The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has announced that Mike Thomas, Client Services Director at Delamode International Logistics, has been appointed the new chairman of its Management Board. Gary Whittle, Commercial Director of Meachers Global has been named vice chairman.
Mike has been a member of UKWA for over 35 years and joined the Management Board in 2017. A graduate in Logistics, he has extensive knowledge of the industry, having developed warehousing businesses for P&O, Inchcape and Ocean Exel, both in the UK and Continental Europe.
Mike said, “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Chair of the UK Warehousing Association, as we approach our 80th anniversary year. UKWA is a dynamic organisation with strong growth, representing around 1,000 companies, operating between them over 100 million sqft, across the UK. Our highly motivated and professional leadership team is focussed on promoting and protecting our membership’s interests, with our widely recognised conditions of contract, commitment to raising industry standards and representing our members’ views to government.”
“Gary and I look forward to supporting Clare [CEO] and her team with the continued campaign for solar power proliferation in the industry towards achieving net zero targets, and for the future, the development of an integrated IT data platform, which will propel continued growth and success of UKWA within our sector and the wider marketplace.”
Gary Whittle has worked for nearly 40 years in warehousing and logistics. He joined Meachers Logistics in 2000, taking responsibility for growth through sales and marketing. His success led him to being invited to join the Meachers Global Board in 2010, expanding his role to overseeing the commercial and operations side of the business.
Meachers Global has been a member of UKWA for over 30 years and Gary has been on the UKWA Management Board since 2015.
Gary said, "As the new vice chair of UKWA, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the warehousing sector in the UK. Skills attraction, retention and development are at the heart of progress, and I am committed to fostering an environment where every individual can thrive and contribute their unique talents to our extraordinary sector. Together, we will build a future-proof industry, driven by skilled professionals ready to tackle any challenge, and a workforce equipped with the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry."
Commenting on the new appointments, outgoing UKWA Chair and Commercial Director of Bowker Group, Neil Bowker concluded, “These are exciting times for UKWA. Warehousing is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK, with a higher profile than ever before and widespread recognition of the importance of our role to the UK economy. As we look towards the 80th anniversary of the inception of our Association, there are major projects planned, along with well-deserved celebrations. I’ve enjoyed my time as UKWA chair and know that the Association is in safe hands going forward.”
Photos:
Top - UKWA Chairman Mike Thomas.
Bottom - UKWA Vice Chairman Gary Whittle.