BIFA Awards
Broadening horizons
Young Freight Forwarder Award
Virgin Atlantic Cargo is proud to sponsor BIFA’s Young Freight
Amelia Mulhern studied human geography, which examines the effects on people of political, economic and social developments. Such factors also impact logistics, so it is perhaps not surprising that she enjoys the industry so much and was named a fi nalist in BIFA’s Young Freight Forwarder of the Year category
said, adding: “The project alongside this was to create a customer onboarding checklist for our reefer project.” Amelia was also involved in setting up K+N UK’s Women’s Network, which enables members to share experience stories, support and resources. “There is a sense of belonging,” she said, as well as opportunities for self- development. In particular, Amelia wants to develop her leadership skills as part of her career progression. 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.
“I wasn’t sure if it was for me but I am so glad I chose it,” Amelia Mulhern said. “Logistics is often a bit of a hidden industry but it underpins everything we touch.” Amelia’s current role as a trade and business development analyst at Kuehne+Nagel involves growing the company’s activity and relationships in the Far East (eastbound) and Oceania (both inbound and outbound). In addition, by providing market knowledge to sales teams in the UK, she helps them to sell K+N’s services in these sectors. Not content with deepening her understanding of her usual role, Amelia proactively sought out an
“ Logistics is often a bit of a hidden industry but it underpins everything we touch. – Amelia Mulhern, K+N
international mentoring programme, which has broadened her experience beyond dry containers. “Meeting once a week with our global reefer trade manager in Bremen, this programme has been pivotal in supporting my ongoing learning and development,” she
A quest for learning
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Menzies LLP provides financial and accounting expertise, combined with strategic commercial thinking. We
BIFA Apprentice of the Year fi nalist Leanne Read has an attitude and skillset that are well suited to the freight industry – and she is continuing to broaden her horizons
and partners, too. Meanwhile, Leanne is a member of the BIFA Young Forwarder Network’s North West committee. Noting the importance of bringing young people with fresh ideas into the industry, she said: “We’re not managers yet, but in a few years’ time we will be in that position.” 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. 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
“I would say yes to any training I am offered. I try to absorb as much information as I can,” Leanne Read said. “It is always a benefit to know as much about the wider picture as possible for the industry you are in.” Besides her role as logistics specialist at Neon Freight, another string to Leanne’s bow is her role as mental health first aider. She sends regular team emails, wellness emails, and links to helpful podcasts and videos. “Whether people engage in this is up to them, but knowing the conversation is open in the office makes a difference,” she said. “We spend such a large portion of
our time at work that you want to make sure everyone is happy and open.” That openness applies to Leanne’s ambitions to manage her own
department, too. “I try to act in a way that someone can ask me anything and I try to help with anything I can,” she said, adding that she would welcome opportunities to travel and meet with overseas customers
16 | August 2024
www.bifa.org
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker