The sold-out gala courier industry event organised by the Institute of Couriers and hosted at the Institute of Directors celebrated excellence; five corporate awards, a double-bubble win and triple-take, lifetime achievement and eighteen-for-eighteen - eighteen individual silver Cs for 2018. This was the year of the van with a stage of five four-wheelers. Best of the best saw two, two-wheelers to contract and office at the highest level in final mile. Representations from courier companies large and small, regional and national, an independent panel of judges without sponsorship to recognise the very best of the best in final mile Express drawn from ten thousand words of nominations.
The sector sat at tables signposted by postcodes as winners were greeted by final mile clappers that rallied the room as loud as loud can celebrate. The world tweeted them as they received eighteen for eighteen 2018 prestigious Courier ‘Silver C’ awards in the twenty-second year of the National Courier Awards.
IOC president Lord Falkland, 'Twenty-two years of the National Courier Awards, Express is an evolving sector, the awards have driven recognition of excellence.'
Vice President, John Hayes CBE, ‘Tonight we see recognition of excellence from start to finish.’
David Jamieson, corporate safety award; recognition for a sector focused on safety goes to O’Donovan Waste.
Hon Fellow, traffic commissioner Sarah Bell, ‘five van winners to a lifetime award for Adrian Smith from Swift and a third step-change win for Hermes working with Job Centre Plus and the wheels to work programme. 2018 a great year for final mile express.'
IOC chair, Carl Lomas
Continued retail shift from High Street to home delivery has brought the challenge to our sector to deliver customer chain excellence. Those at the forefront here this evening have been recognised by our independent panel of judges as the best of the best in final mile. Our lifetime winners have then stepped up on stage to sign a pledge to take it to the next level - a sector code of practice.
Step-change award was taken in 2015 by Hermes for Sunday delivery, 2016 Hermes returned to win again with order by midnight for next-day delivery on the Next Contract. 2018 Hermes return for a third win in step-change with same day delivery for working with DWP Job Centre Plus on the wheels to work programme.
IOC ceo, Tracey Worth, invited senior academics to the stage for an announcement on the Express manager level six Trailblazer degree; a qualification for our next-generation leaders. Logistics hot-spot geography was all covered; Heathrow, University of West London, East Midlands, University of Derby, University of Staffordshire and back to London with University College.
Further education colleges present included West Thames Heathrow delivering the Express driver level two Trailblazer through levy funding.
Light shows and fanfares moved the gala evening of celebration from corporate wins to the individuals at our front line; recognition for the best of the best two and four wheels, contract and office. The people in our sector who make final mile, last mile, express courier happen at its very best.
Military distinctions drew a standing ovation as RLC Col Paul Vickerman read a citation for WO2 Toni Hill.
The photo headlines
Adrian Smith takes Services to Industry at twenty-second year celebration of National Courier Awards.
2018 Year of the Van – Five four-wheelers take stage in most exceptional shortlist of the 2018 Awards
Triple-take for Step Change awards goes to Hermes for DWP with Wheels to Work National programme.
