2024 The Year of Warehousing has arguably been our busiest and most successful yet. Our stated aims of raising awareness and appreciation of the sector, through a vigorous high profile campaign, have been paying dividends both at a regional level and national level.
Our Year of Warehousing visits to date, variously attended by local MPs, dignitaries and representatives of supported charities, have generated wide regional press coverage across the UK. Meanwhile, at a national level, last month’s launch of the UKWA Election Manifesto at a specially convened reception at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by Ben Everitt MP and attended by Baroness Scott, brought together many MPs, key stakeholders from government departments including the Department for Transport, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Levelling Up, Community and Housing, to hear from our Policy Team and UKWA members the key issues and ‘asks’ from the next government – whoever that may be.
The UKWA Election Manifesto 2024 calls for overdue reform to business rates and urgent improvements to the planning system, as well as highlighting the massive untapped potential of solar power on warehouse rooftops. It was encouraging to receive such a positive response from politicians and government departments alike, who listened attentively to our arguments, with many expressing their support.
With the first of our eight UKWA Roadshows also under our belt, our packed schedule continues apace. We are looking forward to our flagship Awards Lunch at The Royal Lancaster London in July, and have been gratified by the huge number and high calibre of entries from so many outstanding companies and individuals, all keen to be recognised for their achievements in this milestone Year of Warehousing. The task of selecting our excellent finalists was a challenge indeed, but it has been a pleasure to learn of the many innovations and excellent performances from the best in our industry.
We are delighted too, in this election year, to have secured as our special guest and celebrity host one of the most famous political commentators of recent times – writer, broadcaster and strategist, Alistair Campbell. Alistair will join us to present the Awards and, as half the world’s population heads to the polls, entertain us with his no punches pulled political analysis and expert advice on what it takes to be a successful leader. By the end of this historic year for our sector, my hope is for a better informed government that promotes and supports warehousing, and recognises us as an important engine for economic growth.
Clare Bottle
UKWA, CEO
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