Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Couriers

President (centre) Chairman (far right) and Honorary Fellows of the Institute of Couriers

I was duly honoured last week to be made an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Couriers in a formal ceremony at the House of Lords.  The new President Lord ( Peter) Hendy installed me with a Fellow’s hood of the Institute of Couriers. This organisation may not have a high public profile but it is a key part of the logistics infrastructure of the UK and during the Covid pandemic revealed how the connections and deliveries its members make were vital to our health and economy.  That continues as the sector delivered 60 billion packages in 2022. The vision of the Institute is to be “A UK courier sector which is ethical and professional and which is understood and valued by governments, businesses and the public.”  The members share knowledge, commit to training and competence skills in the sector and work to deliver excellence. Its many activities include developing policies and practices that enhance the sector and the standards it provides to its customers. It has achieved great recognition in the way that the express e-retail service has grown and the Institute provides engagement at all levels from Government to local government, military and police. The Institute promotes education and training and works with FE colleges Universities and other organisations to provide a fully trained workforce. Some of the many strands of work include improving air quality and road safety.  It is that latter area of work that drew me to understand how key the Institute members are to keeping our roads safe.  A new road safety committee has been set up and this will drive even higher standards. 
Individuals are honoured by the Institute to become Fellows – nominated by their organisation for their expertise and loyalty. 
My Honorary Fellowship is an exceptional honour that has been awarded on only a few occasions. I was given the honour alongside Andy Lord the Transport for London Commissioner.  Other Honorary fellows are Sarah Bell, the Traffic Commissioner, Prof Peter John CBE Vice Chancellor of the University of West London and Leon Daniels OBE former TfL Commissioner. 
I will use this role alongside my position as Chair of the London Road Safety Council to enhance and promote road danger reduction across London.

---