Chris Welsh MBE, director of global and European policy at the Freight Transport Association and the Secretary General of the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) will be retiring at the end of May 2018.
The 36 years of his career at FTA Chris Welsh has spent defending and advancing the interests of importers and exporters (shippers) in their dealings with the world’s shipping lines and airlines. Chris was awarded the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) 2015 in recognition of his achievements.
In 1995, Chris helped establish FTA’s Brussels office and served as the Secretary General of the European Shippers’ Council from 1996 to 2002. In addition to his current FTA duties as Director of Global and European Policy, he is also the Secretary General of the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF) that provides a platform for shippers’ views to be heard by the global regulatory bodies.
David Wells, FTA’s Chief Executive, said: “Chris Welsh has been a tireless advocate for the needs and interests of businesses, managing sea freight and air cargo contracts for over 30 years, and I thank him for advancing FTA members’ interests in these modes of transport… ”
With the agreement of the Board of the Global Shippers’ Forum, FTA’s Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham will take over responsibilities for running the GSF from 1 June 2018. James will also take direct responsibility for the global and European policy team at FTA.