On the Road – Logistics UK’s CEO meets with Chancellor to discuss partnership for growth

Meeting with Chancellor of the Exchequer

Discussions between Chancellor Rachel Reeves and key industry leaders including Logistics UK’s CEO Ben Fletcher took place in the Midlands on Friday 13 February, hosted by LTS Global Solutions and local MP Rachel Taylor, as part of a visit by Ms Reeves to the Midlands.

During the meeting, logistics representatives highlighted the economic benefits the sector can generate to catalyse growth and kick start the country’s economic performance.

The Chancellor was very keen to find out more about how the sector could transform the country’s economic performance and what levers government needs to pull on to facilitate a change. Mr Fletcher is keen to keep the conversation going and has written to Ms Reeves to reiterate the positive impact which logistics can have on the growth of the economy if given the right assistance.

Freight Council with Keir Mather

Mr Fletcher attended the Department for Transport Freight Council meeting, chaired by Transport Minister Keir Mather. At the meeting, Mr Fletcher pressed the importance of the logistics industry for delivering growth and the importance of cross-department working on key issues such as decarbonisation and skills. The new Freight Plan currently being developed by the Department was also discussed.

IM Properties, Solihull

Mr Fletcher, along with Head of Skills Policy and Generation Logistics, Bethany Windsor recently visited IM Properties in Solihull on Friday 23 January, hosted by David Smith, Director, Planning and Communities.

IM Properties submitted a planning application in 2025 for the Thrive park and hopes to create a legacy for the site with a focus on education and skills, health and wellbeing, accessibility and inclusive employment.

As part of this mission, a meeting between Logistics UK, IM Properties, Warwickshire Skills Hub, Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership and Rachel Taylor MP was held to discuss best practice attraction and recruitment initiatives in the logistics sector, such as Generation Logistics, and what future plans might look like to support increasing awareness of the profession in North Warwickshire and Bedworth.

Mr Fletcher said: “It has been a privilege to engage with policymakers and members to get to the beating heart of the logistics industry, recognising how crucial it is to our economy and what it needs to continue to thrive in the years to come.

“Our recent discussions with the Chancellor were clear and constructive: stay focused on growth and work with our sector to provide the backing it needs to deliver it. Logistics businesses are responsible for moving the goods the economy relies on to operate effectively, and the sector needs investment in skills and the delivery of policies that support energy prices and net zero to keep moving forward.

“Nothing moves across the country and around the world without logistics, and this is a message we are sending very clearly.”