The Team
Gavin McCarthy – Sales & Marketing Director
Gavin joined Britannia in 2004 as a Business Development Manager focusing on Corporate Sales and overseeing the Corporate Operational Team across Britannia’s two main offices in London and Birmingham. In 2009 Gavin was appointed Sales Director, moving onto Britannia’s Board at the same time. His responsibilities include acquisition of corporate business, contract negotiation, managing commercial partnerships and overseeing Britannia’s Marketing team.
Before Britannia Gavin held a number of roles in sales, marketing and business development in the banking, retail and service sectors. Gavin speaks several languages and is currently learning Mandarin, although extremely slowly. Outside of work Gavin is a keen swimmer, cyclist and runner – sometimes one after the other. He enjoys travelling with his family, particularly to Asian countries where he finds the culture fascinating, but the food an occasional challenge.
During his time at Britannia, Gavin has developed numerous corporate partnerships with large brands and fronted various projects focusing on digital marketing and technology. He has been an active fundraiser – most recently raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a charity he has a personal connection to. In terms of future challenges Gavin says he still has unfinished business as far as the London Marathon is concerned; in 2009 his daughter decided to turn up 5 weeks early meaning a last-minute withdrawal. Something Gavin says he will be eternally grateful for.
Looking ahead, Gavin is a keen environmentalist and is passionate about taking Britannia forward to ‘greener’ pastures in the future.
Charlotte Parslow – Marketing & Communications Manager
Charlotte joined Britannia full time in 2021, but had previously worked for Britannia since 2007 as a freelance marketing and events specialist. Together with the marketing team, she is responsible for delivering promotional initiatives, organising Britannia’s events programme, and managing communications across our 40 UK depots. She also has a keen interest in sustainability, and is part of the team working to move Britannia towards a greener future.
Before Britannia, Charlotte ran her own company and worked with clients from the transport, telecoms and property sectors, delivering projects all over the world. Her career highlights to date include transforming a dilapidated beach in Cornwall into a functioning outdoor events venue, managing a conference in Monaco the week before the F1 Grand Prix, and of course bringing Britannia’s 40th anniversary celebration event – Britfest – from concept to reality!
With three children in her house, Charlotte regularly claims that she doesn’t have any free time, but she still manages to fit in regular walks and bike rides, and she is Chair of the Board of Governors for her local primary school. She hates flying but enjoys visiting other countries, and is also a keen baker.
Dave Aldridge – Operations manager
Dave joined Britannia way back in 1997 when Britannia opened their central shipping depot in New Malden. Dave was appointed warehouse manager, covering duties such as the day to day running of the warehouse, loading and unloading of groupage containers and receiving in shipping from Britannia`s members.
18 months later Dave decided to spread his wings and relocate to Sweden, living in a little town in the north of Sweden called Ostersund for 12 months whilst going to evening school to learn the language and working in bars at night to pay his way. Dave then moved to Stockholm for a few years working for two different international movers and loved every minute of his time living in this beautiful city.
He then moved back to the UK in 2005 due to his father`s ill health and his younger brother having to have a heart transplant as he knew this was the right thing to do.
In 2006 Dave re-joined Britannia at their warehouse in Croydon and took up from where he left off but this time on a much bigger scale bringing the knowledge he had learnt whilst working in Scandinavia. He has progressed within the company and now holds a few hats, warehouse manager, facilities manager, transport manager and operations manager. No day is ever dull!
Dave’s interests cover his beloved Chelsea, Britpop music especially Oasis, Pulp etc, Pink Floyd and even Bob Marley. Dave is married with children which keeps him busy at both ends of the day. He’s partial to the odd beer and believes if it wasn’t for him one or two breweries would have gone under by now.
John Parr – Senior Project Manager
John is a highly experienced Senior Project Manager at Britannia Movers. With over 25 years of experience in logistics, project management, and team leadership
John began his career in 1996 when he joined the British Forces, serving in the Royal Logistic Corps as a Supply Specialist. Over the course of eight years, he was responsible for the storage, maintenance and distribution of critical supplies and equipment for military operations, including stints in Kosovo, Poland, Germany, and various locations across the UK.
After leaving the military in 2004, John transitioned into civilian logistics, working for G4S until 2007, where he provided operational and investigative support for the company’s Cash-In-Transit services. From there, he took on a Freight Forwarding role with DHL Global Forwarding, shipping Caterpillar machinery, managing export procedures and ensuring compliance with international shipping regulations.
Since 2010, John has been with Britannia Movers, where he oversees the planning and execution of Military and Diplomatic relocation services. This a varied and challenging role, with quality, compliance and a ‘can do’ attitude at the forefront of everything he does. A problem-solver at heart, John is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to deliver success by managing operations as efficiently as the moves themselves.
Outside of work, John remains committed to personal fitness, a passion that stems from his time as a Physical Training Instructor in the Army. Although he does allow himself the odd cold beer or two whilst watching his beloved LFC, or at social events.
Nisha Govender – Exports Manager
Nisha began her journey at Britannia in 2006 when she joined as an Export Coordinator. Over the years, she demonstrated exceptional skills in managing various tasks which led to her promotion to Team Leader. Her dedication and knowledge allowed her to progress in her career, ultimately leading her to the position of Export Manager in 2023.
Nisha collaborates closely with our Britannia Members to assist with international enquiries and is also responsible for managing export operations. Nisha works in partnership with our international agents to negotiate pricing and secure competitive quotes.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Nisha finds fulfilment in cooking for her loved ones, even launching her own spice brand, with her husband serving as her steadfast supporter and critic for nearly three decades. To unwind, she enjoys exploring the diverse culinary scene in London, discovering new restaurants and sampling a variety of dishes and cocktails that ignite her creativity in the kitchen.
Additionally, Nisha is deeply committed to giving back to her community, particularly through her involvement in her local Hindu community. Here, she channels her passion for supporting and empowering women from diverse backgrounds through charity work and fundraising.
Rachel Kingwell – Imports Manager
Our Import Manager Rachel joined Britannia back in 2001 when our central office was based in New Malden. She was new to the industry and started her Britannia career as an Import-coordinator.
Later that year, Britannia re-located to larger premises in Croydon where the grand opening gave Rachel the opportunity to meet a number of our overseas agents, as well as the mayor of Croydon. Rachel reveals ‘It was a great start to understanding the global connections Britannia held and it was great to meet our overseas members very early on in my career.’
She later became Import supervisor and with more experience, eventually went on to become Import Manager. Rachel works alongside HMRC daily to ensure that Britannia Movers are compliant and remain operational to receive Import containers into our Merstham warehouse.
During her time at Britannia, Rachel met her partner Mike who was at that time working for our customs clearance brokers WS Logistics. That was 12 years ago, and they are now engaged and have two lovely daughters Ava and Heidi.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and taking her girls for long country walks which usually end up in a cosy pub with a very large glass of wine! Her best weekends usually involve her colleague and close friend Kate Armstrong and a few cocktails!
Gina Almandras – Corporate Manager
Gina joined Britannia in 2010 as a Corporate Co-Ordinator having grown up in the removal industry, spending weekends and summer holidays helping at the family removal business. Her operational understanding of the removals industry and her superb customer service skills made her the perfect candidate to fulfil UK and International co-ordination roles before progressing to Corporate Supervisor and later Corporate Manager. Gina’s main responsibilities include managing and supporting the Corporate team with maintaining our Corporate partnerships.
Gina enjoys spending time with family and friends alongside her Dachshund Noodle who with his playfulness brings her so much joy. Other interests include music and concerts, trips to London for Theatre/West End shows and afternoon teas.
Ellie Rowe – Sales / Purchase Ledger Manager
Ellie began her career at Britannia as a Purchase Ledger Accounts Clerk back in September 2005 and, after many years of dedication, was promoted to Sales / Purchase Ledger Manager in 2023. Her day-to-day tasks include invoice processing and payments, accounts queries, and bank reconciliation. She also supports the office with IT liaison, and is always ready to lend a hand when there are extra tasks to be done. Ellie is also our green-fingered staff member, and keeps an impressive collection of office plants looking lovely and healthy.
Ellie is hoping to do an accountancy course in the near future so she can achieve her long-held ambition of becoming a fully qualified accountant.
Outside of work Ellie has a passion for all things Disney, and tries to visit a Disney theme park at least twice a year with her husband Mitchell. She is also an avid fitness enthusiast, and goes to the gym or a spinning class most days. She relaxes by doing yoga, preferably on a beach!
