THE GRILL: Amanda Bradfield

Amanda Bradfield is the head of international trade & logistics at the Freight & Trade Alliance and author of DCN’s weekly Bradfield Bulletin. She took cheeky questions from Dale Crisp. 

Was it always your childhood ambition to be a freight forwarder? 

 Is anyone’s childhood ambition to be become a freight forwarder? Haha, no, funnily enough, when I was much younger I wanted to be an a flight attendant. My height crushed that dream before it even left the ground. Then I wanted to work in a hotel and actually did some work experience at one here in Perth. Whilst being a freight forwarder was never an early dream, freight has now turned into something of a passion. 

After 28 years with EES Shipping you made the big move to the FTA this year. Did you also buy a sports car and change your hair colour? 

Ha, I think that you are inferring that this change in careers was part of a midlife crisis! I actually bought at new car at the end of last year, an MG. I’m sure that it is cursed so let’s not talk about that anymore. My hair colour has always been kind of the same, but now a little greyer. And now, some would have read, that I am having to colour it in with mascara in between colouring it. 

You’re now a disciple of the ‘Zalai Lama’. What’s it like to be a missionary? 

I like to think of myself more as a passionate advocate for the cause rather than a missionary Dale! Working with my boss and the team is all about collaboration and shared goals. No preaching, just plenty of teamwork (and loads of enthusiasm). 

You’ve had three decades in the shipping industry but you don’t drink alcohol. Was it hard to get an exemption? 

Ha! This one is funny and might come as a bit of a surprise to some. Honestly, some days will almost break you right? I do remember many at times at EES where something will happen and people would wait for me to break and cave in. “Nope, not yet,” I’d say. Ah, if the pandemic didn’t push me over the edge, I am not sure what would. Maybe I should set the record straight as to why I don’t drink.  One, can you imagine how much more ‘out there’ I would be with alcohol?  That’s a little scary. Two, I actually get rather sick, even just from a little. Three, taste, I don’t like it at all. Give me a lemonade (or a fire engine) any day. 

Your LinkedIn posts have an incredible number of followers, all over the world. Have you reflected on the responsibility that brings? 

I really enjoy sharing stories and bringing awareness to our industry via LinkedIn. Honestly, I never expected it to become something that brings so much joy, not just to me, but to others as well. The number of followers I’ve built always surprises me. I do my best to be accurate and avoid unnecessary controversy, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. I’ve gotten myself into a bit of strife now and then, and once I even spelled ‘Arctic’ wrong, which sent one follower into a spin! I’m fortunate to have many wonderful connections and a few interesting ones too... but that’s a story for another time. 

Often you open your posts with reference to a song. Is Sitting on the Dock of the Bay your favourite? 

Haha, it’s like you know me Dale. I would actually start all my posts with Taylor Swift lyrics if my girls had anything to do with it. I try to tie the article with the lyrics to make things more palatable and fun (I do requests as well! 😉) 

Rock or disco? Earbuds or headphones? Do you dance like nobody’s watching? 

Rock for sure. Earbuds, I don’t own headphones! I work from home now .. if something exciting happens, there can sometimes be a little celebratory dance! 

You have two beautiful young daughters at home. What would they say is your signature dish, or is Uber Eats on speed dial? 

I do! My girls are two of my biggest fans, even at 17 and 12, I’m happy they still want to hang out with me. I’m always bringing them along to things most kids would probably find boring, like taking pictures of vessels. Spaghetti Bolognese would probably be my signature dish (boring, I know). 

Why is your nickname Madam Lash? 

Well, up until now I didn’t know that it was! I think that’s maybe what you refer to me as Dale, ha ha. Now I am sure that it hasn’t come from some wild rumour so I am sure that it has come from one of the Bradfield Bulletins when I referred to finding my false lashes everywhere after the WA International Trade Ball. They have individual lashes now, you know?  Not just one handy strip. 

It’s just you and me here, Amanda. What is your secret love? 

*smile* .. The international supply chain Dale .. and all the bits and pieces that keep it moving! 

This article appeared in the August | September edition of DCN Magazine