Logistics UK’s Northern Ireland Lunch a resounding success

Thursday 10 November 2022

Returning for its fifth year running, 136 of the industry’s leading names gathered at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast on Friday 4 November 2022 to attend Logistics UK's Northern Ireland Lunch. The event celebrated the sector’s achievements over the past 12 months and provided attendees with the chance to reconnect with peers and debate informally the key issues and opportunities facing the sector.

Sponsored by DAF Trucks & TBF Thompson, the event included a drinks reception – provided by Fleet Wash Ireland – and three course lunch, as well as the opportunity to hear from guest speaker Andy Cole, ex-Premier League star, who entertained guests with an insight into the life of a professional footballer. In addition, there were addresses from Charlene Quayle, Chair of Logistics UK’s Northern Ireland Freight Council, Kevin Green, Director at Logistics UK and Seamus Leheny, Logistics UK’s Policy Manager for Northern Ireland.

The sell-out event also helped to raise vital funds for The People’s Kitchen Belfast through a charity raffle with prizes donated kindly by The Merchant​, Brigade Electronics​, Granco, Musgrave Retail Partners NI, Savage & Whitten Wholesale, Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van NI, TBF Thompson​, Dennison Commercials, RiverRidge​, Kaffe O Coffee Shops​, Henderson Group​, Works Coffee Roasters​, Manpower Engineering​, TST Group​ and SDC Truck & Trailer Parts,​ in addition to Logistics UK.  

Mr Leheny comments: “It was a pleasure to welcome so many new and familiar faces to this event and applaud the sector’s successes in person. It has been a great year for Northern Irish logistics despite ongoing challenges such as the Northern Ireland Protocol, decarbonisation and rising operator costs. The sector continues to work together to meet the nation’s supply chain needs and I look forward to another successful year.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.