The prestigious fellows' gowning of the Inst of Couriers took place at the House of Lords, hosted by President, Lord Patrick McLoughlin. An event recognising individual success with a Who’s Who guest list that saw the most formidable network and natter in the last mile, final mile, express delivery sector. National brands alongside regionals and city operators from across the UK.
Hon IOC fellow, Heathrow, Nigel Milton returned to deliver the keynote speech. Passionately speaking decarbonisation of air freight fuel.
For 2025 there was a life service gold hood waiting; the recipient, who was named at last year's National Courier Awards, was TVS Rico boss Simi Punn, it was a formidable guest list of services industry fellows to welcome her, former winners attending included Royal Mail COO Alistair Cochrane, former FedEx SVP Trevor Hoyle and IOC founding services fellow Jeffrey Ritterband.
The key business of the evening was gowning twenty ceremonial fellows; it’s another formidable list, spanning the express logistics sector. Carl Lomas on hoods, while IOC hon fellow, Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell delivered the certificates. A sample of fellows who received their hoods includes: Evri Ryan Catahan, DX Simon Harper, Viking Lesley Saillian, FedEx Robert Peto, DPD Matthew Kitely, Royal Mail Charlotte Wakeham, Smiths News Daniel Anvoner, The Delivery Group, Paul Carvell.
A breadth of govt was on the VIP list, including DfT, DFE and DVSA who were joined by regional bodies - from TfL to TfWM. The IOC board also attended. City of London fellow in attendance Alderman Alison Gowman welcomed the November return to Lord Mayor's Show for the IOC. Sparkling reception with aged claret to follow, bowl food included fellows’ favourite fish-and-chip portions.
Next generation, the express manager degree students were in attendance, livery masters including the Master Carmen, IOC Hon fellow Leon Daniels, fueller master Elena Oderstone and the Educators presented the Carmen Apprentice Shield to our next generation.
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 were represented in the room; the room IS express logistics.
The event is IOC fellows' gowning 2025!
Honorary fellow, Nigel Milton elected to the Institute for 2024 delivered the keynote 2025 speech.
Headline gallery photos
Fellows applaud
Gold for Simi Punn
Fellow Robert Peto FedEx receives IOC hood and certificate from Traffic Commissioner Sarah Bell and IOC chair Carl Lomas MBE
New fellow Charlotte Wakeham Royal Mail walking the line
