Tesco's online director new CILT chairman

Neil Ashworth FCILT, Tesco.com's operations & development director, is the new Chairman of The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport in the UK (CILT).

Neil has been a member of the Institute since 1987 and a Board member since 2007. He is also at the heart of Tesco's highly successful internet shopping business, and currently leading the multi-channel development of the Tesco Direct business across the UK stores as part of the retailer's new approach to non-food.

Neil will use his wide logistics experience to develop the Institute's drive to raise the profile of logistics and transport as a profession, further. He says: 'Throughout my career, the Institute has helped me. From my Diploma to technical support today, the Institute has been invaluable. 

'Ours is a people industry. The strength of our Institute emanates from our breadth and depth of expertise. Working with my Board colleagues, the Institute's Professional Sector Ambassadors and CILT staff, it is my intention to make sure we remain relevant both to young people setting out in their career, and to those with broad industry experience.

I want many more people to enjoy the benefits of CILT membership. I am keen to broaden our membership base, we need to appeal to everyone working in a warehouse, in logistics across the supply chain or in passenger transport. I am also committed to ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of what the Institute does.'

Neil has been a driving force behind the recent restructuring and simplification of the Institute, helping to establish a clear and simple structure of governance which is transparent and easy to understand.

Neil has been quick to praise CILT's outgoing Chairman, Paul Brooks, Unipart Logistics' Sales Director. 'None of these changes would have succeeded without the unstinting drive, energy and enthusiasm of our outgoing Chairman, Paul Brooks. His commitment to the cause of creating an Institute for the future, and his leadership of the process throughout has been significant beyond measure.'

Neil's appointment coincides with a new look transitional board for the Institute. It features five new members: DHL Supply Chain Managing Director, John Boulter FCILT; Former Steer Davies Gleave Senior Transport Consultant, Margaret Everson FCILT; Bisham Consulting Senior Consultant, Jane Green CMILT; Deutsche Bahn Head of UK Planning & Access, Chris Loder MILT and Cranfield School of Management Professor of Supply Chain Strategy, Richard Wilding FCILT.

Neil is enthusiastic about working with both existing and new members of the CILT UK Board. He states: 'The new governance structure rightly holds the Board accountable to the members for the performance and development of the organisation. I am keen that we maintain a regular dialogue with the members and that we reflect the tone of the industry. In my term as Chair, I hope to meet, and listen to, as many members as possible to ensure that I support the Executive team in their endeavours with a consciousness of both the aspirations and the issues facing the Professional Sectors and Forums.'

Neil joined Tesco in February 2006 to implement the introduction of its new Tesco Direct service. He has extensive experience in supply chain; becoming Woolworths' Supply Chain Director at the age of just 38. He has also previously worked for Hallmark and the Cooperative Wholesale Society.