Peter Ward to step down as CEO of UK Warehousing Association

07/06/2021

Peter Ward, chief executive of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), is to resign after six years at the helm.

He joined UKWA in 2015 after a long career in logistics, culminating as commercial director at DP World London Gateway, following stints at Wincanton and P&O Nedlloyd Logistics, among others.

Since joining UKWA, Mr Ward has improved revenues, widened membership to include retail and manufacturing users and introduced new benefits. And membership has continued to grow, even since the start of the pandemic.

Chair of the UKWA management board Nicola Ridges-Jones said: “Peter has been a passionate advocate for our industry, raising the profile of the association within the sector and well beyond. His strong industry track record and undoubted leadership skills, combined with extraordinary energy and drive, have ensured that he leaves UKWA a thriving and successful organisation, ready to lead members through the fresh challenges ahead.

“We wish him every success as he steps into semi-retirement to pursue personal interests.”

Under Mr Ward’s guidance, UKWA has helped shape government policy concerning Brexit and has guided members through the complexities of planned changes.

He has also fostered strong links with Transaid and, over the past six years, UKWA has raised more than £100,000 for the charity, including £75,000 donated by members to mark the association’s 75^th anniversary.

Mr Ward said: “It has been my privilege to represent the warehousing and logistics sector as CEO of UKWA. I am proud to have been able to instigate change, drive improvement and help this great industry achieve the respect and recognition it deserves.

“I would like to express my thanks for the excellent support I’ve enjoyed from the board, my hard-working executive team and, of course, the UKWA membership. I hope to ‘stay in touch’ with many friends and industry colleagues and, from the sidelines, will continue to watch my beloved logistics industry, contributing wherever I can add value.”

UKWA said it would name his successor shortly.