Dealing with disruption

The seminar programme at Multimodal tackles the big issues head on as it highlights the risks of uncertainty around International trade and its implications for shippers.

On Day 1, the Here to help – weathering the perfect storm session, highlights how companies capable of adapting their working practices to the needs of the modern commercial landscape will benefit from a wealth of opportunities. But it also cautions the current and future logistics landscape is one that will be negotiated successfully only by companies able to recognise that opportunity, embrace innovation and adapt to operate in an unpredictable world. Major associations from across the supply chain will share a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities with a focus on how we can work better together. Chair is Peter Ward, CEO, United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA), with Maggie Simpson, director general, Rail Freight Group and Duncan Buchanan, policy director – England and Wales, Road Haulage Association.

Key note speaker on the first day, also tackling a similar theme is John Manners-Bell, CEO of consultancy Transport Intelligence, and he will ask: Why is the logistics industry vulnerable to disruption? Who are the disruptors? What will the future look like?

Other highlights from Day 1 include investigations into The Labour Crisis; Transforming Northern Freight Flows – the route to improving freight transport in the North; as well as a UKWA surgery on Opportunities for Success in the new digital world.

Brexit

Perhaps the highlight of Day 2 is a discussion on Brexit lessons and opportunities – Attracting and retaining talent, technological solutions, frictionless borders.

The UKWA’s Peter Ward once again chairs, with Speakers including: Pauline Bastidon, head of Global & European Policy, Freight Transport Association (FTA); Peter MacSwiney, chairman, ASM; Shahar Ayash, MD UK & Europe, Tigers; Tim Reardon, head of EU Exit, The Port of Dover; and John Keefe, public affairs director, Eurotunnel.

Other highlights include The Asian Century – looking beyond Brexit to opportunities in Far East, hosted by Mark Millar, managing partner, M Power Associates, Hong Kong and the discussion Roadmap to a world without food loss – how can cool chain partners collaborate to curb the waste? chaired by Stavros Evangelakakis, global product manager, Cargolux & Cool Chain Association chairman.

NextGen

At last year’s Multimodal a new community of young professionals in logistics and supply chain was set up. NextGen Logistics aims to connect tomorrow’s leaders in an initiative with the future of the industry in mind. On Day 3, there will be a presentation on the development of the scheme.

On Day 3, visitors will also see a presentation on Apprenticeships, as well as  an interactive seminar for students from local schools to take part in, led by front line industry experts and academics.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) will run a discrete set of seminars across the three days, tackling a broad range of issues from Brexit to Environment, to freight in a passenger-cretic railway network, and much else.

You can find full information on the show here – www.multimodal.org.uk