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Building capacity, capability and coverage: Metro’s expansion plans for 2026

Jan 7, 2026 |

Metro is entering 2026 with a clear focus: expanding regional presence, strengthening expertise and investing in people to better support customers operating increasingly complex and execution-critical supply chains.

In 2026, Metro will open new offices in Belfast, Leeds and Liverpool, strengthening its UK footprint and bringing decision-making, operational support and customer service closer to key manufacturing, retail and port-centric markets.

These locations have been selected to:

  • Improve regional accessibility for customers
  • Strengthen links to major ports, airports and inland networks
  • Support faster response and more localised service delivery

The expansion reflects Metro’s commitment to combining national scale with regional execution,  ensuring customers benefit from both consistency and local expertise.

Strengthening international platforms

Internationally, Metro is continuing to build momentum in key growth markets.

In the United States, Metro has appointed a dedicated Account Director for Metro Global USA, underlining the importance of the transatlantic market to UK and European customers. Metro Global USA is being strengthened to six locations, enhancing local coverage, customer support and coordination across inbound and outbound flows.

At the same time, Metro’s presence in India continues to scale strategically. The business is expanding toward seven locations, creating a stronger platform to support sourcing, consolidation, origin management and exporting across the Indian subcontinent — a market of growing importance as supply chains diversify.

Investing in expertise and people

Alongside its geographic expansion, Metro continues to invest heavily in the people and expertise that underpin reliable supply-chain execution.

During 2025 and into 2026, Metro has recruited experienced senior professionals across all transport modes and service lines, strengthening capability in ocean, air, road, warehousing, customs, IT and integrated logistics. This ensures customers benefit from deep operational knowledge, strong carrier relationships and proactive solution design across complex and time-critical supply chains.

At the same time, Metro remains focused on developing talent for the long term. Ongoing training and structured development programmes are designed to equip teams with the skills required to manage technology-enabled and compliance-driven logistics environments.

This commitment to people was recognised with Metro being shortlisted at the BIFA Awards for Apprentice of the Year and Staff Development — reflecting sustained investment in both experience and future capability.

By combining senior expertise with continuous skills development, Metro is building teams that are not only equipped for today’s challenges, but prepared for the demands of 2026 and beyond.

Looking ahead

As customers plan for 2026, Metro’s expansion is designed to deliver:

  • Greater regional access in the UK
  • Stronger international support across the USA and India
  • Deeper expertise across all transport modes
  • Continued investment in people and service quality

For customers, this means a logistics partner that is scaling responsibly, strengthening capability where it matters most, and remaining focused on execution, resilience and long-term partnership.

If you’d like to discuss how Metro’s expanded network and expertise can support your supply chain in 2026 and beyond, please EMAIL our managing director, Andy Smith.

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Metro attains Government-backed Cyber Essentials certification

Nov 12, 2025 | , ,

Metro has achieved Cyber Essentials certification, the UK Government-backed baseline for protecting organisations against the most common cyber threats.

Achieving Cyber Essentials builds on our ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification awarded in July, reinforcing a layered, standards-led approach to information security across our operations and supply chain.

With business and procurement leaders reporting a marked rise in attacks and cascading disruption risks, strengthening first-line cyber controls at each node in the chain is now a business continuity priority, not just an IT task. Our Cyber Essentials certification evidences robust baseline controls, while ISO 27001 provides the governance, risk and assurance framework above them.

Cyber Essentials focuses on five technical controls proven to block or defend against the most prevalent cyber-attacks:

  • Firewalls & internet gateways to prevent unauthorised access
  • Secure configuration of devices, software and services
  • User access control with least-privilege principles and strong authentication
  • Malware protection to detect and stop malicious code (including ransomware)
  • Patch management to close known vulnerabilities promptly

Certification is independently assessed and renewed annually, driving continual improvement and accountability.

A continuum of assurance

  • ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (achieved July 2025) sets the overarching Information Security Management System (ISMS) covering policy, risk assessment, controls and audit.
  • Cyber Essentials complements this with mandated, practical safeguards at the device and network edge. A tangible signal to customers that foundational defences are in place and verified. 

UK guidance continues to emphasise board-level accountability for cyber resilience, reflecting the escalating tempo and impact of attacks. Metro’s combined certifications align with this direction of travel and with customer expectations for measurable, third-party-validated controls across their logistics partners.

What customers can expect

  • Trusted handling of data and systems across bookings, visibility tools and integrations
  • Consistent security standards applied to partners and internal processes
  • Ongoing improvement via annual Cyber Essentials renewal and ISO 27001 surveillance

Cyber Essentials certification is a further step in our long-term programme to deliver secure, technology-driven solutions that help you operate with confidence in an increasingly digital trading environment.

To discuss secure integrations, data exchange or platform connectivity, EMAIL Ian Powell, Customer & Technical Solutions Director.

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France Ends Regime 42: What It Means for Exporters and Why You Should Attend Metro’s December Customs Webinar

Nov 10, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

France will withdraw Regime 42 from 1 January 2026, removing the VAT simplification that currently allows goods to enter France without import VAT when they are destined for another EU member state.

The ending of Regime 42 has attracted little publicity, but it will directly affect UK exporters shipping on DDP terms through the primary Dover–Calais Channel crossing.

Under DDP, the UK exporter is responsible for EU import formalities. Once Regime 42 is removed, any DDP shipment entering France will require French import VAT accounting, unless the exporter holds a French VAT registration. For many businesses, this introduces new administrative steps and potential cash-flow exposure.

Some exporters may look to reroute via alternative EU entry points, like Belgium or the Netherlands, where Regime 42 will continue. However, the Dover–Calais corridor remains the fastest, most reliable and most cost-efficient route into mainland Europe.

Diverting freight via Belgian or Dutch ports will inevitably add cost, extend transit times and risk congestion if volumes surge.

To ensure continuity, Metro can support exporters with three practical solutions:

  • T1 Transit Solution
    Goods can transit France under a T1, avoiding the need to pay French import VAT. Clearance takes place at the final EU destination, maintaining full route flexibility.
  • French VAT Registration and Returns
    For exporters wishing to continue using Dover–Calais without a transit procedure, Metro can arrange and manage French VAT registration and periodic returns.
  • Routing via alternative port pairs
    Where customers prefer to use Dutch or Belgian ports to retain Regime 42 benefits, Metro can support and coordinate these routings through established carrier and agent networks.

For many DDP exporters, the T1 transit route or French VAT registration, supported by Metro, will offer the best combination of compliance, speed and cost-efficiency.

Exporters should review their EU import arrangements early to ensure seamless operations ahead of January 2026.

Metro’s customs and compliance specialists are working with exporting customers to identify exposure, adapt procedures, and ensure every movement remains compliant and cost-efficient under the new rules.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, to discuss how we can help safeguard your European exports and keep your goods flowing smoothly through the transition.

Upcoming Metro Webinar: Essential Customs Changes for 2026

To help businesses prepare for these and other major regulatory shifts, Metro’s customs specialists will host a one-hour webinar in December.

Webinar Title

Avoid EU Border Disruption in 2026: The Key Customs Changes and How to Prepare Now

What We’ll Cover
A focused, practical review of:

  • ICS2 and the new GB ENS requirements
  • The end of Regime 42 in France: who is affected and what to do
  • French Douane ELO rules and their impact on all French port traffic
  • EUDR, CBAM and the UK’s expected approach
  • 2026 trade agreements and anticipated regulatory changes
  • Accessing CDS data free of charge
  • De minimis rule changes and the end of low-value relief
  • Compliance requirements for 2026 – what they mean in real terms

5 December @ 11:00 AM (1 hour) – CLICK TO BOOK

Exporters, importers and supply chain managers are strongly encouraged to attend. This session provides clarity on the border changes that will define 2026, and the actions businesses need to take now to stay compliant and competitive.

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Metro Global USA: Building Momentum in a Key Market

Nov 9, 2025 | ,

Metro has taken a major step forward in its international growth strategy with the successful establishment and rapid expansion of Metro Global USA.

The operation now spans more than 10 offices across key logistics hubs, including New York, Chicago, and Dallas, strengthening Metro’s local presence and ability to support clients and partners in one of the world’s most critical trade markets.

The groundwork for this expansion was laid earlier this year, when CEO Grant Liddell and Managing Director Andy Smith completed a two-week visit to the United States to meet key clients, carriers, and partners. The visit confirmed the opportunity for a dedicated U.S. sales platform that would complement Metro’s global network and enhance its ability to serve transatlantic and intra-Americas trade.

That vision has now become a reality. Chief Financial Officer Laurence Burford and Project Manager Sophie Moss recently completed a strategic visit to the U.S. to embed Metro’s systems, culture, and governance across the new business. Their work focused on establishing financial and operational infrastructure aligned with U.S. regulations, ensuring robust budgeting frameworks, and integrating Metro’s digital and customer service platforms to deliver consistency and efficiency from day one.

Expanding Capability and Confidence

Momentum is building rapidly. Metro Global USA has already begun hiring additional staff to manage growing client demand, and its teams are now fully operational across a range of sectors. The U.S. offices are working closely with Metro’s UK and global teams to optimise trade lanes, improve routing options, and deliver end-to-end visibility through enhanced systems integration.

The visit by Burford and Moss was described internally as “extremely positive and beneficial,” generating strong engagement among U.S. staff and reinforcing Metro’s people-first culture. Their presence ensured alignment in both process and purpose, establishing a foundation for scalable growth that reflects Metro’s commitment to long-term partnership and service excellence.

Looking Ahead: Deepening Transatlantic Collaboration

Building on this momentum, Grant Liddell and Andy Smith are planning a follow-up visit to the U.S. in December to review progress, meet with staff and partners, and shape the next phase of expansion. Their agenda will focus on strengthening customer engagement, supporting further recruitment, and exploring additional investment opportunities in the North American market.

As global trade patterns evolve, Metro’s deepened presence in the U.S. ensures that its clients benefit from a truly integrated network, combining global reach with local expertise, and delivering predictable, efficient, and resilient logistics solutions across the Atlantic and beyond.

For more information about Metro Global USA or to explore opportunities in the U.S. market, please EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director.

Category: Metro

BIFA | International Trade | Metro

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