Sir Peter Hendy takes over as CILT’s new International President in the centenary year

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is pleased to announce Sir Peter Hendy CBE as International President for the centenary year.

Sir Peter is one of Britain’s foremost transport practitioners, and is currently Chair of Network Rail, responsible for the management and development of Britain’s 20,000 miles of railway infrastructure. He is also Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation which is developing the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where he was successfully responsible for transport in London during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Sir Peter takes on the presidency at an important time in the history of the institute. The centenary is a time of celebration, with events throughout the year including the Centenary International Convention, to be held this year in Manchester between 16 and 18 June. This year’s Convention agenda focuses on the challenges faced as an industry, and how CILT reshapes its institute to meet them. Opening with sessions dedicated to the Young Professionals and Women in Logistics and Transport forums, day one will carry a particular focus on remodelling the offering to younger members. 

This is part of an ongoing process started under Immediate Past President Kevin Byrne to ensure that they are not only supporting the professionals of today, but nurturing the next generation of industry leaders.  The Women in Logistics and Transport forum, a leader in the fields of representation, gender equality and social responsibility, will further lead discussion on the work towards a more open, equal and sustainable industry.

On day two, the foundations are laid for another century of excellence in logistics and transport. Focusing on the institute as a whole, the day’s agenda will include discussion of our education and membership offerings, and how CILT delivers on their commitments to high standards and accessibility in a fast-changing world.

Day three’s agenda looks outward to the challenges, technologies, and ideas that are transforming the industry. Featuring presentations from thought-leaders and senior professionals, day three will focus on logistics as a global profession, and promote discussion of solutions to issues at the local and international level. In addition to the Centenary Convention, senior industry figures from around the world will gather on 3 November at the Savoy Hotel, London, where 100 years ago the foundations of the institute were laid. It is entirely appropriate that Sir Peter, a veteran of the transport and logistics sector with a record of exemplary public service should represent the institute at this event. Sir Peter Hendy CBE is an alumnus of Latymer Upper School, London, and the University of Leeds. He first joined Transport for London’s predecessor London Transport, as a graduate trainee in 1975, gaining experience of all aspects of bus operations. 

In 1989, Sir Peter was appointed Managing Director of CentreWest London Buses Ltd. Five years later, he led the successful buy-out of CentreWest by its management and staff with venture capital backing. He expanded the business, and, after its sale to FirstGroup PLC in 1997, he became Divisional Director, London and South East. In January 2001, Sir Peter re-joined the public sector to become TFL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, where he oversaw the revitalisation of London’s bus service, resulting in an increase in passengers of more than 60%. 

As Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter led the largest long-term investment program in London’s transport network in generations, vital to supporting economic development and growth not only in the capital but across the UK.

Following the terrorist attacks in London on 7 July 2005 and the immediate recovery of the public transport networks, Sir Peter was awarded the CBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List for services to public transport and the community in London.

The London 2012 Games demonstrated how far the capital’s transport network had come under Sir Peter’s leadership. Sir Peter chaired the 2012 Games Transport Board, which saw TFL work in partnership with Games organisers, government, local authorities, transport operators and regulators to ensure all athletes, officials and spectators got to their events on time, and London and the UK kept moving and remained open for business.

In 2015, Sir Peter stood down from his position as Commissioner of Transport for Transport for London, having served in that role for nine-and-a-half years. Knighted in the New Year’s Honours List 2013, the citation for him said he had provided inspiring leadership since becoming Commissioner in February 2006. Sir Peter is married to Sue, and has two children, Dave and Anna. He supports the Railway Children and London Poppy Day charities, is a trustee of London’s Transport Museum, Vice-President of the Widcombe Social Club in Bath and supports St Giles’ church at Imber, Wiltshire. He also owns and drives two iconic London Routemaster buses.

Speaking about his presidency and the coming centenary year, Sir Peter described CILT as “a remarkable organisation, a reassuringly constant presence in an ever-changing world… As we celebrate the strengths and values of this remarkable organisation, we must also rededicate our Institute to our core values, and to the task of upholding them for the next 100 years”.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport supports the professionals who plan the systems, who bring in the raw materials, who manage the movement of people and goods, who ensure safety standards, maintain mobility, and keep the economy working.

CILT is one of the leading professional bodies for everyone who works in supply chain, logistics and transport. It are a global family, representing professionals at all levels across all sectors, with a mission to give individuals and organisations access to the tools, the knowledge and the connections vital to success in the logistics and transport industry.