Bennell was appointed managing director of Samworth Brothers Supply Chain (SBSC) in 2014, one of the largest chill consolidation businesses in the UK. Prior to working in the cold chain, he held senior roles in Supply Chain and Major Program Management over 30 years for organisations in Europe across automotive, retail, healthcare and manufacturing including DHL, Monsoon, HSS Hire, Brakes Brothers and Co-op. Bennell follows Tim Moran as Cold Chain Federation President - Moran stepped down after seven years in the role during which he oversaw the federation’s leadership change, strategic review and rebrand.

Bennell said: “I am delighted to be elected President of the Cold Chain Federation and I look forward to working with the Board, the staff team and the federation’s members as we support the industry for today and for the longer-term. The Cold Chain Federation has really come to the fore over the past few years, delivering a powerful and constructive voice for our industry when we have needed it the most. It has also built a more diverse membership base with companies joining from across the main product and temperature regime supply chains that make up UK cold chain.

“Our industry is facing into a challenging time, and my priorities for the Cold Chain Federation as its President include supporting our industry in navigating inflationary pressures while also ensuring the cold chain voice is heard by politicians and policy makers on the issues that affect our operations. Building on the federation’s ongoing programme of work supporting operators on the journey towards low and zero carbon operations is also high on my agenda, and I’m looking forward to spreading the message that the cold chain is a great and varied industry to work in, today and for the future.”

Cold Chain Federation chief executive Shane Brennan said: “Paul embodies the forward-thinking, knowledgeable and skilful approach that makes the UK’s cold chain so impressive. He has been a major asset to the federation’s Board and I am very much looking forward to working with him as he leads the Cold Chain Federation into the future. Paul and I will be taking the cold chain message to Ministers and MPs with federation members from across the UK at our House of Commons reception later this month, as we continue to show them what the cold chain contributes to our nation and how their decisions can support a strong and resilient temperature-controlled supply chain.”