Priority Freight joins JLR to drive environmental change - creating a living legacy in the forest

MIA Member Priority Freight has shared the following press release.

Priority Freight joins JLR to drive environmental change - creating a living legacy in the national forest

Priority Freight is proud to support the National Forest’s Unity Wood, a large-scale reforestation initiative designed to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for the Midlands and beyond.

Located near the Mercia Park logistics hub in Oakthorpe, Leicestershire, Unity Wood will see over 13,000 native trees planted across an 8-hectare site. The project is being supported by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and a group of like-minded logistics partners working together to fund tree planting, habitat restoration, and community access infrastructure, such as footpaths and signage.

“This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the region we operate in,” said Angela Henry, Global Account Manager at Priority Freight. “Unity Wood allows us to take real, visible action on sustainability – not only reducing our environmental impact but helping to create a positive legacy for future generations.”

Unity Wood is part of a wider initiative to restore nature, increase access to green space, and create a greener, more resilient future for the Midlands. The UK government has pledged to plant millions of trees and establish new national forests across England, and this collaborative project contributes to that vision – supporting biodiversity, carbon capture and community wellbeing in one of the country’s fastest-growing logistics regions.

Managed by the National Forest, the initiative builds on one of the country’s most successful environmental regeneration programmes, which has already transformed over 200 square miles of the Midlands with the planting of more than 9.8 million trees. The new Oakthorpe site will enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and support public access to nature.

“We’re delighted to be part of this project,” added Neal Williams, CEO of Priority Freight. “Unity Wood reflects our company’s wider commitment to sustainability – and shows what’s possible when the logistics sector works together to support climate resilience and environmental regeneration.”

Unity Wood began with an idea from JLR’s Freight Operations team, who invited their logistics partners to support the creation of a shared legacy beyond the supply chain. Priority Freight was proud to be among the first to commit.

Priority Freight’s involvement is part of its wider ESG and CSR strategy, which includes:

• Reducing carbon emissions through efficient route planning and consolidated shipments
• Supporting volunteer and environmental initiatives in the communities it operates
• Championing sustainable practices across the global supply chain

Planting at Oakthorpe will take place between October 2025 and March 2026, with opportunities for staff and community involvement during the process.

“Unity Wood is a great example of the logistics community using its collective power for good,” continued Henry. “We’re proud to support the National Forest alongside JLR and our fellow logistics partners and to help grow something lasting in the Midlands.”

For more information about Unity Wood or to find out how to support the National Forest, visit: nationalforest.org/unitywood