2002 December

Gough Wallace Couriers, founder Ken Avery sudden loss . Ken Avery died suddenly before Christmas and was sadly missed by one of the most professional courier companies in London. Ken began Gough Wallace in 1983, the company had a long reputation for having a rider waiting list. Gough Wallace couriers working with Jam Buster couriers finds today’s company, Reuter Brookes based in London WC1, John Lister comments, 'Gough Wallace was Ken's family'

2002 Nov

Couriers at the NEC Birmingham International Bike Show. By special invitation Camelot Courier Training represented the courier industry at this years International Bike show at the NEC. In a special training for motorcycles feature at the bike show Camelot introduced many newcomers to the motorcycle courier industry. Steve Norris was on hand to rally up youngsters at the bike show for Youth Day and many individuals took their first steps on the road to work as a professional couriers.

2002 Aug

Busy summer for courier network events. Amongst April showers in July heads of the bike courier industry met for a courier industry networking event at Henley organised by Camelot Courier Training to discuss issues to drive forward professional standards in the two wheel business. More courier top brass met in July to enjoy the Lord Mayor of London's Civic vehicle marking ceremony in Guildhall Yard. An ancient tradition of early licensing of vehicles which takes place each year organised by the livery company of Carmen.

2002 June

David Jamison, Minister at the National Courier Awards. The Nash room of the Institute of Directors was host to the 2002 National Courier Awards for sumptuous a gala sit down dinner event on the evening of Tuesday 25th June 2002. Key note speeches were made by government minister David Jamison alongside Lord Falkland and Steve Norris. Almost 200 guests celebrated courier success at the event sponsored by Camelot Courier Training, Ears Radio and Professional IT. A truly magnificent event was praised by all and couriers from across the nation celebrated their success and an industry full of pride. A full list of winners and further details can be found.

Motorcycle Courier Industry MBE in Queens Golden Jubilee Birthday Honours List. Carl Lomas, boss of London based Camelot Courier Training has been listed in the Queens 2002 Birthday Honours list for an MBE. The Honour is for Services to Training in the Courier Industry. The award comes in a special year for Camelot who have been delivering courier training for ten years. Carl was fundamental in the creation of the courier skills NVQ, then working with various government bodies provided a training scheme free to the unemployed which has helped support the industry skills gap ever since.

2002 May

Tracey Worth co-ordinator of the team of judges announced her 2002 team mid March. The 2002 panel of judges is listed below. T. Dee Barratt Director of Ears communications, Simon Bliss (National Courier Network Chairman), Bob Holmes Moves Group, Carl Lomas Managing Director of Camelot Training & Ex chairman of the National Motorcycle Council, Trevor A Magner BMF (British Motorcycle Federation), Ian Mutch MAG (Motorcycle Action Group), Martin Rutty Despatch Association, Steve Smith Ex DA chairman - Professional IT, Martin Williams - Quicksilver Couriers, Claire Young - Anderson Young Couriers

2002 May

D A - AGM 11th May elects Kate Lester to chair. Kate Lester is the new chairman of the Despatch Association and the first lady to take the position. Kate replaces Bob Doughty and brings a different emphasis to the association. Her company has no motorcycle couriers and she is one of the first DA chairs to have an out of London courier company. Philip Stone remains Chief Executive.

NTF - AGM 15th May re-elects Carl Lomas to transport chair. During a two day briefing and AGM in Kenilworth the National Training Federation re-elected Carl Lomas to chairman of the Transport Group responsible for representation of training provision across the UK. Carl, boss of Camelot Courier Training in London brings a strong emphasis of NVQs in the courier industry to the NTF table. Newly elected Vice Chairman is Ian Peacock, MD of Hargreaves in Leeds.

BMF Bike show a great May success for 2002. Europe's biggest outdoor biking extravaganza got even bigger for 2002 with a record attendance of 88,528 at the British Motorcycle Federation Bash. Marking its Silver Jubilee year at Peterborough’s East of England But figures only tell part of the story. Threatening bad weather on Saturday and forecasts of rain to come on Sunday no doubt deterred plenty of bike couriers, but for those who came they had a fantastic time, especially on Sunday where show-goers relaxed in the warm day-long spring sunshine.

April 2002

GLH company staff awards. GLH boss John Scott held his company awards at Highgate golf club and top man took the company shield, Tom Cooney. Stuart Selley was Despatch Department winner and an ex Camelot Training bike courier Rode Ljustina took top honours in the bike category.

National Courier Association AGM re-elects Kevin Grey. Kevin Grey of Point to Point Couriers London continues as chairman of the National Courier Association alongside Alan Savage who also remains as Vice Chairman. Sean Merick of Speed Couriers Manchester was happy to receive top association company award at the AGM which for the first of many years was a low key affair following the extravagant bash of 2001 at the Tower of London.

Mar 2002

Lord Strathcarron gets award for services to road transport . Avid motorcyclist and All Party Motorcycle spokesman in the House of Lords, Lord Strathcarron was awarded the Order of Merit by the Worshipful Company of Carmen at Guildhall during the livery company's banquet on March 12th. Lord Strathcarron was involved with the National Courier Awards at the Tower Bridge ceremony and the livery company represents all vehicles in the City of London including couriers.

Jan 2002

Big New Year Buy Out follows receivership for London number one courier company . Martin Ellis, Ipe Jacob & Andrew Conquest were appointed as the joint administrative recievers of Despatch Management (UK) Ltd on the 11th January.

Andrew Bernard then announced the acquisition of CitySprint previously owned by Dispatch Management Services (UK) Limited - DMS with the support of a multi million pound deal from United Bank of Kuwait. DMS was the result of the American NASDAQ stocks which purchased West One, Delta and Security Despatch to form London's largest same day courier company. CitySprint(UK)Ltd the MBO company will trade as CitySprint and as West One Passenger Cars. With an annual turnover in excess of 30 million, CitySprint is reported to service over 13,000 customers, employ over 300 people within the UK operating a fleet of 1200 vehicles through 31 customer service centres. With Andrew as Chief Executive a team of seven will manage the new company based in the City of London at 58-62 Scrutton Street EC2

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