Jon Bunyan

Said the following about Ashley Knights:

“Ashley joined Freightliner in August 2010 as a Port Multi-Skilled Operative and successfully moved through the ranks with roles as Port Train Line Supervisor, Port Duty Manager and Felixstowe Operations Manager until being promoted to Port Operations Manager, based in Felixstowe, at the end of 2017, managing a skilled team of 46 staff.

As the main operational link with the Port of Felixstowe, Ashley’s excellent relationship skills have a key part to play in the smooth running of the Freightliner operation. He recently facilitated the standardisation of train services to 28 wagon lengths off the Central terminal and 30 wagon lengths off the North terminal as part of the ‘Less is More’ plan in 2018.

His relationship-building skills also extend to managing the operational relationship with the Felixstowe Dock & Railway Company (FDRC) including resource provision, train/shunt plan management and overall delivery of the daily Freightliner plan.

In addition to his day job, Ashley provides pivotal support to Freightliner’s General Manager, Service Development who isn’t ashamed to admit that he wouldn’t be able to progress with his project work without Ashley’s wealth of knowledge and experience.

One such example is Ashley’s support with ‘Project Amsterdam’ which involved the standardisation of train sets at Felixstowe to 28 wagons to ease shunting, thereby improving the efficiency of the operation. He provided a workable track occupation plan that ensured coordination with other FOC services at the Port, by moving services between terminals and Ipswich Yard before presenting the plan to the Port.

Ashley also manages the collaboration with GB Railfreight, DB Cargo, FDRC and Network Rail on the ‘Visualisation Project’, involving the re-timing of trains to improve performance, devoting around four hours a week out of his busy schedule for weekly meetings to review performance statistics, encouraging continuous improvements with initiatives such as awarding Gold Stars for exceptional performance.

As well as this, Ashley had a key role to play in re-writing the Felixstowe Bank Holiday train plans and, in particular, the amended workings resulting from the recent Felixstowe branch possessions as the Trimley long loop is installed and commissioned (29 round trip services were cancelled during the recent 96 hour blockade).

Mick Cavanagh, Rail Strategist, Container Division of the Port of Felixstowe said this of Ashley:

“The Ports Rail Strategist role can be very challenging, but since Ash took over from his predecessor, he has improved my daily challenges immensely. He has a really open and honest view of the whole picture - he not only wants what’s best for Freightliner, but will always put forward suggestions to help the Port as well.

He always ensures that any internal on- shift issues are dealt with the utmost efficiency and has the greatest respect for the Ports other operators - always assisting them when he’s able to and has recently helped with cross-dock shunt training of GB ground staff.

What’s more important to myself and the Port, is his cooperation in changing path times to assist other operators bringing in new trains to the Port. I know he is well respected by his team, other operators and none more so than me and the Port. He is a credit to Freightliner.”“