Best ever UKWA conference

Best ever UKWA conference

Last week, Victoria Pittman, Head of Client Services/Business Development at Granby and UK Warehousing Association Board member, attended the UKWA Conference in Nottingham. Victoria was joined by our MD, Caroline Noblett. This year’s Conference was bigger and better than ever. The event was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, located on the University of Nottingham Campus.

The event’s theme was ‘2024 The Year of Warehousing‘. The UKWA had designed a busy programme aimed at helping delegates empower their businesses, optimise their operations and secure their future.

UKWA Chief Executive, Clare Bottle called the event “the best conference in UKWA history”.

The conference

The conference kicked off with global economist Professor Trevor Williams who delivered a hard hitting analysis of the UK economy and worldwide geopolitical trends. He highlighted the fast pace of change and the current climate of uncertainty. However, he was also optimistic about continued growth and future opportunities for the sector. He also noted the rising importance of warehousing.

Specialist speakers discussed topical issues. These ranged from best practice in sustainability and combatting crime, to fast food warehousing and retaining a happy workforce. Industry leaders, including Nick Hay, CEO at Gist, and James Stephens, Vice President Corporate Affairs at DHL, offered expert insights. Nick spoke about his personal experience of mergers & acquisitions. James paid tribute to DHL’s partnership with UKWA, engaging with Government to raise the sector’s profile and increase industry influence on national policy, relating to energy, land use, skills and more.

James’ presentation showed how the UKWA policy team launched the association’s UKWA manifesto. The UKWA will present this manifesto to MPs at a Parliamentary Reception next month. Simon Edwards legal advisor from Aaron & Partners LLP, outlined important updates to the ‘gold standard’ UKWA Conditions of Contract. And Kevin Mofid, Head of Industrial & Logistics Research at Savills, unveiled key statistics and major shifts within the warehousing property market. The UKWA’s latest report “The next generation”, details the findings.

Victoria reports that the discussions were “…engaging, informative, insightful and even, challenging.” The lack of labour resource experienced by the warehousing sector needs action by the sector. This is an ongoing challenge for the whole membership.

Granby Initiatives

There were many takeaways for Caroline and Victoria to bring back to Granby. Notably, almost all of the initiatives called for by the conference are already being addressed by Granby. However, we know that there’s always more we can do!

As Victoria puts it “How are we going to bring the next generation on board? We are certainly doing our bit.”

Good Company

Many household names and brands joined Granby at this prestigious event. These included John Lewis, The White Company, McDonalds and Nestlé.

A Joyologist!

Donna Eastern, a self-styled ‘Joyologist’, was an entertaining after-dinner speaker. Donna captured the upbeat mood with her exuberant examination of human happiness at work. It isn’t every day you get a Joyologist encouraging an entire conference to be thankful for what we have, what we have achieved and what we have yet to achieve.

Best ever UKWA conference: A Fab event

Speaking of the success of the event, UKWA CEO Clare Bottle had this to say:

“This year’s National Conference has been truly exceptional, with over 200 attendees, more than 35 expert speakers and 20 exhibitors. Key themes to emerge were the continuing importance of people to the success of our sector and the imperative of innovative solutions in a volatile world. Thanks to all the organisers at the UKWA and to every speaker who shared their insights and enthusiasm.” Clare Bottle

Commenting post-event, this is how our own Managing Director saw the conference.

“I had a great time at my first UKWA conference, I took so much away to think about! Well done to Clare Bottle and the team for organising such a Fab event!” Caroline Noblett