Australian native Susanne Oud has joined the British International Freight Association (BIFA) board of directors, replacing Roy Baker who has stepped down, having been on the trade association’s board since 2005.

Oud is operations director EMEA – verticals at BIFA member OIA Global, and is based at the company’s London head office.

Born in Perth, Australia, she learned the trade through positions with an exporter, shipping line, freight forwarder, before establishing project forwarder and vessel agent, Westlink Shipping.

She emigrated from Australia to the UK in 1998 and joined Bellville Rodair, which she helped to build into an international company with 168 staff, and 21 offices on four continents, before it was acquired by OIA Global in 2013.

Commented BIFA director general, Robert Keen: “We welcome Susanne’s election to the BIFA board. She has had an excellent record of achievement since she joined the industry and brings significant expertise in a number of areas to our board.”