Rob Scott FIoC at Guildhall for the Worshipful Company of Carmen's Cart marking.

During the ceremony of carts at Guildhall Rob Scott FIoc took time out to meet past master Graham Westcott. Graham responsible for the organisation of many of the past ceremonies had seen John Scott's first entry of GLH's Hybrid Car into the parade many years before.

CitySprint continues growth with Scarlet Couriers acquisition

CitySprint and Scarlet Couriers announced (2nd July)the successful transfer of Scarlet's SameDay Courier Operations to CitySprint. CitySprint will take on a number of Scarlet Couriers' operations in Bracknell and Slough, expanding its reach and consolidating its position as the UK's leading private same day distribution company.

Jon Barber FFIoC, Managing Director of Scarlet Couriers, said 'CitySprint shares our commitment to customer service, so we'll be working together to ensure that the integration is a seamless process. For the time being, it is 'business as usual' for our customers, with the same teams and same couriers in place.'

CitySprint has acquired all SameDay Courier, UK overnight and International operations from Scarlet Couriers in Bracknell, as well as all SameDay Courier operations in Slough. Scarlet Couriers will continue to operate its APC overnight courier operations

The acquisition will expand CitySprint's scale and reach, providing Scarlet Couriers' customers with an enhanced service through its 2,000 couriers and network of 35 UK service centres. In addition, customers will benefit from CitySprint's investment in leading-edge technology such as its national, live courier-tracking system and automated status notifications.

Patrick Gallagher, Chief Executive of CitySprint, said 'This deal is another significant milestone in CitySprint's on-going growth strategy. CitySprint's extensive national reach is key to our success, so we're delighted to be consolidating our presence in Berkshire.'

Courier & Mail Skills Council

Skills Council, Skills for Logistics has formed a sector specific working group for Mail & Courier

IOC Chairman Carl Lomas takes its chair, the first names are as below, other members are being sort to gain a wide industry representation

Group by alphabetic surname

Ian Bolton Director City Link, Sharon Davies Director DHL, Colonel Stephen D Heron head of British services post office BFPO, Mike Marjoram General Manager Royal Mail sameday, Justin Moore FIoC Director City Sprint John Nolan FIoC Director UK Mail Malcolm Pickup Director TNT, Len Rainford FFIoC Director Sameday UK and Rob Scott FIoC Director GLH

Shadow employment Minister , Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP speaking to Carl Lomas IoC Chairman on future training for transport sector.

Apprenticeships focus on pre-nineteen year olds, drivers 25 plus never get a look in to the funding, its always a strain, Skills council reporting driver shortages industry wide.

Stephen Timms, 'I am worried and troubled about the work programme.'

These are challenging times, I welcome insights from training providers to new thinking.

'Unemployment queues will not shorten this year. There is no question, unemployment is a crisis. Borrowing forecast for 158 billion we are in a downward spiral. We simply must reverse. Welfare to work must be effective. We need a skills system to equip us for the global markets.  As baby boom reaches retirement in 2050 crisis looms. Abolition of train to Gain, it is clear apprenticeships are filling that gap in the rate of increase of age per candidate. 'These are challenging times, we welcome insights from training providers to new thinking'.