Our Committee

As the London Freight Club’s youngest appointed Chairman, Alistair’s ambition is to continue to celebrate the traditions and values of the club’s prestigious heritage, whilst representing and connecting with the next generation of shipping professionals, ensuring the club remains relevant in modern-day 2018. Starting his career at 16 as an office junior (or ‘tea boy’ as he refers to it now) at Mediterranean Shipping Company (UK) Ltd., Alistair has progressed his career through various sales and management roles within the organisation and today is a member of the Line’s Senior Commercial Management Team as Senior Customer Development Manager. A member of the London Freight Club for over 10 years, and the committee for over three, Alistair views his appointment of Chairman in 2018 as “one of the proudest moments of my career so far” and adds “I’m mostly looking forward to getting to know as many existing members as possible and welcoming the new faces to the Club over the next twelve months. It’s our ‘community’ culture that keeps our values alive and that’s down to the genuine relationships that the London Freight Club allows us to develop.”

Like most people , it was never my intention to work in shipping I don’t think I even knew about shipping and Shipping Lines . When I left school , I immediately got a job in an accountants’ in Plaistow this lasted about 18 months , I got bored and looked for another job it was at Baker Britt I stated my Journey in to shipping. I started as a warehouse clerk and in my lunch hour I sat with the Transport Manager planning routes for the drivers after a time the Manger decided that I had shown a lot of interest in the business and my skills should be utilised. On the shipping desk I was taught about Exports and then because the company was short-staffed they moved me to imports , I look back on those days as a very interesting time for me and a huge learning curve . After two years I was hungry to learn more and get more experience I took up another job with another freight forwarder putting my training and knowledge to good use I remained with this company until I achieved status as office Manager I remained with the company for 11 yrs. Again I was hungry for more responsibility and eager to learn more about the shipping business after much deliberation, I decided to start up a business for myself, I was not very well of Financially and I had a family to support I was fortunate to have a friend in Freight Forwarding industry who offered me office space which I gratefully accepted from that Day I have never looked back, I have worked long and dedicated hours to achieve in the Freight Forwarding Business a good reputation We have worked on giving a good reliable service, which bought a reputable chain store to my business , I had to increase my head count many folds to accommodate the service level that was required by Corporate Companies. This was a big turning point in my company Eagle Cargo Services, this account helped me achieve the BIFA Award 2009.

My Business continues to grow and I am indebted to the people who Have helped me over the years. Our clients come to office to discuss their shipping requirements and have a cup of coffee with us we put them at their ease we have specialised in West Africa and India and these client appreciate more our hands on style of business. I am so pleased that a long time ago I made the right decision to come in to shipping and my company has been running since 1999

I must being do something right !

The name Jimmie James is synonomous with The London Freight Club. He has been a member since 1965, and served as Chairman 1983/4, and has been the Club’s Honorary Secretary & Treasurer for 20 years. In his working career Jimmie worked for more than 20 years with Ellerman Lines, and for 12 years with J Line. He was also with the Grenadier Guards for 7 years, serving in Europe, Egypt & Palestine. Jimmie has been retired for many years, but continues to serve tirelessly for the club.