Logistics Week 2026

Professional Roundtable and Conference - Thursday 12 March

The Cavendish Building Agard Street, Derby, DE1 1DZ

We are proud to host our annual Logistics and Supply Chain Week again in 2026, this year at The Cavendish Building.

The event will bring together students, academics, and industry professionals to explore the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the logistics and supply chain sectors.

The week promises to be a hub of knowledge exchange, networking, and collaborative opportunities, with a focus on preparing the next generation of logistics professionals, and fostering partnerships between academia and industry.

Dr Pouria Liravi - Chair, Logistics and Supply Chain week

If you have any questions, please contact , Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management and Systems Improvement Research Cluster Lead at the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, via email p.liravi@derby.ac.uk.

Dr Pouria Liravi stands against a nature backdrop dressed in a suit and tie

Roundtable and Conference

As a key part of the programme, we will be hosting a professional roundtable along with workshops and panel Discussions, featuring experts from both academia and industry. These sessions will address topics such as supply chain sustainability, digital innovations, global logistics trends, and the role of technology in transforming the sector. Participants will gain valuable insights into emerging industry challenges and opportunities.

Professional Roundtable with Industry Leaders

Thursday 12 March, 10:00am

A professional roundtable event will bring together leading logistics and supply chain companies to engage in meaningful discussions with students and academics. This is a unique opportunity for participants to directly interact with decision-makers, share their ideas, and explore collaborative ventures.

Please note we have limited capacity for the round table event and invite you to register your interest via email s.jones@derby.ac.uk

Conference and Networking Reception

Thursday 12 March, 05:00pm

The theme for the conference is Skills for the Future: Leadership, Technology and Inclusion in the Workforce. Speakers from the logistics and supply chain sectors will share their perspectives on the future of the industry, with topics including automation, freight transport decarbonisation, and logistics innovations.

The conference will be followed by a networking reception, allowing participants to build connections with professionals and potential employers.

Book your place at the Conference and Network Reception

Event Speakers

Liam Holmes - Keynote speaker

Liam has worked for Toyota for over 30 years spending the bulk of his career in Human Resources and has also held management positions within Toyota’s vehicle manufacturing operations. In his current role Liam is responsible for health, safety, people development and employee relations at Toyota. Liam is also active in the local community undertaking roles as a school governor and as a trustee for a local Scouts group.

Find out more about Liam

A headshot of Liam Holmes

Helen Hardy - Keynote speaker

Helen Hardy is Interim Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK, where she has been leading the organisation through a period of strategic transformation. With a career spanning logistics and transport, staffing solutions, and the charity sector, Helen brings a rare combination of commercial insight, governance expertise, and people-centred leadership. Helen is passionate about building high-performing cultures and developing talent at every level. She is a strong advocate for continuous learning and is a part-qualified counsellor, which informs her empathetic yet outcomes-focused leadership style. Helen is committed to strengthening professional standards across the logistics and transport sector while ensuring organisations remain inclusive, resilient, and future-ready.

A person speaking at a stand

Clare Bottle - Keynote speaker

Clare is Chief Executive of the UK Warehousing Association. She's an advocate for creating a better future for warehousing in the UK by ensuring young people recognised the career opportunities within the sector, embracing the green revolution to make warehouses increasingly sustainable, and strengthening the reputation of the logistics industry with policy-makers and the wider public.

Find out more about Clare

Clare Bottle poses confidently against a dark blue background, resting her hand on her chin

Industry collaboration

Logistics and Supply Chain week 2026 is designed to strengthen the University's ties with the logistics sector. By inviting industry leaders and experts to share their experiences and insights, the University aims to foster long-term collaborations, create new research opportunities, and ensure that its programmes are aligned with the evolving needs of the industry.

The initiative will serve as a dynamic platform to bring together academia and industry, equipping students with the tools and networks they need to excel in the logistics sector while contributing to the growth and innovation of the industry.

Opportunities for students

Students will have opportunities to engage with leading companies, explore placement and employment prospects, and deepen their understanding of the logistics field.

The events will also allow students to showcase their skills and knowledge, making them an ideal platform for career development.

A group of people sat around a table talking

The Logistics and Supply Chain Week Conference 2026 is proudly sponsored by