November 24 - Member of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) board, Steve Parker, has been appointed president of the Brussels based European association for forwarding, transport, logistics and Customs services, Clecat.
Clecat's membership consists of the majority of national freight forwarder associations throughout the EU and its prime purpose is to guard and promote the freight forwarding sector's interests at European level.
Parker, who is head of Customs and brokerage at DHL UK, served as national chairman of BIFA from 2011 to 2013, and currently holds a place on the UK trade association's board of directors. In his new role at Clecat he takes over from Marc Huybrechts.
BIFA director general Robert Keen said: "Steve's appointment is important as it helps to strengthen BIFA's influence and involvement in this important organisation and facilitate contacts with significant stakeholders, for the benefit of our members.
"Marc had in fact succeeded Clive Broadley who is also a past BIFA national chairman," added Keen. "For BIFA to see two senior officials elected president in such a short time is a great reflection of the high status of the trade association among our European Union forwarder colleagues.
"BIFA is already well represented on Clecat's board and in addition to Steve's chairmanship of the organisation's Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute; fellow BIFA director Mark Bromley heads its Road Logistics Institute and I am vice chairman of its Maritime Logistics Institute."
Steve Parker.