Graham Hough has joined the Manchester based company as business development manager bringing with him a wealth of experience in logistics and the specialist wines and spirits sector.
"AKW Group has a fantastic reputation based on excellent service delivery and I am excited by the prospect of working with the team to grow the business," said Graham Hough.
A crucial part of Graham's role will be to grow AKW's client base within the bonded warehouse sector as the business aims to increase turnover to £25million within the next five years.
As part of this push for new business AKW Group recently hosted a table at the prestigious Bonded Warehousekeepers Association luncheon at the House of Commons sponsored by Labour MP Diane Abbot.
The BWA has 64 members made up of logistics and distributions specialists, supermarkets, whisky distillers, blenders and bottlers, warehousing software providers, hauliers and contract packers.
The association aims to support its members by providing industry updates, training courses, and access to help and information in areas such as revenue and customs, health and safety and legal compliance. It also helps to promote best practice and represents its membership in negotiations with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
AKW is HMRC wet & dry bond approved which enables wines, spirits and beers and other dutiable goods to be stored under bond providing significant cash flow benefits to clients.
"We have a growing list of major bonded clients and with Graham's expertise we are looking to take this to an even higher level," said AKW managing director Julian Richards.
AKW Group has recently invested £2.5million in its warehousing, transport and contract packing infrastructure and also recruited Kelvin Beardsley as operations director and Carl Murray as commercial director as it aims for growth.