BIFA Awards
Climbing the ladder
Young Freight Forwarder Award
Virgin Atlantic Cargo is proud to
“Did I choose freight forwarding, or did it choose me?” asks BIFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year fi nalist Emily Howard...
said. “I was worried about people’s perception of me – I am only 22 – but it is not a problem. Everyone in my department is under 30. One of the directors often says, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough!’ “Of course, there are older people here too and they pass on a lot of knowledge and guide us in the right direction,” Emily added. Having progressed from office junior to office supervisor in just three years, she certainly seems to be on the right track. sponsor BIFA’s Young Freight Forwarder Award to recognise and encourage the next generation of industry leaders. As well as rewarding the progress of the best young people, this award helps to highlight the vital role freight forwarders play in the growth and development of the industry. VAC recognises the importance of developing and retaining talented young people and is confident this award will help to attract more recruits that want to build a future career in a sector that is so important to the economy and international trade.
E mily Howard came to completing her sixth form studies. The company had just set up its European road freight department, which she soon joined – and only a few months later she had to get to grips with Brexit. Deep end “There is nothing better than being thrown in at the deep end,” she said. “Like everyone else in the industry, pressures were high and I endeavoured to ensure our customers were reassured that they were in good hands.” Currently learning the role of European road freight supervisor, Emily is open to working in other modes, although she is hoping to Westbound Logistics Services as an office junior after
“ There is always room to improve and work your way up at Westbound and I am thankful for the opportunities it offers
climb the ladder within the growing European road freight department. “There is always room to improve and work your way up at Westbound and I am thankful for the opportunities they offer,” she
A mindset for success
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
oriented and based on maintaining good customer relations, he said: “Coming straight from college I had no experience. But as I have learnt more about the freight forwarding industry, I have dealt with many different problems and found solutions. “For now I am focused on becoming well rounded at what I am doing – but freight is a great industry to work for; there are lots of opportunities.” Menzies LLP provides financial and accounting expertise, combined with strategic commercial thinking. We understand your business via our in-depth sector knowledge and use a consultancy-led approach to challenge your objectives and guide your business growth. Each of our clients experiences our Brighter Thinking approach, the difference we make to our clients. With our in depth transport and logistics sector experience we promise to add real value across key areas of our clients’ businesses – to go further than just balancing the books.
Motivated by a desire to succeed, BIFA Apprentice of the Year fi nalist Richard Smith counts ambition, a strong work ethic and courage among the qualities that are helping him do just that
“I had a different mindset in school and once I realised how important these qualities are, and had a career in mind that I really wanted to go for, it all fell into place,” said Richard Smith. “I have been quite focused on success and climbing the ladder in finance. I think if you put the work in, you get the rewards. It has worked so far.” When BIFAlink spoke to him, Richard was on the Association of Accounting Technicians’ Level 3 course, the plan being to complete that in March and move on to the higher AAT levels, then eventually study under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The backdrop to these academic
pursuits is of course his role in the freight industry, where
personal skills are invaluable. Richard worked in Ziegler Group’s credit control department during his apprenticeship, and taught a new apprentice too; he has since moved to purchase ledger. Noting that his day job is service-
18 | July 2024
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