On the Road with Logistics UK’s CEO Ben Fletcher

Meeting with the Department for Business and Trade 

CEO Ben Fletcher and Interim Policy and Comms Director Ben Garratt met with the Department for Business and Trade Director of Industrial Strategy on 27 April and discussed the acute challenges faced by the logistics sector during the Middle East conflict, and the benefits of supporting the sector to decarbonise. They also discussed opportunities around UK-EU trade, skills, and infrastructure.

Meeting Turners  

Mr Fletcher visited Turners in the East of England on 28 April, hosted by John Burbridge, Chair of Logistics UK’s East of England Freight Council.

Mr Fletcher said: “Turners sits at the centre of the real economy. Every day, their teams keep food on shelves, retail moving and industrial supply chains functioning.

“From seeing their operation first hand it is clear that nothing moves without logistics, and growth in the real economy cannot be achieved without it.

“In this period of global instability and sustained pressure on supply chains, the need for a resilient, efficient logistics sector has never been more apparent.”

Meeting Welch Group  

Mr Fletcher visited Welch Group on Friday 1 May and said: “It was fantastic to visit Welch Group, one of the sector’s most forward‑looking SMEs.

“Welch Group’s leadership on the 12 Pillars of Change programme is a powerful example of industry driving the transition to zero‑emission freight. The 12 Pillars approach recognises a fundamental truth: decarbonisation cannot be delivered by one part of the system alone.

“Operators, energy providers, infrastructure, OEMs, finance and government all have a role to play. It was great to meet the team and hear the ambition, capability and forward‑thinking approach that is driving real progress across our sector and I thank them for their warm welcome and hospitality.

“My visits in the East of England this week reinforce a simple message: nothing moves without logistics. As government looks to support business during the Middle East crisis and prepares to publish the Freight Plan, we are making the case for long‑term investment in logistics corridors, a fair transition to decarbonisation, a stronger skills pipeline and for a closer trading relationship with the EU to reduce border friction.

“We are also grateful to Welch Group for its engagement with Generation Logistics since its inception, helping raise awareness of the vital role logistics plays in the real economy.”

Meeting Freightliner

On 6 May Mr Fletcher visited Freightliner Ltd UK’s Landor Street terminal in Birmingham with Logistics UK President Philip Roe, hosted by Chris Lawrenson, Freightliner’s new CEO, and Peter Graham, Policy & Government Affairs Director.

“Freightliner sits at the heart of the real economy,” said Mr Flethcer. “Every day, its teams move containers from major ports to inland terminals across the UK, keeping shops stocked, factories supplied and trade flowing.

“From seeing the operation first‑hand is a powerful reminder that nothing moves without logistics – and that growth and resilience depend on efficient freight networks.

“Rail freight has a vital role to play as we respond to continued global instability and supply chain pressure. It reduces road congestion, cuts carbon and strengthens resilience – but only if the sector has the confidence to invest.

“To unlock growth and decarbonisation, it is vital that we as a country invest in freight corridors, terminals and rail capacity, and that the Railways Bill, currently going through Parliament, supports rail freight growth and investment.

“Visits like this reinforce a simple message we continue to make to government as the Freight Plan and Railways Bill progress: logistics is core national infrastructure, and economic growth and decarbonisation cannot be delivered without it.

“We are grateful to Freightliner for the time, insight and engagement – and for the ongoing partnership with Logistics UK.”