Building on a decade of innovation in road freight operations, Europa Worldwide Group is preparing for the next era of transformation.
From 1 January 2026, the firm has announced the appointment of a new Operations Director to the Board.
Having been instrumental in building its market-leading operation, Europa’s current Operations Director Dan Cook, is exiting the industry at the end of the year. He leaves behind a 30+year legacy of innovation, and his successor is Jack Baxter, who will lead the next exciting chapter of development for the market-leading firm.
Dan joined Europa soon after Chief Executive Officer Andrew Baxter acquired the business in 2013. At that point, the company employed just 400 people across nine UK branches and one international site in Hong Kong. Today, the business has a turnover of £300m+, an increase of 400 per cent, and employs more than 1,300 people across 30 sites globally.
Dan has worked alongside logistics entrepreneur Andrew for many years, initially at RH Freight before joining Europa Worldwide Group on the Board in 2014.
Since then, Europa has transformed beyond all recognition because of major investments and innovations, helping it to set the pace in the market. This includes a substantial number of developments within its roadfreight operation, overseen by Dan.
Over the past decade, Europa has optimised the distribution of goods, boosting its operation, partners, services, and systems to offer the best services in the market for part load, full load, and groupage. Amongst other innovations, this has included developing a network of superior European partners to enhance its services, providing enhanced daily services.
Dan was also instrumental in the design and implementation of Europa’s 26,368 square metre Dartford transit hub, strategically located on the Dartford Crossing, which has become the UK’s largest European groupage hub. Under Dan’s leadership, this operation has developed to provide more daily direct services to Europe than any other carrier. Today, over 40,000 consignments pass through the terminal each month, optimising the movement of goods to and from the continent post-Brexit.
Brexit has been a major focus at Europa, which has developed its own extensive suite of DDP and DAP services to ensure the seamless distribution of imports and exports. A core part of this is its 100-strong in-house customer and compliance team to ensure seamless distribution of customer consignments.
Andrew Baxter, CEO, Europa Worldwide Group, said. “Dan has overseen a huge number of innovations at Europa and has been a loyal colleague and friend for over 30 years. I’m extremely grateful for all that he has achieved at Europa and would like to wish him well in his next adventure.”
Dan Cook, Operations Director Europa Worldwide Group, said, “I’ve reached a point in my career that I am fortunate to be able to look back with a sense of pride about what has been achieved. Since I’ve been with Europa, the size of the operation has grown exponentially and is poised to expand again. It feels like this is the right time to hand over to someone who will bring a fresh new approach to navigate the next exciting phase of Europa’s journey.”
Stepping into Dan’s shoes will be Jack Baxter, Andrew’s eldest son, who has been with the business for seven years. Working across both sales and operations in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium, Jack brings a unique commercial and European focus to the role.
Jack started his career at Europa within its European road freight sales before progressing to become the Branch Manager of the Europa Road sales branch in Leeds, one of 17 locations across the UK and Ireland. For 12 months, he led Europa Road in Belgium before becoming General Manager, Haulage in Dartford.
Commenting on the appointment, Andrew said: “Jack brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective. Working closely with customers has given him valuable insight that will greatly benefit his new role within Operations. We are proud to welcome the next generation of the Baxter family to the Board, further strengthening our leadership team and reinforcing our position in the market.”
Jack Baxter added, “Over the past decade, Dan has helped power Europa Road’s success. As I step forward with Andrew and our outstanding operations team and onto the Board, I’m excited to accelerate our journey and take the business forward into a bold new chapter.”
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
