World-renowned stand-up comedian and impressionist Alistair McGowan has been announced as the headline entertainment act at the first FTA Logistics Awards ceremony, which will be held at London’s Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane.  McGowan, whose credits include BBC One’s Bafta-winning The Big Impression, as well as work on some of the country’s best loved tv shows (Have I Got News for You, Live at the Apollo, Room 101 and others), will be hosting the glittering awards ceremony, as well as adding a host of laughs to proceedings with his wide range of comic impressions.

“Alistair McGowan is an entertainer at the top of his game,” says David Wells, CEO of the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which is co-ordinating the event in partnership with Multimodal, “and we are thrilled to have such a premier headliner on board for our first FTA Logistics Awards.  This event is our flagship event, celebrating the industry that’s powering UK PLC and showcasing the very best that our sector has to offer.  I look forward to hearing Alistair’s work in person, at what promises to be an entertaining and exciting festive evening.”

McGowan is well known for his impressions of a wide range of personalities, including fellow comics, tv and sports stars, politicians and other celebrities.  His act has, in the past, featured voices ranging from Boris Johnson to Boris Becker, and as Mr Wells continues, there could be some surprises on the night:

“Alistair is always on top of the news cycle, and I’m sure guests at the awards will be treated to some really topical humour.   It promises to be an amazing evening, and I can’t wait to see what he makes of the logistics sector!”

In addition to McGowan’s involvement, the evening will reveal which of the 30 leading freight and logistics businesses shortlisted will go on to achieve recognition in the 2017 FTA Logistics Awards, which celebrate supply chain leadership and excellence, as well as acknowledging leaders who have made a significant contribution to the industry, either as individuals or as businesses.  There will also be a keynote address by Jesse Norman MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, and the induction of the inaugural members of the FTA’s Logistics Hall of Fame, in recognition of their significant contribution to keeping UK industry at the forefront of the global economy.

“Table sales are already flying,” says David Wells, “for what promises to be an incredible evening of entertainment, networking and celebration of one of the UK’s most vibrant and exciting sectors.   The event represents the pinnacle of the logistics industry’s year, and I for one cannot wait to see who scoops the top prizes.  It’s definitely an event not to be missed and with a room full of representatives of sectors including freight transport and forwarding, retailing, manufacturing and warehousing, there is sure to be plenty of networking and business opportunities to be snapped up.”

Table bookings are still available for the 2017 Logistics Awards, at a cost of £250 + VAT per person (£300 + VAT for non-FTA members) or £1,800 + VAT (£1,950 + VAT for non-FTA members) per table of ten.  To find out more, and book your place at the event, please visitwww.fta.co.uk/events/logistics-awards.html

FTA represents all modes of the UK’s freight and logistics sector, with its members operating half of the UK’s lorry fleet (more than 200,000 vehicles), handling 90% of the UK’s rail freight business and consigning 70% of the country’s visible exports by sea and air.  The UK remains a leader in logistics at a global level, ranked in the top ten countries in terms of logistics performance, and the sector contributes 11% of the UK’s non-financial business economy.  In 2016, 2.54 million people were employed in logistics in the UK, approximately 8% of the UK’s workforce. 

FTA Logistics Awards

About the Author: John Loughran