John Hawksworth, previously with Premier Logistics, Birds Transport and AM Widdowson, has joined Eddie Stobart Logistics as general manager of its retail division.

Hawksworth left his role as group general manager at Premier Logistics after nearly three years with the Leicestershire-based firm in June.

He has worked at a series of hauliers including the now defunct Birds Transport and Logistics, where he was a director and general manager for close to a year and a half ending in August 2015.

He was previously commercial director for 14 years at AM Widdowson, but left before its sale to HLD in 2015.

Eddie Stobart Logistics' turnover increased by a quarter in the first half of its trading year, as a mix of acquisitions, organic growth and contract wins proved an engine for growth.