Description

In this episode of Chain Reaction, Michael sits down with Leanne Parkin , Operations Director at Ramsden International, for a deep dive into the world of global export logistics. From accidental beginnings in criminology to leading complex warehousing, compliance, and logistics functions, Leanne Parkin recounts her progression into a role that now oversees one of the most intricate export operations in the UK. She breaks down what it really means to manage over 26,000 SKUs, dozens of suppliers, and regulatory hurdles spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, all while keeping a relentless focus on customers and people management.

Leanne also reveals how Brexit reshaped their business overnight, the sleepless nights caused by containers stuck at borders, and why technology, from export systems to AI-driven tracking, is becoming the backbone of modern logistics. She highlights the cultural nuance of exporting British products, the rising expectations of global consumers, and the human side of supply chain relationships. It’s a candid, insightful conversation that exposes the complexity, resilience, and constant adaptation required to run a world-class export operation.

Guest Bio Leanne Parkin

Key Takeaways

• Ramsden International exports over 26,000 SKUs across numerous global markets, each with unique compliance demands.
• Customer service experience gives Leanne’s team a distinct operational edge, linking logistics decisions to customer impact.
• The business exports into 100+ regulatory environments, with food-specific compliance creating constant complexity.
• Container delays at borders remain one of the most stressful and operationally disruptive challenges.
• Creating a European entity helped the company consolidate paperwork and avoid repeated border checks.
• Technology, including export systems, tracking platforms, and AI-based ETA predictions, is becoming indispensable.
• Some regions still rely heavily on physical documents and stamps, especially in the Middle East.
• Global demand for British food is driven by strong standards, cultural resonance, and expat communities.
• Gender balance in logistics leadership is improving, though cultural dynamics and old norms persist.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Chain Reaction

00:24 Leanne’s unexpected path into logistics

02:30 Starting in customer service, not operations

04:10 What Ramsden International actually does

05:20 Managing 26,000 SKUs worldwide

06:40 What keeps Leanne awake at night

08:15 Where containers typically get stuck

10:20 The shock of Brexit and surviving the aftermath

12:40 Setting up a European entity to simplify trade

15:00 Technology and the future of export operations

17:10 AI, tracking systems, and operational efficiency

19:15 Paperwork realities in the Middle East

20:00 Serving customers big and small

22:40 Women in logistics and changing industry dynamics

26:30 How communication and platforms need to evolve

29:10 Global appetite for British food

31:30 Translating and relabelling for export markets

32:45 The magic-wand question: Fixing Brexit

34:20 Closing thoughts and thanks

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