Alistair Cochrane to replace Tom Bell as MD at TNT Express Services

Tom Bell's successor as MD of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland will be Alistair Cochrane, the company's current director of operations.

Bell is retiring after 33 years with TNT - the last 20 as MD - and will officially hand over the reins on New Year's Day

Cochrane has been with TNT for more than 25 years, starting out as a sales executive at TNT Luton. His career has since included general and regional managerial roles as well as holding directorships on the operations side of TNT Express.

He says: "Naturally I'm thrilled to be taking over from Tom and I intend to build on what he has achieved, maintain our leading position in the market and grow the business in 2011 and beyond.

"I'm a glass-half-full man and, having consolidated in 2010, we are now coming out of the recession. It's my intention to listen to our workforce, listen to our customers and ensure we are going in the right direction.

"It'll be evolution not revolution. I want us to increase our revenue, ensure we get the right rate for the right job and optimise our assets. Undoubtedly our greatest strength is our people and I am looking forward to leading the best team in the industry to new heights."

Bell has been with TNT since the company expanded into the UK in 1978 and came to prominence when he organised the distribution of Rupert Murdoch's News International titles through striking printers' picket lines from Wapping following the move from Fleet Street in 1986.

Bell says he will be sad to leave, but is confident he is leaving the company is safe hands. "For the past 21 years I have had the privilege of leading the company to unprecedented success - establishing and cementing TNT as the number one business-to-business express delivery operator, as well as a leading player in the arena of specialist business outsourcing," he says. "We've prospered during the boom times and we've rolled up our sleeves and fought our way through recessions and economic downturns - emerging stronger each and every time. Our spirit of innovation and 'sure we can' attitude has always seen us through - it's given us a proud history and it will serve TNT well as the company goes on to enjoy a great future."