Keith, a chemist by profession, works for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as Hazardous Cargoes Adviser following a career working in a variety of roles within the chemical industry. His MCA post also has a counter pollution element when the incident or issue involves hazardous noxious substances (HNS) e.g. MSC Napoli and MSC Flaminia. Currently Keith represents the UK at the International Maritime Organisation on the IMDG Code and other containerised cargo issues and is a member of the UK delegation to the UN sub-committtee of experts on the transport of dangerous goods. He has represented the UK at the scoping meeting at ILO, and at the last meeting of the Group of Experts, on the revision of the IMO/ILO/UNECE Guidelines for packing of cargo transport units.

Bill Brassington is an independent safety and security consultant  with over 15 years’ experience in the container industry, including time with P&O Containers and GE SeaCo Services. He is an active member of the ISO’s Technical Committee 104 (freight containers) where he now chairs the Sub-committee on special containers. He also attends the IMO DSC Sub-committee as an NGO technical expert and regularly participates in working groups involved with container safety and security. For the last six years Bill has provided consultancy to the container industry, covering not only the safety and security of the container, but also the cargoes carried. He is the author of the research study “Safety in the supply chain in relation to packing of containers” published by the ILO in 2011 and is currently editing the “Code of practice for packing cargo transport units (CTUs)” for the IMO, ILO and UNECE.

Richard Brough started his career in 1969 with the Merchant Navy, culminating in command level. After 20 years at sea, he came ashore and worked in various port and stevedoring management positions until 2004, when he established his own port and logistics consultancy. From 2008-2011 he also launched, ran and sold UK Port Services Ltd. As well as his board role, Richard provides ICHCA International’s Technical Advisor service and is deeply involved in the association’s work with various international agencies and regulatory bodies.

James Douglas is a Director of Exis Technologies and has been with the company since 2009. He has been involved in the transport and logistics industries for over 30 years at a number of IT and consultancy companies and previously worked with Exis as a customer and consultant on dangerous goods-related projects. At Exis, he works with global partners in the sea transport chain to increase safety and improve productivity in dangerous goods logistics, and raise awareness of Exis's Hazcheck Systems and IMDG Code e-learning services within sea and shore side operations. Hazcheck Systems and IMDG Code e-learning are now used by 16 of the top 20 container lines globally and by many European ferry/ro-ro operators. With the launch of the new CTUpack e-learning course, he is now also raising awareness of the issues involved in container packing and promoting best practice in the industry.

Mark Openshaw has been with Cordstrap for 15 years, originally based in the UK Office in Skelmersdale covering the North West of the UK. Five years ago he took a secondment in China to help set up office and offer technical support and training to the Asia Pacific region. Mark has given training and presentations in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, India, Australia as well as China, and so has broad insight into the cargo securing world. Last month he returned to UK to take over as Area Sales Manager for the South East and to take up a nationwide position as Senior Application Specialist for the UK and Ireland.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox has been with the TT Club since 1984, firstly handling claims and providing advice to all types of transport and logistics operators, including ports and terminals, until the late 1990s when he began directing claims operations worldwide for the Club. Since 2002, he has led the TT Club's internal risk management framework as well as directing its loss prevention services to Members. In this latter role he has particularly developed links with like-minded trade organisations and NGOs with a view to promote good practice in health and safety matters as well as general operations.

Chris Welsh was appointed Secretary General of the Global Shippers’ Forum in 2011 after serving as Secretary General of the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) from 1997-2002 where he played a prominent role in deregulating EU shipping and air cargo markets. Chris has held a variety of senior management roles for the UK Freight Transport Association, most notably establishing the FTA’s operations in Brussels and Ireland. Chris holds an MBA and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CMILT) and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI).