Meet The Team
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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 13.
rogerblack@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Diane Edwards Branch Administrator and PA to Roger Black
Diane has joined Blackmsith Freight Services Ltd after a long career in the courts and also has previous banking and secretarial experience.
She has many interests which include swimming, dancing and learning foreign languages and passed a GCSE in Modern Greek some time ago. She generally enjoys learning anything new and often does part-time courses at local centres to learn new skills or just for fun. She also enjoys socialising with friends and spending time with her daughters with whom she loves to go shopping.
Voluntary work has also been a favourite for many years, and she received a Volunteer Award in 2008 for many hours of service. Fortunately she is able to continue in her voluntary role due to the flexibility that the company offer. Diane welcomes the opportunity to work at Blacksmith's and is proud to be part of their very professional team.
dianeedwards@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Mark Randles Operations 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 -
Charles G McPeake UK and International Sales Manager
Charles has been in our industry for more than 30 years 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 days, 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 -
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 joined Blacksmith Freight in March 2007. She has been in the Freight Forwarding industry for several 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 joined Blacksmith Freight in 2010 having decided to do an apprenticeship in a business environment. Whilst working at Blacksmith's she has completed her NVQ level 2 & 3 in business administration and is currently working in exports with Adele and Mark.
roxannerimmer@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 company's legal obligations and the company accounts.
His interests include acting and amateur dramatics and he has appeared on many occasions in productions at the Garrick Theatre. Jonathan is married with four children and looks forward to family holidays abroad and travelling generally. He also enjoys running.
jonathanblack@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Alan Rigby Warehouse and Transport
Alan has recently joined Blacksmith Freight Services, having worked in warehousing for around ten years now. Although he has not worked at Blacksmith's for very long, he feels he has settled in very quickly.
Alan likes to spend time with his partner and 2 year old daughter and also enjoys supporting his life long football club Manchester City, sometimes more than others! He also enjoys carp fishing.
alanrigby@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Trevor Bulman Driver
Trevor Joined Blacksmith Freight Services after spending 30 years with Greater Manchester Police.
During that service he was a traffice patrol officer with advanced driving level for 14 years and later moved on to the Manchester Airport Freight terminal deployed as the Cargo Area Police Officer for 8 years. At that time he was voted by an independent survey as the Best Service Provider within the freight cargo centre community. He received 5 commendations for exceptional work/bravery during his Police career.
In his youth he qualified as a swimming teacher and was selected for the Great Britain Water Polo team trials and he was also a National Youth Swimming team member. His hobbies are keeping fit in his own gym, driving, dining out and holidays.
Trevor says, "It is an honour to be part of the Blacksmith team and to be able to use my skills and knowledge for the benefit of the company".
trevorbulman@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Charles Black Warehouse and Stock Control
Charles has been working for Blacksmith's part time since he was 16 years old. He is currently handling our warehouse stock and computerised management system, which coincides with his studies at Lancaster University where he is reading Criminology.
Charles spends most of his spare time watching and playing sport. He is the captain of the university football team and is a huge supporter of Manchester United. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf and going to the gym.
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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, in particular Chelsea FC. His other interests include gardening and cooking.
johnlawrance@blacksmithfreight.co.uk -
Adam Marsek Operations Co-ordinator
Adam has been in the freight forwarding and logistics industry for 15 years. Although sufficiently covering all aspects of the trade, most of them have been spent in the Air Import Sector, with key areas of his experience being in the Far East. He has managed full door to door operational services and successfully implemented operating procedures such as KPI's, to efficiently monitor their throughput. By his own admission he says, "I'm a stickler for detail".
Adam is married with one son and one daughter. Most of his free time is spent doing various family activities and enjoys taking his son around his home county of Surrey to his Sunday league football matches.
adammarsek@blacksmithfreight.co.uk