Blacksmith Freight Services | The Team

Roger has been working in the freight forwarding and Logistics for over 23 years, for large corporate companies mainly in sales and lately 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 a friend and work colleague Jane Smith from a very small beginning, which started on Rogers’s dining room table, the company started to grow steadily.
 

In 2001 Roger took over 100% control of the company and set about changes which resulted in rapid expansion and continued year on year growth emerging in 2008 as one of the largest privately owned Freight Forwarders at Manchester Airport. This was recognised in April 2008 where Roger gained Who's Who listing in 'Owners of Britain's Most Successful Companies' which depict the top 6% in the UK.

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 sets it apart from its competitors.“

When Roger is not running Blacksmith he prefers the quiet life retreating to the countryside where he lives with his son Thomas who is aged 11.

I have over 20 years experience in Freight forwarding and have been with Blacksmith Freight for nearly 10 of those, I have covered all aspects of the industry and now specialise mainly in exports.

In my spare time I enjoy visiting the gym and spending quality time with my family, I am also a season ticket holder at Manchester City, “the richest club in the world”.

Suzanne joined Blacksmiths in December 2007 as Financial Controller and is responsible for the smooth running of the accounts department, she has over 15 year’s experience in this position within a wide range and diverse companies in the U.K.

Ranging from childcare to the wine industry, with the most recent position prior to joining Blacksmith being with a large national crash and body shop repair company. Outside of work Suzanne enjoys traveling, socialising and spending quality time with her family.

I contribute the most experience within the team having completed over 30 year within the freight forwarding industry covering both import and export by air land and sea operations.

Recently I have taken on the responsibility of developing overseas agents which involves travelling to promote Blacksmith Freight Services within the worldwide network.

Always a keen sportsman playing competitive football in my younger day’s I now spend my fee time playing competitive golf being a member of a local private Golf Club and supporting Manchester United football club.

Andy has worked in the transport and logistics market for over 20 years. He is responsible for all the companies Logistics including the new large warehouse facility at Manchester Airport.

Andy has a demanding role ensuring your 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.

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.

I joined Blacksmith’s in 2004 after leaving school at the age of 16 in the Air Exports department where I learnt about booking up airlines, arranging customer collections and documentation down to labeling the freight.

After two years I moved over to the Import department to broaden my knowledge and now deal with UK customs, book deliveries with UK clients and liaise with agents all around the world ensuring cargo arrives efficiently.

In my spare time I am a Man City fan and get to many of the games. I also enjoy playing football and play every Tuesday and Thursday for local teams.

I am 23 years of age and joined Blacksmith Freight in March 2007. I have been in freight forwarding industry for 5 years and enjoy expanding my knowledge of the business. I have experience in both air imports and exports as well as visiting my customers who are based all over the UK.

In my spare time I like to socialise with friends and family, going out dancing, drinking and living the young life whilst it’s still here. Also I like to relax in the comfort of my own home when I get the chance. I have a great interest in shopping and love to watch my two younger brothers’ play for the local football team, whom Blacksmith Freight are sponsors for.