18) Alex Laffey
Title: Chief executive officer, Eddie Stobart Logistics
In April 2014 Stobart Group disposed of 51% of its 100% shareholding of the Stobart road transport business to Douglasbay Capital (Dbay) – the former owners of TDG - for £280.8m.
At the time William Stobart was the chief executive, but a year after the deal he stepped up to the role of executive chairman, leaving some very high-profile and big boots to fill. Thankfully Alex Laffey, formerly UK distribution director at Tesco, was able to fill those boots in what was the star signing of 2015.
Since joining the highest profile haulier in the UK Laffey has looked for expansion opportunities, most notably its plans to open a container transport site at DP World London Gateway.
Now the business stands alone from its former parent (and still minority shareholder) Stobart Group, Laffey is driving forward the green, red and white.
- Every day over Christmas and the New Year we will be counting down the Motor Transport Power Players from 20 to one, so come back tomorrow at 9am to see who is next in our countdown. As ever, we'd welcome your feedback and input into the debate. Send us your thoughts on Twitter @Motor_Transport using #MTPowerPlayers
