The Institute of Export (IOE) is launching a new relationship with the readers of Freight Industry Times – a leading publication read by 8,000 company directors and transport managers in the UK’s major freight and cargo providers.
From next month our news, views and case studies about our members in the sector will be profiled in a special four page supplement in this quarterly publication.
Our two industries have been linked for several years with many freight forwarders studying the IOE’s suite of qualifications. Contract general manager Sandy Gullis MBE, of logistics giant Wincanton, is one of those freight forwarders.
Wincanton is one of the best-known names in the industry, providing transport, warehousing and specialist logistics services. The company turns over in excess of £1billion and operates across wide-ranging areas spanning retail, water, construction, bulk foods and fuels.
Sandy chose to study our Advanced Certificate in International Trade because he is keen to formalise his knowledge and experience of global trading, enabling him to deliver added value to customers.
Although the challenges of moving freight around the world have been his profession for many years, Sandy didn’t have any formal qualifications in International Trade until he enrolled with the IOE.
Sandy works in Wincanton’s Defence Division where he manages a multi-million pound contract. His role involves looking after a 108,000 square foot warehouse, managing 30 members of staff and an inventory worth £200m.
Here he explains why the IOE Advanced Certificate was the perfect fit – suiting his particular learning style, building on his practical skills and strengthening his existing knowledge – particularly on legal affairs.
“The legal aspect of international trade was probably the most challenging part of the course because it requires such precision. There is so much to learn about the law in different countries. For example the ‘Incoterms’, which are the terms on which you buy something, differ depending on where you are in the world, so the course offers a very good grounding in these elements of operational practice.”
“The need to understand law in different countries is so important for trading success. When goods are loaded onto a ship for example, the company responsible for that freight will differ depending on where is bought from and where it is sent to. So a contract with a specific country under UK law is not without its challenges.”
Sandy is now about to embark on the IOE’s Diploma in International Trade and finds that the flexibility of the IOE courses means he can study the modules in his own time.
“The Institute provides an excellent education pack. Webinars and tutors are available, but I prefer to teach myself in my own time, sometimes at odd hours of the day or night, so this approach really works well for me. Another added bonus is that the exams can be done at a time to suit you.”
“I would recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and understanding of global trade.”