UNIPART LOGISTICS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN JOINS RICO LOGISTICS

Keith Jones, former deputy chairman of Unipart Logistics, has accepted a non-executive role on the board at fast-growing Rico Logistics.

Mr Jones played a key role in building Unipart into a major player in the field of third party logistics (3PL), and will use his wealth of experience to help guide Rico through a period of rapid growth and consolidation as it eyes potential European markets and considers future options, including flotation.

Mr Jones, 62, spent 23 years with Unipart before his retirement last December. He was tempted back into the boardroom by Sam Sharma, founder and managing director of Rico.

“I spent the last 10 years with the company helping to turn Unipart into a fully competitive 3PL, with significant activities in technology and telecommunications, retail, aerospace and defence, as well as automotive,” Mr Jones said.

“In addition, I helped build up a well respected logistics consultancy with a significant turnover and some excellent people.”

He added: “Before Unipart, I was with Ford Motor Company in Europe, and I have a lot of experience, both at a junior level - where I was literally carrying the boxes – and as a leader in a very large company with all that that entails, such as potential acquisitions, health and safety, and human resource issues.

 “Rico is going to be moving into a different phase of its life over the next three or four years, and I hope to be helping with the strategic thinking that this will involve,” he added.

Sam Sharma commented: “Having a non-executive director of Keith's stature on board, offering the kind of advice and guidance that only comes from a lifetime of hard-won experience, tells the business community at large that Rico means business.”