Tomorrows Warehouse Manchester

Seminar Programme

The 2025 agenda

If you’d like to speak at Tomorrow's Warehouse Live please contact our conference chair Simon Duddy at [email protected]

Times & sessions are preliminary and subject to change.

Seminar Programme :
Main Theatre

08:30 - 09:20

Registration, teas & coffees, table-top exhibition opens

09:20 - 09:30

Introduction

Simon Duddy (Editor, Logistics Matters)
Session 1 : Automation
09:30 - 09:50

Lessons learned on warehouse automation

Paul Gaish (Warehouse Excellence Manager, Warburtons)
Warburton’s drastically reduced manual handling - an estimated reduction of 90,000km of operator walking annually - significantly improving safety and efficiency with an award-winning AGV project.

Paul Gaish talks through the project, its rationale, its installation process, and most of all, the lessons learned.
09:50 - 10:10

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.
10:10 - 10:30

Warehouse Automation Excellence

Scott Torrington (Managing Director UK & Ireland, Element Logic)
The Tomorrow’s Warehouse Event Manchester headline sponsor Element Logic presents on how you can achieve excellence in the warehouse automation arena.
10:30 - 11:00

Discussion Panel Q & A

Paul Gaish (Warehouse Excellence Manager, Warburtons)
Adam Coventry (former Director of Warehousing, Boots)
Steven Timberlake (VP Sales Northern Europe, Infios)
Scott Torrington (Managing Director UK & Ireland, Element Logic)
11:00 - 11:30

Break

Session 2 : Transformation
11:30 - 11:50

Wake up call on digital twins

Simon Ratcliffe (Retail Logistics Leader)
The implications of the digital twin on logistics and warehousing will be radical and the industry has not yet woken up to this. Simon Ratcliffe has worked for The White Company, Debenhams, Fat Face and more as a supply chain and warehousing leader and he will present on how logistics professionals need to get to grips with digital twins now and how this shift in technology will change the emphasis of their roles in the coming years.
11:50 - 12:10

Making automation work for you

Simon Phillips (Logistics Director, Emma Bridgewater Ltd)
Simon draws on current experience with a heritage pottery manufacturer and previous experience with a large scale retailer (Pets at Home) to explore the issues to consider when implementing automated projects, taking into account cultural fit, people issues, budget constraints and much else
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 and help build realistic expectations around AI and what you need to do to be ready.
12:30 - 13:00

Discussion Panel Q & A

Martin Brickell (Director and Practice Lead for Fulfilment & Physical Logistics, Accenture UKI)
Simon Ratcliffe (Retail Logistics Leader)
Simon Phillips (Logistics Director, Emma Bridgewater Ltd)
13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

Session 3 : From Warehouse to Boardroom: Women Navigating Logistics
14:00 - 14:15

The Logistics Undergraduate

Megan Lynch (Transition and Transformation Degree Apprentice, CEVA Logistics)
Step into the world of logistics through the eyes of three dynamic women at distinct stages of their professional journeys. Here, Megan speaks of the challenges faced, and aspirations of, a logistics undergraduate.
14:15 - 14:30

Recent Graduate

Sian Coley (Operations Manager, CEVA Logistics)
Whether you’re exploring a career path or aiming to advance within the sector, this session offers valuable insights, real-world lessons, and motivation to move your own journey forward. Recent Graduate Sian presents.
14:30 - 14:45

Established Manager

Debbie Godkin (Managing Director for Air & Ocean UKI, CEVA Logistics)
Debbie shares experiences revealing the evolving landscape of logistics and the powerful role women are playing in shaping its future.
14:40 - 15:00

Discussion Panel Q & A

Megan Lynch (Transition and Transformation Degree Apprentice, CEVA Logistics)
Sian Coley (Operations Manager, CEVA Logistics)
Debbie Godkin (Managing Director for Air & Ocean UKI, CEVA Logistics)
15:00 - 15:15

Break

Session 4
15:15 - 16:15

Forklift Incident: Real Life Impact

Lisa Ramos (Health & Safety Accident Impact Speaker)
Lisa Ramos was working in a warehouse when she was struck by a forklift. Here, she discusses the short and long term physical and psychological impacts, as well as the knock-on impact on her family. Lisa’s partner Dave Garton co-presents. This session is hosted by UKMHA Chief Executive Rob Fisher. Attendees will never overlook forklift safety again.
16:15 - 16:20

Closing comments

Simon Duddy (Editor, Logistics Matters)
16:20

Close

Seminar Programme :
Property Theatre

08:30 - 09:20

Registration, teas & coffees, table-top exhibition opens

09:20 - 09:30

Introduction

Our host will introduce the day's proceedings.
Session 1 : North West Focus
09:30 - 09:50

Rethinking the Urban Industrial Estate

Mike Teague (Head of Industrial & Logistics, Corstorphine & Wright Architects)
Urban industrial is evolving but are long-established standards holding it back? Mike Teague brings sharp insights from the design frontline and will explore how long-held perceptions can be challenged and identifies where space and flexibility can be generated without operational compromise unlocking value. Drawing on Corstorphine & Wright’s extensive experience in Industrial & Logistics, Mike offers a fresh take on what best practice really looks like in the multi-let and urban industrial market and why the sec-tor may require a reset.
09:50 - 10:10

Analysis of the market in the North-West

Lewis Rapley (Logistics Research Associate, Savills)
Lewis takes a look at the key North-West region in terms of the warehouse property sector, offering insights and advice for occupiers looking to secure their next move.
10:10 - 10:30

Occupying a Warehouse - Key Points from a Legal perspective

Matthew Williamson (Partner, Weightmans)
How do you make sure you are getting a fair deal? It can be complica-ted but the ideal warehouse contract takes into account the contrasting needs of both landlord and occupier. From an occupier’s perspective, what points do you need to consider when entering a negotiation? Matthew Williamson provides insights.
10:30 - 11:00

Discussion Panel Q&A

Mike Teague (Head of Industrial & Logistics, Corstorphine & Wright Architects)
Matthew Williamson (Partner, Weightmans)
Lewis Rapley (Logistics Research Associate, Savills)
11:00 - 11:30

Break

Session 2 : Addressing Occupier Concerns
11:30 - 11:50

Tips and Insights for Occupiers

Will Laing (Partner, Newmark)
Delving into the critical supply and demand dynamics that occupiers need to understand for their business needs, Will offers tips and insights to put you in the best position possible to secure an optimal warehouse property
11:50 - 12:10

Powering Smarter Warehouses: Cutting Costs and Carbon

Stephen Lankfer (Associate Director, Ennovus Solutions)
Warehouses are under increasing pressure to reduce energy costs, lower carbon emissions, and improve operational efficiency, often without dedicated in-house resource. In this session, Stephen Lankfer will explore the key energy and sustainability challenges facing warehouse occupiers today and the practical steps you can take to address them. From identifying hidden energy waste to submetering and on-site renewables, discover actionable strategies that help you cut costs, stay compliant, and build a more resilient future for your operations.
12:10 - 12:30

The Challenge of Slashing Warehouse Energy Costs to 3p/kWh

Tony Waite (Founder & CEO, Sol PV Group)
Warehouses face a tough reality, energy prices remain stubbornly high at 25–30p per unit, eating into margins and creating long-term cost uncertainty. The challenge is how to cut those costs dramatically while also reducing carbon. In this session, Tony Waite will explore how logistics operators can meet that challenge head-on with solar - bringing energy costs down to as little as 3p per unit. He’ll outline the practical steps, from funding to installation, that make solar a straightforward, scalable solution for warehouses looking to control costs and secure a sustainable future.
12:30 - 13:00

Discussion Panel Q&A

Will Laing (Partner, Newmark)
Tony Waite (Founder & CEO, Sol PV Group)
Stephen Lankfer (Associate Director, Ennovus Solutions)
Dave Travis (Head of Manchester Office, Tritax Big Box Developments)
13:00 - 14:00

Lunch and finish