4. ANDREW TINKLER
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If there was a housewives' favourite haulier, Eddie Stobart would be it. We know Stobart Group is much more than those iconic trucks, but to the public there is Eddie Stobart and then a load of 'no names'.
Stobart punches impressively above its weight, both in terms of operational sophistication (helping to attract blue-chip clients) and its ability to gain audience with the powers that be (for instance, a face-to-face meeting with Department for Transport officials to discuss longer trailers). In an interview with CM, chief executive Andrew Tinkler dismissed this latter assertion: "I don't think we have more influence than anyone else. But I'm willing to give an opinion if [the government] listens to it."
However, ask the industry's associations whether they want Stobart to be 'on message' or 'off message' and you'll get a reply of the former. Now that's power.