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It's party conference time and Logistics UK are out and about representing members' interests

The party conference season has begun and the Logistics UK team is across it all, talking to the key opinion leaders and policy makers from across the UK, hosting events at the Labour and Conservative conferences and networking at the Liberal Democrat and SNP conferences too.

Logistics UK's CEO David Wells OBE, Policy Director Kevin Green and other Logistics UK policy figures are joining key politicians from across all parties and prominent industry leaders from companies, including SEGRO and DHL, at events this month to discuss the role and potential of logistics in the economy.

Alexandra Herdman, Logistics UK Senior Policy Manager - Scotland, kicked things off on Friday 30 August at the SNP Business Day in Edinburgh.

The day began with a breakfast session with the First Minister, who spoke about challenging times for public finances and that there is a need for public investment to be complemented by private sector funding.

Herdman asked the First Minister what his priorities are for the logistics sector. He responded positively, highlighting the Highland Spring depot in Blackford as an example of how public and private partnerships can be successful, but also that they can be challenging projects.

He added that he would also like to foster more conversations about potential partnerships and drive modal shift, support forestry projects and major infrastructure needs.

“I was encouraged to hear the First Minister recognise the role of modal shift in cutting emissions and supporting a just transition to net zero," commented Herdman. "However, with public finances also being ‘challenging’, and cuts to mode shift grants in Scotland, how this will be achieved is going to be a significant task.”

Upcoming events include the Liberal Democrat Business Day on 16 September, which will be attended by Logistics UK's Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Ben Garratt, and the following:

Labour Party Conference

‘Driving growth across the UK: how to unleash the power of logistics’ panel discussion sponsored by DHL and SEGRO

Date: Monday 23 September Time: 17:30 -18:45

Location: Meeting Room A, ACC Liverpool

Speakers:

•          Adam Payne, Political Editor, Politics Home (chair)

•          Kevin Green, Director of Policy & Communications, Logistics UK

•          James Stephens, Vice President Corporate Affairs UK & Ireland, DHL

•          Neil Impiazzi, Partnership Development Director, SEGRO

•         Kate Willard OBE, Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board

•          Lilian Greenwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport (invited)

•          Bill Esterson MP, Member of Parliament for Sefton Central (confirmed)

The Global Trade and Logistics Reception in partnership with Heathrow, Rail Freight Group, Rail Partners and the Port of Dover.

Date: Tuesday 24 September Time: 18:00–19:00

Location: Heathrow Lounge, Riverside Balcony, ACC Liverpool

Speakers:

•          Nigel Milton, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, Heathrow

•          David Wells OBE, CEO, Logistics UK

•          Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport (invited)

•          Nick Thomas–Symonds, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (invited)

Conservative Party Conference

‘Driving growth across the UK: how to unleash the power of logistics’ panel discussion sponsored by DHL and SEGRO

Date: Monday 30 September Time: 17:15–18:30

Location: Hall 10B, ICC Birmingham

Speakers:

•          Adam Payne, Political Editor, Politics Home (chair)

•          Kevin Green, Director of Policy & Communications, Logistics UK

•         James Stephens, Vice President Corporate Affairs UK & Ireland, DHL

•          Neil Impiazzi, Partnership Development Director, SEGRO

•          Greg Smith MP, Shadow Transport Minister and Shadow Business and Trade Minister (confirmed)

•          Maria Machancoses, CEO, Midlands Connect

The Global Trade and Logistics Reception in partnership with Heathrow, Rail Freight Group, Rail Partners and the Port of Dover.

Date: Monday 30 September Time: 20:00 – 21:00

Location: Heathrow Lounge, ICC Birmingham

Speakers:

•          Nigel Milton, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, Heathrow

•          David Wells OBE, Chief Executive, Logistics UK

•         Greg Smith MP, Shadow Business and Trade Minister and Shadow Transport Minister (invited)

•         Nigel Huddleston MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury (invited)

Published On: 05/09/2024 14:30:00

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News In Brief

Automated passenger vehicles begin Highland trials

Two driverless passenger vehicles are being trialled in the Highlands.

A four-seater Aurrigo Auto-Pod has been offered to passengers on a 750m-long route between Inverness Airport and nearby Dalcross railway station, while a larger, 10-seater Aurrigo Auto-Shuttle is to be used to offer transport around the University of the Highlands and Islands' campus in Inverness.

The project partners the University of Glasgow, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans), Aurrigo International plc, Stagecoach North Scotland and Darwin Innovation Group Ltd, and the trial is running until the end of August.

Professor David Keene from project partner University of Glasgow said: "Operating at Inverness Airport highlights the diverse environments where Aurrigo’s automated vehicles can truly make an impact."

Hitrans director Ranald Robertson added: "The trial will test two different types of driverless shuttle with both operations providing a real test of what this technology can offer both at Inverness Airport and Inverness Campus."