Staff numbers dropped from 53 to 9, and three global offices became one—”a broom cupboard in Hong Kong,” Mike recalls. But the crisis also became a rare chance to reset. With travel at a standstill, the team finally tackled the “too-hard pile” and streamlined operations, digitising processes, improving tech infrastructure, and freeing up staff to focus on client service rather than data entry.
Tech That Empowers People
Technology at Driven isn’t about bells and whistles—it’s about enabling people to do what they do best. From dynamic itinerary tools to AI-assisted invoice validation and real-time tracking, the goal has always been the same: take the pressure off staff and give clients better service. “Our clients don’t need to see everything on a screen,” says Mike, “but we so, so we can act before problems arise.”
Clients Expect the Best—And Always Have
Despite changes in communication styles and delivery, Mike doesn’t think passenger expectations have become more demanding. “There’s always been an expectation of a business-class service,” he says. What’s changed is how that service is delivered—through slicker comms, proactive planning, and smarter tools.
Sustainability: From Offsetting to Action
Driven has been carbon neutral since 2005, but Mike admits early efforts felt a bit like “greenwashing.” Now, with help from sustainability partner Zellar, the company is digging deeper—tracking emissions across operations, working with suppliers to modernise fleets, and pushing toward true emissions reduction, not just offsetting.
The Next Big Thing? Not Driverless Cars
While the industry buzzes about automation and AI, Mike’s focus remains practical. Hydrogen and EV infrastructure are major areas of evolution—but don’t expect driverless vehicles to take over anytime soon. In high-touch roadshow travel, he says, “the human connection still matters. You’re in a car all day with someone—there’s a relationship there.”
Regulation, Risk, and Readiness
Driven operates in a tightly regulated space, particularly in London, and Mike notes growing demands around compliance, data security, and client reporting. But instead of resisting regulation, the company has leaned in—adapting, auditing, and delivering the kind of operational transparency expected by the world’s biggest banks.
Crisis Management as a Core Strength
From the Icelandic volcano to Heathrow power outages, crises have tested the company—but never broken it. The COVID pivot was a case in point. Within two days, the entire team was set up remotely, thanks to a well-timed business continuity audit. “It was phenomenal,” says Mike. “Our plan worked—and then some.”
Keeping a Sense of Humour
Amid all the complexity, there have been moments of levity too. Mike Bell, CEO, recalls one particularly memorable incident from the early days: “There was a Korean roadshow—this was before GPS tracking—and we completely lost contact with the chauffeur and passengers for hours. We feared the worst. We even dispatched other vehicles to search for them, thinking there had been an accident.”
As it turned out, the clients had simply asked the chauffeur to turn off his phone… so they could make an unscheduled visit to a lap dancing club. “The driver was just trying to deliver good service and didn’t feel he could say no!” Mike laughs. “It wasn’t ideal—there was definitely some panicked hair-pulling at the time—but it’s one of those stories that sticks with you.”
He shares the anecdote with a smile but is quick to underline the serious point: “We’ve come a long way since then. Today, our systems ensure constant visibility and real-time communication. Passenger safety and service integrity are non-negotiable for us.”
Conclusion: A Business Built on People
Throughout it all, Mike credits the company’s strength to its people, suppliers, and partners. “We’re nothing without them,” he says. Driven Worldwide may be a small company on paper, but in attitude, agility, and ambition, it’s anything but.
Our clients and suppliers know that ‘We’ve got your back’.
