The UK Material Handling Association Strengthens Its Board with the Appointment of Matthew Ayres, Group MD of BENNIE
The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) has announced the appointment of Matthew Ayres to the Association’s Board of Directors.
The appointment further strengthens UKMHA’s leadership team and reinforces the Association’s commitment to ensuring that the voice of the materials handling sector is represented by experienced, forward-thinking industry leaders.
Commenting on the appointment, Rob Fisher, Chief Executive of UKMHA, said:
“Matthew’s addition to our Board of Directors is an extremely positive development for UKMHA. As the leader of one of the UK’s most respected and diversified family-owned businesses, he brings a wealth of commercial expertise, strategic insight and industry knowledge. His experience and leadership will further strengthen what is already a highly capable and representative Board, helping to ensure that UKMHA continues to deliver value for its members and the wider material handling industry.”
Founded in the 1930s, BENNIE is a fourth-generation family business headquartered in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. From its origins as a contract ploughing operation, the Group has evolved into a diverse collection of businesses operating across the material handling, powered access, plant, soils and loam, haulage and footwear manufacturing sectors. Through specialist MHE businesses including Bennie Equipment, Eastern Forklift Trucks & Radnes Services, the Group serves customers across the UK and has built a reputation for quality, innovation and customer service.
Manufacturing Day gives students first-hand insight into the manufacturing sector and the diverse career opportunities it offers. The event combined a tour of Combilift’s manufacturing facilities with practical activities covering mechatronics, electrical engineering, electronics, technical engineering and lean management, while also introducing students to technologies such as automation and driverless material handling. Together, these activities demonstrated how engineering and technology skills are applied across different areas of a modern manufacturing business.
Today, BENNIE operates one of the UK’s fastest-growing material handling businesses and is also home to the nation’s largest topsoil supplier in partnership with British Sugar, reflecting the scale, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit that have underpinned its success for more than 90 years.
Before joining the family business, Matthew played a key role in establishing the shared service infrastructure for John Lewis and Waitrose. He subsequently joined retail technology start-up Yocuda, which was later acquired by Westfield Group, gaining valuable experience in business transformation, technology and operational development.
Matthew joined Bennie Group full-time in 2018 and was appointed Group Managing Director in 2020, becoming the fourth generation of the family to lead the business.
Commenting on his appointment, Matthew said:
“I am incredibly honoured to join the UKMHA Board and contribute to an organisation that plays such a vital role in representing and supporting our industry. We are entering a transformative period for material handling, with skills shortages, decarbonisation, fleet electrification and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence all presenting both challenges and opportunities. I look forward to working closely with Rob, fellow Board members and the wider UKMHA team to help shape the future of our sector and ensure the Association continues to deliver meaningful support and leadership for its members.”
Rob Fisher concluded:
“The appointments of Matthew Ayres and Steve Shakespeare demonstrate the ambition we have for UKMHA and our commitment to attracting outstanding leaders from across the sector. They will help shape the Association’s strategic direction and support the delivery of our core objectives as we continue to champion professionalism, innovation, safety and excellence throughout the sector.”
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