IoC news - Fellows Gowning
Inst of Couriers Fellows' Gowning March 3rd 2026
Ceremonial gowning of IOC fellows 2026
The prestigious fellows' gowning of the Inst of Couriers takes place at the House of Lords, hosted by President, Lord Patrick McLoughlin. IOC Vice President, Sir John Hayes is confirmed to attend. An event recognising individual success with a Who's Who guest list that builds the most formidable network and natter in the last mile, final mile, express delivery sector. National brands will be alongside regionals and city operators from across the UK.
For 2026 there is a life service gold hood waiting; the recipient, who was named at last year's National Courier Awards, is Louise O'Neil, Whistl who is also the co-chair of the Skills England Education Employer Trailblazer Group. It’s a formidable guest list to welcome her - former winners attending include Simi Punn TVS SCS who took gold last year, Royal Mail COO Alistair Cochrane, IOC Founding Fellow Jeffrey Ritterband and former FedEx SVP Trevor Hoyle.
Read more here
Hon fellows confirmed to attend for 2026 include Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell, TfL Commissioner Andy Lord, UWL Vice Chancellor Peter John and Heathrow's Nigel Milton.
Meet the 2026 Fellows here and see all the photos for Gowning 2026 here
A breadth of govt is on the VIP list including DfT, DFE and DVSA and will be joined regional bodies from TfL to TFWM. The whole IOC board is attending. Those hon fellows confirmed in attendance include Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell and City of London Sheriff Alison Gowman. Sparkling reception, bowl food includes fellows' favourite fish and chip portions. Next generation apprentices will be on hand alongside Educators and Livery Masters including Louise Thompson, Senior Warden of the Fuellers.
IOC 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, the room is express logistics. The event is IOC fellows gowning 2026!
Institute of Couriers House of Lords New Fellows' Gowning 2017.
Sixty-five years since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye was awarded the honorary fellowship hood of the Institute of Couriers in a gala evening ceremony of recognition of the best-of-the-best in the courier, express and final mile sector.
As has become the tradition of the Institute, ten new Fellows were ceremonially gowned alongside the honorary fellow by IoC President Viscount, Lord Falkland.
National Courier Award winner, Army Reserve Sgt Dean Channell received an honorary associate membership and to round the evening a lifetime services hood was awarded to former National Courier Awards chair, Justin Moore, CitySprint making the dozen hoods of 2017.
Hon Fellows, Sir Peter Hendy and Vice Chancellor, Prof Liz Barnes gave keynote speeches; road, compliance and qualifications issues on the agenda before John Holland-Kaye talked freight at Heathrow airport.
Institute of Couriers House of Lords New Fellows' Gowning 2018.
Sixty-five years since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye was awarded the honorary fellowship hood of the Institute of Couriers in a gala evening ceremony of recognition of the best of the best in the courier, express and final mile sector.
As has become the tradition of the Institute, ten new Fellows were ceremonially gowned alongside the honorary fellow by IOC President Viscount, Lord Falkland.
National Courier Award winner, Army Reserve Sgt Dean Channell received an honorary associate membership and to round the evening a lifetime services hood was awarded to former National Courier Awards chair, Justin Moore, CitySprint making the dozen hoods of 2017.
Hon Fellows, Sir Peter Hendy and Vice Chancellor, Prof Liz Barnes gave keynote speeches; road, compliance and qualifications issues on the agenda before John Holland-Kaye talked freight at Heathrow airport.
2017 Honorary Fellowship for the Institute of Couriers is awarded to John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer Heathrow Airport.
The Institute of Couriers appoints one honorary fellow each year. On the evening of Feb 10, 2017 IOC President Viscount, Lord Falkland will award the honorary fellowship to Heathrow boss, john Holland-Kaye.
The ceremony of IOC Fellow's Gowning takes place once each year. TfL boss Mike Brown took Hon. FIoC in 2016, UK traffic commissioner Sarah Bell in 2015, Sir Peter Hendy in 2014.
Eighty years for a gown, new TfL boss takes honorary fellowship & first-ever honorary associateship for the Army.
Institute of Couriers House of Lords New Fellows' Gowning 2016.
Fellows hand the gown to their president and recognise eighty years...New TfL boss takes 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...eleven new Fellows were gowned by IOC President Viscount, Lord Falkland.
From front to left
Greg Filmer Swift Group, Simon Allan-Brooks Antalis, Jane Weaver AYS Logistics,Sean McGrae Tarmac, David Poole DPD, Jonathan Smith APC, David Grey FIOC, Viscount Falkland, Jeffrey Ritterband FIOC, David Jacobs DX,Terry Room CitySprint, Sandra Robinson Diamond Logistics, Daniel Allin Diamond Logistics, Stephen May Sameday Co., L/Cpl Claire Williams.
Viscount Falkland President IoC. Courier, express delivery, a truly expanding and evolving sector. It has been a great pleasure to gown the 2016 ceremonial fellows of the Institute this evening. The express delivery and courier sector is evolving and to do so in the most professional manner.
From Front left Patrick Gallagher CitySprint, Kate Lester Diamond Logistics, Tim Goddard Maritime,Faye Calland TNT, Phil Gee APC, Kathy Sharkey DX, Sam Clarke Gnewt, Viscount Falkland President, Sarah Bell Hon. Jerry Stewart Eagle Couriers,Allison Kemp AIM, Steve Alderson TNT, Zoe Powers GLH, Robert Berringer GSG, Jon Stockton TNT.
Front Sitting from left to right: Adrian Smith Swift Group, Dean Mansell Briggs Equipment, Sir Peter Hendy Transport for London, Jeffrey Ritterband CitySprint, Viscount Falkland President, Kevin Grey Point to Point, Martin Poole CitySprint, Paul Tyson DX, David Smith City Link, Nigel Barton System
2025 – Life services went to Simi Punn TVS. 18 senior IOC fellows gowned at House of Lords.
2024 – Hon fellow and keynote address to Nigel Milton – Heathrow
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.
Gowning galleries
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