Talks about Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities
17th March 2025
Professionals from across the logistics and supply chain sector spoke about challenges and opportunities within the industry during a roundtable event held in Derby.
Experts from global brands and logistics giants including Amazon, Toyota and Rolls-Royce shared their thoughts and experiences as part of a series of activities held during the University of Derby’s Logistics and Supply Chain Week 2025.
The influence of customers and how universities can help with a skills shortage in the industry were the hot topics of conversation during the annual week of workshops, conferences and discussions designed to bring together students, academics and logistics and supply chain professionals.
Dr Pouria Liravi (pictured), Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management at the University of Derby, who organised the event said: “Workforce challenges, including skills shortages and the need for industry-academic collaboration to better prepare graduates for the evolving demands of the sector, were discussed during the roundtable event.
“Our aim as a university is to foster long-term collaborations with the logistics sector and to continue having these strategic conversations. We want to continue to have a positive impact regionally, nationally and internationally, and to create opportunities for students where they can gain exposure to a wide range of industry experiences such as live briefs, and immersive training opportunities.
“As the only University in our city and county, we play a critical role as an anchor institution that works side-by-side with thriving global businesses and successful SMEs to drive innovation and solution-focused responses to challenges. Hosting leaders from businesses including Rolls-Royce, Amazon and Toyota demonstrates our commitment to generating opportunity and impact for our learners and partners.”
Dr Pouria Liravi
Dr Liravi said that industry professionals also spoke of the need for graduates to be tech-savvy and to have ‘soft-skills’ which can be transferrable into the workplace, whilst sustainability was also on the agenda. “Industry leaders, academics and professionals emphasised the growing importance of digitalisation with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision-making to enhance efficiency and resilience. Sustainability was another major theme, particularly the need for greener logistics solutions including alternative fuels, carbon reduction strategies and circular economy principles.”
The event also saw a live electric vehicle demonstration from delivery firms DPD and EVRI outside the University’s Kedleston Road site, showcasing the latest innovations in last-mile delivery; the final step in the process of delivering goods to a customer.
Dr Livari added: “The logistics and supply chain management industry is undergoing massive expansion and graduates who can demonstrate both business management and logistics skills, will be in high demand.”
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