The CILT UK's annual Women in Logistics Conference took place at Active Ants' warehouse in Northampton, with the theme 'Collaboration for Success'.

Over 170 attendees gathered for the event with Chair of the Women in Logistics Forum, Ruth Waring FCILT, describing it as the biggest event the forum has ever run.

It began with a panel discussion featuring Alison Moriarty, Client Compliance Director for Beverley Bell Consulting & Training, Hannah Morris, Managing Director of One World, and Nicola Ashworth, Multichannel Operations Manager for Harvey Nichols.

The panel was hosted by Karen Crispe FCILT, Director for Convey Technologies.

A key topic discussed was the future of AI within the industry. Many showed mixed opinions but also believed AI will become an essential tool in the future of the logistics industry.

Commenting on the future of Artificial Intelligence, Hannah Morris said: “I think AI is just one of the many tools we have available to us.

"What is particularly interesting about AI within the logistics and supply chain industry is there is more opportunity to elevate decision making and really manage exceptions and data quality to make better decisions.”

After a networking break, Rob Gittins, Managing Director of Palletways, and Vanessa Young, Director of Ketra Logistics, discussed their successful business partnership.

Guests then toured Active Ants' facilities, which use autonomous mobile robotics for fulfilment, including 'Worker Ants', 'Carrier Ants', and 'Packing Ants' robots assisted by staff known as the 'Active Ants'.

In the afternoon, Sarah Homer, CEO of Brackmills Industrial Estate, presented on 'Collaboration for Sustainability' and mentioned their humanitarian aid for Ukraine via support trips.

Bethany Windsor, CILT's Director of Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship, discussed the 'Generation Logistics' campaign promoting logistics careers.

Dawn Richmond and Cathy Earnshaw Balding from GXO Logistics gave an inspiring talk on 'Collaboration for Skills', covering GXO's diversity initiatives and their 'Fresh Start' programme working with prisons.

The conference closed with remarks from Chair, Ruth Waring FCILT and Vice-Chair Clare Bottle FCILT, who helped organise a great event.

Ruth emphasised collaboration's importance within the industry for mutual success. Clare highlighted how supply chain collaboration and data sharing can improve efficiency, noting women's reputation for effective collaboration aligning with the conference's vital theme.