Tauranga transport operator Greg Pert, who started out as a truck driver 38 years ago, has been appointed the new chair of the Road Transport Forum board of directors. 
Pert, who replaces Neil Reid, the board chair for the past six years, says it’s an honour to be chosen for the role and he’s “happy to accept this new challenge.”
When his peers voted for him to take the chair of the board, “I felt the time was right – and that it was the right thing to do. And I value that support.
“I don’t have all the answers and I still have a bit to learn, but I think that’s a good way to be.
“My plan is to respect, listen to, help and appreciate all those in the road freight transport industry.
“I believe that standards, culture, and core values remain integral in all aspects of business operations.”
He pays tribute to predecessor Reid – who remains a board director – “for his excellent work unifying our industry and for the leadership he has given us.”
Pert is also a board member of the National Road Carriers Association, a member of the Petroleum Industry Transport Safety Forum and a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
He says: “I love being part of this industry and really enjoy working alongside great people who give their time to work on governance of important industry representative groups.” 
After starting work with Dale Freightways, he became an owner-operator with Freightways Bulk Services 35 years ago. In 2000 the family-owned company grew into a fleet operator with a contract with Gull Petroleum. 
Today, he and partner Jackie are co-directors of Tranzliquid Logistics – very much a family business, with son Gareth now the MD. The logistics and transport operation has a fleet of 42 tankers delivering fuel or fuel-related products, mainly in the North Island and servicing all oil companies. 
The Forum, he says, “provides the over-arching unified industry voice to government on the important matters that enable our success – and I fully support a collaborative approach by the other industry associations and their membership to enable that.
“We are facing interesting times and it is vital that we explore all possibilities to reshape our future in road freight transport, to ensure good businesses survive and thrive.
“Pretty much everything spends time on the back of a truck at some point of the supply chain, so we also need a viable operating environment to ensure New Zealanders can continue to enjoy their high standard of living.
“There is some tension in achieving that, which is why the RTF is so important to advancing the industry’s needs and I will be 100% behind that.
“We (the RTF) have a compelling vision and with great collaboration across all associations and its members I believe the RTF can move this industry forward.”