OVERSEAS trade specialist, Chamber International, has appointed a new logistics associate as part of its team to assist UK exporters.

Logistics and supply chain professional, Robin Finnis, advises clients from multi-national companies to new-start businesses in Yorkshire and throughout the UK, on logistics and supply chain strategies worldwide.

His appointment comes shortly after Bradford-based Chamber International expanded with the addition of international trade administrator, Sam Paley and export-import office services coordinator, Lucy Jones.

Mr Finnis, who started work at Dover in 1971, is a fellow of the Institute of Freight Personnel and a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistic and Transport.

He is currently helping a specialist electrical supplier to ship its first consignment to the Middle East and managing a major import of solar energy components from China for a UK company.

He has 45 years global experience in international logistics, covering all forms of transport, including hazardous shipments, and provides logistics consultancy to companies in North Africa and Germany.

He has experience of shipping using the railway systems within China and Russia some of which involved out-of-gauge loads.

He said: “I’m delighted to be assisting Chamber International at a very exciting time for overseas trade when we may have to prepare for changes in how the UK exports and new regulations with regard to logistics.”

Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, said: “Robin Finnis is highly experienced in all aspects of logistics and can provide top-class practical help to businesses.

“We are delighted that he has joined our team.”

Chamber International helps hundreds of new and experienced exporters with a wide range of specialist services to make exporting easier and more cost effective each year.

In addition Chamber International has been appointed to help launch York Brewery’s ales into overseas markets where British independent beers are becoming increasingly popular.

The brewery is looking at the US, Scandinavia, Belgium and other European countries and has started talks with some importers.