UKWA chief executive Williams to hand over reins to Ward

UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) chief executive Roger Williams is to hand over the reins later this month to his successor, Peter Ward (pictured), following 15 years at the organisation.

Williams will continue to work for UKWA until the end of July, heading up key projects including the organisation’s annual lunch and awards this summer in London. He will also retain his responsibilities as secretary general of the International Federation of Warehousing Logistics Associations (IFWLA).

He said: “Joining UKWA after 32 years with the Royal Marines was not quite a seamless change, but my first career prepared for me well for the unusual, the unexpected and the impossible! During my second career, UKWA has changed out of all recognition since 1998, and I am proud to have been part of that change.”

New chief executive Ward has more than 30 years’ experience in international logistics, most recently working as commercial director and head of cargo supply chain at DP World London Gateway.

A graduate of the Institute of Export and member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, his career started in the export shipping department of Courtaulds. He then joined his family's freight forwarding company, DH Ward (Shipping), where he became MD, heading up its 1994 merger with American-owned Fritz Companies, which under his leadership became a top-five forwarder in Europe prior to acquisition by UPS in 2001.

More recently Ward was director, Europe, of P&O Nedlloyd Logistics, and MD of the international supply chain division at Wincanton Group, before joining DP World London Gateway in April 2011.

Tony Mohan, UKWA’s chairman, added: “We are delighted to announce the arrival of Peter Ward. He is a man of considerable logistics experience gained in a variety of disciplines, and will greatly enhance the UKWA team. He joins UKWA during a period of fundamental change, and we look forward to the benefit of his extensive capabilities.”