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The Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics seeks to assist its members through gentle means, according to chief executive Steve Agg. Tim Maughan met him at his Corby base. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), says its chief executive Steve Agg, is an "organisation which exists to advance the art and science of logistics and transport". It has 19,000 members in Britain  and is represented in 28 countries. "The majority of them are in the Commonwealth," Agg remarks, but the CILT's influence is also spreading to emerging powerhouses - along with its partners the institute has trained 6,000 students in China. At the same time, he is sure our industry will benefit from international links: "There are things to learn from other countries."

Unlike the Freight Transport and Road Haulage Associations, whose membership is dominated by companies, most CILT members are individuals. "People join for many reasons," he adds, "especially networking and training." The institute's remit goes behind road transport operations. "We cover all modes of transport: road, rail, sea and air," Agg reports. Members work in both the freight and passenger transport industries. The CILT does have views, but Agg stresses: "We are not a lobbying group this organisation seeks to influence in a less direct way." Its Public Policies Committee meets in the CILT's London base,  which is housed in the Society of Operations Engineers' (SOE) HQ near Victoria Station. This committee identifies factors which might affect members, and seeks to meet the powers-that-be to get the institute's views across.

One big issue that has been around for a long time is the skills shortage. Agg is well aware that the industry suffers from a poor image which dissuades potential recruits. "It's not sexy," he admits. The chartered status of his organisation brings respect, he believes, helping it to gently persuade government to change things in the interests of its members. That said, he reiterates the fact that the CILT does not set out to be a powerful lobbying force: "We are an independent body which has no axe to grind."

Because CILT members work across all transport sectors, Agg says that the organisation can adopt a "holistic" view. Oil price rises could theoretically, force some car drivers to keep off the roads. But the CILT's members include passenger transport firms, so a shift to public transport would benefit some of its members. Agg oversees a paid staff of 45 supported by 1,000 "active volunteers". He has been CILT chief executive for 18 months before that, he was the FTA's MD of training, auditing, and professional services a role which concentrated on the PCV sector. Originally from Gloucestershire, he now lives in Rutland his pastimes include walking his English setter, and taking what he claims are leisurely drives in his Jaguar XJS.

Membership has declined slightly over recent years , due in part to consolidation in the road transport sector which he predicts will continue. The CILT is responding by raising its profile. "One plan is to make it more accessible," Agg remarks. "You had to search for it before."

Career development

The road transport sector does have something of a career ladder to it, but Agg says that more could be done to assist ambitious recruits: "There are frameworks, but people always need help."

Road transport has often failed to invest in its people, he believes, and the CILT is ready to help its members address this shortcoming. Agg refers to the institute's brochure, Professional Driver Affiliate Membership, which promises: "We will keep you up to date with all the latest requirements in preparation for compulsory continuous professional development." It also promises that CILT membership allows members to 'network' via regional and local meetings, seminars and other events.

Facts and figures

During our visit to CILT's Corby HQ, Agg conducts us on a tour of the library which is home to 37,000 references, covering road, rail, air and sea transport. The magazines, research papers and industry reports are looked after by Lynn Mentiply and Peter Huggings. No transport library would be complete without a decent helping of Commercial Motors - the CILT has bound copies dating back to the 1950s.