Logistics and Transport Awards Name Current Stars of the Industry

UK – The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has continued to celebrate its centenary year by hosting its prestigious Annual Awards for Excellence. Professionals, organisations and operators from across the worlds of logistics and transport came together at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 17th October, to celebrate exceptional contributions that have been made to the profession throughout the year at the prestigious CILT Annual Awards for Excellence 2018.

More than 350 guests, delegates and finalists attended the standout event of logistics and transport professionals’ calendars, and celebrated those individuals and organisations who have delivered outstanding innovation, tangible societal benefits and proven commercial success within the UK logistics, transport and productions and operations management sectors over the last 12 months.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Patron, CILT, was this year’s guest of honour and presented winners with their commemorative awards.

CILT’s award for outstanding achievement, the Sir Robert Lawrence Award, was presented by Ian Clough FCILT, Managing Director – Network Logistics, DHL Supply Chain, to Jim Spittle FCILT, Chair, NHS Supply Chain.

Jim’s career has taken him from working in the tobacco industry, to the brewing industry; tackling the challenges of the retail logistics sector and now to reimagining the NHS’ logistics operations. Today, he is responsible for delivering on the NHS Supply Chain’s transformation to deliver more than £2.4 billion worth of savings that can be put on the front line of the NHS. He said:

“I am pleasantly surprised and absolutely delighted to have been nominated for this award. I am especially thankful to CILT and extremely proud. I truly believe that [the profession] is such an exciting place to work. The longer I’ve been in the profession the better and more complex it has got.”

To celebrate its centenary, the Institute also presented two President’s Awards, celebrating and remembering those individuals who encapsulate everything the Institute stands for, including; hard-work, dedication, innovation and an unrivalled commitment to raising the profile of the sectors CILT represents. The recipients of the 2019 President’s Award were: Joe Wood MILT, Commercial & Integration Director, CitySwifter (posthumous) and John Smith, Managing Director, GB Railfreight. Kevin Richardson FCILT, Chief Executive, CILT(UK), commented:

“This has been a special and significant year for the Institute and I am delighted that so many of you have joined us tonight to celebrate the exceptional achievements of those working in our sectors over the last 12 months.

“These awards are designed to encourage and recognise the highest standards in our profession. It is during these award ceremonies that you recognise that we are all extremely proud of what we achieve in challenging circumstances. We should use nights like tonight to communicate that and to strengthen our profession by promoting the vast opportunities and wonderful achievements we continue to come up with.”

For the second year running, this year’s awards were hosted by musician, journalist, broadcaster and former Strictly Come Dancing star the Reverend Richard Coles.

The winners of the CILT Annual Awards for Excellence 2019 are:

Diversity Champion – sponsored by Michael Page

Winner – Jennifer Swain, Head of Talent Acquisition, Clipper Logistics

Environmental Improvement – sponsored by Wren Kitchens

Winner – McCulla (Ireland)

Freight Transport

Winner – 3T Logistics

Health, Safety & Well-being – sponsored by Toyota Material Handling

Winner – Wren Kitchens

Passenger Service Innovation – sponsored by FORS

Winner – Reading Buses

People Development – sponsored by IC Resources

Winner – Arup & TfL

President’s Award

awarded posthumously to Gary Wood, Father of Joe Wood MILT, Commercial & Integration Director, CitySwifter

and John Smith, Managing Director, GB Railfreight

Rising Star – sponsored by Hays

Winner – Alexander Wright, Lead Performance & Continuous Improvement Manager for National Logistics, Royal Mail

Sir Robert Lawrence Award – sponsored by DHL

Winner – Jim Spittle, Chairman, NHS Supply Chain

Operations Excellence – sponsored by IPP

Winner – Wren Kitchens

Supply Chain Innovation – sponsored by TACL 

Winner – Rolls Royce & CEVA Logistics

Technology Innovation

Winner – Royal Haskoning DHV

Warehouse Operations

Winner – Logistex & Britvic

Photo: Sadly the award to Joe Wood was a posthumous honour given to his father after the well liked director of CitySwifter (now City Swift) died from a heart attack on April 3 this year.