The IOC quarterly round tables for heads of industry have become the jewel in the crown of top line briefing sessions for express logistics. Hosted in the City of London, free network and natter buffet from twelve, agenda from one with a four thirty finish, broad agenda from fuel values to worker status, education and parcel security. It's free to attend for fellows and a must-do for the diary to start the year on Jan 28th. Speakers from DfT, DEFRA and DVSA will outline latest compliance updates for UK roads.
Callum Macpherson from Investec will review the derivatives values for fuel for the year ahead. A review of political and geographic impact on fuels world wide and the effect on UK prices.
Melanie Stancliffe, expert express sector lawyer with Cripps, will outline recent worker status updates on the Bolt case.
The IOC education group DFE Trailblazer for Express apprenticeships will showcase the latest draft of operator vision for duties of our front line operatives, the table will be asked to vote their approval for what is showcase outline of the role of next generation.
Matthew Knowles from the Anti- Counterfeiting Group (ACG) to speak at the IOC heads of industry meeting on Jan 28th about the global trade in counterfeit and dangerous consumer goods. This illicit trade, which is second only to drugs trafficking for generating criminal proceeds, relies on a complex and transnational supply chain. As well as data around transnational supply, Matthew will focus on UK-based online selling groups (retail and wholesale) in geographical hotspots who exploit domestic courier services and offer next day delivery of illicit goods. Matthew will also take this opportunity to propose a question to industry on how best the private sector, and relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies, can assist the logistics sector with tackling and disrupting this supply.
Alison Kemp on O-Licence compliance – HGV O-licence, DCPC, MCPC, cross-border derogation at 4.25t for EV van. 3.5t border to Europe and Ireland.
Sion Pithouse, Senior Policy Advisor, Road Transport Security, DfT, will introduce the latest version of the vehicle security code of practice for freight drivers with eight key points. Sion explains, ‘The Road Transport Security Team works with stakeholders across the freight, rental, bus and coach industry sectors to promote vehicle security best practice to mitigate against malicious actors. As road transport is not subject to protective security regulation, we work on delivering tailored cultural change programmes to increase industry awareness of security risks and mitigations. In addition, we have developed the voluntary Road Transport Security Standards to drive an improvement in the protective security culture of the UK’s commercial road transport sector. The RTSS will support the sector to better protect their commercial vehicles from theft, hijacking, or being targeted for use by terrorists and organised criminals. Participants will use a self-assessment tool to judge their performance against our five standards: governance; risk assessment; delivery plan; security at base location and security on the road. Commercial transport organisations of any size can use the tool via an Online Smart Survey Form.
Set your 2025 diary for a second key date at end of February
IOC fellows' gowning at House of Lords
The big ceremonial new year date for your diary is the Inst of Couriers Fellows' Gowning on the evening Feb 27th. Hosted at the House of Lords, Lord Patrick McLoughlin will officially take the baton as the new President of the Inst of Couriers from Lord Peter Hendy. There will be a ceremonial gown of life services for Simi Punn after her nomination at the National Courier Awards. Then a line of new will be ceremonially welcomed by the honorary fellows, before the award of a hood by the IOC. It's set to be a very memorable evening as the third President of the Institute addresses the gathering. Not just a ceremonial event but a networking moment of the year for all things final mile.
