Over 400 delegates including
agents, developers, funds and occupiers attended the second IAS Conference held
yesterday (5th December 2018) at The IMAX Waterloo. The start of the show
packed a punch with a specially commissioned video about the IAS and the industrial
sector community. IAS Chairman, Ben Wiley said, “it was important to start the conference on a positive note and what
better way than to showcase the IAS with an uplifting, inspirational video
shown on the countries largest cinema screen”.
The fully packed agenda included a
roster of high-profile industry and motivational speakers to discuss and
examine key factors and implications for the industrial and logistics agency
market, future opportunities and challenges.
Speakers included, James Bellini,
leading futurologist and author, whose topic was ‘horizon 2025 and beyond - harnessing the fourth industrial revolution’,
Karen Smart, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport, who spoke about ‘the Midlands engine’, Tom Riordan,
Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, who presented on ‘the northern powerhouse’, Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute
for Fiscal Studies, who gave an in depth talk on ‘our uncertain economic future’, and Dr Kevin Fong, who after
working for NASA specialised in lessons from the effects of extremes on human
physiology. Dr Fong’s motivational presentation was entitled, ‘being under pressure and teamwork in
extreme environments’.
Following lunch, Steve Wall, who
has thirty years experience in Supply Chain Design and Manufacturing, and Josh
Valman, founder and CEO of RPD International, which helps companies quickly
develop new products, took to the stage to discuss ‘Supply Chain’.
A panel discussion, mediated by
IAS Chairman Ben Wiley, followed with Martin White, Former Global Supply Chain
Director for Primark, and Craig Moore, Head of Supply Chain at DP World, joined
the stage, to discuss ‘the impact of
growth in e-commerce on the UK supply chain and our industry’.
Closing the conference was keynote speaker, the Rt Hon Lord (William)
Hague. A political leader for more than 20 years, serving as Leader of the
Conservative Party and as Foreign Secretary, Lord Hague gave a superb and
engaging talk on Brexit and his thoughts on our political and economical future.
The day’s programme culminated in
a drinks receptions and gala dinner which was held at the Park Plaza
Westminster Bridge. Discussions and debates generated by the speakers and their
content carried on into the night.
IAS Chairman, Ben Wiley, said: “Yesterdays
conference was a huge success and I am delighted to see such support and
enthusiasm for the event from our sector.
We’ve already had some really positive feedback from delegates who
attended who were not only impressed with the calibre of speakers and topics
discussed, but who have also praised the value of the social and networking
side of the event, which is so important to our members when it comes to exchanging
views and sharing ideas within the industry. Huge thanks of course must go to the kind sponsors for their continued support of the IAS”
The IAS chosen charities, which will
benefit from proceeds generated by this year’s conference, fare The Faraway
Children’s Charity and The Henry Angle-James Memorial Trust. Each charity will
receive a cheque from the IAS in the New Year.
Ben Wiley announced, that
after two years of service, he would be handing over the role of IAS Chairman
to incumbent Vice Chairman, Peter Freeman.
Peter will take up the Chairmanship from the 1st January 2019 for a
period of two years. Ben Wiley also
announced that Gordon Reynolds would be taking up the role of Vice Chairman.
The conference photos can be seen via this link
The dinner photos can be seen via this link