David Atkinson

I started my career with XPO Logistics on their graduate scheme after completing my maths degree at Newcastle University. The scheme introduced me to the logistics industry, helping me to gain experience and develop skills across warehousing and transport operational roles.  

My first roles outside of the scheme were with XPOs transport division. As Planning & Performance Manager and Trunking manager, I worked alongside and supported the UK operational teams across the shared-user and dedicated transport networks, to identify improvement opportunities that benefited the business with a holistic approach. These roles also allowed me to visit many sites across the UK, which not just expanded my UK industrial estate knowledge, but more importantly, gave me the opportunity to meet great people across the network.  

I returned to operations after 5 years, to become Contract Operations Manager for multiple automotive clients in Cowley, Oxfordshire. This provided my first exposure to just-in-time operations and the reality check that comes with exceptionally high customer expectations. During my time there, aside from day-to-day operations management, I supported a new customer implementation as the operational stakeholder, working with the business development and project management teams, for a successful go-live.  

A new challenge beckoned to join Unipart Logistics and help expand their 3PL transport operation and commercial offering. During my time we grew the operation from humble beginnings to multi-site dedicated transport operations. The role required a generic approach, working with support functions to increase their transport knowledge and capability to in turn allow the operation to grow further. I supported the commercial team as the transport stakeholder for joint transport and warehouse opportunities and also implemented a dedicated national delivery operation playing a key role in project management and successful cross-over to BAU operations.  

Key Highlights 

• Increased turnover from £0.4 to £6.5m in 5 years.  
• Multiple new business operational implementations 
• PBIT turnaround from loss-making -£20k Year 1 to £500k profit Year 5 
• Led trunk consolidation project generating £350k pa cost saving  
• Ran tender and implementation of offshore service provider generating £100k pa cost-benefit (c10%) and improved service levels.  
• Identified inefficiencies and implemented £250,000 of cost savings across the shared-user network. 
• Part of team that delivered Olympics Delivery Surcharge – additional £140k invoiced to customers. 
• Qualified Prince II Practitioner 
• National and International Certificate of Professional Competence