MD View: Collaboration is the key internationally

We continue to place a great deal of importance on our collaboration with other trade bodies and with policy makers. It’s important that industry voices are heard in the corridors of power.

Domestically, we regularly engage with decision makers across all levels of Government and we’re a loud campaigning voice on behalf of the road transport sector. This work is key as we seek to improve skills, facilities and infrastructure, focus on vehicle and driver security, get clarity on the road to net zero and keep the UK supply chain moving.

However, the supply-chain is global and as we navigate global challenges and developments in border and customs technology, and with advancements in digitalisation and the evolution of AI, it’s important to recognise the huge amount of work that our sector undertakes internationally daily. The road transport sector (HGVs, coaches and vans) cuts across all sector growth areas globally and many of our international members cross borders for their work daily, playing an important part in shaping the future of the supply-chain.

As regulations change and with the development of different systems, engagement with international stakeholders will become increasingly more important to businesses and organisations here in the UK.

As part of our ongoing collaborative work and engagement, we’ll be taking part in a series of international meetings, briefings and events in the coming weeks and months. For example, this week we've been meeting with various international trade and industry representatives in Brussels, including the International Road Transport Union (IRU.) The IRU takes views from its members globally and engages with various global governments.

By being in the room on behalf of our industry, collaborating and working together internationally with other organisations, we will share expertise and aim to develop practical solutions to challenges that will make a real difference for fleets and businesses across our sector.

Fostering these relationships long-term will benefit businesses. We’ll need to work collaboratively domestically and internationally in the years ahead to navigate current challenges, plan for the long-term future and keep the global supply chain moving.