Customs Support Group’s Gary Harrold has served the East Suffolk business community for nearly 25 years
A logistics expert and stalwart of the East Suffolk business community is in line for an award recognising his decades of service in the region.
Gary Harrold, who is the UK and IE operations director at Felixstowe-based Customs Support Group, is a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement Award category at the East Suffolk Business Awards 2025.
With nearly 25 years’ experience in the import and export industry, Gary has become a respected leader, mentor and innovator in customs clearance, with the nomination recognising his passion for the sector, drive for excellence and commitment to supporting others.
Gary began his journey in 2001 at Hudig UK Ltd, followed by 12 years at CEVA Logistics. In 2015, he joined UKCS, later acquired by Customs Support Group (CSG), where he embraced a focus on customs, the area he finds most rewarding.
He has since held senior roles including general manager, UK managing director and currently serves as UK & IE operations director.
Gary said: “My career has unfolded entirely in Felixstowe, the town that has shaped my professional path. From my earliest roles to current leadership, I have been rooted in East Suffolk, building a legacy in one of the UK’s most vital logistics centres.
“Felixstowe is a beautiful coastal town, where the sun is always shining. The pool of talent here is incredible. We have the largest port in the UK and one of the largest in Europe, so the amount of local people in the industry is far greater than most other places. That environment creates better opportunities for people to grow as individuals and make connections.”
In his current role, Gary is responsible for operational quality, compliance and efficiency, keeping CSG at the forefront of the customs sector.
A key milestone in 2024 was Gary’s leadership in launching Customs SmartAssist, CSG’s intelligent document processing system. The UK, chosen for its high-volume post-Brexit environment, served as the live testing ground.
Under Gary’s direction, processing times for non-digitalised, often poor quality, complex customs declarations improved by more than 30 per cent. SmartAssist is now implemented on tens of thousands of monthly declarations across UK offices and is set for wider European deployment, thanks to the solid foundation Gary established.
Emmett Young, key account director UK at CSG, said: “Gary delivers exceptional customer service through his deep industry expertise, clear communication and a genuine commitment to solving client challenges quickly and effectively. His proactive approach ensures every customer receives support that makes complex customs processes easy to navigate.
“His impact also extends beyond business. He mentors young professionals, creates job opportunities, and fosters a supportive workplace culture. His belief in local talent has shaped CSG’s success in the region.
“Throughout his career, Gary has championed the development of local talent, mentored young professionals and created meaningful opportunities for growth. His influence extends far beyond operational success; he has helped shape the future of customs clearance while fostering a culture of support, innovation and excellence.”
The East Suffolk Business Awards take place at the Ivy House Country Hotel, in Lowestoft, on Thursday, November 6. Visit the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for details.
Customs Support Group is currently recruiting. Visit https://customssupport.recruitee.com for details.
Source: Customs Support Group
