Interview with Simon Alexander: Bringing over 25 Years of Logistics Experience to a New Challenge

Simon, you’ve been in the logistics industry for more than two decades. Can you tell us about your background and what has shaped your approach?

I’ve been fortunate to spend more than 25 years working across almost every corner of the supply chain. I started out packing books on the warehouse floor at a publisher’s distribution centre in my early days. That hands-on experience gave me a solid grounding in the basics and an appreciation for how things really work at the coalface. From there, I moved into inside sales with an omnichannel fulfilment provider, which opened the door to field sales roles with UPS and later DPD. Eventually, I found myself back in fulfilment and face-to-face sales, where I built up a strong understanding of strategic leadership, automation, and solution design.

If there’s one constant through it all, it’s this: no matter how advanced technological advancements get, logistics still relies on getting the basics right consistently. It is always about people, trust, and real-world problem solving. Technology and automation are incredible enablers, but relationships and execution are what really drive success.

What made you decide to take on your new role in Contract Logistics for the UK and Ireland at DACHSER?

I was looking for a new challenge, somewhere I could really apply my experience to help shape and scale integrated logistics solutions. What really appealed to me at DACHSER was the focus on Contract Logistics in the UK and Ireland, which is a space that’s evolving fast and where there’s a real need for joined up, end-to-end solutions.

Just as importantly, the culture at DACHSER stood out to me. Personally, I value long-term thinking, collaboration, and personal growth. At DACHSER, I have found an employer that shares all these values.
 

You mentioned ecommerce and digitalisation. How do you see these shaping the future of logistics?

E-commerce has completely changed the game and continues to do so. Customer expectations are increasing constantly: next-day delivery, real-time tracking, flexible delivery options, or sustainability – just to name a few points. In my previous roles, I spent a lot of time focused on automation, solution design, and data driven decision making. Sometimes it’s the small improvements, impacting seconds in a process, that, when scaled, really have an impact. Done right, this kind of optimisation can deliver serious gains in service, speed, and efficiency for our customers.

What will your focus be in the months ahead?

My focus is on growing the Contract Logistics offering across the UK and Ireland. That means partnering with a wide range of customers, from retailers to manufacturers and consumer brands, to continue building supply chains that are fit for the future. This means streamlining warehouse operations, planning for peak seasons, tackling cross border complexities, or simply helping customers react faster to change. Whatever the need, it’s about building solutions that are flexible, robust, and reliable.

What are your priorities and vision for DACHSER’s growth in the UK market?

A key part of that will be strengthening DACHSER’s presence in the UK, particularly in the e-commerce space. I want us to be seen as the go to provider for businesses looking for a smart, end-to-end logistics partner; whether that’s warehousing, fulfilment, UK and European transport, or global air and sea freight. A true one stop shop, but one that gets it right. I also hope my background in automation can help us evolve as a business here in the UK, guiding how we adopt new technologies in a way that makes a real difference.

How would you describe your approach to leadership and working with clients?

For me, it’s all about being people first and solutions led. Whether I’m leading a team or speaking with a customer, I try to keep things straightforward, consistent, and honest. I don’t chase quick wins, I focus on building trust and doing what I say I’ll do. It’s about partnership, really understanding what a customer needs, and then working together to make it happen. When that alignment’s there, the results tend to speak for themselves.