University delivers Collect+ CEO for annual Logistics Week

The University of Derby is set to host its annual Logistics Week, which includes a keynote presentation from Collect+ CEO and Chair of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Neil Ashworth.

Logistics Week is organised by the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement in the College of Business at the University and is just one of a number of ways the CILT supports the logistics sector. It will take place February 23-27, 2015 and ‘Last Mile Logistics’ - this years’ theme, is centred around rapid e-commerce growth and its effects on the industry.

Throughout the week, industry-leading organisations, including Norbert Dentressangle, CEVA Logistics, DHL, Thorntons, and Kuehne and Nagel will visit the University to give talks to students. There will be a free, public conference 5-8pm, February 26 at Kedleston Road, Derby.

On the evening, visitors will be invited to look around the University Employability Hub and find out how the Hub can support their business. Professor Martin Christopher, Visiting Professor at the University of Derby, will open the event.

Neil Ashworth will lead the presentation in the evening on February 26. He says: “In the world of retail there is a revolution under way, and one in which Britain leads the world. The eyes of the global retail community are upon us as we strive to establish new norms and new service standards for the connected consumer.

“As a well-established hub of innovation in manufacturing and transportation, it is fantastic to see the city of Derby as host to a week of stimulating thought and innovation for the future of the logistics industry both at home and abroad.”

Talking about the event, Professor Ming Lim, Head of Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, said: “This is the fourth year we’ve run Derby Logistics Week. Every year we receive overwhelming responses from large and small companies within the sector to explore the trend and challenges in the market and with joint opinions to identity opportunities addressing the issues. Last year we looked at Low Carbon Logistics and this year our ‘Last Mile Logistics’ theme will shed some light on the impact of rapid e-commerce growth on the industry.”

Tony Foster, Chair of the CILT East Midlands, added: “'It’s hard to think of a more exciting period to be involved in the world of logistics and it is vital that we attract some of the best new talented students to work in the sector. With this in mind, the CILT is proud to have been instrumental in establishing Logistics Week at the University of Derby and to have supported the efforts of the University as the event has grown year by year.”