Clare Bottle and Neil Bowker appointed new UKWA CEO and chair

The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) announced today that Clare Bottle, FCILT (above) has been appointed its new CEO, effective 1 July.

She succeeds Peter Ward, who is set to enter semi-retirement, and joins UKWA from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, where she was associate director of warehousing.

Her career includes delivery of successful logistics projects as an interim manager for clients such as Kuehne + Nagel, M&S, Yodel and Bunzl. Later, she became national logistics manager for Lafarge Tarmac, before joining Coca-Cola in 2015.

Her appointment was announced at today’s UKWA annual general meeting, where Neil Bowker (below), commercial director of Bowker Group, was unveiled as UKWA’s new chair, taking over from Nicola Ridges-Jones, MD of MS Holdings (South).

Mr Bowker welcomed Ms Bottle’s appointment: ““Clare brings tremendous industry experience to the role, having worked in the logistics arena for over 25 years.

“She enjoys a reputation for driving change, and I have no doubt Clare will continue to fight for our industry as the head of its leading trade association,” he added.

Ms Bottle was one of the founder members of Women in Logistics and, in recent years, has also been a trustee of CILT (UK) and of Transaid, UKWA’s nominated charity.

She said: “I am passionate about warehousing and logistics and am delighted to have the opportunity to make a difference in the industry in my new role. I believe it is vital for the future to attract and nurture the best talent to our industry; careers are an essential engine of social mobility, and I am committed to making the logistics profession increasingly equitable and inclusive.

“Above all, it is my ambition as CEO of UKWA to secure for warehousing and logistics operations the place they deserve at the heart of the UK economy,” she added.

Meanwhile, on Mr Bowker’s appointment, departing chair Ms Ridges-Jones said: “I am delighted to hand over responsibility for this important industry role to Neil Bowker, who has been a great support to me as vice chair.

“He has been a proactive and valued member of the UKWA management board for some years and I know he will continue to make a valued contribution in his new role.”