Hot off the Press. A briefing update by Peter Hendy Transport for London
An Olympic Road Closures update was given to the Fellows of the IoC.
Sarah Bell Lead Traffic Commissioner also spoke of positive outcomes on the olympics.
Peter Hendy was appointed Commissioner in 2006, having previously served as TfL's managing director (MD) of Surface Transport. He was formerly deputy director UK Bus for FirstGroup and previously MD of CentreWest London Buses, managing it in London Transport (LT) ownership, leading it through a management and staff buyout with venture capital backing and a subsequent expansion. He started his transport career in 1975 as an LT Graduate Trainee. Peter was also Chair of the Commission for Integrated Transport from 2005 until 2010. He is 2011/12 President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
December Tuesday 13th, Institute of Couriers New Fellows Gowning hosted by IOC President Viscount Falkland the ceremony took place in the House of Lords. Fellows gowned are individuals recognised at the very top of their career path in the logistics industry.
2011 saw the very first ever second generation gown, Rob Scott of GLH London, the son of former Founding Fellow John Scott steps up and received his father's hood alongside Leon Gamble, Rush Couriers who's aunt Judy Benn of then Arrow Express was also a Founding Fellow.
The event takes place only once a year. Companies large and small, London and UK wide will all be present to see the gowning ceremony and a Christmas reception followed. Existing fellows welcomed the new gowns in a livery like ceremony. TNT, UK Mail, YODEL, DHL mark the big names, many London courier companies, Lewis Day, CitySprint, Prestige, Point to Point were there, UK regional companies from Swift in Liverpool to Speed in Manchester, Carmen livery represented by the Master, Paul Brooks chair of CILT in attendance, Mick Jackson of the Skills Council and the pro Vice Chancellor of Derby University who gave news of the new Foundation degrees in Logistics to be launched next year. This event was by invitation only.
City Link announce Top Brass appointment. City Link have announced the appointment of Adele Henderson to the role of Operations Director at City Link. Adele is currently Operations Director of Parcelforce and has built a very succesfull career in a variety of roles within the Royal Mail Group over the past 20 years. She will join City Link in May 2012
TfL Olympic Road Freight Management Forum December 8th
TfL Commisioner Peter Hendy ‘You want information now to get working on, we will give it to you’.
Graham Inglis chief exec of DHL Supply Chain chaired the event, Geoff & Theo heading RHA & FTA present, CBI and a host of haulage freight and vehicle folk on the edge of their chairs for news of solutions. Peter Hendy, ‘we are moving into the operating stage, Black chariot is the govt code name, Games are the biggest thing in the UK, all my time is dedicated to this, we will try as hard as we can to get it right.’
Dan Evanson TfL spoke on Games time issues for freight. Key points, Time restrictions, unpredictable customer demand, parking out of hours for deliveries. ‘Clearly very few simple supply chains in London’ Hugh Basham for DHL replied with an industry view, ‘there will be cost challenges to servicing the games at night.’ Mark Bland for LOCOG came with news of 123 VCP (vehicle check points), ‘a consignment note will not get you access through security’ ‘We need to restrict spectators driving to the venues. There will be a ring of approximately 30 minutes walking time around the Olympic park. We need to keep local traffic moving. There will be controlled parking zones. 250 thousand homes will be inside the ring, pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.’
Regulations and enforcement, traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell ‘out of hours delivery in London, this is an opportunity, get it right and permanent out of hours London freight delivery will be the transport legacy of the games.’ FTA have worked hard on night delivery noise controls & trials. We need to get the code of practice out.’
Solutions. Ian Wainwright TfL Four Rs -Reduce, ReTime, ReRoute, Revise models. Is it that simple? Ian asked ‘How do we get information out?’ Hot spot congestion maps are on the web, a marvel of graphic display traffic planning, congestion prediction for every day of the games, check TfL web for Hot spots. Real time information still in the planning but will happen, (email alert via trade bodies such as IOC etc) 35 workshops set for the UK, if you have locations for delivery tell us. ‘Use the web portal at TfL’, we will continue to add to it.
Two hours of focus, what next? The forum meets in Feb 2012 to wrap up loose ends.
November 2011
LOGISTICS SECTOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT - £3.95 MILLION BOOST
Skills for Logistics (SfL) , the sector skills council for the logistics and wholesaling industries, will receive funding of £3,955,366 to provide support for employers during the period from April 2012 through to March 2014.
Announcing the decision Skills Minister John Hayes said that the investment, available through the Employer Investment Fund, would provide businesses with the power to build skills systems that would drive an increasingly dynamic economy. Those sector skills councils which had successfully bid for funding, including Skills for Logistics, had demonstrated strong employer leadership on how best to address the skills issues constraining growth in the sector.
Dr Mick Jackson, FIoC Chief Executive Officer of Skills for Logistics , said “Today’s announcement is good news for every operator in the logistics sector. It clearly indicates that the Government recognises both the importance of logistics to the economy, and the vital role which skills development plays in improving business effectiveness”.
Carl Lomas IOC chairman takes a nostalgic tour of the NEC bike show.
Motorcycle Live, NEC Birmingham Nov 19th to 27th
Not been yet! then take an exclusive look around the show on the IOC stills gallery, fuel cell scooter to bike babes and military courier special, even a DHL kiosk to send the bargains home.
Bargains at basement prices but not cheap to access. NEC bike show is not what it used to be, down to three halls, aisles wide as you like, nineteen pounds on the door to get in and eight pounds for the car park. Manufacturers in attendance, Honda Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki, the whole affair has lost much of its glamour of a decade ago but the trade stands have gone full supermarket. J&S had a wall of helmets knocked down to fifty quid at end of the first Monday, that’s proper bargains, cheap none branded helmets on other stalls closed to a tenner, gloves, leathers and modern jackets railed three high. Room for the tots with get on a bike try and ride, a big arena to see six moto cross bikes in a dazzling aero show to dance in the sky over giant jumps. The NEC show is not what it used to be, shrunk in size for sure but the bargains are big and they are stacked high. IOC bagged you some snaps to take a look for yourself. Future vision lay in a fuel cell scooter, story to come. Bike Couriers attending this year’s Motorcycle Live should definitely schedule a stop at the Yamaha stand – Yamaha celebrating 50 years of Grand Prix road racing with a display of machinery representing five decades on the track. Since May 1961, Yamaha has won 36 riders’ world titles and scored over 450 Grand Prix victories. The display commemorated the milestones, from the very first world champion Phil Read, to 2010 MotoGP title winner Jorge Lorenzo. Remember the Yamaha XJ650? Courier middleweight bikes are making a return as manufactures go back to basics on their value naked ranges. A decade ago who would have believed Ducati would show stand half a display of ‘none racing’ nakeds. Got too many bargains then send home from within the hall DHL distribution kiosk, that’s door to door courier for you. IOC president Lord Falkland chuffed to see his favourite Moto Guzzi going retro back to its roots for some very traditional V-twins. Click Here check the photos out.
Newsflash 2011
Lewis Day Deal – City Sprint Addison Lee follows Lord Mayors Parade.
London Streets loaded with half a million extra folk to watch the Lord Mayors Show Saturday Nov 12, by Monday London streets were filled with news of the biggest same day company deal in recent history that will see Scrutton Street the hub of Same day London activities.Monday 14th November, Addison Lee entered into an agreement to acquire the Lewis Day Passenger Car operations and CitySprint entered into an agreement to acquire the Lewis Day Courier operations.
Lewis Day is one of the UK’s most successful passenger car and same day delivery courier firms, established in 2001, with 17 offices nationwide. Medical Services Limited is a major operator in same day medical logistics and patient transport. Looking back into the history books follows a trail of acquisitions, household courier names of old under one roof, Delta, Hornets, West One, Security Despatch and On yer Bike. Patrick Gallagher Chief Executive of CitySprint stands proud as he bridges the two company vans, now as one.
Lewis Day comment ‘We understand the importance of business continuity, so all customers can rest assured that the phased transition has been carefully designed so that the businesses integrate seamlessly. For the moment, it is business as usual. Customers can still contact us on the same phone numbers and can continue to book and track via this website by logging in to their Lewis Day accounts and accessing the booking, tracking and reporting pages as usual.’
CitySprint entered into an agreement to acquire Lewis Day’s UK courier operations, building on its position as the UK’s leading sameday courier and distribution network. The integration will take place over the coming months. As part of the deal, Addison Lee will acquire Lewis Day’s passenger car operations. Lewis Day is one of the UK’s most successful passenger car and same day delivery courier firms with an extensive fleet, 17 nationwide offices and tried and trusted international partners. The addition of Lewis Day’s courier fleet will support CitySprint’s growth as the UK’s largest SameDay logistics provider and it follows the integration of three regional businesses earlier in the year. CitySprint’s new combined operations will comprise over 2,000 couriers, 35 Service Centres, approximately 15,000 transactions per day.
Patrick Gallagher, Chief Executive of CitySprint commented: “Today’s acquisition is a major milestone in our strategy of adding further scale and reach to our national business. We will quickly integrate the new fleet into our existing operations and will be deploying our market leading technology such as real-time GPS tracking and online booking to enhance the service to clients.”
Justin Moore, new Fellow of the Institute of Couriers and Sales & marketing director of City sprint, London office, ‘The aim to complete both of these deals by 28th November and over the next few months the three firms will gradually be integrated to create the UK’s largest SameDay logistics company. This double acquisition is great news for CitySprint. It supports our strategic objectives for growth and means that we will be able to meet our customers’ needs with even more efficiency and flexibility than we already do. We will become a firm of over 2,000 couriers, capability to deliver over 15,000 packages per day. With this capacity and reach, we will continue to delight our customers and exceed their expectations. I believe firmly that this move will be very positive for the business, so please join me in welcoming our new colleagues to the CitySprint family. The next few months will be an exciting time for us all.’
DHL have just announced that Michael O'Connell FIoC is to take over responsibility of the South West Area alongside his exstisting responsibilities of DHL Sameday Operations Midlands.
November 2011
Formation of Courier group for Road freight working party by IoC.
November TfL Olympic roads meeting.
IOC Chair Carl Lomas met with Tfl to outline courier issues for the Olympic roads closures of 2012. Policy advisor to the IOC Leon Mannings with IOC fellows John Fitzpatrick TNT and Jeffrey Ritterband, Lewis day coordinated by IOC secretary Tracey Worth documented key issues: Coordination of the four key boroughs on the road closure route, The final mile delivery via UPS, Security and the anticipated traffic office control station. David Silvey for Tfl received the IOC guests for a full and frank discussion highlighting the key stakeholder needs of the courier business, ‘urgent and unexpected deliveries – same day – daytime and secure nature from banking to blood, courier smart-support for technology from cash machines to phone aerial nets – parking for deliveries on the route – LOCOG’
Formation of a new group of the Road freight Working party for ‘Courier & Express’ has its first meeting Monday 14 November at TfL offices London. The meeting chaired by Yetunde Adepeja has invites to C Rampley RHA, N Chapman FTA, UPS, David Morgan City Sprint and IOC fellow Steve Perkiss from Lewis Day. On-going route data and postcode awareness is set to be directed to courier fellows via IOC. The Legacy of the games must not fail to a logistics problem. IOC is committed to a solution result for information exchange to aid best possible logistics solutions.
IoC and IoD for Lord Mayors Show. Director General Simon Walker walking with Carl Lomas IOC Chair in the City Group of the IOD
Carl Lomas MBE, Director General (DG) of the Institute of Directors, Simon Walker & his wife, walked with the walkers of the City of London group of the IOD in a Dick Whittington adventure that was no pantomime. The Lord mayors message for 2011/2012 is ‘fit for the future’
IoC became part of 800 years of Royal history dating back to King John when they were alongside the Merecedes Axor and forty four foot flat bed in the nation’s greatest parade, IoC fellows with IoD members twirling black and white brollies in a sunshine extravaganza. Bowler Hats and transport for the wheels of commerce.
October 2011
Education Officer for IOD City of London. IOC Chairman Carl Lomas was elected to education officer (Oct 19) for the Institute of Directors IOD City of London branch. The IOC has seen a long relationship with the IOD not least the location of the Pall Mall offices for the National Courier Awards. As education officer Carl will focus conduits between City corporates and education both youth and adult. Carl with a clear focus in logistics will be highlighting transport and the supply chain logistics activities that drive the City of London. The new Skills Academy and a big government push to apprenticeships should see new emphasis on work focused qualifications in the transport sector. A date of particular note. Derby University have a transport week to launch their footprint into logistics, a VIP invite day takes place Friday 10 th Feb 2012, new foundation degree material aimed at the courier sector will be showcased in what is clearly a transport hot spot of distributions hubs for middle England. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your invite.
Defence Courier Service Northolt, Middlesex. Never have fellows of the IOC stood so proud as to recognise the morale boost of mail in such difficult environments as in the shadow of the ‘Letter from Home’ statue at the Army Postal and Defense Courier Services HQ, Northolt London.
Northolt British forces post office (BFPO) visit was an insight into the army delivery of mail. Guests of Lt Col Ian Stark, fellows of IOC were treated to an unprecedented insight of the operation that delivers forces mail and bags, both UK and world-wide, secure, top secret and even more secret. Northolt is the last operational air base of WWII, home of BFPO the statue of soldier and mail depicts ‘letter from home’ and was an appropriate spot for the photograph of fellows from TNT, Lewis Day, CitySprint & DHL.
Captain Sip Powers escorted the single site operation tour, much automation, APC depot delivery arrived as we stood there. The site responsible for surface mail, ships on the move and even submarines. Major Chris Violet commander of the Defense Courier Service at Northolt delivered a presentation of secure activities that ranged UK to World-wide. This was delivery service were there was no room for error. Talk of London issues, traffic & security, UK motorway networks, then theatres of war some delivery locations were outside of what fellows deemed possible as air routes were discussed.
Brigadier Deas MBE had organised the visit mindful of army redundancies and future job steps for Royal Logistics Corp (RLC), there was a clear consensus by the fellows of the close match between army and private sector. Training, skill set and ability of the RLC soldiers was a clear match to the private sector logistics industry. IOC will be working hard to facilitate CV match for individuals exiting logistics posts in the army to signpost them to relevant courier companies as miltary redundancies roll out.
The Institute of Couriers has significantly raised the profile of the courier industry in the eyes of H.M. Government – and opened new paths for consideration and consultations with Transport for London in the run up to the 2012 Olympic games.
A formal question was put to HM Government last month in the House of Lords on behalf of the IOC. It asked what provisions will be considered to enable the Courier Industry to carry out their business ‘as normally as possible’. Lord Atlee responded for The Government by acknowledging that they were now aware of differences between the Courier Industry and the Freight Industry. The IOC were also assured that The Government’s interest in their concerns would continue and be encouraged in other bodies including Transport for London (TfL). Contact between the IOC and TfL was made this week and a date for the first meeting will be set soon. This initial meeting will enable the IOC to extend it's role in representing the interests of Couriers as a key stakeholder group in it’s own right, and to help refine plans for roads and logistics in the capital during the Olympics and beyond.
Sept 2011
HRH Anne Princess Royal opens new transport training office in Carlise. HRH Anne Princess Royal, Colonel of the Royal Logistics Corps and past master of the Livery of Carmen stamped approval big time on the UK wide transport training provider company System training
Welcomed by Chief exec Robin Brown the Princess Royal opened the new Carlisle HQ of System Training under blue skys as local school children waved her in a vision of big focus to the new apprenticeship programs from warehouse through truck and logistics was show cased. IoC Chairman Carl Lomas was presented to HRH along with other guests from Tesco, Asda, Yodel, TNT, City Link, RHA and FTA.The Princess Royal was shown a brand new Stobart truck, famous for girls names it carried ‘Zara’ in honour of the Princess Royal's daughter. Neil Coles Warden of the Carmen greeted the Princes for the Carmen, Lt Colonel Paul Holder represented the Royal Logistics Corps, The Lord Lt and Lady cropper representing Cumbria, new classrooms were named after the northern Lakes. A tremendous success for a great team in transport supplying a future for the next generation.
Skills Council trade Body meeting at Portcullis House, Sept 14th
Skills Council invited Trade Bodies including the IOC to input thoughts on the steps for Sector Skills Council skills for Logistics to move to a Guild, a vision of BIZ minister John Hayes. A good turnout, RHA FTA, CILT, BIFA, Ports etc. There was a weighty interim report on all things transport education. Mention of levy and government intervention to police training delivery was aired. Louise Ellman Liverpool MP and secretary of the transport select committee hosted the event.‘Transport and its future is a topic of great importance.’ Dr Mick Jackson FIoC, Skills Council added support. ‘Only 9 per cent of employees in the sector are under 25.’ ‘We need 850 thousand new employees in the next five years.’ ‘Mike Penning transport minister has a huge empathy for transport, he is the first minister to hold HGV and motorbike licence in memory.’ John Hayes BIZ minister is another hugely motivated to education discussed ‘attracting recruits’ ‘developing staff’ ‘retaining staff’ A Guild should avoid a closed shop mentality, a bias against minority, not creating another layer for layers sake. A Guild should be sector driven, have a special element in terms of geography, support mentors and add esteem.
Tuesday 13th September 2011
National Courier Awards -Standing room only celebration of the best of the best courier industry a huge success TNT take three pieces of glass from Transport Minister Mike Penning.
Steady professionalism rose top of the agenda for judges at the 2011 National Courier Awards. Long service, quality provision, customer testimony were all milestone markers for judge decisions that will show some of the very best of the best for the fifteenth year of the Awards.
Gala dinner at the Institute of Directors in the presence of Transport Minister Mike Penning will again be signposted by postcodes for table numbers. Master Elect Carmen John Older with Brigadier Deas will be dishing out awards. University Pro Chancellor Liz Barnes and Greg Cejar Skills Academy will have news on latest Apprenticeships and employers.
A top winner is expected for the legacy of former Transport Minister David Jamiesons Industry Safety award. Nominations for the Contract category were particularly strong, Office as ever very strong and Afghanistan courier activities too secret to mention.
Tuesday evening, fifteenth year of the awards and should be one to remember.
Aug 2011
Government bid to cut motorcycle casualties Road Safety Minister Mike Penning key speaker at this years National Courier Awards has launched a new campaign aimed at getting drivers to think more about riders, especially at junctions, the site off most collisions. The safety message will be pushed through advertisements at petrol forecourts and on national radio.
According to The Department for Transport (DfT) says action is needed because 78% of serious bike accidents involve a crash with another vehicle and 67% of those collisions are at a junction. Most of the activity will take place through the existing THINK campaign as well as social media sites like Twitter.
Mike Penning MP Minister for Transport supports National Courier Awards.
Judges for the 2011 National Courier Awards met with the Minister for discussions of all things road. A keen motorcyclist Mike Penning has come from Dispatch Rider, Atlas Express to 'Dispatch Boxes' and clearly knows the difference between courier and freight.
With the Minister Mike Penning (centre front) Lord Falkland, Tracey Worth and Ian Mutch. Judges for this year are led by Richard Howard FIoC Rush Couriers, Chairman of the judging panel, Mick Davies Ears Communications, Chris Hodder BMF, David Brown Prestige Couriers, Neil Michaeloudis FIoC GLH, Len Rainford FFIoC Sameday UK, Jeffrey Ritterband FFIoC Lewis Day Transport, Justin Moore CitySprint, Greg Hoy FIoC Excel Couriers and Carl Lomas MBE FIoC.
London Logisitics Army showcase October 12th, 2011 Brigadier Alistair Deas has organised a very special showcase visit to the Defence Courier Service (DCS) London operation center at Northolt West London. Major Chris Violet (Officer Commanding DCS) has confirmed October 12, a diary date not be missed, a small number of Fellows of the Institute of Couriers will be guests of Major Violet for an insight into the Army postal systems based out of its London operations unit. For further information on the visit email Tracey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
July 2011
The Government has officially backed the National Skills Academy for Logistics.
The Academy for Logistics will provide for the first time a unique sector led, One Stop Shop Service for logistics employers who require support with training and skills development. The One Stop Shop can be accessed through a national telephone number, by e-mail, and from the Autumn through a dedicated website and team of Skills Hub Managers. National Skills Academy for Logistics has been developed by Skills for Logistics the Sector Skills Council for the Freight Logistics Sector and has the support of small, medium sized and large employers backing the proposal. Sector Trade Associations RHA, FTA including the Institute of Couriers have been involved in the development of the Business Plan as have many colleges, work based learning providers and universities.
Confirmation of the funding means that the National Skills Academy for Logistics can begin to license suitable providers during the summer so that employers can access training by Autumn 2011. There will be a formal launch in October 2011 and services will come on stream during the Autumn and will build up through the first year.
The Board will be supported by four area based Skills Hub Advisory Boards which will bring additional employer, Trade Association, Provider and Stakeholder expertise into the governance of the National Skills Academy for Logistics. Carl Lomas will be standing from Institute of Couriers.
The Head Office of the National Skills Academy for Logistics will be in Milton Keynes this will include working to deliver existing and new qualifications and Apprenticeship frameworks, including the generic Logistics Apprenticeship and support the development of a United Kingdom Modern Logistics Guild.
Employers who would like to become a Skills Academy member, or find out more about its services should contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
June 28th, 2011
Olympic Games 2012: Courier Industry question:
See Lord Falkland's Question House of Lord's for full report on the debate
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they are considering to allow the courier industry to operate as normally as possible during the traffic arrangements for the 2012 Olympics.
Viscount Falkland: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In so doing, I declare my interest as president of the Institute of Couriers.
Earl Attlee: My Lords, arrangements for couriers and traffic regulation during the Games are the devolved responsibility of Transport for London, but the Department for Transport is taking a keen interest in this area to ensure that the UK and London keep moving next summer.
Viscount Falkland: My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for an encouraging reply-more encouraging, I might say, than the courier industry has received thus far from the Olympic delivery committee. Might the Government be able to persuade the Olympic delivery committee, which is in charge of the arrangements, that the courier industry is not the freight industry, which seems to be its only concern? The courier industry's service is used and relied on by most of commerce and by other organisations. It offers a valued service of 24-hour or same-day delivery. If that is not available during the Olympic Games, many businesses may suffer.
Earl Attlee: My Lords, yesterday I had a meeting with officials from TfL in order better to understand its plans for helping to deliver a successful Olympics and Paralympics. TfL's structured programme of consultation with the larger trade associations began some time ago. It is not my role to tell TfL what to do, as it is the competent authority. However, I did mention the desirability of allowing all responsible trade associations to be able to engage with TfL, including the Institute of Couriers and the Despatch Association. I also said that the courier industry is slightly different from the freight industry, a point which the officials well understood.
Opening Extract of Viscount Falkland’s question to the House, 28 th June 2011
June 2011
2012 Olympic and Questions are asked.
Viscount Falkland IoC President will be asking a question in the House of Lords to ask Her Majesty's Government what 'steps or arrangements' they are considering to allow the Courier Industry to operate as normally as possible during the traffic arrangements for the 2012 Olympics.
The question needs to be asked. The Olypmic Delivery Committee to date have failed to recognize or inform the courier industry of the reality of the transport plans for the Olypmics.
Steven Norris Vice President IoC comments:
What Her Majesty's Government (HMG) and more importantly Transport for London (TfL) do know is that through all the hype surrounding the Olympics the business of London has to go on. The courier industry are the veins and arteries of the commercial life of London. It's the industry that allows deals to happen, money to flow, people to move. That said, the courier industry is also a responsible industry so if restrictions do have to be imposed then the courier industry would like to be consulted on them and then once they are agreed the industry will of course respect them.
In a briefing with government IoC will be highlighting the issues the IoC, courier companies and related transport organisations are concerned about. The question in the house will be asked on July 28th, 2011
Westminster House of Commons Transport Skills Academy briefing.
In a busy run up week of transport lectures and briefings from TFL and even the mini cab boys, most tea and biscuit talk was about the last few days of logistics issues being showcased by TFL for the Olympic family London road closures. The whole week made for a very good attendance and that saw the CPC event at Westminster full. Meanwhile between the Wimbledon rainfall it was a four o’clock arrival for a busy House of Commons to the ‘Driver CPC training event in association with GIST’ on the Terrace of the House of Commons hosted by Liverpool MP Louise Ellman. About one hundred guests sat down theatre style, fairly crammed in, seating adorned with GIST goody bags for a take home training delight.
May 2011
John Scott FFIoC Founder and Chairman of GLH died 12th May 2011.
John's funeral will be held on Friday 3rd June at 14.00 hrs at St Judes Church, Central Square, London NW11
John Scott had dedicated his life to the courier industry, from early starts he never moved his offices from Finchley but through the years the company grew and Greater London Hire lived up to its name. John believed that a company was a family and he had a responsibility to all those who were in his fold of GLH. This sudden and tragic loss will have hit hard those who John considered his family.
John recieved the highest honour bestowed upon an individual in the courier industry when he recieved the 'Services to Industry' award at the National Courier Awards 2008 to a standing ovation.
IOC President Viscount Falkland comments, 'John Scott will be a great loss to the same day courier industry, he was a friend to many, a mentor and a champion of good preactice. He showed drive and determination to help and support others across the industry, both bike van and cab, his Services to Industry award was recognition of outstanding support to an industry'.
Condolences in from across the industry. Mike O'Connell DHL and Fellow of the IOC, 'Very sad news, a great loss to the industry'. Grant Cochrane TNT Divisional General manager TNT , 'Pass on our condolences from all at TNT'
Notices of condolences have been sent in from all over the Sameday Courier Industry.
John Fitzgerald FIoC General Manager Operations TNT UK Ltd, very sad news, met John years ago he left a positive impression on me back then, will be sadly missed.
Len Rainford FFIoC Sameday UK. A big loss to the industry and his family and friends. At least he went out celebrating.
Jeffrey Ritterband FFIoC Operations Director Lewis Day Transport plc. He will be sadly missed.
David Brown CEO Prestige Courier Services Ltd. What terrible news He will be sorely missed in the industry.
His lifetime of work saw John pioneer NVQ's qualifications for riders and drivers, safety on the road and the importance of quality of service. He was a Freeman of the City of London and made Liveryman of the Worshipfull company of Carmen at a ceremony with HRH Princess Anne.
John had been watching his beloved London Scottish rugby team on Saturday 7th May when they won to achieve promotion in the league, out celebrating on Saturday evening John suffered a cardic arrest, never regained consciousness and died at the Royal Free Hospital at noon 12th May 2011.
The funeral was held on Friday 3rd June at 14.00 hrs at St Judes Church, Central Square, London NW11
May 2011
Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) for bikes in Bus Lanes whilst Road Haulage Association push for trucks in Bus Lanes. Cross party group of MP’s hearing evidence about ways to improve road and traffic management were told by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) that HGV’s should use bus lanes.
The RHA told the Transport Select Committee lorries in bus lanes would have no impact on the movement of passenger buses. RHA policy director Jack Semple 'We should look at a HGV as a freight bus. There is not any alternative, it is generally well loaded and is not a single occupancy vehicle'. Nick Brown Motorcycle Action Group, MAG 'motorcycles should be allowed in bus lanes instead of trucks, Bristol is a demonstration of bikes in bus lane success'
There is no doubt that motorbikes in bus lanes has been a lengthy battle but would be a great advantage to the London bike courier. Bus lane road management routes re-directing traffic from many key junctions has increase urgent delivery route times by two fold in distance without calculating the additional congestion times. Trafalgar Square bus lanes a key example of West End City delivery time extensions.
April 2011
Dr Leon Manning, doctorate in politics and transport policy joined Fellows of the Institute of Couriers for a lecture disscussion on the issues effecting the industry. By kind invitation Jeffrey Ritterband FFIoC Lewis Day Transport held the event at their offices, refreshments offered to all. Dr Manning detailed major impacts effecting our industry and highlighted areas that influenece our operational level. The Olympics has already effected those courier company's in the area of the O2 Dome and more is to come. Dr Manning stimulated thoughts to become actions and gave a direction for action to be supported.
The disscussion, varied and broad was strongly lead by operational issues that effect the everyday livelyhood of the courier company. Fellows agreed that the forum had laid open and aided the focus of the issues that needed addressing. (Dispatch News April ) Richard Howard, Chair of the 2011 National Courier Awards Judging Panel gave thanks to Dr Manning for bringing such vibrancy to the lecture and strong focus for the Fellows to act upon.
March 2011
By invitation, Carl Lomas MBE, Chairman of the Institute of Couriers will be attending the Lord Mayors Banquet at the Lord Mayors Mansion House, London on March 6th, 2011.Leaders of the Sameday Courier Industry have been invited to attend this annual function where business leaders from all over the city of London and throughout the UK meet, listen and discuss the issues at the heart of all commerce.
February 2011 Just Announced
John Griffin of Addison Lee will be giving a talk 'Cabs to Riches' at the IoD Pall Mall, London Monday 21st February 2011.The Central London Branch IoD are hosting the event. The event follows a number of talks by prominent London Business people and I am sure John Griffin will be one for the industry to enjoy. If you are interested in attending then please email Tracey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
