Digital Transformation in Logistics Speakers
Andy Street CBE, Mayor of the West Midlands
Andy Street was elected as the first Mayor of the West Midlands in May 2017. Andy was re-elected to serve a second term as Mayor in May 2021. The primary function of the role is to chair the West Midlands Combined Authority and brings with it significant powers over transport, housing, skills and jobs.
Before becoming Mayor, Andy combined a career with John Lewis, Britain’s most successful workers’ co-operative, with a host of high-profile economic development roles, working with local and national government.
Starting on the John Lewis graduate scheme, Andy rose through the ranks to become Managing Director, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the company’s history.
He was the Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership between 2011 and 2016, helping to build the relationships that have underpinned the economic growth of the region. Additionally, he has been lead non-executive director for the Department for Communities and Local Government as well as a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group.
Outside of work, Andy is passionate about the arts, particularly in the West Midlands, having previously served as Vice Chairman of Performances Birmingham Limited, which is responsible for running the City’s Symphony and Town Halls.
In June 2015, Andy was awarded the CBE for services to the national economy. He was named the ‘Most Admired Leader’ of the year by business magazine, Management Today in 2014. He received the ‘President’s award’ from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in for his work in the region. He holds three honorary degrees, from Birmingham City University, Aston University and the University of Birmingham.
Charlotte Le Maire, Specialist Criminal & Road Regulatory Lawyer, Partner, LMP Legal
Charlotte Le Maire is a barrister and specialist criminal defence and regulatory lawyer with over 15 years’ experience in legal defence, specialising in road traffic & transport law. She is frequently instructed to provide critical advice in the immediate aftermath of a serious or fatal incident.
She is recognised for her commercial approach, providing advice that takes into consideration the significant impact of the incident and investigation, as well as the wider reputational risks. Charlotte has extensive experience in representation at PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) and other interviews, and frequently appears in all criminal courts to represent corporate bodies or individuals. Charlotte has a formidable reputation for standing up to prosecuting authorities.
Charlotte is recognised nationally as a leader in the field of Fleet Risk and is regularly invited by corporates, insurers, brokers and fleet risk charities to provide training in relation to road safety matters, as well as providing practical solutions to criminal and regulatory challenges. Charlotte is the brainchild behind LMP FLEET, offering drivers 24/7 legal protection at the roadside as well as general risk management and support for fleets of all sizes.
Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer, National Highways
Elliot Shaw is Chief Customer & Strategy Officer at National Highways. This is the government company that operates, maintains and improves England’s 4,500-mile strategic road network (SRN) of motorways and major A-roads. Elliot’s responsibilities include SRN strategy, National Highways’ organisational transformation agenda, its analytical and economist functions, external communications and its relationships with key statutory and regulatory bodies, including the Office for Rail and Road and Transport Focus.
Before joining National Highways, Elliot worked at the Ministry of Justice and Department for Transport. Prior to this, Elliot was a management consultant, working in Accenture’s UK and US strategy practices. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, has been a Public Policy Fellow at Cambridge University and completed the Major Projects Leadership Academy at Oxford Said Business School.
Alison Martin, Single Trade Window Lead for Business Change and Readiness, Single Trade Window team, HMRC Transformation
Alison is a career Civil Servant who has sought (and been offered) challenging roles that demand a different type of thinking from the standard.
With a background in VAT and Customs, both practically (Managing Teesport in the 90s, Coquelles freight terminal in the early 2000s and Gatwick at the outset of UKBA) and through projects linked to early technology ambition (TASFIS, COAST and eBorders) she has developed a strong sense of what drives those involved in this complex business area and is keen to ensure that passion is harnessed in developments in HMG.
Alison led the Customs impacting team within HMRC immediately following Brexit and has worked with cross-Government colleagues to develop learning to support those involved in this area.
During COVID she stepped out into DHSC and expended her remit to contract and finance management, returning to HMRC and this role in January this year.
Business and behavioural change is a strong thread through Alison’s career and she is looking forward to developing partnership working with potential users which will be key to ensuring the success of STW.
Mark Johnson, National Customs and Trade Control Director, Kuhene + Nagel
I have spent some 40 years in the logistics industry, joining it via a dedicated Customs role that took me through the process of joining Single Market back in January 1993. My progression in this industry saw me spend a period of time working in the United States of America but prior to my current role, I spent 10 years as Kuehne + Nagel UK National Operations Director, responsible for all KNUK Branches that handles International Freight operationally, which equated to 65% of KN’s UK contribution in EBIT.
My current remit also included the roll-out of Brexit within Kuehne + Nagel, covering Customers, Technology and People to ensure a smooth transition.
Representing Kuehne + Nagel, I have, since Dec 2017, positioned myself front and Centre with the UK Government being only one of two logistics providers sitting on the UK’s Governments Cross Border and Protocol Delivery Group(BPDG) now called the Business, Trade and Brexit Opportunity Unit (BTBOU). Once the UK Government secured the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) on the 31 January 2020, my UK Government engagement changed, it was then formalised, and Kuehne + Nagel began a different engagement that saw me take the role as a key stakeholder, trusted advisor and critical friend for twelve months through to February 2021. Whilst the formal engagement has stopped, I remain as close to the Brexit Trade and Business Opportunities Unit (BTBOU) working on the UK Governments initiative of having the most effective border in the world by 2025 with direct face to face engagement on the ‘Draft’ Target Border Operating Model, endeavouring to have an influence on bringing this document to a final version that will work with industry. This includes but not limited to the UK national Single Trader Window, the EcoSystem of Trust, revised Trusted Trader scheme and engaging on the 2025 budgeted ‘Customs Simplification Policy paper. I also sit on the UK Gov’s Export Advisory Group (EAG).
Paul Durkin, Chief Customer & Innovation Officer, Wincanton
Paul was appointed Chief Customer and Innovation Officer in June 2021.
Accountable for Innovation, Product Development, Sales and Marketing, Paul is focussed on achieving sustainable growth underpinned by People and Technology.
Prior to this Paul led Wincanton’s eFulfilment business, responsible for developing our ‘direct to customer’ propositions for clients such as IKEA, Wickes and M&S.
Paul has a passion for developing people, chairs the Chartered Institute of Transport & Logistics ASPIRE foundation and is an active sponsor for Generation Logistics. Paul is married with two grown up children and two very lively spaniels, Ripley and Nala.
Tim Robinson, CEO, Doddle
Tim Robinson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Doddle, is an accomplished entrepreneur with over three decades of experience working across large public sector industries and private businesses. Tim was inspired to establish Doddle in March 2014, with a vision to make e-commerce more sustainable and convenient for consumers, retailers, and carriers. Doddle’s delivery and returns software products are now used by market leading logistics businesses across the globe. A resilient leader with a track record of navigating companies through significant transformation, Tim spent a decade in executive roles in logistics, transport, and freight in both the UK and internationally.
Kenneth Malmberg, Senior Director Market Development and Alliances, Ridecell
Kenneth Malmberg is the Senior Director of Market Development and Alliances at Ridecell responsible for creating new strategic business initiatives and co-operations, with key 3rd party companies.
Kenneth has extensive international experience in the Automotive and Mobile Telecoms/IoT services industry, having been involved in bringing several innovative Connected Car, Mobility, and Fleet solutions to market.
Prior to joining Ridecell Kenneth was Business Development Lead for Infotainment and Telematics at General Motors, where he was responsible for launching GM’s B2B Connected Car offering in Europe. His experience before joining GM was in a number of key Business Development and Strategic Alliance Management roles with the Nokia Corporation.
In addition to a Diploma in Electrical Engineering Kenneth holds a BBA in International Business from Schiller International University, and a MBA from University of Warwick, Warwick Business School.
John Court, Director, John Court Associates
In a career spanning four decades, John has held board and technology leadership roles with several FTSE 250 plc's and private equity held entities, including Eddie Stobart, CEVA Logistics, TNT Express (now FedEx) and Masternaut (now Michelin Connected Fleet).
In this time John has worked alongside many leading brands, such as Apple, Rolls Royce, Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, Volkswagen Audi Group, Coca-Cola, Tesco and Johnson & Johnson, designing and delivering innovative, differentiating digital solutions to underpin a range of logistics services, including advanced warehousing, e-commerce & fulfilment, international air and sea freight, road freight (FTL & LTL), rail freight, and express mail and parcel services.
Twice named a UK Top 100 CIO, John has received independent industry recognition for technology innovation, service quality and operational excellence.
John now works independently with a small number of clients as an executive advisor and board consultant. His areas of particular interest include formulation of technology strategy, complex digital transformation, acquisition due diligence & post-acquisition integration, scale-up of high-growth tech businesses, business & technology alignment, technology sourcing strategy and digital operating models.
John lives with his family in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands and is a keen rugby union fan and club golfer.
Dr Alasdair Ritchie, Head of SME Development, Connected Places Catapult
Dr Alisdair Ritchie is Head of SME Development at the Connected Places Catapult, the UK's innovation accelerator for transport, smart cities, and place leadership. Alisdair and his team manage the Catapult's network of 4,300+ SMEs, delivers the highly successful Department for Transport's TRIG (Transport Research Innovation Grant) programme which has seen more than £12M of funding delivered to more than 250 SMEs and leads the £7.5m Freight Innovation Fund programme. The team’s role is to foster innovation and integrate diverse SME capabilities across all the Catapult’s activities and with its partners. The SME Development teams develop and deliver commercial, and CR&D, frameworks that enable SMEs to innovate, build partnerships, and seek investment with partners across government departments, local authorities, key commercial partners and globally.
Alisdair has previously been part of the management team of the PETRAS National Cybersecurity Centre, led the development of mobility testbeds at the University of Warwick and has provided management consultancy services across a number of industries including media, telecoms and transport.
Joe Dunleavy, VP Head of Innovation, Endava
Joseph Dunleavy is an Innovation, Software Delivery, FinTech, Design, Product and Business lead experienced executive with 20+ years professional experience. He currently works in the role of Global Head of Innovation at Endava (NYSE: DAVA) reporting into company’s CTO, Matt Cloke.
Before the sale of Pramerica to TCS (Dec, 2020), Joe worked for Prudential Financial Inc. / Pramerica for 16 years based in both Letterkenny, Ireland for 13 years as well as in the US on a 3-year international rotation from 2012 to 2015. He has held several leadership roles including Innovation Head, Interim Global Product Acceleration Head, US based Interim CIO, Software Development Lead and Technical Project Manager. Before Pramerica Joe worked in an IT start-up company called Nooked in Sligo, Ireland and Microsoft at their European Development Center in Dublin, Ireland.
Mark Scott, Commercial Director, CNS Online
Mark Scott is the Commercial Director at CNS. Mark’s core mission is to steer CNS towards new horizons, with a core focus on business development, product expansion and market penetration.
Originating from a logistics backdrop, Mark embarked on his career with industry giant Maersk. He then transitioned to the Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain sector, where he flourished as the Head of Sales. Eventually, his growing intrigue in technology led him to explore the tech domain — a personal passion that resonates with his professional trajectory.
Mark lives in Sunny Felixstowe with his family and is a keen football fan supporting his local team, Ipswich Town FC.
Richard Morris, Innovate Lead - Autonomous & Connected Vehicles, Innovate UK UKRI
Richard joined Innovate UK in November 2017 as the Innovation Lead for Connected & Autonomous Vehicles after 28 years in the automotive industry (mainly Nissan & MIRA). He facilitates competitions funded by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) for collaborative R&D and UKCAV test bed. His many years of experience in such R&D projects and developing novel automotive test facilities has provided a good technical basis for the role. He also supports CCAV and Zenzic in a consultative role where appropriate.
He is enthusiastic about useful new innovations in the automotive industry and making connections across industry to allow excellent projects to form and develop into successful products and services.
In addition to vehicle autonomy, he has interests in electric drivelines, including building and being race engineer for Nissan’s first UK built EV. He also has interest in structural applications for advanced materials, being the first to use carbon fibre and Kevlar composite materials in Robot Wars.
Steve Mills, Ex-IT Director, DPD Group
Steve had a long, successful and distinguished career working for DPD UK for 31 years, 22 as the Director of IT. Originally he joined the company in 1992 as an Analyst/Programmer, he performed several roles before becoming the Director of IT. In 2018 he became the company's Ambassador for Inclusion. He founded the highly thought of and award-winning DPD 'Inspire' programme and helped DPD to become a Disability Confident Employer and member of the Valuable 500.
Steve retired in June 2023 with a new passion for helping disabled people get into paid employment opportunities and as a result, he is a Trustee and Board member of DFN Project Search and DiscoverU. He also works for the British Association for Employment (BASE) and is an Enterprise Advisor for Haylesbury School, in Halesowen.
A 'brummie' he now lives in Stourbridge, West Midlands. He has been married to Alex for 35 years and has three grown-up children. He is a practicing Catholic, playing an active part in the community, including being a Trustee at the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham.
Steve loves playing sport of any kind and music from a variety of different genres. He also has a passion for food and drink, enjoying baing, cooking and gardening.
Paul Bathgate, Principle Director, ECO2 Loco
Paul developed his understanding for digital communication and information systems as a senior engineering officer with the Royal Air Force. He has since held varied roles within the Aerospace Industry, latterly within the innovation sector; exploring how military know-how and technology can be applied to address societal challenges, most notably in the Energy and Transport sectors.
More recently held positions within the UK rail freight sector has enabled Paul to create a business model aimed at attracting ‘new-to-rail’ freight customers to switch from road (HGVs) to intermodal rail freight services. This business model is funding the development of a digital platform RailX, a digital marketplace to buy and sell spare rail freight capacity.
As a co-founder of RailX, Paul is excited by the prospect of helping to support the modal-shift of freight from road to rail, helping to reduce congestion on UK roads and enabling customers of RailX to unlock the benefits of rail freight to achieve immediate cost benefits and measurable reductions in their CO2.
Ash Connell, Commercial Director, r2c
Ash has worked at r2c for 5 years, starting in Sales and Account Management roles. He is now the Commercial Director and oversees many key areas of the business. He has worked in the automotive industry for over 15 years.
Mike Gibbons, CIO, Aggregate Industries
Mike became CIO of Aggregate Industries (part of the Lafarge Holcim Group) in January 2008 with responsibilities for delivering value to the organisation through IT and business process improvement. Since then, he has focused on automation and simplification of process and systems and the creation of a digital and innovation team for the rapid deployment of mobile and static Apps.
Mike is a founder member of the Construction sector CIO forum and Trustee Director of the combined Aggregate and Lafarge Pension plans.
Prior to this appointment Mike was Director of Group IT for Aggregate Industries plc, covering all areas of the business across the UK and US.
Mike started his career as a Mechanical Engineer with Lucas Electrical before moving into IT - holding Senior Project Management positions with Lucas Electrical ltd and then Land Rover plc.
Mark Urbanowski, Principal Engineer, Micromobility, University of Warwick
Mark joined WMG in November 2022 to take forward its work on micromobility across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, societal and legislation themes, working closely with industry, user groups, policy makers and other key stakeholders.
Previously he spent three years at Innovate UK, helping to develop high value power electronics, machines and drives supply chains and manufacturing capability in the UK. Mark led competitions for over £30m of CR&D funding, and was innovation lead for a £50m portfolio of funded projects.
His background is in automotive attribute engineering and vehicle testing. At Ricardo, Mark worked alongside engineers at automotive, heavy-duty vehicle and motorcycle OEMs across the world, before taking the opportunity to lead the Performance and Driveability attribute team on the Dyson EV project.
Francis McKinney, Head of Technology and Insights, Zenzic
Francis McKinney is a Chartered Engineer, holding both a Bachelor's degree in Electrical & Electronic Systems Engineering and a Masters in Control Engineering. With a career spanning over two decades, he currently serves as the Head of Technology & Insights at Zenzic.
Prior to his role at Zenzic, Francis gained experience in the defense sector and held positions at notable companies, including British Aerospace, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins Highways and Transportation, Ricardo, and EDAG UK.
Francis specialises in leading technically complex projects which are multidisciplinary and have systems engineering at their core.
Mark Grimshaw-Smith, Head of Rail and Sea, Cemex
Mark has over 30 years management experience in construction logistics and supply chain in the UK, Europe and Mexico across all transport modes. For the past 15 years Mark has focused on growing and developing the rail capability for CEMEX with a proven track record in establishing and developing new depots and flows. Mark also leads a rail best practice team across EMEA for CEMEX with oversight of rail operations in France, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic and Croatia.
Kevin Green, Director of Marketing and Communications, Logistics UK
Kevin Green is the Marketing & Communications Director for Logistics UK – one of the biggest business groups in the UK: supporting, shaping and standing up for safe and efficient Logistics. Kevin has worked in leadership roles for a number of large corporates including Capita, Logica, Mitie, Balfour Beatty, KPMG and PwC.
Project highlights include working on the sale and implementation for major Public Private Partnerships, including; Congestion Charging in London, The Criminal Records Bureau, and HS2, and delivering The Skills Show for 100,000 young people.