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A wider vision


Scott Showell is one of those people who sets a course through life at an early age. Already enjoying a successful career in logistics, his ambition and energy were further rewarded when he was named a finalist in the BIFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award category


Why go into logistics? Scott Showell is perfectly clear on that point. “I did not want to go to college – I wanted to get straight into work when I left school,” he said. “My ambition was always to get out and see the world and expand my knowledge. “I applied to Kuehne + Nagel through


Connections, which was an apprenticeship programme for people leaving school. I was not sure what logistics was at the time – but I do not really like routine and in logistics every day is different, so it goes well with my character.”


Apprenticeship Scott’s two-year apprenticeship at Kuehne + Nagel led to a further two years there as an operator in the company’s air freight division. Moving to Damco, he worked in sales and operations before taking on the role of senior business development manager (East Midlands). He became senior air freight development manager for Damco’s UK operations at the start of 2018. “I have been in air freight for most of my


career; I like the speed of it, the buzz. There is always loads going on and you get more done,” he said, although he has also gained experience in ocean freight at Damco. Scott is clearly taking a long-term view. For


instance: “As we go forward, it is interesting as digitalisation takes hold,” he said. “With IT platforms we could lose some


personal interaction; banking was probably the first sector to do this, and we see it in retail now


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too. The industry is changing. I think that is a good thing; it is better for our customers and we do need to evolve: logistics can seem like it is stuck in the Stone Age sometimes.” He pointed out: “Of the top ten freight


forwarders 20 years ago, only one is still left because the rest did not keep up with change or adapt, so they were left behind, went bust or were bought out. We see this happening with shipping lines too. “Change is slow in this industry because the


regulations in different countries can be complicated. Plus the industry is stuck in its ways… people do not like change – especially when they have done things the same way for 20 or 30 years.” Scott believes more investment is required,


along with a shift in mindset, to take the industry forward while retaining that all-important personal touch. He noted: “Productivity is better now because


of technology. I am all for change and going into the digital era, but people are still people. I hope we do not lose the personal side of the business. There is no reason why we should.”


That focus on people applies to those working


within logistics, too. “You have to try to help people who need it, especially if they do not have much experience. People want to come in and do well and be recognised; they do make mistakes but they should not be crucified – they just need to be taught to adjust their thinking so it does not happen again. Some people can be afraid to make decisions but I would rather they get it wrong than not decide at all.


Ambitions “I really want to be a manager; I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching people grow and learn. I had great mentors who taught me that it is not all about what is in front of you: it is about what is around you. I want to pass that on to the next generation.” Scott is keen to point out that BIFA and its


events – including the Awards – are an important part of promoting positive change in the forwarding industry, as they bring together industry leaders with different backgrounds and cultures. “The more you do of that, the wider your vision is,” he said.


June 2018


YFF Profile


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