Meet The Team
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Mr Roger Black Managing Director
Roger has been working in the Freight Forwarding and Logistics industry for over 24 years within large corporate companies mainly in sales and laterly as General Manager. Roger saw a niche in the market to offer a more personal and adaptable service with a far greater level of flexibility which the large freight forwarders are simply unable to accommodate.
In 1998, Roger founded Blacksmith Freight Services with friend and work colleague Jane Smith, and from a very small beginning which started on Roger’s dining room table, the company started to grow steadily.
In 2001 Roger took over 100% control of the company and brought about changes which resulted in rapid expansion. This expansion has continued through the following years propelling Blacksmith Freight Services to be one of the largest privately owned Freight Forwarders at Manchester Airport.
Roger says “I am extremely lucky to have such a professional and dedicated team” who he feels are simply the best in the business. “Every member of the team plays a key role in maintaining the close personal and very high level of customer service that Blacksmith Freight is renowned for and that sets it apart from its competitors”.
Running Blacksmith doesn't leave Roger with much spare time but whilst outside work Roger prefers the quiet life, retreating to the countryside where he lives with his son who is aged 12.
rogerblack@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Mr Mark Randles Export Manager
Mark has over 20 years experience in Freight Forwarding and has been with Blacksmith Freight for nearly 10 of those. He has covered all aspects of the industry and now specialises mainly in exports.
In his spare time he enjoys visiting the gym and spending quality time with his family. He is also a season ticket holder at Manchester City, “the richest club in the world!”.
markrandles@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
John Lawrance Branch Manager -London Heathrow
John is the newest member of the Blacksmith team who has over 25 years in our industry covering all areas and modes of transport.
He joins us to spearhead our recently opended office at London heathrow and our expansion in the south of England
When John is not working he spends his time watching all types of sport but especially football, imparticular Chelsea FC. His other interests include gardening and cooking.
johnlawrance@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Charles G McPeake Import Manager
Charles has been in our industry for more than 30years covering all areas and modes of transport.
Recently he has taken on the responsibility of developing overseas agents which involves travelling to promote Blacksmith Freight Services on a worldwide basis, something that Charles is especially keen on as he feels it is such a great education to see so many countries.
Always a keen sportsman playing competitive football in his younger day’s Charles now spends his free time playing competitive golf, being a member of a local private Golf Club and supporting Manchester United football club.
charlesmcpeake@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Andy Ashworth Transport and Warehouse Manager
Andy has worked in the Transport and Logistics industry for over 20 years. He is responsible for all of the companies Logistics including the new large warehouse facility at Manchester Airport.Andy has a demanding role ensuring freight gets to where it should when it should.
In his spare time Andy is a very keen cyclist, riding in and around Europe in competitions.
andyashworth@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Jonathan Black Accounts
Jonathan has been Blacksmith's Company Secretary since 2001.
Since joining Blacksmith Jonathan has worked in various areas of the company but is mainly responsible for all of the companies legal obligations.
jonathanblack@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Daniel Ratcliff Import/Export Operations
Daniel joined Blacksmith Freight in 2004 after leaving school at the age of 16. Initially working within the Air Exports department he learnt about booking up airlines, arranging customer collections and documentation right down to labelling the freight.
After two years he moved over to the Import department to broaden his knowledge and now deals with UK Customs, booking deliveries with UK clients and liaising with agents all around the world ensuring cargo arrives efficiently.
In his spare time he is a Manchester City fan and gets to many of the games. He also enjoys playing football and plays every Tuesday and Thursday for local teams.
danielratcliff@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Adele Byrne Import/Export Operations
Adele is 23 years of age and joined Blacksmith Freight in March 2007. She has been in the Freight Forwarding industry for 5 years and enjoys expanding her knowledge of the business. She has experience in both air imports and exports as well as visiting her customers who are based throughout the UK.
In her spare time she likes to socialise with friends and family, goes out dancing, drinking and living the young life. She also likes to relax in the comfort of her own home when she get the chance. She has a great interest in shopping and loves to watch her two younger brothers’ play for the local football team Benchill JFC, which are sponsored by Blacksmith Freight.
adelebyrne@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Roxanne Rimmer Export Operations
Roxanne has recently joined Blacksmith Freight. After leaving school she decided to do an apprenticeship in a business environment, whilst working with Blacksmith she will be completing her NVQ level 2 & 3 in business administration. She is currently in exports, working with Adele and Mark.
In her spare time she likes going out with friends, going to shopping and some nights watching a film with her family.
roxannerimmer@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Gary Smith London Heathrow office
Gary had spent 8 years in the distribution business and he joined Blacksmith in October 2011 to help the operations at the Heathrow office.
In his spare time he likes to watch all types of sport mainly football (Everton) and basketball (LA Lakers). He also likes to travel to Los Angeles as much as possible to visit his family.
garysmith@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Hélène Delpuech Trainee
Helene has currently joined BlackSmith Freight's team in order to discover the profession of forwarding agent. She is a French student in her 2nd year of a two-year technical course in International Trade in the West suburbs of Paris.
Working for BlackSmith Freight Ltd will enable her to confirm her ambition to work in Exports or Imports in the future. Logistics market is for her mind an opportunity to live abroad and speak different languages.
When she does not work, she likes making clothes and accessories for her personal business and writing articles about fashion for a website. In addition, she has been part of the best Volley-ball team of her county in France for 3 years. Sport and Travel are a very big part of her life.
helenedelpuech@blacksmithfreight.co.uk
