Logistics UK

FTA - Freight Transport Association

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) traces its roots back to 1889. FTA's mission is to represent the views and interests of over 13,000 companies - from large multinationals and household names to small and medium businesses. It is one of the largest trade associations in the UK, with members moving goods by road, rail, sea and air.

FTA policy is decided by its members from all modes, through its quarterly regional and national councils. National Councils comprise the British Shippers Council, the Railfreight Council, the Road Freight Council and the Freight Council.

FTA also provide members with services that help them to operate safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.

It is based in Tunbridge Wells.

History

Following the 1888 Railway and Canal Traffic Act traders were given a right of complaint to the Board of Trade if they felt that railway rates or services were unreasonable. That resulted in an influential group of traders coming together in July 1889 and creating an organisation called the Mansion House Association on Railway Rates. Amongst its first members were Mr J J Colman of Reckitt & Colman, and a Mr Thomas Blackwell of Crosse and Blackwell.

The arrival of the internal combustion engine led to the formation in 1904 of the Motor Van and Wagon Users' Association, which changed its name to the Commercial Motor Users' Union in 1907.

In 1921 the third and final segment of the FTA was formed - the Traders' Co-ordinating Committee on Transport.

Over the years the work of the Mansion House Association expanded into more road orientated matters and in 1931 changing its name to the Mansion House Association on Transport.

In 1944 the Commercial Motor Users' Association decided that each of its constituent sectors needed its own identity and was reformed into three organisations. The own-account sector became the Traders' Road Transport Association.

In 1964 the Mansion House Association changed its name to the National Traders' Traffic Association and finally, in 1969, the three groups - the Traders' Road Transport Association, the Traders' Traffic Association and the Traders' Co-ordinating Committee - joined together to become the Freight Transport Association.

In 1979 the group was further strengthened when the British Shippers' Council representing exporters and importers, became a part of FTA.

Research

FTA conducts research and reports which are of use to its members, legislators and policy makers. Of particular note is the Quarterly Transport Activity Survey, increasingly used by government and the public policy arena as an economic performance indicator.

Organisation

FTA National Executive Board

Stewart Oades (President) - Wesupply Ltd
Adrian Burleton (Vice President) - Argos Ltd
Rebecca Jenkins (Vice President) - Greater Than
John Coghlan (Honorary Treasurer) - Inchcape Shipping Services (UK) Ltd
Janet Entwistle - BT Fleet
Andrew J Haines - Tate & Lyle Food & Industrial Ingredients Europe
Ian Jones - Mercedes Benz UK Ltd
Alastair Parker - Shell International Petroleum Company
Graham Roberts - PD Ports and Hellenic Lines
Ian Veitch - NYK Logistics (UK) Ltd
Perry Watts - DHL
John H Williams - Maritime Transport Ltd

FTA personnel

Theo de Pencier – Chief Executive
James Hookham – Managing Director of Communications & Policy
Jo Tanner - Director of Communications
Teresa Clemmence - Director of Human Resources
David Wells - Director of Finance & Office Services
Chris Thornton – Managing Director, Business Services
Alan Osborne – Director of Audit Services
Simon Chapman – Chief Economist and General Manager, Information
Chris Welsh – General Manager, Campaigns

Campaign for Safe Road Design

In July 2008 the FTA became a partner in the Campaign for Safe Road Design which is calling on the UK government to make safe road design a national transport priority..

External links

Freight Transport Association [1] Global Freight Transport [2]