Digital Transformation in Logistics Programme

Chair's welcome and Logistics UK introduction

Welcome and introduction to Digital Transformation in Logistics, highlighting the importance of innovation and technology for successful logistics operations.

Kevin Green, Policy & Communications Director, Logistics UK

Regional keynote

We will hear from the West Midlands Combined Authority's Director of Employment, Skills, Health and Communities on the importance of logistics to the future of the region's economy, and role that investing in people will play in delivering higher value jobs for the sector and West Midlands.

Helene Dearn OBE, Director of Employment, Skills, Health and Communities, West Midlands Combined Authoritiy

Digital innovation today

Our panel of experts delve into the transformative impact of digital innovation on the logistics industry. With cutting-edge technologies revolutionising the sector, our speakers explore how these are playing a vital role in enhancing operational efficiency and supporting decarbonisation efforts.

Chair: Ben Garratt, Deputy Director - Public Affairs, Logistics UK

Francesca Cesare Pintorno, Knowledge Transfer Manager - Digital Transport, Innovate UK

Chris Lane, Head of Transport Innovation, Transport for West Midlands

Nigel Rouch, Senior Vice President Technology - Europe, XPO Logistics

Katherine Skidmore, Supply Chain Engineering & Innovation Director, Unipart

Panel session: Autonomy - transforming logistics

Our panel review the vast potential of autonomous technologies in transforming logistics operations – both on the road, and beyond.

Chair: Ben Garratt, Deputy Director - Public Affairs, Logistics UK

John Court, Founder and Director, John Court Associates

Francis McKinney, Head of Technology, Zenzic

Martin Kendall, Managing Director, Vantec Europe Limited

Lawrence Thurbin, Head of Trials and Licensing, Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Department for Transport

Delivering change by bringing people with you

This session will look at how to work with your colleagues and partners to drive innovation. It will explore the importance of securing stakeholder buy-in for change, creating a culture of innovation and leveraging the link between innovation and inclusion strategies.

Chair: Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy and Generation Logistics, Logistics UK

Claire Charlton, Head of Innovation, Wincanton

Jo Field, Women in Transport

Alisdair Ritchie, Head of SME Development, Connected Places Catapult

Neil Travis, Regional Director of Operations, Amazon

Cyber security

This session will look into ways to protect logistics businesses from cyber threats and to mitigate cyber security incidents as we step into a digital world with ever evolving technology.

Sasha Henry, Senior Managing Consultant, CyXcel

Technology to make international trade easier

Rosalind Moss, Head of Border Innovation Strategy, HMRC

Fireside chat: Discover how the use of AI-powered technology can help drive capacity in your organisation

Join us for a fireside chat as speakers will delve into the transformative impact of ABBYY’s AI-powered solutions on logistics, shipping documentation, and international trade operations. Discover the latest advancements and cutting-edge innovations that can revolutionise your organisation's capacity. Gain exclusive insights into current projects and future developments, showcasing how you can maximise processes and drive efficiency in your organisation.

Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy and Generation Logistics, Logistics UK

Slavena Hristova, Director of Product Marketing, ABBYY

Paul Reilly, Director, CustomsTrackk

How to fund and get support with innovation

This session will explore ways to get support with and fund innovation projects, including for businesses on small margins.

Chair: Ben Garratt, Deputy Director - Public Affairs, Logistics UK

Dan Avery, Head of Venture Building - Europe, Rainmaking

Osmin Callis, Founder and CEO, Mode8

Arnold du Toit, Founder and CEO, WeSprint

Innovation for modal shift

This panel session will explore how data and technology can help deliver a more interconnected logistics system by enabling easier customer access to different transport modes, supporting the physical interchange of goods between modes, and by making different transport modes more time, cost and carbon-emissions efficient.

Richard Carr, Technical and Innovation Director, Railway Industry Association

Richard Parry, CEO, Canal and River Trust

Ashley Stower, Business Manager, Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Steve Freeman, Chairman & Co-owner, RailX

Big data and supply chains

Today's supply chains are increasingly being transformed through the application of digital technologies especially AI and the use of Big Data.

The Digital Supply Chain Hub is focused on making UK supply chains more resilient, efficient and sustainable through the application of digital technologies. Alok and Tim will discuss how the use of Big data is transforming supply chains, the opportunities this provides for logistics businesses and some of the challenges that need to be overcome. They will particularly reference examples of projects they are running at Warwick and through the Digital Supply Chain Hub to address supply chain risk and resilience and logistics and transport optimisation.

Tim Lawrence, Director of Digital Supply Chain, Digital Catapult

Dr Alok Choudhray, Professor of Supply Chain Management, WMG, Warwick University

Chair's close

Closing keynote from our Chair with an overview of the day.

Kevin Green, Marketing & Communications Director, Logistics UK

Places for this event are strictly limited. Please register your interest in attending using the link below.