Tomorrows Warehouse Coventry
Seminar Programme
The 2025 agenda
If you'd like to speak at Tomorrow's Warehouse 2025 please contact our conference chair Simon Duddy at sduddy@westernbusiness.media
Times & sessions are preliminary and subject to change.
Seminar Programme
08:30 - 09:20
Registration, teas & coffees, table-top exhibition opens
09:20 - 09:30
Introduction
Simon Duddy (Editor, Logistics Matters)
Session 1 : Warehouse Automation
09:30 - 09:50
Why are SMEs struggling to adopt mobile warehouse robotics?
Adam Coventry (former Director of Warehousing, Boots)
Adam Coventry spent 20+ years at Boots, most notably as Director of Warehousing and is well versed in the use of automation and robotics to make a sleek logistics operation fly at an enterprise level. He asks, why are SMEs struggling to implement mobile robotics when the tech is there? Adam explores obstacles from personnel to integration, expertise and more, as well as suggesting ways forward.
09:50 - 10:10
tbc
tbc (tbc, tbc)
10:10 - 10:30
tbc
tbc (tbc, tbc)
tbc
10:30 - 11:00
Discussion Panel Q & A
Adam Coventry (former Director of Warehousing, Boots)
11:00 - 11:30
Break
Session 2 : Understanding transformative technologies
11:30 - 11:50
Modernising warehousing to cope with a fast pace of change
James Turpin (Director of Logistics, NHS Supply Chain)
James Turpin will outline how the NHS is modernising its warehousing and logistics to cope with increasingly diverse challenges, with best practice lessons for all warehouse operators.
11:50 - 12:10
tbc
tbc (tbc, tbc)
12:10 - 12:30
Understanding AI for warehousing
Martin Brickell (Director and Practice Lead for Fulfilment & Physical Logistics, Accenture UKI)
Martin will outline opportunities for AI in the warehousing sector, sorting out the hype from the reality. Join the session to see how you can benefit from new technology, help build realistic expectations around AI and learn what you need to do to be ready.
12:30 - 13:00
Discussion Panel Q&A
James Turpin (Director of Logistics, NHS Supply Chain)
Martin Brickell (Director and Practice Lead for Fulfilment & Physical Logistics, Accenture UKI)
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Session 3 : Understanding ransomware attacks
14:00 - 14:20
CASE STUDY Bouncing back from a cyber attack
Ross Eggleton (Group Director for Logistics, Supply Chain and Technology, Morrisons)
A ransomware attack hit IT services provider Blue Yonder just ahead of Peak 2024. This had ramifications for many of its customers, including Morrisons. Ross Eggleton says: "We lost WMS over fresh produce and bread in 21 warehouses across seven geographical locations, with total network down and system wide paralysis." Ross tells the story of how the team pulled together to rebuild an IT framework in record time and keep the operation in business.
14:20 - 14:40
Ransomware attacks - building a robust defence
Gavin Knapp (Cyber Defence Technical Lead, Bridewell)
James John (Incident Response Manager, Bridewell)
An expert view on how to prevent, prepare for and respond to ransomware attacks.
14:40 - 15:00
Discussion Panel Q & A
Ross Eggleton (Group Director for Logistics, Supply Chain and Technology, Morrisons)
Gavin Knapp (Cyber Defence Technical Lead, Bridewell)
James John (Incident Response Manager, Bridewell)
15:00 - 15:15
Break
WAREHOUSE TRANSFORMATION AWARDS - THE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED
Hosted by Simon Duddy - Editor, Logistics Matters
15:15 - 16:15
The Warehouse Transformation Awards are dedicated to honouring the people and teams who are at the cutting edge of achieving results in the warehouse and logistics sector, as we go through a period of unprecedented transformation.
Join us at the end of a productive day of learning for a drinks reception to honour our winners!
You can browse categories and enter free here
Deadline to enter is 28 February 2025.
16:15 - 16:20
Closing comments
Simon Duddy (Editor, Logistics Matters)
16:20
Close
Seminar Programme
08:30 - 09:20
Registration, teas & coffees, table-top exhibition opens
09:20 - 09:30
Introduction
Liza Helps (Property Editor, Logistics Matters)
The host will introduce the day’s proceedings
Session 1 : Midland Focus
09:30 - 09:50
Midlands Market Overview
Alex Thompson (Associate Director - Industrial & Logistics, Avison Young)
Location is paramount and for the logistics sector this often means se-curing the best space in the Midlands. Research from Avison Young put the total amount of Big Box grade A take-up at 7.4 million sq ft in the first six months of 2024 with the East Midlands accounting for 73% of the activity.
Alex Thompson, an Associate Director in Avison Young’s Industrial & Logistics team, covers the Midlands and will talk us through the market patterns and opportunities in this key region.
09:50 - 10:10
The lowdown on Big Box Developments
Jonathan Wallis (Director and Head of Northampton Office, Tritax Big Box Devel-opments)
Do you need guidance on what to consider when relocating your ware-house? Jonathan Wallis will outline the challenges and opportunities that loom large in any decision making process, drawing on recent case studies from the region and using data from the company’s own Future Spaces research.
10:10 - 10:30
TBC
TBC (TBC, TBC)
10:30 - 11:00
Discussion Panel Q&A
Alex Thompson (Associate Director - Industrial & Logistics, Avison Young)
Jonathan Wallis (Director and Head of Northampton Office, Tritax Big Box Developments)
11:00 - 11:30
Break
Session 2 : ESG Focus
11:30 - 11:50
TBC
TBC (TBC, TBC)
11:30 - 11:50
TBC
TBC (TBC, TBC)
11:50 - 12:10
TBC
TBC (TBC, TBC)
12:10 - 12:30
Warehouse solar - how it’s done
TBC (TBC, TBC)
SAS Energy, EDF Renewables’ C&I Solar Division, will co-present with a warehouse occupier customer outlining the process of making solar energy work for your facility.
12:30 - 13:00
Discussion Panel Q&A
TBC (TBC, TBC)
13:00 - 14:00