Bertie Coxall
Encyclopedia
Herbert Colin Coxall OBE (1924–1993) http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/53332/supplements/10 was recognized for his unique contribution to the development of the courier and express industry.
In 1966 he set up one of the world's first air courier companies. He was also instrumental in founding the Association of International Courier and Express Services (AICES) and later the Association of European Express Carriers (AEEC). Through this and his membership of the International Express Carriers Conference (IECC) http://www.jcampbell.com/articles/CP_shape_pub_pol.pdf he worked steadfastly to dispel the 'cowboy' image of the courier industry and promote it as a respected worldwide enterprise on which the business community could depend. He was a recognised expert on the complexities of international customs procedures for express shipments and worked tirelessly to achieve parity of treatment with postal administrations. He contributed valuable input to the European Commission
in formulating its Paper on Community Postal Policy, ensuring that it was aware of the courier industry's interests. This helpfully reinforced the line which the Department of Trade and Industry took with the Commission.
Having left school in 1941 Bertie Coxall joined the RAF and was commissioned as a navigator, serving in Canada
and the Middle East
. On demobilisation in 1947 he joined LEP as a Customs
Entry Clerk and remained there for 20 years, through LEP's takeover first by American Airlines and then by Pan American Airways (Pan Am), rising to managerial level. In 1966 finding he could not progress in Pan Am without emigrating to the United States
, he resigned to form his own company, Airport Courier Services Ltd (ACSL), providing document transmission by motorcycle within the Heathrow area between freight agents and airlines. In 1969, he expanded operations by sending an employee daily to Paris and back. This innovative air courier service was gradually extended to other destinations across the world.
Relaxation of the postal monopoly for time-sensitive items in 1981 brought the rapid expansion of the courier industry. Realising that an independent company could not compete with the giants, he sold ACSL to Securicor in 1982, continuing as its Managing Director under a 5-year contract. He remained a Non-Executive Director of Securicor Omega Express (formerly Securicor Express International) and that consultative role enabled him to give more time to the courier industry as a whole. He was a member of the IECC's Executive Committee since its formation in 1984 and in 1989 he became inaugural Chairman of the Association of European Express Carriers (AEEC). Having served twice as the chairman of the Association of Courier and Express Services (AICES), he was elected Honorary Life-President in 1985 in recognition of his work for the Association and for the courier industry as a whole.
In 1966 he set up one of the world's first air courier companies. He was also instrumental in founding the Association of International Courier and Express Services (AICES) and later the Association of European Express Carriers (AEEC). Through this and his membership of the International Express Carriers Conference (IECC) http://www.jcampbell.com/articles/CP_shape_pub_pol.pdf he worked steadfastly to dispel the 'cowboy' image of the courier industry and promote it as a respected worldwide enterprise on which the business community could depend. He was a recognised expert on the complexities of international customs procedures for express shipments and worked tirelessly to achieve parity of treatment with postal administrations. He contributed valuable input to the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
in formulating its Paper on Community Postal Policy, ensuring that it was aware of the courier industry's interests. This helpfully reinforced the line which the Department of Trade and Industry took with the Commission.
Having left school in 1941 Bertie Coxall joined the RAF and was commissioned as a navigator, serving in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. On demobilisation in 1947 he joined LEP as a Customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
Entry Clerk and remained there for 20 years, through LEP's takeover first by American Airlines and then by Pan American Airways (Pan Am), rising to managerial level. In 1966 finding he could not progress in Pan Am without emigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he resigned to form his own company, Airport Courier Services Ltd (ACSL), providing document transmission by motorcycle within the Heathrow area between freight agents and airlines. In 1969, he expanded operations by sending an employee daily to Paris and back. This innovative air courier service was gradually extended to other destinations across the world.
Relaxation of the postal monopoly for time-sensitive items in 1981 brought the rapid expansion of the courier industry. Realising that an independent company could not compete with the giants, he sold ACSL to Securicor in 1982, continuing as its Managing Director under a 5-year contract. He remained a Non-Executive Director of Securicor Omega Express (formerly Securicor Express International) and that consultative role enabled him to give more time to the courier industry as a whole. He was a member of the IECC's Executive Committee since its formation in 1984 and in 1989 he became inaugural Chairman of the Association of European Express Carriers (AEEC). Having served twice as the chairman of the Association of Courier and Express Services (AICES), he was elected Honorary Life-President in 1985 in recognition of his work for the Association and for the courier industry as a whole.