News

News (1278)

Industry news of relevance to Fellows and Members

IoC news

IoC news (1050)

Industry news of relevance to Fellows and Members

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IoC news - Fellows Gowning

IoC news - Fellows Gowning (22)

Inst of Couriers Fellows' Gowning event Feb 29th 2024

Ceremonial gowning of IOC fellows 2024

IOC announce Heathrow Airport Chief of Staff Nigel Milton as honorary fellow for 2024 - delivered Fellows' Gowning keynote.

2024 news feb nigel milton heathrow hon fellow

The prestigious fellows' gowning of the Inst of Couriers takes place at the House of Lords, hosted by President, Lord Peter Hendy. For 2024 there is a life service gold hood waiting; the recipient, who was named at last year's National Courier Awards, is former Yodel Chief Operating Officer Carl Moore. Former Heathrow boss, John Holland-Kaye retired and stepped down as an IOC hon fellow; new Hon fellow for 2024 is Heathrow airport chief of staff Nigel Milton. Nigel will deliver the evening's keynote and will be welcomed by most recent IOC honorary, Vice Chancellor of the University of West London, Peter John.

The key business of the evening is gowning twenty ceremonial fellows; it’s a formidable list, spanning the express logistics sector. An extract includes: HR director at Whistl Louise O'Neil who is in the line, Justin Pegg COO DPD is confirmed. Operations Delivery director Smiths News, John Power is attending. Toll Logistics CEO Allison Lindfield is all set. Evri fellows coming up include Rebekah Ahmadi and Laura Newberry.

A breadth of govt is on the VIP list and will be joined regional bodies from TfL to TfWM. The whole IOC board is attending. Those hon fellows confirmed attending include Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell and City of London Sherrif Alison Gowman. Former Royal Logistics Corps Brigadier Andy Moffat is also on the list.

Fellows gowning is an express logistics transport network and natter high point of the year. More than quarter of a million final mile vans will be represented in the room.

 

2023 news mar gowning group 01

 Fellows' Gowning 2024

 

high resolution images of the 2024 event are available for download in the photo bank

 

 

 Hierarchy of the IoC Mar 2024 1368x1292

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2023 - Two honorands, TfL commissioner Andy Lord and former Aldermanic Sheriff Alison Gowman. A new President, as Viscount Falkland passes on the mantle to Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill. Two dozen new fellows are received in line.

2022 – Two honorands, TfL commissioner Andy Byford and head of the DVSA Loveday Ryder – Services to Industry for Trevor Hoyle, a thousand years of service in the ceremonial fellows of 2022.

2018 - John Hayes CBE elected new Vice President, Honorary Fellowship awarded to Leon Daniels. Kate Lester takes  Services to Industry hood.

2017 - The honorary gown was awarded to Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye.

2016 - Fellows hand the gown to their President and recognise eighty years...New TfL boss took honorary fellowship & first-ever honorary associateship for the Army. Viscount, Lord Falkland, celebrating his eighty years...Sixty-four years since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne...TfL boss Mike Brown awarded the hon fellowship, 12 new Fellows were gowned by IOC President Viscount, Lord Falkland.

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IoC Qualifications

IoC Qualifications (44)

Qualifications in the Express Logistics sector

IOC Chair, Carl Lomas,

Qualifications are key to our sector, both for compliance and future workforce, from driver front line to management. The IOC have been working closely with FE colleges, Universities, LEPs and DfE/IFA, The IOC have a 4 module workbook pack to accompany the express delivery operative level 2 apprenticeship, candidates are funded by levy. Candidates who complete the workbook on their apprenticeship journey are eligible for associate membership of the IOC.

 

A degree in Express logistics for next generation managers

IOC has two key qualification routes, management & delivery. For management, IOC is working with The University of West London in the Heathrow logistics hot spot and Derby University in the heart of the East Midlands gateway to deliver the first-ever undergraduate degree dedicated to our sector. A level six apprenticeship degree standard passed by the IFA. A level six text book is nearing publication.

An apprenticeship for Express operatives

There is level two apprenticeship for express operatives, it is free to candidates and funded by levy. The ‘Courier Trailblazer’ was a phase three application and evolved into ‘Trailblazer Express Delivery’, the standard submitted to BIS Nov 2015, live apprenticeship qualification in 2019. A full delivery pack for learners, a four workbook reflective journal portfolio to match the standard went live in 2020, rich in employer operator content. Employer support came from APC to Yodel, nationals from Hermes to DPD to SMEs such as Swift in Liverpool and GLH in London.

Justin Moore, chaired the strong employer group meetings talking Express driver operative at Level two.

We have outstanding contributions from so many employers, nationals, networks and local SMEs. The standard that will set the future qualification for the front line of our sector. It’s a big thank-you all round for everyone who has made this possible. This will be a vocational qualification for our front-line teams delivering at the client face.

 

Workbook modules for the apprenticeship level two, ‘Express delivery operative.'

IOC uniquely built a full learning delivery pack for the express delivery operative apprenticeship. Built with rich levels of operator content, ‘What is this thing we call Express?’ ‘Parcels larger than letters, smaller than pallets’ ‘Same day, next day schedules.’ ‘POB to empty.’ ‘Safe-guarding age related goods from knives to fireworks.’ The learning delivery pack is formed of four module workbooks, they can be completed in the job environment, interactive learning booklets with interpretation boxes for on the job notes, top tip lines from industry. Knowledge to do the job, skills blocks that follow experience in delivery, behaviour focused on brand, integrity and security at the door.

 

IOC acting EQA for DFT IFA

Ofqual is the official external quality auditor, IOC acting as the sector review body, IOC have built a one hundred question bank for the apprenticeship knowledge test, extensive simulation exercises and a pointer set for the professional discussion module of express delivery operative.

 

Going beyond the standard for express delivery operative apprenticeship

Candidates who complete the IOC work books with an apprenticeship pass qualify for access to associate membership of the IOC.

 

Message to schools

IOC deliver key note tuition express sector introductions to schools. Explaining the career stairway in logistics. The schools message for the next generation is key, taking the message of our sector as a career path. IOC have worked very closely with further education, FE, from West Thames College GTA at Heathrow to Buxton & Leek with their Skillbase driver training centre in the homeland of former Sec of State for transport Patrick Mcloughlin.

 

Jobcentre Plus – SWAP - ‘What is this thing we call express logistics?’

For adults looking at a step into the sector, IOC have worked with DWP Jobcentre Plus to develop a free of charge SWAP, Sector Work Academy Programme targeted at the unemployed entering sortation and express delivery roles.

 

 

Copies of sector-relevant standards and qualification documents, including those authored by IoC and other external bodies can be found in the IoC Standards Archive.

IoC is also active in the Education & Training Foundation's Two-Way Street leadership exchange programme - for more details go here

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IoC National Courier Awards

IoC National Courier Awards (156)

 

The third President of the Institute of Couriers has been announced at the National Courier Awards Oct 22nd 2024.

 2024 news oct vp sir john hayes to announce next ioc president

The hottest secret in the express sector was revealed at the National Courier Awards, IOC Vice President Sir John Hayes was on stage to reveal that the next President of the IOC will be Lord Patrick McLoughlin - The Rt. Hon. the Lord McLoughlin CH.

 

Founding President was Viscount, Lord Falkland, he handed the baton to Lord Peter Hendy, Lord Peter took the DfT Ministers role for new Govt this year and stepped down. Oct 22nd all was revealed as the IOC announced the third President of the Institute.

Countdown to National Courier Awards

Largest nomination number ever for 2024.

Fifty make shortlisting - bike, van contract and office categories.

Services to industry award expected.

Special ambassadors of our sector to be recognised.

It's time to book your seat and be ready to rattle the clappers.

For 2024, the awards will close with a super hero category and the announcement of new services to industry winner.

Add to all the excitement as awards guests will welcome the new IOC President.

The National Courier Awards are independent and without sponsorship, they recognise everyone in the express final mile sector.

The winners remain a secret until the evening of the awards, winners must be present to be awarded one of the prestigious National Courier Awards. The panel of judges is chaired by Simon Allan-Brooks.

Take a look at the shortlist here

 2024 news oct nca individual shortlist announced

The Superheroes of 2024

IOC CEO, Dr Tracey Worth, ‘I welcome you to join the celebration of the 28th year of these annual independent national awards, ‘It is simply amazing'. Resilience is the backbone of our industry, from two-wheel to the ever-changing technology used by those who represent this professional and qualified industry. All in the express industry - national, regional organisations large and small, are welcome.’ We return to Drapers' Hall, City of London, there are Curly Wurlys, a gala dinner and the clappers return. Govt departments confirmed to attend include DFT, DFE, DEFRA and DVS. Top tip is the puffin bird will walk the route of parade for an outing with the Lord Mayor of London, Michael Mainelli.

Format remains, a network and natter reception of the whos who of express logistics. The awards will open with corporate awards and then a big focus on individuals, every winner on stage. A final moment of the evening to announce a rare life services to industry fellow is expected. The awards are independent and not sponsored. 2024 sees the largest nomination group ever put forward.

 

 

NCA Logo Blue 256The National Courier Awards recognise the best of the best in the courier industry - from wheels to office, contract and military. A gala evening celebrating excellence from courier companies large and small, regional and national footprint alongside each other in a unique network of all things courier.

 

Join the conversation at #natcourierawards

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IoC & Government

IoC & Government (0)

IOC & Government

All three Vice Presidents of the Institute of Couriers are former transport ministers. The Institute works closely with DfT, DfE IFA (formerly BIS), DWP, DEFRA and BEIS; From roads to education, parking, clean air and congestion to trailblazer apprenticeships; freight forums with Transport for London, GLA, Leeds and Transport for Greater Manchester. IOC have loose associations with many colleges; FE at Hull to West Thames at Heathrow. IOC has closely engaged with the LEP platforms, particularly those who have identified transport and logistics as a priority. In the Golden Triangle of logistics hot-spots, IOC have helped build the sector strategy from Nottingham through Derby to Leicester. LEP view - the inspirational postcodes; 80% of the UK within four hours of East Midlands airport by road. Peter Richardson, D2N2 LEP former Chair.

During the Covid-19 crisis, IOC engaged with The College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council, a copy of the COVID-19-Police-brief-in-response-to-Coronavirus-Government-Legislation can be found below.

DfE have produced a guide to Trailblazer levy. The guidance and a detailed timetable of further information releases are available on the GOV.UK website here.

The DfE/HMRC draft legislation on levy is now available for comment. For the convenience of members we have a downloadable PDF of the request for comments here.

Copies of sector-relevant standards, including those authored by IoC and other external bodies can be found in the IoC Standards Archive. Simply select a tab below and click through to the documents of interest.

FORS – IOC chair Carl Lomas takes governance role.

FORS Fleet operator recognition scheme. More focus for vans as scheme achieves four thousand members. IOC chair Carl Lomas sat at the Governance council Oct bringing more van vision to the London standard turned national. FORS passed four thousand members in the last quarter, half of the vehicles are vans, the FORS emblem born in London has become a national representation of fleets working inside the standard to look at workforce, vehicle, compliance and clean air. The very latest standards V4 are published, take a look below, The bar has been raised a little for gold standard and some silver requirements have been passed down to Bronze.

 

Chief Inspector, Patrick Holdaway, National Business Crime Centre - COVID-19 briefing

Talking to the IOC during Covid-19 this week (3rd April 2020),

The College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council have produced a briefing in relation to Covid-19, whilst aimed at policing I feel it would be of interest and benefit to fellows business and provide some answers to questions around police powers, particularly in relation to restrictions on movement and gatherings.   This updated version is a result of the feedback IOC have been giving me which I have then fed back into policing.

 

Dowload here

 

DfT

Senior Traffic Commissioner's Guidance  Reported road casualties 2015 Reported road casualties 2016

LEPs

Sector Action Plans Two-Way Street leadership exchange 

MCIA

Documents produced by the Motor Cycle Industry Association

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Three and a half years in the making, funding is agreed and it's ready for training providers to dish up to the sector ! A sector that continues to explode in numbers, with career routes set for life.

The last part of the jigsaw fell into place today when Dept for Education, IFA published the funding band for Express Trailblazer level two delivery operative (Friday Aug 17). Band six places around four thousand pounds of levy fee available to candidates taking up the brand new express qualification.

TfL boss Mike Brown was on hand to congratulate IOC chair Carl Lomas who has been acting as secretary to the express employer group for the last three and a half years. Mike Brown is also the chairman of the DfT STAT group - Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce. Mike is holding this year's STAT annual review,  which details the Express sector. Lomas is showcasing the Express logos for the new qual that will provide strong support to new-generation drivers in or entering the final mile sector.

 

Cycle to work day 2018. It first began in 2012 as a means of getting people to ditch their car in favour of two wheels and has now become a full-blown cycling celebration.

This year, Tracey Worth used a Santander bike at Euston to get to TfL meetings in SE1, joining more than 20,000 people who pledged to make their way to and from the office by bike.

Doing the right thing

Following the latest Taylor issues after the Pimlico tribunal, IOC aligned the code of practice heads of industry to sit in the summer heatwave; ‘it will not wait for autumn.

The Aug 1st event was a fellows' full table with guests packed in at the sides. Lunch courtesy of Irwin Mitchell set a tone of interaction and exchange; the IOC sorted pudding in trade show style with Curly Wurly chocolate bars and the debate bag.

A code of practice for the express delivery sector.

The vote delivered Ethical Best Practice joint first concern with Environmental. Health and Safety next, with Employment Status right behind.

Dept for Transport and Jesse Norman MP Sunday 7am 12 Aug 2018 launched a consultation to look at whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for dangerous cyclists. The Department for Transport has begun a 12-week consultation on plans to update existing road safety laws to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

The new consultation, open for 12 weeks from today (12 August 2018), will look at whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for dangerous cyclists.

Argos launch summer catalogue – You're Good to Go – Same day delivery

Express home delivery - It's not all online.

Pallets of the new Argos catalogue launched this Saturday as shoppers on the high street had FAST TRACK options to order by 6pm for 10pm same day delivery.

 Exploding e-retail drawing market share from bricks and mortar High Street to home delivery leaves catalogue strong.

Mayor, TfL and the Met launch the "boldest-ever plan" to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London’s roads.

The Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) have this week published London’s first ‘Vision Zero’ action plan, which sets out bold and ambitious plans to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network.

Express delivery qualification is waiting for the Minister's sign-off to start, but news across the wider transport sector is good for apprenticeships in truck, warehouse and roads.

Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani, ‘The transport industry is leading the way in unlocking brilliant careers and tackling the need for the logisticians of the future.’

TfL boss Mike Brown chaired and opened the event with apprentices from the transport sector. Knights of Old truck driver, Jonathan Field took the top truck spot showcasing apprenticeships in LGV. Joel Hadfield was the warehouse and storage apprentice, working Manchester at Amphorea Packaging, he was trained by MANTRA learning.

Following the DHL-UK Mail deal at the end of 2016, the brand is set to change - also new web for over fifty sites.

A new web site and rebranding for the fifty UK Mail sites adding strong DHL international options to the customer provision.

Amazon Prime Day in delivery as Lord Mayor brands the final mile for the Institute of Couriers' last mile 1976 Honda courier bike with one hundred and twenty nine thousand miles on the clock. How many London, West End goes City deliveries is that?

Institute of Couriers President Lord Falkland was at the five hundred and first year of the ancient guild ceremony of cart marking for a bumper turnout of Institute fellows and guests - national, regional and network.

IOC heads of industry to talk shop and discuss code of practice for the future of the transport & logistics sector. VIP guests of the IOC included DfT head of freight policy, Philip Martin and Army post office boss, Colonel Andy Moffat.

Prime Day is a one-day-only global shopping event exclusively for Amazon Prime members.

Amazon - 'Sign up to experience the benefits that millions of Prime Members enjoy.'

Prime Day began three years ago, July 15th 2015, the anniversary of the original founding of Amazon by its CEO Jeff Bezos.

In 2017, Amazon Prime Day was big; numbers more than doubled from 2016.