Human on the Inside with Freight People’s Matthew Marshall
Human on the Inside. We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Maxme: Welcome Matthew, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re currently Director of Freight People - an independent freight broker based in Victoria, AUS.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 2), what does this work entail?
Matthew Marshall: We take the headaches out of shipping products around Australia and New Zealand. A lot of businesses are let down by their last mile delivery—which ultimately impacts their brand experience. We’re here to make delivery a positive differentiator, not a liability.
M: An experienced business leader in logistics, freight management, and business process optimisation, you’ve spent nearly a decade with Freight People, but your career is of course much deeper.
Before logistics, you built a strong foundation in banking and finance, working in various roles at NAB and RBS, with a particular focus on business analysis, technology implementation, and strategic planning.
From 2008 - late 2015 you also served as Managing Director of Marshall Orchards Ltd, overseeing a medium-sized horticulture business in New Zealand.
Most recently, you took on the additional role of Director - Channels, at Cario, where you focus on expanding innovative freight management software into new markets. Already, your experience in stakeholder management, vendor relations, and process improvement have been instrumental in driving business growth and operational excellence.
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
MM: I’ve been fortunate to work across different industries, geographies, and challenges—many of which pushed me well outside my comfort zone. But I was taught early to say yes to opportunity. That mindset has stretched me and shaped my perspective. At the core, I’m driven by service—to our team, our customers, and our partners. In a competitive sector like logistics, trust and follow-through aren't optional. People do business with people, and I try to always lead with that in mind.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
MM: My background is in finance and economics, which might seem removed from freight. But in reality, they’re central to many of the conversations we have each day and the challenges our customers face. That foundation has helped me adapt and bring value across roles—even as the industry evolved.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
MM: Be curious, not certain. Work closely with successful people. And listen more than you speak.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in the logistics sector right now?
MM: AI is rapidly transforming logistics, especially on the analytical and transactional side. But there's still a huge need for the “human in the loop.” Business development, account management, and customer relationships are human-centric and always will be. The tech is powerful—but it's the people who make it real.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
MM: Building rapport quickly and turning that into long, strong relationships.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
MM: It took me a while to realise I don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. In fact, it’s better when I’m not—which is often! We’re lucky to have a capable, engaged team who challenge and guide me. I’ve learned to listen more and trust the collective wisdom.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work in the fields of freight management &/or business optimisation more broadly, what would it be?
MM: Understand how AI is being used in your field—and how you can harness it in your role. But also, choose a company whose values match yours and where you feel encouraged to grow. You’ll usually get a sense of that during the interview—ask a few good questions and trust your gut.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one University graduate to your team, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
MM: We’ve had great success with grads from Swinburne and the University of Melbourne. For us, attitude and aptitude are everything. The qualification gets you through the door, but from there it’s about how you take feedback, your ambition, and your work ethic. A coffee chat often reveals a lot—but we’re still learning too.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
MM: Plenty. I’ve got a backlog of Audible titles—Atomic Habits, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Never Split the Difference. But more formally, I’m focused on two areas: executing with AI and scaling software into international markets like North America and Europe.
Matthew Marshall
Director at Freight People
Matthew Marshall is an experienced business leader with a strong background in logistics, technology, and finance. As Director at Freight People, he leads a team dedicated to making freight a competitive advantage for Australian businesses by combining deep market knowledge with smart technology. He also serves as Director – Channels at Cario, driving growth in freight management software.
Matthew's earlier career includes leadership roles at National Australia Bank, where he focused on business development, systems delivery, and enterprise-wide process improvement. He began his professional journey in accounting and financial services before transitioning into logistics, where he found a unique opportunity to apply strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making to improve supply chain performance.
With a BCom in Finance and Marketing from the University of Otago, and a sharp focus on customer outcomes, Matthew helps businesses streamline operations and grow through better freight solutions.
Ready to develop the human skills within your organisation, team or self? Explore our menu of Maxme Products & Programs or simply download the Hodie app to get started today.
Prefer to talk through your options? Simply contact us at any time.
More human goodness you might like:
