Royal guest of honour as FTA returns to its Mansion House roots

The FTA has announced that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of international development charity Transaid, is to be the guest of honour at a special event to mark the Freight Transport Association’s 125th anniversary, when the Association will be returning to its original home.

The celebratory evening will take place on Wednesday 18 June at the Mansion House London, where in1889 Sir James Whitehead, Lord Mayor of London, first brought FTA’s forebears together under the banner of the Mansion House Association on Railway Rates. The Association has been supporting the interests of the transport industry ever since, undergoing many changes to become the recognised face of the freight transport industry today.

Theo de Pencier, FTA’s Chief Executive, said:
"It is a great honour for us to be joined on this special occasion by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, who continues to give the transport industry and Transaid so much of her time, support and encouragement. We very much look forward to celebrating FTA’s 125 years as the voice of the transport industry at the Mansion House, which is such an important place in FTA’s history."

FTA’s past is intrinsically interwoven with the development of freight transportation, initially with canals and railways and later with road, sea and air. This constant involvement with the developments and changes in transport has placed FTA at the centre of transport and distribution in Britain for 125 years. Throughout 2014 FTA is commemorating its rich heritage with a number of special events, offers and activities.