Logistics Stories

Sarah is currently working as a Customs Compliance Officer, part of a larger and diverse Compliance team at Maersk. Her role involves identifying, managing, and mitigating compliance risks associated with CHB execution, while providing advice and guidance to the business in customs compliance related areas.

Sarah started as a Customs Process Administrator; Maersk enrolled her on the UK Customs Academy Level 2 Customs Practice & Procedure course. This training introduces the core concepts of international trade and customs. Upon successful completion of this course, she was given the option to progress to the Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Customs Compliance. To become a Customs Compliance Office at Maersk, a UKCA L2 (or higher) qualification is required.

After completing her A-levels, Sarah decided not to attend university. In October 2019, she decided to try something different and change career paths. Sarah thought she would need to gain some experience in other sectors and began searching for entry level positions. On the gov.uk apprenticeship webpage, there was a position advertised at Maersk to complete a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.

“On reflection, I think that at the time of applying, working in logistics was secondary to my objective of gaining experience and completing a qualification. Though once I started at Maersk, I was surprised to discover the breadth and scope of the industry.”

She joined Maersk in November 2019 as an apprentice and was allocated to the Control Team, afterwards she moved to a Customs Process Administrator role in preparation for Brexit. Sarah welcomed the opportunity to study, in more depth, an aspect of logistics that she had encountered whilst on the Control Team. After working within Customs for around 2 years, she moved to a role within the Compliance team in March 2023 to further develop her knowledge and skills.

Sarah would describe herself as inquisitive and solution oriented and enjoys the challenge of a puzzle. She also enjoys dynamic environments, through previous careers, she has learnt to work collaboratively and creatively to solve issues, paying attention to detail to ensure successful completion of tasks and projects.

Sarah has been afforded many amazing opportunities whilst working at Maersk. An absolute highlight for her was being invited to attend a Parliamentary Reception as part of Generation Logistics. It was an otherworldly experience, and an incredible opportunity to meet with people passionate about this industry!

Gemma has been working in logistics for over 16 years, having started with Maersk after completing her A-Levels. As she progressed, her role and expertise rapidly developed.

“I’ve had a number of roles in customer service, sales and business change. I’ve been lucky to live and work abroad, with a range of stakeholders and functions.”

For a period, Gemma’s work took her to India, but wherever she’s been located, and whatever role she’s done, she’s found her core skills of teamwork, leadership and collaboration have been crucial.

“There are so many different channels, elements and roles that provide so many exciting opportunities. I am still learning so much. Paired with the opportunity to be part of such an integral industry to world trade, I find it incredibly interesting.”  

Alongside her current role, Gemma is also part of the Area Senior Leadership Team, making her a superb example of the personal development and progression that such a key part of the sector’s workplace culture.

Carl’s job is to support the day to day running’s of various sites from an IT perspective, whether that be our office spaces or warehouses; as well as supporting the end users with their issues and requests. As we have been under a large restructure and leaning towards more warehouses as well as acquisitions, this has meant that Carl has been able to do a lot more travel than he has had in previous roles. Something that he loves.

Carl wouldn’t say there are necessarily any specific qualifications needed for his role. Experience was more important. He initially started in IT as an apprentice with law company in 2012. He then moved on to Peel Ports, which was his first IT Support role within Logistics (little did he know he’d be back!). Then onto University of Liverpool & Liverpool Football Club.

Maersk reached out to him via LinkedIn. At the time he was working in an IT Support role for Liverpool Football Club, which for a fan was somewhat of a dream. When Maersk reached out, Carl wasn’t necessarily looking for a new role. But after speaking with the Talent Acquisition Partner, as well as his now line manager, they sold the role to him.

Carl never really had an interest in going to University, but there weren’t many IT apprenticeships around at the time. He was lucky enough to successfully get an apprenticeship at a solicitors, covering their IT. After 2.5 years there, Carl then moved on to Peel Ports, covering their IT Service Desk. This was his first insight into Logistics.

“I’d say the best thing for myself have been the travel, some of these locations are probably places I would have never ever visited, had it not been for working in logistics.”

Carl would say there are two highlights within his career so far.

1: Supporting the Global Leaders Conference in Gothenburg: This was a large scale event ran by Maersk for all of the leaders within the business. Carl’s role was to offer hands on support over the 3/4 day event

2:  The JCB intergration: As part of our partnership with JCB, Carl was tasked with helping the staff intergrate into the Maersk environment. This included installing relevant internet into their site, procuring hardware, building laptops & relevant desk equipment, setting printer & queues up- as well as their day to day support

Amongst other responsibilities David represents Maersk to Government, industry bodies and speak at industry seminars and forums on the Maersk journey towards Net Zero and the actions being taken to reduce emissions in this decade and the next so that our whole business will be Net Zero by 2040.

Having worked at Maersk for many years there was no direct qualification needed for this role as much was about knowledge learned in our commercial business and then additional knowledge has been gained both within Maersk but also working closely with industry bodies and academia in the UK and overseas.

David first joined Maersk by answering a direct advert for business trainees. He has achieved other roles in the business also by responding through the Internet Job Portal. For this particular role it developed from my previous and as such was an evolution of what was already being done.

Having worked predominately on the Commercial side of the business then previous work experience was linked to building rapport and relationships. Listening and understanding problems. From a management perspective these skills were also valid however leadership skills came from the school rugby team and developed from the sports field into the business world.

Currently, David’s role linked to the environment gives great satisfaction to ensure that not only are we doing things to improve the world, but we can inspire and assist other companies to do the same. Across the board Maersk are improving life for all by connecting the world which in itself is rewarding but doing that sustainably is a double hit.

There have been many career highlights, each year brings more. Many would be seeing staff progressing and improving their own abilities. More recently our first green methanol powered containership arrived in the UK and later he was able to discuss that with Princess Anne

Looking back on our career expectations, it often feels as if the advice we were given at school has no relevance to the opportunities we eventually end up pursuing – so no career is worth discounting! That’s something Jessica, a Senior Customs Process Administrator, proves in droves.

“When I was at school… if I’m being honest, I didn’t think of logistics as a career path! I applied with the basic school qualifications required, and a degree. Within a year I’ve been promoted to a Senior role, a promotion that comes with more responsibilities but more rewards too.”

Looking after customers means no two days look the same for Jessica. “I might be actioning emails, talking to customers, completing entries or problem solving – finding more efficient ways of doing a process to save time and resources.”

She manages a big account, and a team to help service it. That brings the opportunity to train others, delegate jobs and manage their development. And though Jessica took to her role from the off, she’s also built on her qualifications with training on the job.

“Since joining, I’ve had the opportunity to gain my Level 2 Customs Academy qualification, and to go on to study for Level 4. I also frequently use e-learning to expand my knowledge.”

But the best thing about her role? “I love who I work with. Even though Maersk is a large corporation, I always feel valued. It’s a warm, family-friendly feeling amongst my team.”

Neve was at a point in her life when she wanted to further her career within an organisation that supports young people and loves to see them thrive. After being referred for her position by a family member, Neve quickly slipped into place amongst a team she now considers to be the best part of her job.

“What attracted me to the job was how everyone I spoke to who has worked for Maersk always had a positive experience.”

As a Customs Process Administrator, Neve’s role is to help complete the documents required for different types of cargo to enter and or leave the country. Her role requires excellent time management, reliability, and a drive to grasp the diverse opportunities that Maersk offers by the horns.

“There are no specific qualifications required for this Job. Just an individual that is willing to learn and adapt to what has been thrown their way. I think anyone can do well in this job as long as they have the right attitude.”

Neve has really enjoyed seeing herself grow from when she first started, to the position to where she is now, “My career highlight is probably seeing how much my confidence has grown, having come into this field without any prior knowledge.”

Daniella’s current role within the company is as Account Manager for SME clients (small to medium enterprise). Her customer portfolio is made up of accounts that have been won by her colleagues in the Business Development team and my main goal is to expand our current business with the clients, whether that be increasing volume or encouraging them to use the wide variety of services Maersk has to offer. She manages the account not just from a commercial perspective—she is the main point of contact for her clients. Resolving any issues they may have, answering all queries and ultimately ensuring that their account is managed correctly resulting in seamless business.

Prior to joining Maersk, Daniella achieved an undergraduate degree in English & Hispanic studies from the University of Nottingham. She joined Maersk as an apprentice and successfully completed her L3 qualification in Business Administration. Whilst these qualifications were not required for her current position, Daniella strongly believes they aided her in gaining this role.

Daniella was attracted to shipping and logistics due to the multitude of roles and development opportunities the industry has to offer. Since joining Maersk, she has worked within the sales support team, the control team, as a customs process administrator, a customs product and sales representative and now as an account manager.

The most beneficial she has developed within logistics is adaptability; this sector is ever-changing so having the ability to adjust to unforeseen circumstances and demonstrate resilience is key. Along with the ever-changing nature of this sector comes a need for problem-solving skills and the capability to rapidly implement solutions or come up with innovative ideas.

“The best thing about my role is the people. I am extremely lucky to have a team that encourages my growth and supports me daily.”

Her role is customer facing so she can interact with several different people every day.

It was difficult for Daniella to choose just one career highlight; Maersk and the logistics sector has opened so many doors for her. She has had the opportunity to participate in global networking, visit parliament and promote the logistics sector and ultimately grow as a young woman—learning from so many incredible individuals.

Aline is working on the sales department within Maersk. We are a very large sales organisation with many different roles. As a customer success manager, she is responsible to ensuring the team of CSPs (Customer Success Partners) are working hard to support the salesperson when closing deals with customers and growing our book of business. As part of her job, Aline participates in many customer calls, work on many different tenders, and get involved in different customers. Her role required an A Level or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Aline’s found this new role through the Maersk internal job site. She was attracted to this role because it involved managing people while at the same time continuing with her sales career. She still wanted to be involved with customers daily while expanding her managerial skills and knowledge.

“It’s amazing when you see the impact of your role in a customer win. When a new business is closed and you see the financial impact to your organisation, it’s great to know that you had an impact on that. It’s very rewarding! It’s also amazing to know that what you do impacts people’s lives on a global basis. When you’re walking around in a supermarket for example, it’s nice to know that you had something to do with bringing those goods to the shelves.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was at a standstill, Aline felt very proud to work for a company that helped keep the world moving. We supported in various projects and ensured that the supply of goods continued. It was a great highlight to her!

Some people enjoy routine – the same tasks and challenges, learnt and overcome. But for Betsy Porter, a rewarding career is one in which diversity pops up on a daily basis.

“I chose the position because I knew each day would be different. I felt my role would challenge me, and before I joined I was looking forward to developing my knowledge.”

Her responsibilities as a Customs Processing Administrator at Maersk are diverse and fulfilling. “My role consists of handling a range of customs entries for a range of customers and items – systems such as Destin8, CNS and CDS.”

Why fulfilling? “I learn something new every day”, says Betsy. There’s always room for development and practice, improving my customer service skills all the time.”

Betsy’s enthusiastic approach has led to responsibility too, trusted by leaders in her department and team.

“My career highlight? Being asked to be my department’s CDS champion. We needed one key person to learn all the ins and outs of the new (CDS) system, before completing training with our wider team.

That person was Betsy, and her abilities and commitment helped ensure a smooth transition within the department. And, we expect, a smooth transition along her chosen career path too.

Amy is currently responsible for the growth of new and existing business for FMCG customers in the UK. Whether that is customers based in the UK who are looking for services in this area and/or globally, or global customers who are looking to expand into the UK and require a supply chain partner. Her role includes building a growth strategy for the FMCG market and its sub-verticals, managing a team of 8 sales colleagues (both Client Managers and Sales Directors), responsibility for revenue and GP targets for the vertical, internal, and external stakeholder management, Salesforce management and compliance. Her role required a Graduate Degree.

Amy was head hunted by a previous colleague. They reached out on LinkedIn and outlined the role and the company. Both the values of the company and the profile of the role appealed to her due to the scale of the business and the ambitious strategy they had embarked upon. Amy wanted to be part of shaping the execution of such a strategy.

Prior to moving into the logistics industry, Amy had a very eclectic work experience background, however, all pervious roles had similarities that supported her decision to move into the logistics industry and transfer those skills. The main skill set was creative problem solving, being able to look at challenges from a different angle, identify root causes and build commercial solutions, Stakeholder management.

Amy believes there is a real skill to ensuring that you negotiated hard enough to hold your company position with a customer, however, understand where to ‘give’ in order to maintain and/or build a partnership relationship. Commercial negotiations are the beginning of a relationship that can either go on to be positive or negative from this initial experience.

Managing the commercial elements of the NHS Supply Chain Account during the Covid Pandemic was a career highlight for her. Not only did she learn a significant amount about supply chain, politics, commercial negotiations etc. Amy also felt like she was part of a supply chain that really was impacting people’s lives on a daily basis.

As the Customs Compliance Operations Lead, Vivi’s role involves overseeing various aspects of customs compliance within the business. Key responsibilities include monitoring and advising the company on changes in customs regulations, actively participating in team management, and contributing to HR functions within the Customs Compliance team. She works closely with the Customs Compliance Manager to conduct one-on-one sessions, quarterly assessments, and provide continuous feedback aligned with the organisation’s values.

Ensuring that customer needs are met or exceeded within compliance controls is a priority and she strives to maintain strong business relationships with both customers and internal stakeholders. Compliance with HMRC’s (Government’s) statutory requirements, including AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) or any other customs authorisations, is a critical aspect of her role. Vivi actively supports the growth of the business and contribute to creating innovative solutions.

Vivi got current her role as the Customs Compliance Operations Lead through an internal promotion within the company. Having spent a year in the Customs Compliance department and an additional two years in the broader Customs sector, she developed a profound interest in the field: “What truly attracted me to this position was the dynamic nature of customs operations.”

Every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, as the customs sector continually evolves and undergoes changes. This constant evolution not only helps Vivi expand her skills and knowledge but also aligns with her passion for staying abreast of sector advancements. Various experiences made Vivi realise that her skill set, including attention to detail, organisational prowess, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, align seamlessly with the requirements of a role in logistics. The leadership aspect of the role, where she is responsible for guiding a team, has been a significant draw. Leading a team not only enhances Vivi’s leadership skills but also provides valuable experience that aligns with her career goal of progressing into a managerial position.

One of the most significant highlights of Vivi’s career has been supporting the company through the AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) renewal process. This experience proved to be both fascinating and rewarding.

As an Area Compliance professional, Chryssa’s primary responsibility involves providing support and guidance across the organization. Her role centres on upholding compliance and facilitating seamless processes within and between departments. This encompasses adherence to both local laws and policies, as well as the ethical standards and values established by the Group.

Chryssa believes that a law degree is a big advantage for this role. She was drawn to this internal opportunity due to the prospect of overseeing the entire UKI organization, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of each department’s functions. This aligns with her professional goals and allows her to contribute effectively to the overall success of the organization.

In the course of my prior professional experiences, Chryssa cultivated a strong sense of agility, a keen understanding of pain points, and a problem-solving mindset. These attributes have consistently proven instrumental in navigating complex challenges and contributing to successful outcomes.

Chryssa’s tenure at the Liverpool Civil and Family Court afforded her the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with esteemed barristers. This experience equipped her with the skills to confront challenging issues head-on while maintaining a resolute demeanour, even in adverse situations.

Thomas is the Inventory Manager for Maersk at East Midland Gateway, we are a multi-user site, handling a large SKU range and stock holding. He oversees all contract’s stock on site, and ensure all customer requirements are met, with regards to stock integrity.

Thomas’s role didn’t require any formal qualifications, only logistics experience. He was approached on LinkedIn by Maersk’s talent team for a Startup site in his region. He was always interested in puzzle solving and have found that Logistics is just an ever-evolving set of interconnected puzzles that need solving. During his Career, Thomas has relished every time he is presented with a problem that needed a resolution.

As an Inventory Manager, Thomas loves being able to guide and support his team to better themselves, as well as support the operations to achieve their goals, to be the best logistics team we can be!

In his last role, Thomas led the team to records an increased location accuracy from 46% to 95% in the quarterly Cycle Counts across over 100k locations in the warehouse. This would be a career highlight that instantly comes to mind.

Nick’s role is to oversee cyber security activity, including setting Maersk’s cyber priorities based on business context such as customer needs, company operations, company strategy and our associated logistics transformation. Maersk is a global company operating in 130 countries and employing about 100,000 people. It manages container shipping, ports and terminals, and warehousing and distribution, and this all needs to be cyber-secure so our customers can trust us with their data and rely on our resilience. We have 300 professionals covering the internationally recognised cyber security functions of Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.

Nick’s role spans all these functions, and he has a highly diverse Governance team of 33 people operating out of 13 countries helping me with cyber security strategy development, Board-level reporting, business engagement, cyber security training and awareness education, and providing 2nd Line of Defence in our assurance operating model.

His job requires degree level education in a relevant technology discipline. It also requires business training in strategy, finance and obligations of Boards and Directors, such as that available from the Institute of Directors or IMD business school. Similarly, training in unconscious bias and having experience of working effectively with people of different cultures is key to being effective in a genuinely international environment.

Nick made his network of colleagues and friends aware that he was looking for a fresh challenge and a previous boss contacted him to say he had been struggling for months to find the right candidate to fill a new role that was temporarily being filled by a consultant. The more Nick learned about the role, the more excited he got, so he applied.

He had previously served as an Engineer Officer in the Royal Air Force and this had helped him develop the skills to constantly balance the operational imperatives of today with the investment needed to meet the needs of tomorrow. Both are critical to enduring success in logistics.

“The best thing about my role is the people I work with, not just my own team (who are amazing), but across the company as a whole.”

One of Nick’s most consistent career highlights has been the people he has led and their capacity to surprise him whenever they are given a challenge.