Inside Warehousing with Clare Bottle

Angela Carus discusses her career journey from warehouse picker to leading logistics operations, highlighting how lessons learned from both strong and poor leadership shaped her own management style. She emphasises the importance of sustainability, reflected in Boughey's Distribution’s B Corp certification and its focus on profit, people and planet. Angela also addresses the challenge of cutting unprofitable work and adapting to the differing expectations of today’s multi-generational workforce. She underlines the growing importance of emotional intelligence, empathy and critical thinking in leadership, particularly as the sector faces rising costs and ongoing labour shortages. 

In this episode, Clare Bottle talks with Tony Mannix about his unconventional journey from architectural engineering to leading one of the UK’s most innovative logistics businesses. He reflects on early breakthroughs at Burton Group and Rosebuds, and the leadership lessons that shaped his move to Clipper Logistics.

Tony also shares the story behind the Fresh Start programme, highlighting his commitment to inclusion, and offers insights on talent shortages, education partnerships, and why investing in people is key to the future of warehousing.

In this episode, Clare Bottle talks with Tom Ashley, who shares the story behind ILG and its journey to success. Tom reflects on his early days in warehousing, from picking and packing to carving out a unique niche for ILG. He discusses the company’s strong performance in 2024, marked by key acquisition. Tom also speaks passionately about promoting disability inclusion in the sector and why giving people opportunities matters. The episode closes with Tom reflecting on how far ILG has come and what he’s most proud of achieving. 

In this episode, Clare Bottle talks with Derrick Potter, Executive Chairman of Potter Space, about his extraordinary 60-year journey in business. From buying his first lorry in 1965 to building a nationwide logistics and warehousing network, Derrick reflects on the people, principles, and decisions that shaped his success.

He shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and succession planning, as well as insights into the evolution of the logistics industry — and why trust, long-term thinking, and investment in people remain at the heart of sustainable growth.

In this episode, Phil Roe, President of Logistics UK, discusses the organisation's role in representing the logistics industry, which includes 21,000 members and a £35 million turnover. Logistics UK emphasises IT investment, spending over £1 million annually. Roe highlights the importance of employee engagement and the success of the Generation Logistics campaign, which aims to attract young talent through relatable role models and modern media. He also reflects on his career transitions, including his move from DHL to Logistics UK, and the need for logistics to be recognised as a critical sector in policy-making to improve the UK's logistics infrastructure.

In this episode, Ed Sanderson shares his journey through the logistics sector—from early involvement in the family business to navigating modern-day challenges. We explore how he balances traditional values with innovation, fosters strong relationships, and builds a forward-thinking business strategy. Ed also discusses leadership, succession planning, community engagement, and the impact of Palletline membership on business growth. A thoughtful look at how heritage and future vision can work hand-in-hand in today’s warehousing landscape.

Ruth Waring of Women in Logistics UK – From traffic offices to trailblazing change, this episode explores the power of networking, the drive to succeed, and building an equality movement that’s still going strong today.