FTA celebrated its 125th anniversary as the ‘Voice of the Industry’ in the company of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal on Wednesday 18 June.

HRH joined guests and long serving staff members of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) which returned to the home of its heritage – the Mansion House London.  The Princess Royal was in attendance as guest of honour at the celebratory evening, and as patron of international development charity Transaid.  The Princess addressed guests attending the gala dinner when she made reference to Transaid and support FTA has made to the work of the charity:

Commenting on her previous associations with FTA, and in particular her attendance of the centenary gala dinner in 1989, ,Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal said:

“Doesn’t time fly? It certainly doesn’t feel like twenty five years ago when I was invited to join the FTA here at the Mansion House to commemorate its centenary, and I am delighted to be here this evening to once again to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Association over the past 125 years.

“The initial membership of the FTA was very impressive – it included in its numbers 208 county councils, municipal corporations, local boards, dock and harbour boards and other public authorities, 130 trade organisations, 75 chambers of agriculture and a very large number of trading firms and companies.”

Among the guests presented to Her Royal Highness were long serving FTA staff members who had worked within the Association for over 25 years; including Denise Cummins (PA to Chief Executive Theo de Pencier), Jerry Humphage (Vehicle Inspection Service Engineer), Karen Packham  (General Manager Consultancy & Tendering), Karen Reid (Contract Manager), Chris Welsh (Director Of Global & European Policy).

FTA’s past is intrinsically interwoven with the development of freight transportation, initially with canals and railways and later with road, sea and air.  The Association has been supporting the interests of the transport industry since 1889, undergoing many changes to become the recognised face of the freight transport and logistics industry today. This constant involvement with the developments and changes in transport has placed FTA at the centre of transport and distribution in Britain for 125 years.  Throughout 2014 FTA is commemorating its rich heritage with a number of special events, offers and activities.