Dionne Redpath Branch & Network Sales Director at Europa Worldwide Group
What does ‘logistics’ mean to you?
Happy customers, getting what they need, when they need it.
What made you want to work in the industry?
I fell into it from an early age but became hooked very quickly. It’s so dynamic, varied and interesting that it’s practically impossible not to love it. Even with Brexit to contend with!
If you could change anything in the industry what would it be?
I want our industry to be the destination of choice for young talent because the career opportunities are vast, diverse and rewarding. We shouldn’t wait for people to stumble into it by mistake, we need to take all our industry has to offer and shout about it so that there’s a huge queue at the door to get in! It needs a much higher profile than it has presently.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
This question made me realise that I need to get out more, then again, don’t we all? There have been some hilarious home shopping gaffs during lockdown – 20 bags of carrots arriving in one instance and 2 kilos of fresh ginger arriving in another. I’d have loved to have seen the faces of the pickers in those warehouses.
What three traits define you?
I’m energetic, enthusiastic and determined. I believe it’s possible to achieve practically anything with energy and action!
What’s the most important trend you see today?
We’ve seen a real shift towards a more strategic partnership approach – customers seeking fewer trusted partners to help simplify what has become, in more recent times, a much more complex operating landscape. Expertise, specialism and simplicity are really valuable to businesses and have overtaken many of the traditional buying motives.
How do you define success?
I perceive there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the people in your business developing, acquiring new skills, taking on broader or different challenges but, mostly, really enjoying what they’re doing. That magic moment when a great business comes together with fantastic people leading to amazing results. That’s hard to beat.
What’s the most interesting thing about you, which we wouldn’t learn from your CV?
It’s not especially interesting but I’m a home-body at heart and am at my happiest when I’m with family and friends. Usually that involves food, drink and music and typically ends with singing, dancing and percussion! We love a tambourine at chez Redpath (or, at least, I do)!
If you weren’t working at Europa, what would you be doing?
Lol – I don’t! I can’t imagine not working at Europa because I love it. That said, I’ve always had a love of houses and Homes and Gardens is a monthly moment of pleasure so maybe I’d be an estate agent, interior designer or gardener. You’d be disappointed if you came to my house though…
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ll be in a role where I’m challenged, there’s still loads to learn and where my energy can be put to good use.
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Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, International Trade Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@logistics-buyer.com
