CILT Chairman Professor Richard Wilding will deliver the keynote address at Europe’s largest road transport conference, the Microlise Transport Conference, on 16th May.
Wilding is a Professor of Supply Chain Strategy, Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Cranfield University, a pre-eminent institution in supply chain, logistics and transport research and teaching.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements and impact in the area of logistics and supply chain management, Wilding was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to Business.
In 2017, industry publication SHD Logistics presented Wilding with the Logistics100 award, given to the individual who has created the most significant impact within logistics during the previous year.
“Richard is a true power player in our industry,” said Bob Harbey, Microlise Executive Director. “He is an excellent presenter able to communicate complex issues with ease and bridge the divide between the academic and real worlds – not an easy feat. It is set to be a fascinating keynote that ties into our theme of innovation, technology and the future of the industry, starting a programme that features outstanding speakers.”
Professor Wilding joins an impressive line-up of speakers including Royal Mail, Arrival, TRL, Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain and Innovate UK.
“This is an excellent opportunity for me to outline how technology and effective management can lead to innovation and improved practice,” said Wilding. “As one of the most important dates in the UK’s road transport calendar, the Microlise Transport Conference has been on my radar for a number of years. It will be a pleasure to deliver the keynote to such a large audience of logistics professionals.”
The main conference agenda, where Professor Wilding will deliver the keynote, is supported by three focused workshops including an all-new Innovation Zone. The event also has a sizable exhibition area featuring prominent transport brands, industry suppliers and other organisations, including Transaid – the international transport development organisation supported by Microlise.
The free-to-attend Microlise Transport Conference attracted over 1,200 delegates last year, filling the 6,000 square metre hall at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
In 2018, the conference is building on its innovation and technology focus, offering insight on the industry’s big topics from platooning and alternative fuels; to skills, compliance and inevitably, the effects on the industry of Brexit.