Freight Transport Association

FTA - Freight Transport Association

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) traces its roots back to 1889. FTA's mission is to represent the views and interests of over 13,000 companies - from large multinationals and household names to small and medium businesses. It is one of the largest trade associations in the UK, with members moving goods by road, rail, sea and air.

FTA policy is decided by its members from all modes, through its quarterly regional and national councils. National Councils comprise the British Shippers Council, the Railfreight Council, the Road Freight Council and the Freight Council.

FTA also provide members with services that help them to operate safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.

It is based in Tunbridge Wells.

History

Following the 1888 Railway and Canal Traffic Act traders were given a right of complaint to the Board of Trade if they felt that railway rates or services were unreasonable. That resulted in an influential group of traders coming together in July 1889 and creating an organisation called the Mansion House Association on Railway Rates. Amongst its first members were Mr J J Colman of Reckitt & Colman, and a Mr Thomas Blackwell of Crosse and Blackwell.

The arrival of the internal combustion engine led to the formation in 1904 of the Motor Van and Wagon Users' Association, which changed its name to the Commercial Motor Users' Union in 1907.

In 1921 the third and final segment of the FTA was formed - the Traders' Co-ordinating Committee on Transport.

Over the years the work of the Mansion House Association expanded into more road orientated matters and in 1931 changing its name to the Mansion House Association on Transport.

In 1944 the Commercial Motor Users' Association decided that each of its constituent sectors needed its own identity and was reformed into three organisations. The own-account sector became the Traders' Road Transport Association.

In 1964 the Mansion House Association changed its name to the National Traders' Traffic Association and finally, in 1969, the three groups - the Traders' Road Transport Association, the Traders' Traffic Association and the Traders' Co-ordinating Committee - joined together to become the Freight Transport Association.

In 1979 the group was further strengthened when the British Shippers' Council representing exporters and importers, became a part of FTA.

Research

FTA conducts research and reports which are of use to its members, legislators and policy makers. Of particular note is the Quarterly Transport Activity Survey, increasingly used by government and the public policy arena as an economic performance indicator.

Organisation

FTA National Executive Board

Andy Haines (President)
Adrian Burleton (Vice President)
Rebecca Jenkins (Vice President)
John Coghlan (Treasurer)
Janet Entwistle
Eddie Fitzsimons
Ian Jones
Stewart Oades
Alastair Parker
Graham Roberts
Ian Veitch
Perry Watts
John H Williams

FTA personnel

Theo de Pencier – Chief Executive
James Hookham – Managing Director of Communications & Policy
Geoff Dossetter – Director of External Affairs
Jo Tanner - Director of Communications
Teresa Clemmence - Director of Human Resources
Kevin Croskery - Director of Finance & Office Services
Chris Thornton – Managing Director, Business Services
Alan Osborne – Director of Audit Services
Simon Chapman – Chief Economist and General Manager, Information
Chris Welsh – General Manager, Campaigns

Campaign for Safe Road Design

In July 2008 the FTA became a partner in the Campaign for Safe Road Design which is calling on the UK government to make safe road design a national transport priority cite web|url=http://www.saferoaddesign.com/media/2024/safe%20roads%20final.doc|title=SAFE ROAD DESIGN TO SAVE UK £6BN EVERY YEAR|accessdate=2008-10-01 |format=Word DOC |publisher=Campaign for Safe Road Design ] ..

References

External links

• Freight Transport Association [http://www.fta.co.uk]