Partner Article

Leading Logistics Firm Appoints New Director

Pioneering logistics provider, Europa Worldwide Group, is announcing a new Board appointment, with Ian Kirkpatrick joining the team as its Central Services Director.

Ian will be taking over the role from long standing Director Carl Potter, who after nearly 11 years in the business will soon be retiring, in January 2021. Having worked with Managing Director of Europa Worldwide Group Andrew Baxter since he acquired the business in 2013, Carl has been a pillar in the growth and development of the now £205million turnover business.

As the new Central Services Director, Ian will be tasked with leading the HR, Property and Facilities, Insurance Management, Compliance, and Health and Safety aspects of the business. Overarching all of these areas of the business, Ian will be making important decisions across legal requirements and people management, whilst constantly looking at new ways of working to improve efficiencies.

Ian has 30 years’ experience across a wide range of sectors within the FMCG arena covering food and beverages, manufacturing, retail and automotive, having worked for leading business within the logistics and supply chain sectors.

In his previous role Ian was the Group HR, Estates and Facilities Director for a large Japanese subsidiary operating in the UK and Europe.

Specialising in everything from cultural change to revenue growth, facilities / operations management and shareholder value creation, Ian’s broad skill set make him the ideal candidate to take on the position at Europa.

Ian is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development as well as being a Board member of the Royal Logistic Corp Foundation. Ian Kirkpatrick, Europa Worldwide Group Central Services Director comments: “I am delighted to be joining Europa Worldwide Group. I’ve seen how quickly the business has grown since 2013 and the continued investments being made. Even this year, despite Covid-19, Europa has ploughed resources into essential Brexit planning and opened its new £60million warehouse in Corby on time in June – it’s an exciting business to be a part of with huge potential for further growth.

“As an already well-established and highly successful business, my task will be to continue to drive out complexity across Europa’s operations. Initially I will assess, review and evaluate existing structures, systems and processes to identify, develop and deliver, where needed, innovative solutions to improve operational effectiveness, reduce costs and improve shareholder and customer value.

“I’m looking forward to the variety of the role – being able to influence, grow and develop a whole host of areas within the business, working directly with Andrew Baxter.”

Andrew Baxter, Managing Director of Europa Worldwide Group comments: “After seven years of working together, I am incredibly sad to say goodbye to Carl Potter, who has been involved from the very beginning in the strategic growth and development of the business. “It was certainly a difficult task to replace him, but I believe Ian’s skill set and experience will be highly beneficial. Particularly his specialisms in organisational change during mergers and acquisitions, alongside his proven experience of establishing, managing, developing and coaching cross-functional, high-performing teams. We recognise he is an inspirational and effective business leader and are excited to see him take on the role and support us in continuing to drive the business forward.”

Europa Worldwide Group is a specialist road, air & sea and warehouse operator, which employs over 1,000 staff across 16 sites in the UK, plus Belgium and Hong Kong and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for three years running. Europa recently revealed its results for year-ending 31st December 2019.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kathryn Webster .