Trade Representatives

John Paul Duffy

General Secretary

John Paul Duffy has been actively involved in representing drivers within the licensed trade for several years and has contributed to a number of developments affecting taxi and private hire drivers across Scotland.

John Paul first became involved in grassroots trade representation through the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU), where he worked to support and represent drivers on issues affecting their work and livelihoods.

He later became a founding member of the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA), helping to establish and build the organisation while contributing to a number of successful campaigns affecting the licensed trade. These included engagement which led to the extension of vehicle age limits in Glasgow from seven to ten years, the removal of mandatory rear flashes on licensed vehicles, and changes to licensing conditions which previously required licence plates to be drilled into vehicle bumpers. Drivers are now permitted to position licence plates beside the vehicle registration plate.

As the East Renfrewshire Branch Convenor of the SPHA, John Paul worked to re-establish the East Renfrewshire Hire Car Forum after a 17-year hiatus. The forum now provides a structured platform for regular engagement between the licensed trade and East Renfrewshire Council. Meetings take place quarterly and bring together council officers, trade representatives, Police Scotland and local operators to discuss matters affecting the industry.

During this time, John Paul also worked alongside fellow trade representatives and trade organisations in securing the removal of vehicle age limits within East Renfrewshire. As a result, drivers are no longer required to retire vehicles solely due to age, provided the vehicle continues to pass the council's vehicle licensing inspection. The change also allows older vehicles to be licensed if they meet the required inspection standards.

John Paul has also participated in working groups with the Scottish Government relating to the licensed trade and continues to represent drivers and the interests of the industry whenever opportunities arise.

As General Secretary of the East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers Association, John Paul remains committed to promoting the highest standards within the licensed trade while ensuring that drivers licensed by East Renfrewshire Council have professional and effective representation.

John Munn

Taxi Representative

John Munn serves as the Taxi Representative for the East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers Association. He has been actively involved in representing drivers within the local taxi trade for the past two years and brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to defending the interests of drivers across the area.

Before the formation of the East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers Association, John represented drivers through the East Renfrewshire branch of the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA). During that time he played an active role in campaigns aimed at improving conditions for drivers, including the successful campaign to abolish vehicle age limits within East Renfrewshire.

John regularly attends licensing forum meetings and engages directly with council officers and elected members to ensure that the concerns of local drivers are properly represented. He is known for taking a practical and determined approach when advocating for fair policies and defending the interests of drivers within the licensing system.

As Taxi Representative, John works to ensure that the voices of licensed drivers are heard and that members of the association receive strong and effective representation on matters affecting their livelihoods and the wider trade.

Nicholas Capuano

Private Hire Representative

Nicholas "Nick" Capuano serves as the Private Hire Representative for the East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers Association. Nick has been actively involved in representing drivers within the local trade for over a year, previously serving as a trade representative with the East Renfrewshire branch of the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) prior to the formation of the association.

During this time, Nick has played an active role in several successful campaigns aimed at improving conditions for drivers and ensuring that the concerns of the private hire trade are properly heard. He is committed to representing the interests of private hire drivers across East Renfrewshire and works to ensure that members have a strong and effective voice on issues affecting the industry.

Nick continues to support drivers by engaging with licensing matters, industry developments, and the wider challenges facing the private hire trade, ensuring that drivers' views are properly represented and defended.