A family business built to last

For Entrepreneurs Only would like to thank Peter Brown and the team at Neill & Brown for their continued support as a Key Partner.

Six decades at the helm

Peter Brown is a respected regional business leader and the third generation of his family to lead the company. After 60 years of service, he has helped steer Neill & Brown through growth, investment and change, and was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s HEY Business Awards, where FEO is proud to be the headline sponsor.

From timber to logistics

Neill & Brown has been part of Hull’s commercial landscape for more than a century. Founded in 1917, the business began after Peter’s great uncle met an Irishman in a pub and the company was established as Neill & Brown.

What started as a freight forwarding business, moving timber and pit props for the war effort, later expanded into stevedoring and wider logistics operations.

Evolving with the times

Over the decades, the company has continued to adapt as the markets have changed. Peter said, “The business moved into trailer work, caravan transport, storage and groupage, eventually becoming a full logistics operation rather than simply a haulage company.

“Today, I feel proud that our company in Hull, brings goods in from China, storing them in our own warehouse and providing further distribution of the products to several European countries.”

That ability to evolve has been central to the company’s long-term success. As trading conditions, regulation and government policy have shifted, the business has looked for practical ways to respond and diversify.

Growth, investment and reach

Peter has played a central role in a number of major decisions, including the move to the company’s headquarters on Livingstone Road in Hessle, the expansion of warehousing in Hessle and East Hull, and the development of international partnerships.

That global reach also included an office in Hong Kong supporting Air & Sea operations with the movement of hundreds of containers a year from the Far East.

Balancing progress and practicality

Like many transport firms, Neill & Brown has had to consider innovation against commercial reality. The company has introduced solar panels, electric vehicles for the local pallet network distribution along with on site charging points.

It is also exploring lower-carbon options such as rail-linked trailer transport and HVO fuel, but Peter is clear that any changes have to work operationally as well as environmentally and financially sound.

“Charging points alone cost £30,000, and electric artics are about £260,000, so the investment is huge. We can’t do that all at once.” Even with the grants available.

For some routes and specialist movements, such as escorted caravan transport or longer European runs, electric alternatives are not yet practical. For Neill & Brown, the challenge is to move forward without losing sight of what customers need and require.

People and loyalty

Peter says one of the company’s greatest strengths is its people. Neill & Brown employs around 140 local people, many of whom have spent decades with the business.

He believes long service is built on respect: treating people well, listening to them, and rewarding accordingly. That approach has helped create a stable, committed workforce and has been a key part of the company’s staying power.

Preparing for the future

The pressures on employers remain considerable, from rising costs and taxes to the challenge of attracting and retaining drivers. Peter spoke candidly about the difficulty of planning ahead in an environment where businesses are expected to invest heavily in change while absorbing growing overheads.

Even so, his focus remains firmly on the long term, with an emphasis on succession, development and keeping the business strong for the next generation. His own retirement, is no where is sight. The job gets him out of bed every morning and he doesn’t plan to go anywhere, yet.

Family, community and legacy

The family story remains central to Neill & Brown. Several members of Peter’s family have worked in the company, with his son Charlie now taking on an important role and his daughter Ellie who is involve 3 days a week, Moira his wife looks after all the branding for the company, advertising, social media, website and event management. Moira is involved at an executive level.

Peter says continuity matters, along with bringing new people through and planning for the future. That sense of stability is part of what makes the business such an important regional employer.

He also takes pride in seeing the company’s red and white trucks on the road, a familiar sight across the region and beyond. Alongside growth, Neill & Brown has maintained a strong community focus, supporting charities, food banks and local causes.

Its involvement with FEO reflects that wider commitment. Peter said the organisation offers useful support, strong networking and valuable insight for businesses across the region. “There are lots of good people in FEO, who do so much to support the local business community. We wanted to be part of that.”

At FEO, we are proud to have Neill & Brown as a Key Partner and grateful to Peter Brown for his continued support, insight and belief in local business.

Key Partners

To find out more about becoming an FEO Key Partner, please click the link HERE.