IOC Fellows' Gowning, Final mile, last mile, Express logistics ceremonial of the year. The must-attend was standing room only. Recognising the best of the best. Ceremonial at its core, with a colleagues' transport network-and-natter making it the high point of the year! More than quarter of a million final mile vans represented in the room; the room was express logistics. The event was IOC fellows' gowning 2026!
The prestigious fellows' gowning of the Inst of Couriers takes place once a year at the House of Lords, hosted by President, Lord Patrick McLoughlin CH former sec of state for transport. Former transport minister, IOC Vice President, Sir John Hayes was alongside to deliver the new senior fellows hoods. The unique event recognised the two dozen senior fellows of 2026, individual success with a Who's Who guest list that builds the most formidable family of fellows in the last mile, final mile, express delivery sector. National brands alongside nationals, regionals, SMEs and city operators from across the UK. One pair of fellows from Smiths News were family, husband and wife Mr & Mrs McCall.
An extract of the two dozen names include, Steve Bescoby from DX, Nick Dunn Royal Mail, Paula Dooley Whistl, Cindy Perkins Evri, Costas Gavriel Addison Lee, Chris Betts DPD. Grant Jones TVS SCS, Glenn Chambers, Carla Gifford Huxloe Logistics...
Surf the web to the whole two dozen, meet the 2026 senior fellows, formal photos and line welcome shots. Closing the ceremony road-based recognition for 2025 National Courier Award winner, sector community ambassador Shamshair Singh Uppal from DPD Woodstock depot.
The 2026 IOC fellows' gowning masterclass was delivered by IOC hon fellow, TfL Commissioner Andy Lord, London, ‘Decarbonisation, de-congestion of traffic, road safety.’
Next generation recognition opened the ceremony, our sector's apprentices in transport asked to step forward for recognition - the future of our sector alongside livery masters, including Fuellers Master Ashutosh Shastri, Carmen Warden Vince Dignam and the Educators Master David Whooten. FE Principal Marta Gajewska joined the photo with UWL VC Peter Jphn, the Vice Chancellor took the lectern and announced Ruskin College Oxford is to receive the degree apprentice starts for express Manager this Easter.
For 2026 a life service gold hood was waiting; the recipient, who was named at last year's National Courier Awards, Louise O'Neil, Whistl who is also the co-chair of the Skills England Education employer Trailblazer Group – it was a formidable guest list to welcome her, former winners attending include Simi Punn TVS who took gold last year, Royal Mail CEO Alistair Cochrane, Jeffrey Ritterband and former FedEx SVP Trevor Hoyle.
Hon fellows in attendance for 2026 included TfL Commissioner Andy Lord, Traffic commissioner Sarah Bell, City of London Alderman Alison Gowman, UWL Vice Chancellor Peter John. Network and natter was sector wide and on a grand scale. A breadth of govt on the VIP list including DfT, DWP, DFE and DVSA and were joined by regional bodies from TfL to TfGM. The whole IOC board attending.
Sparkling reception, bowl food included fellows' favourite - fish and chip portions was devoured with gusto.
Headline photos
Links
The nomination detail for Services winner Louise O'Neil
Gallery of gowning photos – a college of IOC fellows' gowns.
The Masterclass news report for TfL commissioner IOC Hon fellow Andy Lord.
