Annual Conference Speakers

Professor Alan McKinnon, Professor of Logistics, Kühne Logistics University

Alan McKinnon is Professor of Logistics in Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg and Professor Emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He has been researching, teaching and advising in freight transport / logistics for over 40 years and published widely in journals, books and reports on many different aspects of the subject. He has been an adviser to several governments, parliamentary committees and international organisations, including the International Transport Forum/OECD, the World Bank, European Commission, World Economic Forum and UN agencies. In 2018 he published a book on Decarbonizing Logistics. Details of his work on logistics can be found at https://www.alanmckinnon.co.uk    

Arron Kendall, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing - Europe, XPO Logistics

Arron Kendall leads business development for XPO Logistics in Europe as part of the company’s global logistics network. Mr. Kendall joined XPO in 2010 following three years at Next plc, where he was also responsible for business development. As part of that, he used to lead on e-commerce, retail – and parcel distribution. In his spare time, Mr. Kendall likes to stay active. He loves playing football. Mr. Kendall is happily married with three children and lives in Redford, Nottinghamshire.

Andrew Malcolm, Chief Executive, Malcolm Group

Andrew’s experience has covered every practical and managerial aspect of the Group, from starting in the repair workshop, to driving HGV trucks, and progressing through traffic/depot manager levels. In 1989, he took over the running of the general haulage division and was the driving force behind its transformation into a major nationwide player in the logistics sector. In 1994, he became the CEO of the Group and joined the Plc board in 1997. In 2003, Grampian Holdings Plc was rebranded as The Malcolm Group Plc on the London Stock Exchange, and in 2005, Andrew successfully led the business from a Plc back into a privately owned family company. The Group proudly celebrated its centenary year in 2022 and in 2023, Andrew’s knowledge and experience of the sector led to him being awarded an MBE in the Kings Birthday Honours List for services to the transport industry.

Bethany Windsor, Head of Skills Policy, Logistics UK

Bethany Windsor is Head of Skills Policy and Generation Logistics at Logistics UK. As a passionate advocate for diverse and engaged workforces, Bethany’s work on Generation Logistics, a careers awareness campaign for the logistics profession, has led to the implementation of creative strategies to attract younger talent and establish clear career pathways in logistics. With a strong background in both education and logistics, Bethany has played a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by growing talent shortages, enhanced by leading on Logistics UK’s skills policy position, reflecting member’s needs and guiding relevant government policy. 

Chris Dolby, Senior Director, HR Talent and Learning, GXO Logistics

David Wells OBE, Chief Executive, Logistics UK

David is Chief Executive of Logistics UK, one of the biggest business groups in the UK, and the only organisation which represents all of logistics. With more than 22,000 members from the road, rail, sea and 
air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers, the members of Logistics UK operate more than half of the UK fleet of HGVs, and consign over 90% of freight moved by rail, and 70% of air and sea freight. David joined Logistics UK in April 2009 as Finance and IT Director, subsequently taking on additional responsibility for the Vehicle 
Inspection Service and Training and Tachograph Analysis Service. David became Chief Executive in early 2015 and since then has seen membership grow by 10%. Having completed an engineering degree in Liverpool, David studied for membership of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, qualifying in November 1993 whilst working in industry. His career has centred around engineering and service businesses and has both European and North American finance and operations experience. 

Doug Bannister, CEO, Port of Dover

Doug has over 30 years’ experience in international business, and has held roles with the Ports of Jersey and leading sea transportation companies including P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk Line UK & Ireland. He has deep experience in leading asset intense operational businesses, having operated in shipping, maritime and aviation sectors.  

Emma Pinchbeck, CEO, Climate Change Committee

Emma is the Chief Executive off the Climate Change Committee, the UK’s national climate advisor. The statutory body advises government and parliament on the country’s Carbon Budgets, Climate Change Risk Assessments and progress in delivery. The CCC also advises the devolved governments on their own climate change ambitions and carbon budgets.  

Prior to this, Emma was Chief Executive of Energy UK,  Deputy Chief Executive of Renewable UK, and Head of Climate and Energy at WWF-UK. Emma is an expert on energy, and is a Fellow of the Energy Institute.  She has held a number of advisory or board positions, and currently sits on the advisory board of the UK Energy Research Council (UKERC) and the board of UK:100. Emma lives in Gloucestershire, and shares childcare with her husband.  

Emma Ross, Director of Logistics Operations

Emma Ross is the Director of Logistics Operations at Screwfix, where she leads end-to-end logistics strategy and execution for one of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing retail businesses. With a strong foundation in FMCG and retail logistics, Emma brings a wealth of experience from senior roles at Tesco and Morrisons, as well as from her work in supply chain consulting. Over the past decade, Emma has built a career defined by operational excellence, strategic transformation, and people development. Her experience spans complex logistics networks, large-scale distribution operations, and business-critical change programmes. Whether leading warehouse operations or advising clients on supply chain optimisation, she maintains a strong focus on empowering teams, building capability, and driving continuous improvement.

Emma is known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for talent development—not just within her direct teams but across the wider organisations she supports. Her commitment to inclusive leadership and operational resilience is at the heart of her working style. Passionate about the next generation of logistics professionals, Emma is an active participant in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) - formally a board director, she now regularly engages in industry events, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport

Heidi Alexander MP was appointed as the Secretary of State for Transport on 29 November 2024.

She was previously the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice from the 8 July 2024 to 29 November 2024. She was elected as the MP for Swindon South in July 2024.

James Craddock, Managing Director, SEGRO

James joined SEGRO in 2014 as Regional Director for Park Royal & London, before becoming Managing Director, Thames Valley and Group Data Centres. In his previous role, James was responsible for SEGRO’s portfolio in the Thames Valley area, including Slough Trading Estate, as well as heading up the company’s data centre function to further SEGRO’s footprint in the data centre sector. He has over 20 years of Real estate experience, of which 15 years have been spent in the industrial and logistics sector. Prior to SEGRO, James has work at companies including Prologis, MetLife Investments, and CBRE. James graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BA (Hons) in Geography and then achieved a Postgraduate Diploma at London South Bank University. 

John Trenchard, Vice President for Commercial & Supply Chain, DP World

John joined DP World in February 2021 after returning to the UK following an international career in the global logistics industry with P&O Containers, P&O Nedlloyd, Maersk and APM Terminals. 

Over the last 20 years he has lived and worked in a variety of international supply chain roles in the Netherlands, Denmark, Chile, China and the United States. 

John has been responsible for developing business across the maritime, port and inland transport modes and has a keen interest in accelerating the journey towards more sustainable international logistics. 

As UK Commercial and Supply Chain Director (now Vice President Commercial & Supply Chain, UK) John is responsible for creating and sharing value with DP World’s customers as a trusted supply chain partner. 

Jonathan Walker, Head of Cities and Infrastructure, Logistics UK

Jonathan is Head of Cities and Infrastructure Policy at Logistics UK and leads on road, rail policy and planning. His main focus is engagement with members and key stakeholders relating to infrastructure and cities to hear their views, identify their key priorities and influence decision making on these issues. Prior to this, he spent most of his career working in business policy for the North East England Chamber of Commerce and holds both a BA (Hons) in Politics and MA in Public Relations from Newcastle University. 

Kevin Green, Policy & Communications Director, Logistics UK 

Kevin has been an Executive Director with Logistics UK for several years and has been pivotal in modernising and developing the organisation’s strategy, alongside formulating and improving the effectiveness of messaging, policy themes and influencing, member engagement, industry asks and campaigns. 

Kevin has a strong blue-chip corporate background, with a significant focus on Transport and Logistics, and ground-breaking public/private partnerships. 

Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General, Rail Freight Group

Maggie Simpson is Director General of the Rail Freight Group, the representative body for rail freight in the UK. Since joining in 2005 she has worked to promote growth in rail freight and to support member companies of the Group in their activities. She is also a Trustee of the Railway Benefit Fund.

Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director - Policy, Logistics UK

Michelle Gardner was appointed Deputy Director of Policy for Logistics UK in October 2022, having previously joined as Head of Public Policy in February 2021. Michelle oversees the development and engagement of Logistics UK policy, including on topics such as road regulation, infrastructure, trade and decarbonisation. Michelle has a background in both policy and public affairs and prior to joining Logistics UK, she was Environmental Manager at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Previously she worked for the British Retail Consortium, first leading on public affairs and then on employment and health and safety policy. 

Mike Garratt, Managing Director, MDS Transmodal

Mike Garratt is the Chairman of MDS Transmodal. Mike has a first degree in economics and a masters degree in Transport Design. He worked initially as a local government transport planner, and subsequently as a researcher and then lecturer at the Universities of Leicester and Liverpool.

Mike co-founded the transport consultancy MDS Transmodal, which has now been trading since 1983. He specialises in rail freight, ports and maritime economics. Mike has conducted numerous studies for government, local authorities and the private sector. In the UK, he is a board member of the UK Rail Freight Group. Mike has been and continues to be involved with freight forecasting for amongst others; Department for Transport and Network Rail. He was instrumental in the concept and early design of the GB Freight Model and is heavily involved in freight modelling and freight transport economics consultancy in the UK and overseas.

Mike Garratt is regarded as one of the most informed observers of the rail, shipping and ports industries in the UK and is regularly called upon to speak at conferences and private seminars. He has developed global databases and models describing the supply, demand and performance in the global container industry and is currently or recently been working on studies for UNCTAD, the World Bank, national transport models in the Middle East, several freight models within Europe and in the UK ports industry.

Nichola Mallon, Head of Devolved Policy & Trade, Logistics UK

Nichola Mallon is Logistics UK’s Head of Trade and Devolved Policy. She joined the organisation in December 2022 and has over 14 years of senior leadership experience within local government, the devolved Assembly and devolved government in Northern Ireland. She is a former Lord Mayor of Belfast, worked as a Special Advisor to the NI Minister for Environment, was a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland for five years, and from January 2020 to May 2022, was the Minister for Infrastructure in the NI Executive with responsibility for the road and rail network, transport, planning and road safety. Within Logistics UK, Nichola is policy, spokesperson and stakeholder engagement lead for trade related issues impacting the 21,000 members of Logistics UK across the UK. 

Nick Harris, Chief Executive Officer, National Highways

Nick was appointed permanent Chief Executive in August 2021 and is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of National Highways and the performance of the Executive team, and accountable to the Board for the company’s performance. He is also responsible, as Accounting Officer, for safeguarding the public funds held by the company and for ensuring propriety, regularity, value for money and efficiency in the handling and use of public funds. His career includes senior operational roles in water utilities across the UK and overseas.

Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow

As Chief Communication & Sustainability Officer, Nigel leads Heathrow’s Carbon Strategy, Communications and Sustainability & Communities Teams. His responsibilities include protecting Heathrow’s reputation and ensuring the airport maintains its global leadership role in the decarbonisation of aviation through both practical measures and advocacy. He leads the airports liaison with external stakeholders on all policy issues across international, national and local government as well as business and represents Heathrow in the media and in public meetings. As Heathrow’s Director for External Affairs between 2013 and 2016, Nigel led the communications campaign to win public and political support for a third runway at the airport, before taking on the role of Director of Communications which included overcoming the internal and colleague communication challenges presented by the pandemic.  

Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability, DPD

Since January 2020 Olly Craughan has held the role of Head of Sustainability at DPD UK, the country's largest premium parcel delivery company. 
 
In his role he has led the company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable business practices. Since 2020 DPD UK has become the major player in the sustainable logistics and parcel delivery industry, introducing initiatives such as a Net Zero strategy (SBTi validated 2030 and 2040 targets), decarbonisation of the final mile fleet electric delivery vehicles, transitioning HGVs to HVO fuel, 100% renewable electricity throughout all buildings, resulting in a 47.5% emission reduction in all measured emissions from 2020-2024. 
 
Passionate about reducing DPD UK, the customer's and consumer's carbon footprint, he has worked with various partners, including both local and national Governments, businesses and environmental groups, to advance sustainability in the logistics and parcel industry. 

Priya Lakhani OBE, Founder and CEO, CENTURY Tech

Priya is the founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech, an award-winning education company that aids the implementation of AI and machine learning in classrooms. She is part of the AIDecoded team on the flagship BBC programme The Context, sharing her expertise into tech and business. 

Priya founded CENTURY Tech in 2013 with the vision to use technology to combat low rates of achievement in schools. Now operating in over sixty countries, CENTURY personalises learning for both students and educators, using AI to enhance student performance through offering real-time insights that aid their educational needs being met.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Priya is actively involved in non-executive advisory roles.  She co-founded the Institute for Ethical AI and served as a Non-Executive Board Member at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and on the UK Government's AI Council. Priya also worked with Sir Patrick Vallance and the Chancellor's team on the Government's review of AI regulation. She now sits on the UK Prime Minister’s Council of Science and Technology.  

As a recognised authority in AI and education, she has been honoured with prestigious business and entrepreneur awards, including an OBE, the Mayor's Fund Award, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, National Economic Innovator of the Year by the Spectator, and awarded an honorary doctorate by Coventry University's engineering faculty. She is also the author of Inadequate: The System Failing our Teachers and Your Children.

Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade

Sarah Jones was appointed as Minister of State at both the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade, on 8 July 2024. She was elected as the MP for Croydon West, formerly Croydon Central, in June 2017.

Stuart Rendall, Head of Depot Operations, Co-op

Stuart is responsible for E2E logistics service at Co-op - one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives. Stuart has responsibility for the strategic and operational delivery of Co-op Distribution Centres and 3rd party contracts. A 24-7 operation across 13 sites (UK & Northern Ireland) with the largest being a 661,000 sq ft composite distribution depot. 

  Stuart has more than 20 years’ experience in supply chain, logistics and end-to-end retail, specialising in FMCG grocery. He joined Co-op from John Lewis and Waitrose and Partners where responsibilities included the operational delivery of the Waitrose Distribution Centres and 3rd party contracts. 

Co-op operates more than 2,300 food stores, and a wholesale business supplying around 6,000 additional outlets. It is owned by its 6.2 million active member-owners, and is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK. 

Saul Resnick, Chief Executive Officer UK&I, DHL Supply Chain

Gareth Bacon MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Eleanor Edmonds, Director, Road Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel

Nick Potter, Transport Director, Tesco

David Goldsborough, Managing Director, Yusen Logistics