Simone Peacock to lead IFCBAA into new era

PREVIOUS executive leadership experience in international trade is set to give Simone Peacock a strong footing for her new role as chief executive of the International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia (IFCBAA).

Ms Peacock, who is based in Melbourne, starts her new role on 1 September.

In a statement, chair Adam Butler said Ms Peacock joined IFCBAA with previous executive leadership experience in the international trade service provider industry and brought the “capability, judgment and strategic perspective required to lead the association into its next phase of growth”.

“Following a period of strategic reset, IFCBAA now has the foundations in place for its next chapter,” Mr Butler said.

“After an extensive recruitment process, the board has given its firm and unanimous support to Simone's appointment and is confident that Simone is the right person to lead IFCBAA through this next stage of development, while ensuring the Association remains strong, relevant and well positioned for the decades ahead.

“With Simone's executive experience, supported by an exceptional management team across government engagement, law and regulation, member engagement and training, IFCBAA is strongly positioned to further strengthen its role as a leading industry advocate and trusted partner.”

Speaking with Daily Cargo News, Ms Peacock said she felt "quite encouraged and excited to take on this opportunity".

"I have worked as a freight forwarder in my past for Bdp and FedEx and it has been rewarding so this is my opportunity to give something back," she said.

Ms Peacock spoke of three areas of focus; strenghening what is already strong in advocacy and influence, ensuring IFCBAA is delivering genuine value to members and "positioning IFCBAA appropriately for the changes that are taking place across freight forwarding, customs and regulation and ever-growing technology".

"My first priority will be to listen and understand. I want to spend time with our members and the team and the board, the government agencies and industry stakeholders to develop a clearer picture where I believe IFCBAA provides the greatest value and where we can do more," she said.

Mr Butler, meanwhile, said a strong leadership team would support the association's “ambition to be a pivotal partner for members of all sizes, ensuring IFCBAA continues to deliver value, representation and practical support across an increasingly complex operating environment”.

“We believe IFCBAA, under Simone's leadership, will be a formidable force in responding to the rapidly evolving landscape of international trade, while continuing to serve, support and protect the interests of our long standing and loyal members.”

He also acknowledged their outgoing chief executive, Scott Carson, for his “strong, loyal and dedicated leadership, and for the hard work he has undertaken over the past several years in helping shape IFCBAA into the organisation it is today”.