In part two of Nub News' UP CLOSE with Paula Bellamy, the managing director of a world wide logistics company, gives her thoughts on Brexit, Freeport East and explains why she is setting up a UK office in Felixtowe.

Paula Bellamy is never one to miss an opportunity to promote and grow Ocean Wide Logistics, and a combination of circumstances has led her to opening a UK office for the British/USA shipping firm following her success in building a headquarters in Dubai.

While a variety of personal reasons were a driver for the former Orwell High schoolgirl to return to her home town of Felixstowe, she sees Brexit and the formation of Freeport East as positive factors and making this the right time to expand her freight forwarding firm.

Paula has already used her expertise and contacts to have a conversation with a trade advisor to Boris Johnson suggesting the PM should allow the middle east to be a distribution hub now, in addition to Europe because it makes sense given that there is no free trade agreement with the EU.

Coming back to the UK after 10 years in Dubai as Brexit takes effect has been an eye opener, and she has heard all the anecdotes about freight forwarders doubling their workforce, the price of custom entries going through the roof, trucks coming through then not getting cleared at final destination and concerns about issues at end of year because the government has not implemented the plans fully as yet.

But Paula sees all this as an opportunity and said: "The UAE location is better for manufacturers to distribute their goods to the world from the Middle East rather than Europe, and that is something the government) are looking at.

"It is lovely to hear they are looking at something different and I feel I have come back at exactly the right time."

Paula is also excited about Felixstowe and Harwich being part of Freeport East, which has been confirmed by the government, but is concerned if it will be able to cope with the influx of goods to be forwarded.

"It makes perfect sense to be able leave freight in a free zone," said Paula, "But no-one seems to know just how big the free zone is going to be.

"We have seen the huge new warehouse that has been built but if you look at distribution firms like, Amazon or DHL, and how much space they need, it would soon be full."

That has not put her off and while there is something comfortingly familiar about Felixstowe, she relishes the challenge of change in her global business of freight forwarding.

Paula said: "I love all these new things, I'm absorbing all this and embracing the change. Having stepped out of Felixstowe for 10 years, now stepping back in is interesting to see.

"Yes, the Alex is still serving the same people and nothing much has changed there, but the industry has changed and it had to."

Even her way of setting up office back in the UK is somewhat contrary to the traditional way of doing things as Paula embraces the new way of mainly working at home, probably hastened by how office workers had to adapt during the pandemic, and using technology, business savvy and an extensive network of contacts to ensure a smooth flow, while only making the occasional trip to Dubai and the US as she continues to be remote managing director for the UAE.

One of Paula's strengths and passions has been relationship building and networking so she will continue to help clients, partners and friends across the world to connect in a stronger and more enjoyable way.

"I have a different business model," explained Paula. "My back office support remains in Dubai while we also have staff I can use in the Philippines and America.

"My idea is to utilise freight forwarding companies as suppliers in Felixstowe and other ports such as in Liverpool, London and Southampton. I will be routing the business to our offices through them.

"I can give exporters the benefits of all my experience in the Middle East, and with our 14 offices in the US and I can help them with all my knowledge.

"If, in 12 months we do need an office we will employ local staff."

With her children completing their education, husband Peter taking redundancy from his aviation engineer job in Dubai, and her retired mum in Kirton, April was the right time for Paula and it has already opened many new horizons.

Peter has retrained as a gas safe engineer and is in the process off setting up his own heating business, due to launch in August.

Paula said: "We believe there is a gap in the market as there does not appear to be anyone providing a huge amount of customer services to the older generation or that gives opportunities to youngsters who want an apprenticeship.

"It is a good way to give something back."

Read part one of our UP CLOSE feature with Paula Bellamy here...