In a sector populated by age-old firms with long histories, on young shipping company has fast emerged as a major challenger to the established fleet.

When Tim Finley first set up his freight forwarding business five years ago, it didn’t take long for him to realise the huge international potential he was tapping into.

Within 18 months he was already racing past the £1m-a-year turnover mark and, amid a global clamour for his services, he is now close to posting £6.5m in yearly sales.