Speaker biographies
Stephen Offley, Transport Lead - Net Zero Team, Wales & West Utilities
Steve has 44 years of experience in the road transport sector, managing utility, local authority and emergency service fleets. He has spent 7 of those years at Wales & West Utilities (WWU) as Transport Manager for the 1400-strong commercial vehicle fleet, which includes 60 HGVs, plus 300 company cars and 900 items of mobile plant.
He more recently joined the Net Zero Team as Transport Lead and will oversee the start of decarbonisation for WWU's fleet.
Twenty-five years ago, Steve was part of the team that first introduced LNG-fuelled refuse collection vehicles in the UK. That early operational experience with gaseous fuels underpins his interest in the role of hydrogen as a low-carbon alternative fuel, and its potential to help WWU and other operators of hard-to-decarbonise fleets meet their net zero ambitions. His passion is to make things better for the organisation, the people that work in it, and the environment.
Richard Muirhead, Director of Commercial Services, West Mercia Police
Richard is the Director of Commercial Services for West Mercia Police, the fourth largest force by area in England and Wales. As a member of the Chief Officer team, he has responsibility for Digital Services, Change, Finance, Procurement and Legal Services. He is the national lead for the transition to zero emission vehicles working to the National Police Chiefs Council’s Sustainability Board.
He has previously worked in senior roles in North Wales Police, Cheshire Police and Cumbria Constabulary as well as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Percy Thrower CMILT DGSA, Manager Dangerous Goods Information, Logistics UK
6 years with the Member Advice Centre (MAC), Manager Dangerous Goods Information.
Assisting members with their queries regarding ADR, IMDG and current transport legislation.
Community First Responder with Fastaid, Fundraiser with the Birmingham Dogs Home, DIY, Pyrography.
Previously worked as a transport manger for accident management company and a transport shift manager for a general/confectionary haulier.
Committee member for the British Association of Dangers Goods Professionals (BADGP).
Jonathan Walker, Head of Cities and Infrastructure, Logistics UK
Jonathan is Head of Cities and Infrastructure Policy at Logistics UK and leads on road, rail policy and planning. His main focus is engagement with members and key stakeholders relating to infrastructure and cities to hear their views, identify their key priorities and influence decision making on these issues. Prior to this, he spent most of his career working in business policy for the North East England Chamber of Commerce and holds both a BA (Hons) in Politics and MA in Public Relations from Newcastle University.
Martin Candish IEng MSOE MIRTE – Head of Compliance Information, Logistics UK
Martin is responsible for Logistics UK’s compliance information output and the member advice centre. He has worked for Logistics UK since 2003, with previous roles within the vehicle inspection service starting as area engineer, then team manager, and latterly technical manager.
A time-served vehicle engineer working in both fleet and dealer environments, he has also worked as a technical officer for DVSA. In parallel to this, Martin served 13 years as a vehicle mechanic in the Army Reserve, including operational service, and is currently a serving firefighter for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.
He has many years of technical, operational, and managerial experience with lots of practical knowledge gained from across the logistics industry.
Annie Graham, Apprenticeship Manager, Logistics UK
Annie Graham is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working within education management, particularly apprenticeships and unemployed provision. Annie has extensive knowledge of quality management within the educational and apprenticeship sector, with her main focus on driving forward Logistics UK’s internal and external apprenticeship offerings with members and associated businesses.
