Entries to the awards, which are now in their 33rd year, are still open and BIFA Director General, Robert Keen says that it’s not too late for members to emulate the victorious 2003 England rugby team with a last minute drop goal!
Keen comments: “Overcoming last minute challenges to achieve success characterises all of the companies that win a BIFA freight service award and Matt Dawson, and his team mates from 2003, is a great example of someone that understands the sporting equivalent of a final mile, or last minute, delivery.”
In a rugby career spanning 15 years, Matt played at club level for Northampton and Wasps, made 77 appearances in an England shirt, and joined three tours with the British and Irish Lions. Since his retirement from Rugby, he has developed a high-profile media career alongside roles in business, and is the longest serving team captain on the BBC’s A Question of Sport programme.
BIFA’s Freight Service Awards are open to all members of the trade association, which represents UK companies engaged in managing the international movement of freight by all modes of transport.
Sponsored by a number of blue chip companies, each of the award categories is recognised as very prestigious and winning an award has become more coveted year-on-year.
Keen concludes: “Every year, after the awards have taken place, I get members who say that they wish they had entered. So, with just a few days left until the October 7th entry deadline, now is not the time to knock this ball on. I would urge all members to think about their applications now, so they don’t have any regrets later.”
The awards ceremony luncheon is an annual event on the industry calendar and is scheduled to take place at The Brewery in London on Thursday January 20th next year when Matt Dawson will host many BIFA members and their guests in attendance. Once again, it will provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to acknowledge both the finalists and winners as well as networking with people from within the industry.
The BIFA Freight Service Awards are separated into eleven categories, as follows:
General categories
Project Forwarding Award – sponsored by Peter Lole Insurance Brokers
Specialist Services Award – sponsored by Newage
Staff Development Award – sponsored by Albacore Systems
Supply Chain Management Award – sponsored by BoxTop Technologies
Modal categories
Air Cargo Services Award – sponsored by IAG Cargo
European Logistics Award – sponsored by TT Club
Ocean Services Award – sponsored by Port Express
Specialist categories
Cool & Special Cargoes Award – sponsored by American Airlines Cargo
Extra Mile Award – sponsored by Descartes
Individual categories
Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award – sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo
Apprentice of the Year Award – sponsored by Seetec Outsource
Further information relating to entries and luncheon reservations can be obtained by visiting the BIFA website www.bifa.org/awards
