Life Services Simi Punn

Simi Punn, the recipient of this year’s award is a shining example of dedication, leadership, and innovation. From 22 years ago starting as a customer service telephonist Simi told the founder of the company that she wanted to become Manging Director of the Courier Division and she did.

Her career has been defined by a series of progressive roles that have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. From account management to Sameday Commercial Manager, International experience, particularly in India which led to instigating support to the rollout of services for a major global client before, being appointed as Managing Director for the Courier Services Division in the UK, in a business that is now a global logistics player operating in over 50 countries.

Using her energy to support others reflects the same intensity of her leadership, always focused on creating lasting, meaningful impact. Whether in her professional or charitable efforts, constantly seeking ways to support others, making an unwavering positive contribution to the sector has earnt Simi widespread, sector respect. Everything she does is a lasting testament of her contribution to the sector.

Daniel Anvoner (Smiths News)

Daniel Anvoner is a seasoned logistics and operations professional with extensive experience in leading high-performance teams, optimizing processes, and delivering strategic initiatives within fast-paced and complex environments from an academic foundation in Chemistry.

Beginning his career in supply chain and manufacturing leadership roles at Diageo and A.G. Barr, Daniel honed his skills in operational excellence and safety management. His ability to lead transformational projects was further exemplified during his tenure at Amazon Logistics, where he successfully scaled up operations and led innovative programs that reduced cost per shipment.

At InPost UK, Evri, and DPD, Daniel progressed to senior operational roles, managing regional delivery networks and implementing pioneering initiatives such as electric vehicle fleet rollouts and depot restructuring. His leadership on cross-functional projects, including route optimization and supplier performance management, resulted in multi-million-pound savings while enhancing service quality.

Josh Arbon (The Courier Company Nationwide)

Josh trained as a technical assistant, became a warehouse man and a courier driver and then he knew the career path he wanted. Starting at Arrow Express Couriers as a courier he then moved over to RJP Logistics and Delivery Solutions before joining the Courier Company Nationwide in Cambridge.

Josh wanted to change the perspective of customers, provide a delivery driver who is a professional who takes pride in his work so the vision of starting his own company with his partner Fellow Richard England was born. Progressing with the business Josh has integrated ISO 2015, moved the business to a larger site, expanded the workforce.

Josh has now taken on the Operations Director role and loves being able to plan and implement HR policy to ensure manageable growth alongside quality and dedicated deliveries.

Andy Burns (Viking)

Andy Burns has been working in multiple aspects of the logistics industry for the last decade, approaching problems from many different angles and specializing in bespoke solutions. A good sense of communication and a strong belief in utilising all members of the team and resources at his disposal to the advantage of the role and company are what define him.

Currently as the Carrier Manager for Viking Office since May 2023, Andy manages the entire logistics movement from pick-up to trunking to final-mile delivery of over 1500 parcels per day. Whilst creating relationships with some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest carriers to ensure seamless movement of all goods.

From first job in Foyle Food Group, Logistics and Sales Manager at Cyclone Group, 2Flow Logistics, McBurney Transport and on to Viking UK Andys career has been steeped in logistics. He loves surprising and informing the customer. ‘What many people don't know is that we do more, so much more’.

Paul Carvell (The Delivery Group)

Paul Carvell currently is the Executive chairman of The Delivery Group. Created following the acquisition of specialist mail company CMS in March 2015, and after the P2P international ecommerce distribution acquisition in 2016, the business is across six high specification locations.

Paul’s career has spanned many an organisation including the non-executive chairman of Diamond Logistics, Vodafone and Unipart Logistics, Business Direct now DX and UK Mail formerly Business post now part of DHL.

Paul holds an MA Hons (Oxon) in Geography and Transport Economics and certainly has travelled the globe of logistics companies.

Ryan Catahan (EVRi)

Ryan started with a career as a Finance Graduate at Tesco, gaining Chartered Management Accountant designation. He was fortunate to manage a finance team in Bangalore, India, and to step into operations and manage a Tesco Express Store in his hometown of Liverpool.

Furthering his career as a Finance Business Partner at Yodel, he then joined Masersk and finally moved to Evri (Hermes).

Over the last decade Ryan has worked on infrastructure projects, given the opportunity to support the courier space, where he implemented a range of reporting and performance management processes.

Over the last few years Ryan has settled into leading finance of final mile for EVRI and has been a key partner in developing the final mile strategy, unlocking benefits for the business through several projects.

Simon Harper (DX)

Simon Harper, a seasoned express industry veteran and is an operating board member of DX. Simon works closely with the CEO, Divisional MD's, CFO, Personnel, Sales, Operations & I.T. Directors, on driving financial, operational and commercial improvement across the business, and in refining and delivering the growth strategy.

As seasoned industry veteran, he continues today to lead big change at DX, making & shaping activity across all areas of the business, putting to use skills & experience gleaned over 30+ years at TNT, much of it learned from Senior IoC Fellows such as Bob Black <Former COO of Australia Post> & notably Alistair Cochrane <now COO of Royal Mail>, who Simon describes as the ‘without doubt the 2 biggest positive influences and sponsors in my long career’. Simon was operations director at TNT UK for 7 years and a main board director for 4 of those. He also spent 2 years post-acquisition of TNT at FedEx, as VP Operations..

His back catalogue contains time in commercial, sales & general management roles, international cross border, customs clearance & ramp / gateway operations & leading teams in Field & Network Operations, Sales, Customer Service, Fleet, Property & Real Estate, Procurement, Continuous Improvement & Change, Simon was media trained early in his exec development, and became an experienced union negotiator in his time leading the relationship between Unite & TNT.

Having found his way in to Parcels in 1987 after a short stint in banking, he joined TNT IPEC <the European Road arm of TNT’s then market leading Road Network> and quickly moved on… He fondly recalls one of his first jobs in TNT which got him hooked on the industry in the 1980’s ‘when TNT ruled the night skies over Europe’ & where his induction to driving airside to unload the belly of the new QT146 Freighter Aircraft involved being given a yellow jacket, a flashing beacon for the top of his company car and an instruction ‘not to crash into any parked aircraft’ as they were ‘expensive and full of important deliveries!’

When asked why Simon is still in Parcels after all these years, he’s keen to point to the lifelong friendships, learning and travel opportunities that it has given to someone that left school at 16 with few qualifications, that ‘the country can’t survive without our us, we were amongst the first to become Key Workers in Covid!’ that it has given him a wife of 26 years & that in his opinion, there really is no better but less appreciated industry to be in… ‘I also love the environment we’ve created at DX where you can be yourself and make a difference quickly’

He is a former national council member of the FTA, a committed Road Transport Professional & long-time friend of the IoC in his various guises in parcels and now, a Senior Fellow of IoC..

‘I was delighted to receive an IoC Chairmans nomination recently, and to formalise my relationship as a Senior Fellow of the IoC under the DX banner. I am looking forward to further developing our engagement with IoC for mutual & industry/sector benefit. There is no shortage of issues we need to work at to address to improve everyone’s lot, to do so in an environmentally & commercially responsible way, & in the process to make the wider T&L sector as appealing to the next generation of transport and parcel professionals at all levels as it was to me & many of my peer group back in the 1980’s when we started out’

Matthew Kitely (Dpd Group)

Matthew is a graduate of Mathematics and Applied Statistics 1st Class Honours and joined Dpd from university. Matt started out in the job role of Line Haul Planner and has held further operational roles of General Manager and National Transport Manger to which Matt brought his planning, analysis and operational support skills to bear on each job role. Matts skills, in turn proved that he was able to contribute to considered and creative solutions that would benefit the wider business.

Matt is recognised for his skills and determination as he replanned the Transport Operation for the opening of 2 of the largest hubs in Europe for Dpd. Successfully planned 9 ‘Peaks’ and has successfully recruited and developed at least 10 Mid to Senior level managers within the Transport Department. Investing in the future.

Elizabeth Lloyd-Powell (Royal Mail)

An inspiring, trusted and resilient Leader with a proven track record in transformational cultural change. Extensive experience in both public and private enterprise, personal and process safety. Lizz is a Leader who delivers cost effective sustainable results through creation of high performing teams that nurture an individual’s capability and enables everyone to bring their best authentic self to work.

Lizz is experienced in crisis management who brings her energy, empathy and listening skills to promote and role model the compnay values. As the Health and Safety Director for Royal Mail Lizz is a senior leader responsible for governance and the Health and Safety portfolio for the Royal Mail Group.

She is customer service oriented and able to communicate at all levels in and outside of an organisation. Lizz builds strong effective partnerships through shared vision, teamwork and win/win results. An optimist with an appetite for positive change who enjoys a challenge!

Lianne Magee (EVRi)

Lianne Magee is the Network Service and Planning Lead, Service Performance Manager and Network Partnership Planning Lead for EVRi having previously worked with UK Mail

With nine years of diverse experience in the logistics industry, Lianne has had the privilege of working across multiple teams, including operations, service & compliance, customer experience, and projects & planning. Throughout her career, she has been fortunate to receive strong support from her seniors, which has allowed her to develop a versatile skill set and seize opportunities for personal growth.

Michael Magee (EVRi)

After 5 years working in the retail section for Somerfield, in 2002, I made the move over to logistics with Business Post. My first role was a warehouse operative on nights in Runcorn. From operative to Linehaul co-ordintor to night manager moving away from Business Post to Container manager for UK Mail.

After 15 years at Business Post/ UK Mail and then DHL Ecommerce Michael joined Hermes as a Divisional Compliance Manager. Over the next 3 ½ years he was seconded several times into the Area delivery manager role responsible for all aspects of the final mile delivery operation which led to his current post of Area Partnership Manager.

Mitchell Mosley (EVRi)

Mitch over the last two decades has worked with DHL Supply chain with JLR, before he started with EVRi (Hermes). He is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who obtained his Private Pilot’s license, passing first time at the age of 21, and applies those piloting skills to his work.

Mitch has worked through the job roles of Assistant Regional Delivery Manager, Regional Delivery Manager and Area Operations Manager for East.

Having achieved success in each of the previous job roles he rose to his current post of Area Manager for the North. Responsible for the Area management in final mile delivery for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northern England, making rapid progress of just 4 years into post.

Helen O’Keeffe (Rico Logistics)

An experienced logistics and operations professional with a career spanning over three decades in the transportation, logistics, and the courier industry. She has a proven track record in operations management, project implementation, and business development across multiple leadership roles.

Starting out with ‘orange’ TNT Express Helen went on to work for Lynx Parcels. Site Manager then Regional manager at Rico which saw her focus on Logistics Coordination and team management. Onto Crisis Courier Solutions and Service Centre Manager at CitySprint before she rejoined Rico Logistics in 2016 as National Operations and Implementations Manager. An experienced express delivery operational leader who is passionate about getting the job done right.

Robert Peto (FedEx)

Parcels flow in Rob Peto veins. Starting out after school, as a Finance Manager Rob has held many financial posts for the express delivery sector. Geopost UK – now DpdGroup, Parcelforce Worldwide, City Link, TNT and of course now FedEx.

Finance is the core of Rob’s skill set but he has successfully played his part in Project management, B2B, Business relationship management, Business development, Pperations management, Strategic planning, International logistics and many, many more. As a Vice President of Road Network - Northern Europe, Special Services and Cross Border and now currently holds the post of FedEx Vice President and Board Chair of UK and Ireland.

If Tom Hanks wasn’t available for Castaway, Rob was his stand in.

Philip Robinson (EVRi)

Phil has an extensive and accomplished career in the logistics sector, contributing over 20 years of dedicated service to multiple carriers. His wealth of experience has allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the industry, from operational management to strategic oversight.

Over the past nine years at Evri, Phil has taken on a variety of key roles, each demonstrating his adaptability, leadership, and commitment to excellence. His journey within the company has seen him excel in multiple areas. Field Management, Regional Management, Contractor Management and Loss

In his latest role, Phil plays a pivotal part in managing contractors across the Evri network, a responsibility that stands as a true testament to his hard work, expertise, and unwavering dedication. His contributions not only strengthens the company’s operations but also reinforce his lasting impact on the logistics sector as a whole.

Lesley Saillian (Viking UK)

Lesley is performance-driven and an accomplished professional with extensive experience in planning, managing, and streamlining daily operations in the express delivery sector. Lesley has worked with Viking UK formerly Office Depot UK for 30 years.
Lesley is known for her solid track record of enhancing productivity and driving operational efficiency by training, building, and supervising diverse teams. Starting early in her career as a Customer service representative, the customer interface skills have proven beneficial as she has taken on Transport Team Leader Transport Operations Manager, Warehouse Operations Manager and currently holding the post of Operations Manager for the Viking UK group.
Lesley has seen many changes of the delivery expectations and demands of customers over the years and has negotiated the business to ensure that people and processes are applied resourcefully.

 Joanna Sproat (Rico Logistics)

A seasoned Operations Director with a proven record of success in driving operational process and performance within fast paced logistic environments. Joanna is committed to service improvement. Starting work, after her Paralegal Training, Joanna worked for Scottish Government as Performance and Implementation Manager, not long after starting her she joined DHL Express Sameday as their North Regional Manager and then promoted to Director Operations. Now well and truly embedded in the world of Express Joanna worked with UK Mail, BGP Global Services before moving to Rico Logistics.

Joanna took the role of Senior Accounts Manager and over a five year period showed her skills and aptitude for Performance management, Managing escalations and customer expectations, upselling multiple service offerings and being able to manage board level targets. She was offered the role of Head of Service Delivery in Oct 2023.

Charlotte Wakeham (Royal Mail)

From Postwoman at Wootton Bassett Delivery Office to Head of Future Talent Royal Mail. Charlotte has delivered on every job role she has held from HR Coordinator, Workforce Planning Manager, People Business Partner, Senior HR Business Partner to, Senior HR Business Partner, all for Royal Mail.

Charlotte has reshaped Royal Mail's talent and skills strategy across a 130,000-strong workforce. Reduced recruitment time-to-offer by 80% and increased apprenticeship applications by over 200%.

She launched 'Royal Mail Scholar' and 'Future Manager Development programme', creating structured career pathways from frontline to management roles. Developed and executed organisation-wide DEI and social mobility initiatives, including a significant youth employment programme.

Warren Winstone (Smiths News)

Warren has recently celebrated 25 years of service at Smiths News.

Having built an exceptional career in logistics and operations management, Warren has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the industry. From his early hands-on roles in distribution to his current position as Regional Operations Manager, his career has seen him continually drive operational excellence, cost efficiencies, and team leadership across multiple sites.

Throughout Warren's career he has played pivotal roles in business transformation, spearheading cost-saving initiatives, optimising supply chain operations, and implementing strategic improvements. With a 25-year milestone in the industry, Warren looks forward to continuing in his dedication, resilience, and passion for the industry.

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