The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has appointed Mike Jones (pictured below) as policy advisor on environmental issues.
The trade association says that carbon reduction within global supply chains and the more widely-related environmental sustainability agenda are now no longer seen as a ‘nice to have’ or ‘tree hugging’ initiatives. Today they are mainstream activities, taking centre stage on the business agenda.
While some BIFA members are already deploying sustainability technologies and strategies to address environmental issues, these practices are not yet widely adopted.
For the most part this has been seen in larger organisations as part of most tenders and business activities. But the process is filtering down into smaller businesses and it is BIFA’s responsibility to be able to assist all its members, whatever their size, to meet this challenge to their long term viability.
Director general, Steve Parker says: “Environmental and sustainability issues are not new, and for many years BIFA has been monitoring the legislation, tracking any new regulations, and delivering advice.
“We have published numerous articles on various environmental issues such as plastic packaging and the problems surrounding its disposal, as well as the development of different fuel types and their respective merits and de-merits. We have also attended and reported on various stakeholder meetings and seminars such as the COP meetings.
“Over time, the environmental agenda has developed particularly in Europe, where the issue has struck more resonance than in many other parts of the World. Today the focus is much more on carbon emissions than rather wide-ranging generic issues.
“With all the above in mind, Mike has been appointed to lead our initiatives on this subject as well as work with members and others within the secretariat to establish a Sustainability Policy Group in the near future.”
Jones started his career in freight forwarding in 1977 when he joined Pandair Freight Ltd as a break bulk & transhipment clerk and undertook a number of managerial roles following the acquisition of Pandair by Air Express International.
In 1998, he moved to Hitachi’s transport division where his role as logistics manager included the management of warehousing and distribution throughout the UK, followed by a promotion to general manager, which allowed him to develop a more strategic role working as part of the European steering group.
In 2011, he started work at London Underground as logistics manager for Track & Signals. In preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games, he rationalised the storage locations for track materials and set up critical spares stores for signalling equipment to minimise delays.
He joined BIFA in 2015 as policy and compliance advisor to look after issues related to Air, Aviation Security and Dangerous Goods; before becoming BIFA’s regional representative for London West & the South West in 2019.
Parker concludes: “We welcome Mike’s appointment and are sure that his experience on both sides of the supply chain will help our Policy and Compliance Department to develop its engagement with members and deliver meaningful support on environmental and sustainability issues as they impact the UK and international freight services industry.”
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