Natalie Sykes

The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom’s national museum of arms and armour, and one of the most important museums of its type in the world. We have a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages. Our celebrated core collection originated in the nation’s working arsenal, which was assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London. The Royal Armouries are heir to one of the oldest deliberately created visitor attractions in the country. Objects were being arranged for display to visitors as early as Queen Elizabeth’s reign in the 16th century. Our collection of about 75,000 items – excluding approximately 2,700 loans to other bodies – is now displayed and housed in our historical home at the White Tower in the Tower of London but also at our purpose-built museum in Leeds, and at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth.

We unlock West Yorkshires vast economic potential by enabling businesses to grow and develop. We work with partners across the public and private sectors with the goal of stimulating growth that will create jobs and prosperity for everyone who lives, works and does business here.

Founded in 1916 by the Turner Family, this historic transport business began with its origins in delivering coal from the mines to merchants for decades using horse, cart, barge and rail. With the development of the motorway network in the late 1950s a move towards heavy goods vehicles increased, expanding upon the existing tipper vehicles to include articulated lorries and various trailers to attach to them. By the 1970s road haulage was the main mode of transportation for James Wilby which became renowned for servicing the constructions sectors. This was an insightful move as the 1980s saw many of the local coal mines facing closure. It also led to the Turner Familys decision to disband their group of companies in 1977, seeing James Wilby Dewsbury being purchased by Keith Shaw and John Bates, in a management buyout. The business still serviced the coal industry and for many years operated as coal merchants and were active members of the Coal Merchants Federation. In 2021, the decision was made to close the coal merchants division of the business in a decisive move to become more sustainable. Both Keith and John remain shareholders and non-executive directors today. Today, James Wilby still services the construction sector operating a wide selection of vehicles, all of which are Euro6, and include tractor units coupled with flatbed trailers, Moffetts and Hiabs. All drivers are trained to the highest of road haulage safety and standards. Each driver and vehicle are equipped with state of the art technology, allowing for instant tracking and electronic PODs. As an international operator of choice, James Wilby is a long standing Road Haulage Association (RHA) member and carries Gold status in the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS).

Welcome to James Wilby Logistics A forward thinking specialist haulage, logistics and storage company, operating throughout the UK. Our team of dedicated transport planners and excellent drivers will ensure that you have thee most efficient and first class service for all your logistical needs. At JWL our customers and our team are the very heart of our business.

The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom’s national museum of arms and armour, and one of the most important museums of its type in the world. We have a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages. Our celebrated core collection originated in the nation’s working arsenal, which was assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London. The Royal Armouries are heir to one of the oldest deliberately created visitor attractions in the country. Objects were being arranged for display to visitors as early as Queen Elizabeth’s reign in the 16th century. Our collection of about 75,000 items – excluding approximately 2,700 loans to other bodies – is now displayed and housed in our historical home at the White Tower in the Tower of London but also at our purpose-built museum in Leeds, and at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth.