Richard Charles joined the Board of The WACO System as Executive Director in June 2011 having previously worked for DB Schenker Logistics where he was Vice President for Sales & Marketing for EMEA and member of the European Management organisation. He joined DB Schenker in 2006 following the DB acquisition of BAX Global Inc. His career includes P&L and general management from branch management to MD level whilst managing and leading company integrations of sales/ops teams following merger activity.
ACW: In terms of The WACO System, what are the main opportunities you see over the next five years?
Charles: Further country expansion and greater digitalisation across the network.
ACW: If you were a car, what model would you be?
Charles: Vintage Aston Martin.
ACW: What would your autobiography be called?
Charles: ‘The world in a day’
ACW: What did you have for breakfast?
Charles: Scrambled eggs on toast.
ACW: If ACW came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
Charles: Rigatoni with roasted tomatoes and ricotta salata.
ACW: You are on death row. What is your last meal?
Charles: Black bean and rice enchiladas together with lentil tacos followed by ice cream.
ACW: Tell us the most interesting thing about you which we wouldn’t find in your CV?
Charles: I’m lifelong vegetarian!
ACW: If you could eat only three foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Charles: Hummus, halloumi cheese and grapes.
ACW: If you could change anything in your past, what would that be?
Charles: I always focussed on team sports from my school days into my twenties but I regret not pursuing more endurance sports earlier in my life.
ACW: Are you the type of person who checks email during your vacation?
Charles: Regrettably, yes I am!
ACW: Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Charles: Hunter.
ACW: Jeff Bezos walks into your office and says you can have a million dollars to launch your best entrepreneurial idea. What is it?
Charles: An online platform for planning, organising, and launching music festivals.
ACW: Italian food or Chinese food?
Charles: Italian.
ACW: Beer or wine?
Charles: Wine.
ACW: Pepsi or Coke?
Charles: Coke.
