Meet The Team
The HLPFI team is made up of a number of dedicated professionals working both full time and on a contractual basis.
Founding Members
Ian Matheson
Editorial Director
Having failed to achieve his childhood ambition to be a firefighter, or professional footballer, Ian Matheson entered the world of journalism following his graduation from the University of London. Having cut his journalist teeth on such magazines as Dredging & Port Construction and International Freighting Weekly, he moved into PR with Associated British Ports; before establishing Impress Communications in 1994, a PR agency specialising in clients from the freight transport sector which has included CMB, CP Ships (and all of its lines), Gefco, "K" Line, MacAndrews, and Safmarine. It continues to represent the British International Freight Association, Davies Turner and U-Freight. In 2007, he co-founded HLPFI and, 10 years on, is still poking his nose into all aspects of the company's business (much to the annoyance of his colleagues) whilst wearing the editorial director's cap. He lives by the motto of the Clan Matheson: Fac et Spera.
Peter Edwards
Executive Director
Co founder and executive director of HLPFI. Formerly publisher at Informa Maritime and Transport working on many titles over several years including Lloyd’s Ship Manager, Lloyd’s European Loading List, Freighting World, Freight Transport Buyer and Lloyd’s Export Shipping. Prior to that he worked in Intelligence and the Lloyd’s Underwriting Room. He left to start his own business - Park Lane Publishing Ltd in 2002 and is still publishing the British International Freight Association’s monthly magazine BIFAlink. As our executive director he is always looking for new opportunities for the business and tries not to interfere in the day-to-day running of HLPFI. Pete is a self-confessed frustrated golfer (hacker) - the more he plays, the worse he gets.
Editorial Team
Dave Kershaw
Editor
As ‘fake news’ increasingly spreads throughout our everyday lives, I feel that trustworthy, fact-driven news and information has never been more important. Having worked with HLPFI for just over five years, I have enjoyed the privilege of working with a professional team that shares these views.
I graduated Cardiff University in 2008 with a BSc in Business Management; international trade, economics, politics and marketing have developed into key interests of mine. In many respects, writing for HLPFI is a perfect career – analysing and reporting on a dynamic, niche business that is affected profoundly by wide-ranging, international trends.
In my spare time, I enjoy lifting heavy objects. When tired, I enjoy eating everything in sight. When out of earshot, you’ll find me massacring classics on the guitar.
Sophie Barnes
News Editor
Sophie joined HLPFI in January 2017 and has quickly immersed herself into the world of heavy lift and project forwarding.
After graduating from the University of Sussex in 2015, she briefly lived in Zürich before stumbling across the niche sector of project cargo and winning the prestigious Newcomer of the Year award at the 2017 Seahorse Club Journalists Awards.
When she isn’t spending her time visiting one of the world’s largest heavy lift cranes or sitting in the pilot seat of an Antonov AN-124, she enjoys mastering the noble art of darts with a glass of Pinot Grigio in tow.
Yvonne Mulder
Associate Editor
Yvonne Mulder has been a communications specialist in the freight and supply chain industry for nearly 30 years.
She started her journalism career as transport reporter on The Press daily newspaper in Christchurch, New Zealand and has developed a lifelong fascination with world trade and transport. She has worked in Brussels, the US, the UK and Antarctica. Yvonne is based in London and combines this role with her other freelance work.
Nick Blaxill
Production
Nick Blaxill has been involved in the production and design of HLPFI since the launch issue in 2007. He runs his own freelance publishing production company, Pulse Communications (Media) Ltd.
His journalism career began as a reporter on the Diss Express in Norfolk, followed by spells at Great Yarmouth Press Agency and the East Anglian Daily Times before joining Lloyd’s List as a sub-editor.
After Lloyd’s List became part of Informa, his role switched to magazines, becoming Informa’s maritime division production and design manager, with responsibility for around 25 titles.
Commercial & Advertising Team
Annie Roberts
Commercial Director
Annie graduated Durham University with a BA in Classics in 2013 and returned home to Southeast London, before walking in through the back door of HLPFI’s headquarters for a week of work experience.
This brief introduction to the world of project freight forwarding piqued her interest enough to spend three years as part of the HLPFI editorial team.
In 2016, she was seduced by the ‘dark side’ and took on the role of commercial manager. Now allowed to enter through the front door, she loves travelling the world and meeting the people involved in this fascinating industry.
Joe Hickey
Contractor
JH Media was established in 2014 to provide sales and commercial services for B2B media outlets, as well as providing PR and marketing consultancy to companies within the freight and logistics sector.
JH Media has been responsible for advertising sales for HLPFI for almost five years in the following markets; UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Baltic, Middle East, and Africa.
Luke King
Contractor
Our advertising representation in North America, Russia and Switzerland is handled by Prospect Communications Services Ltd, which was founded by Luke King in 2010.
Luke has been working with HLPFI since the magazine was launched in 2007 and greatly enjoys travelling the world to meet our readers and take part in industry events (over 60 countries checked off the map so far).
In addition to HLPFI, Prospect Communications represents a number of other business-to-business trade publications. It also supplies editorial services to a regional newspaper company in the south London area.
Oliver Ward
Contractor
Oliver formed Kelsey Marketing in 2009 to perform advertising sales for logistics media as well as marketing consultancy for international freight companies using the experience and contacts gained in a 30 year career with shipping lines and freight forwarding companies.
Oliver first worked with Ian nearly 35 years ago.
Administrative Team
Jane Finlay
General Manager, Accounts
Jane looks after the accounts for HLPFI and works closely with the editorial and commercial teams.
She was fortunate enough to be working with Ian Matheson at the time the seed for HLPFI magazine was sown in 2007 and has been working with the growing team ever since. She joined the freight industry from a career in electronic banking.
Together with enjoying spending time with family and friends her interests include walking and golfing, horse riding and driving, eating and drinking.
Georgia Hetherington
Office Manager, Subscriptions
Having a background in retail management and accounts which began 25 years ago in the family furniture trade her career has moved through the off licence, pub and construction trades.
Georgia joined HLPFI in 2016 with a passion fuelling ideas and ambition to see the company succeed in continuing to evolve and grow as a leading industry magazine.
With spare time something of a precious commodity, top on the list has to be travelling in the campervan to get away, creative gardening to relax when at home and visits to galleries, museums or exhibitions for cultural insight.
Paul Lucas
Database
Prior to joining HLPFI in 2017, Paul worked in the financial services industry for 28 years.
In his spare time, he enjoys socialising with friends and family, loves to travel enjoying many holidays in this country and overseas. He enjoys watching most sports, in particular, football, cricket and golf. He also enjoy playing golf and is a season ticket holder at Millwall.
Paul holds a diploma in professional freelance journalism through the British College of Journalism.
Sonny Prior
Digital Media
Sonny came to HLPFI as a budding youngster at the beginning of his career aged just 17.
Before joining HLPFI in April 2017, Sonny played for Crystal Palace Football Club.
In his spare time, he enjoys watching, playing and coaching football and also loves a holiday. Sonny also has a keen interest for golf and supports Arsenal FC.