David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK will step down from his role at the end of July. Wells notified the President early in the new year of his intention to step down and a process is underway to find his replacement.
Wells who joined Logistics UK in 2009 as Finance Director became Chief Executive in early 2015 and has made significant changes to the business group during his ten years in the role. These include an organisational rebrand, from the Freight Transport Association to Logistics UK in the summer of 2020 and the adoption of a new corporate strategy. This has seen the organisation grow its influence and authority significantly with government and other opinion makers, as well as increasing total membership numbers to an all-time high of 21,600 by spring 2025.
“David has steered the organisation smoothly through a decade of significant change, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and issues at the UK’s borders, with a calm focus that has inspired the team,” says Logistics UK President Phil Roe. “He has the ability to engage with everyone, from the most junior member of staff to those at the highest levels of government, with empathy and enthusiasm, and has always prioritised the needs of our members above all else.”
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“Thanks to his stewardship, Logistics UK is now regarded as one of the country’s leading business groups and he should be proud of the legacy he leaves for his successor. On behalf of all our staff and members, I’d like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him every success in his next challenge”.
A familiar face at industry and parliamentary events, Wells received an OBE in 2022 for his services to transport and logistics.
Wells commented that, “Ten years at the helm of this fantastic organisation serving an amazing industry have flown by. At some point it is right to hand the baton to the next leader to take the organisation forward with fresh ideas and energy. I want to thank my wonderful colleagues and members for all they have done in support of our mission to see the sector recognised as the vital economic infrastructure that serves everybody, everywhere, every day. We’ve made great progress in the last ten years but there is still a great deal to do and I’m sure the next leader will enjoy and rise to the challenge”.
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk
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