John Allan, the chief executive of Exel Plc, has been elected President of the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

The FTA represents the transport interests of more than 11,000 companies, providing and using transport services and moving goods by road, rail, air and sea.

FTA members operate over 200,000 good vehicles, almost half of the UK fleet, consign over 90 per cent of the freight moved by rail, and over 70 per cent of all UK visible exports by sea and air.

Allan said: 'I am delighted to be able to represent the members of the FTA. Our industry provides the backbone to the UK's commercial framework, and it is essential that members' views are effectively represented to support our role in maintaining the nation's competitiveness.' Allan has been chief executive of Exel since 1994. He was chairman of the CBI transport policy committee from 1998-2001 and is presently a member of the CBI's president's committee.