Meet The Team
Simon Reed
Chief ExecutiveSimon Reed is the founder and Chief Executive of Simarco International Ltd and has been in the logistics and supply chain industry for over 35 years.
Simon left school at 17 and became a trainee, working on East and West Coast American container services. In 1997, at the age of 30, he and a colleague formed Simarco International, providing freight forwarding services to Europe. 27 years later and Simarco has gained the reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent European road freight operators, with 7 sites across the UK offering logistics services and supply chain solutions to a global customer base.
Trevor Scott
Managing DirectorTrevor is the Managing Director at Simarco International Ltd which has its headquarters in Witham, Essex. Trevor has been with the company for over ten years and has held the position of Managing Director since 2015. During this period the business has grown organically and through successful acquisitions across the UK. He previously held senior positions within the Supply Chain industry for several global businesses within the retail sector.
David Knowles
European Operations DirectorDavid Knowles is the European Operations Director of Simarco International Limited. Having spent all his working life in the European groupage market, David has been part of the Simarco journey since 2002 and has overseen the organic growth of the pan-European offering, providing a complete solution for all stakeholders.
Sairah Knight
HR DirectorSairah started her career as an International Shipping Trainee at Maersk working on Import Trade, Managed the crewing HR team before moving into an HR management role within logistics. Sairah joined Simarco in November 2021 to manage the HR team and to build and drive an HR agenda that supports Simarco’s growth and aspirations.
Mark Wraight
Commercial Operations DirectorMark joined Simarco in 2018 and his main responsibilities are commercial and operational project management with a focus on driving an efficient process-driven business model. His previous roles include long-term senior positions in both private and plc UK-based freight and logistics businesses, covering Ocean, Road Freight, Customs and Contract Logistics.
Catherine Swann
Strategic Account ManagerCatherine has worked in Logistics and the Supply Chain industry since leaving school at 16, where she took an apprenticeship within a logistics company, dealing with Ocean Freight, then transferred to European operations. At 23 Catherine joined Simarco and is one of the longest serving employees. As the company grew, Catherine was promoted as Manager in the Administration Department which highlighted her capacity for problem solving and managing administration responsibilities from invoicing to compliance across all Simarco sites.
With Catherine’s wealth of experience and continued success, she is now working closely with Customer Services providing a high-level strategic perspective on account management.
Chris Bentley
Sales DirectorChris joined Simarco in 2007 to manage the Manchester office, operating complimentary trailer services to Head Office. Drawing on his experience in the manufacturing and freight forwarding industries he had the opportunity to be part of the phenomenal growth of the business, from 60 staff and a Turnover of £10 million to its current point of success within excess of 350 staff and a Turnover of £80 million. It is encouraging to invite young colleagues into this vibrant business and see their careers flourish alongside Simarco’s ongoing success.
Marisa McFerran
Customer Services & Office ManagerMarisa McFerran has worked in Logistics for over 25 years and has been with Simarco since 2009 and, heads up the Customer Service Department for the Simarco group. Marisa is extremely passionate about delivering excellent service levels to both internal and external clients.
Relationship building and communication is hugely important to Marisa and her Manchester based team and, has instilled in them the need to foster relationships and view clients as our partners.
Steve Pyne
Head of UK and European warehousingSteve is responsible for the strategic development and overall operational efficiency of Simarco’s warehousing product.
Steve has over 20 years of experience working, operating, and managing multi-channel warehouse and distribution facilities. Started as a picker in 1999, progressing through the ranks to eventually becoming a site lead in 2005. Steve joined Simarco in 2019 as interim Head of Distribution, to support the start-up of the new site in Stoke and was promoted to taking the role of General Manager. Steve recently received further promotion to manage Simarco’s UK and European Warehousing operation across the business.
Gary Thurlow
Head of UK TransportGary heads up Simarco’s domestic Transport operation in the UK, managing a fleet in excess 120 vehicles and trailers. In addition to organic growth and new business, Gary recently developed our transport offering to include deep-sea container transport and a dedicated, express London service. Gary has held similar senior transport positions over the past 25 years.