We posed some key questions to Paul Bennell, who was elected the new President of the Cold Chain Federation on 5th May.
What was your route into the temperature-controlled logistics industry?
I held senior roles in Supply Chain and Major Program Management over 30 years for organisations in Europe across automotive, retail, healthcare and manufacturing including DHL, Monsoon, HSS Hire, Brakes Brothers and Co-op. In 2014 I joined the cold chain industry when I became Managing Director of Samworth Brothers Supply Chain (SBSC), one of the UK’s largest chill consolidation businesses.
What would you like to deliver as Cold Chain Federation President?
As Cold Chain Federation President I lead the organisation’s Board as we work to support the federation’s members working in, and with, the UK’s temperature-controlled storage and distribution industry.
This includes tackling the challenges faced by the industry as a whole, helping operators make the most of the new opportunities that are emerging and, crucially, looking to the opportunities and challenges of the years and decades ahead as well as those of today.
The Cold Chain Federation has made an important transition over the past few years, evolving as our industry has grown and navigated crisis after crisis. The federation has delivered the powerful and constructive united voice to Government that our members have needed, as well as offering more expert guidance and facilitating a much more collaborative approach within the industry.
I am looking forward to building on all of this progress as well as the federation’s enhanced events programme, which includes regular online seminars as well as major events such as our House of Commons Reception and the Cold Chain Climate Summit. I’m particularly looking forward to Cold Chain Live! conference which is coming to Liverpool this year on 14-15 September.
What do you see as the Cold Chain Federation’s main priorities over the coming years?
Our industry is working in a very challenging environment. We can’t expect inflationary pressures to ease significantly in the short term so an immediate priority for the Cold Chain Federation is continuing to provide support to our members through guidance, facilitating collaboration, and ensuring politicians and policy makers hear and understand cold chain issues.
Supporting operators in recruiting, retaining and training people with the skills that a cold chain business needs now and in the future is another high priority for the federation.
Also high on the federation’s agenda is our work to lead our industry as it works towards low and zero carbon operations. Our Net Zero Cold Chain Project is delivering new research, invaluable insights, expert guidance and a unique network. The next report in our Net Zero series will be launched in the Autumn.
How does the Cold Chain Federation support its members?
The Cold Chain Federation provides a range of important and unique services for our members. We conduct specialist research, provide expert advice and guidance, and create forums for knowledge share and networking through regular events.
The federation is the voice of our industry, which includes working for the cold chain’s interests in Government circles and representing the industry in the media. We are proud of our association with Warehouse & Logistics News. We also administer the cold storage Climate Change Agreement, which saves signatories more than £10 million each year in tax savings alone.
What do you enjoy outside of working in the cold chain?
I enjoy spending time with my family, holidays and keeping fit. I also play hockey for the England Hockey Masters Indoor team, focusing on an intense game helps me to switch off from work, at least for the length of a match!
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