AUSTRALIAN Logistics Council CEO Kirk Coningham OAM is leaving the role, effective from the end of May, according to a statement from the organisation.

The organisation said Mr Coningham is resigning “to focus on other endeavours”, after a “successful and challenging 2020”.

“Over the course of the last three years, Kirk has led the ALC and its activities to further the National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy, the development of the Freight Data Hub and the Safety of our industry, and notably the response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

“Kirk worked closely with governments (federal, state and local), ALC members and the industry more widely to remove the operational barriers presented by curfews and border closures in particular.”

The ALC board commended and thanked Mr Coningham for his leadership and services to the industry.

“We wish him well in his future pursuits and look forward to making a smooth transition to a new CEO in due course,” the statement said.

Mr Coningham joined ALC as CEO in January 2019, taking over from acting CEO Lachlan Benson, who took over when Michael Kilgariff left the role in mid-2018.

The National Heavy Vehicle Register thanked Mr Coningham for his services to the heavy vehicle industry and the broader supply chain.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Mr Coningham had been an effective and respected advocate for supply-chain customers, providers, infrastructure owners and suppliers.

“Everyone at the NHVR has enjoyed working with Kirk and we appreciate the contribution he has made as a member of our Industry Reference Forum,” Mr Petrocitto said.

“During his time at the ALC, Kirk oversaw the transition to chain of responsibility laws and supported the introduction of improved safety management systems across the sector.

“I’m also grateful to Kirk for the key role he played in responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirk has been instrumental in overcoming the unprecedented difficulties the logistics industry has faced over the past 12 months.”

The ALC represents logistics supply-chain customers, providers, infrastructure owners and suppliers. It works with government to advocate for its members and to improve supply-chain efficiency.

The organisation’s advocacy focuses on three key areas: supply-chain logistics safety; infrastructure and regulation; and technology.

This article has been updated to include comment from NHVR.