Nightfreight’s IDW bosses quit

Ownership change leads to new strategy and departure of divisional management team from IDW network. Firm is set to start Polish drivers on multi-drop work.

Nightfreight, which had a secondary management buy-out in July, announced the unexpected departure of senior executives at its IDW Network, which handles freight of irregular dimension and weight. Gone are managing director Paul Watson and group operations director Ian Lancaster. In a statement, the firm said: “Paul and Ian have been with the company for many years and made significant contributions to developing the business. Nightfreight has a new focus and is being reshaped to take it forward to the next stage of its development plans, and they have decided that the company’s longer-term strategy does not fit in with their personal plans for the future.” Nightfreight chief executive Rob Kelly, who will serve as IDW managing director in addition to his current role, declined to elaborate on the statement. Nightfreight operates from 50 depots in the UK and Ireland. Its IDW Network created a new brand for so-called ugly freight and includes Pacemaker, a service using two-man teams. The (pounds sterling)89m buy-out in July gave management almost 50% of the company and was backed by Royal Bank of Scotland Debt Ventures, which invested (pounds sterling)77m. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Nightfreight is starting four Polish drivers at its Southampton depot during the next two weeks. The drivers were sourced by Drakes International, which did the advertising and the preliminary interviews. Nightfreight staff were present for second interviews and tests. Andy Blinstrub, Nightfreight hub general manager, says: “The drivers will be on collection and delivery work so it was essential that they had good English. We tested them on their map-reading and routeing skills as well.” The number of hauliers using the EU Eures jobseeker website continues to grow. Among those seeking drivers are: Woodside Haulage, Molloy European Transport, M&G Haulage, MC Mountain & Sons, Apex Transport Services, Goodall Transport, GG & DF Turnball, E Carter Haulage, Hornigold Haulage and SW Wreford & Sons.