THE BUSINESS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
THE BUSINESS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Peter Ward is to step down as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) after six years at the helm of the sector's leading trade organisation. Peter, who was interviewed in The Exporter in December 2020, joined UKWA in 2015, having held a series of major director level industry roles with prominent companies. He transformed UKWA, improving revenues, widening membership to encompass retail and manufacturing logistics users, and introducing significant new member benefits. During his tenure, membership grew strongly, even over the last difficult year, as the global pandemic and the impact of UK's exit from the European Union created arguably the most challenging period since the Association's inception during the Second World War.
Paying tribute to Peter's contribution, outgoing Chair of the UKWA management board Nicola Ridges-Jones said, "As UKWA CEO Peter has been a passionate advocate for our industry, raising the profile of the Association within the sector and well beyond. His strong industry track record and undoubted leadership skills, combined with extraordinary energy and drive, have ensured that he leaves UKWA a thriving and successful organisation, ready to lead members through the fresh challenges ahead. We wish him every success as he steps into semi-retirement to pursue personal interests." Those who know Peter will take that to mean more time on his boat.
Commenting on his decision to step down, Peter said, "As we emerge from lockdown and adjust to the changes brought by Brexit, the world has changed. Having steered members through such turbulent times, I am ready to hand over the reins to my successor, who I am confident will continue to support members in negotiating the challenges of the ‘new world' and seizing the exciting opportunities that now lie ahead."
UKWA's new CEO, is Clare Bottle FCILT, effective from 1st July 2021. Clare joins UKWA from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, where she served as Associate Director of Warehousing, responsible for managing 3PL contracts and running in-house warehousing operations across the UK. Her career includes delivery of successful logistics projects as an interim manager for clients such as Kuehne+Nagel, M&S, Yodel and Bunzl. She became National Logistics Manager for Lafarge Tarmac before joining Coca-Cola in 2015. She was a founder member of Women in Logistics and has been a trustee of CILT (UK) and of Transaid, UKWA's nominated charity.
On behalf of the UKWA management board, the newly elected Chair Neil Bowker welcomed Clare's appointment: "Clare brings tremendous industry experience to the role, having worked in the logistics arena for over 25 years. She enjoys a reputation for driving change and I have no doubt that Clare will continue to fight for our industry as the head of its leading trade association."
Clare said: "I believe it is vital for the future to attract and nurture the best talent to our industry; careers are an essential engine of social mobility and I am committed to making the logistics profession increasingly equitable and inclusive. Above all, it is my ambition as CEO of UKWA to secure for warehousing and logistics operations the place they deserve at the heart of the UK economy.
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