Government canvases leading logistics professionals at CILT conference

The Government wants to hear the views of transport and logistics operators on how best it can help support and promote economic growth. The invitation was made by Steve Gooding, Director General of the Department for Transport’s Domestic Group, at the Annual Logistics Conference of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) held at Meriden, West Midlands on 16 June.

Steve Gooding used the prestigious CILT Annual Logistics Conference to call for Comments and views on issues such as planning, localism, networks and infrastructure, as well as skills and employment issues. The launch of the Logistics Growth Review provides an opportunity for organisations, companies and individuals to contribute to the shaping of future policy and regulation.

Steve Gooding said that the Government was seeking closer engagement with the industry’s key sector champions such as the CILT.

He went on to say: "Rather than asking ‘Why doesn’t the Government do something?’ we would like to hear from the industry on the lines of ‘Why doesn’t the Government do this?’ whatever ‘this’ might be."

He told delegates that the Government is absolutely clear that logistics and freight is extremely important in creating economic wealth and improving the quality of UK life, and the Government could not understand the real issues without talking to the expert professionals within the sector.

CILT Chief Executive Steve Agg said the Government’s Logistics Growth Review’s aims reflect CILT members’ views: "The Government has identified Logistics as a key area supporting growth and this fits exactly with the findings of our recent member survey. Our members believe that transport spending that supports economic growth should be the key priority. Over 75% of participating members identified ‘supporting economic growth’ as one of their top priorities. Clearly our members have a lot to contribute to this discussion."

Other speakers at the CILT conference included Ian Stansfield, Distribution Director, Asda; Steve Spall, Operations Director, Innocent Drinks; Richard Boxshall, Consultant, PwC; Chris Crean, Friends of the Earth; and Anthony Spence, Head of Collection Services, British Museum.

A panel discussion featured Steve Beazley, Global Logistics Development Manager, British American Tobacco; John Corr, Tour Principal, Sound Moves; and Linda Philips, General Manager, Shell Petroleum.

The event was chaired by Professor Richard Wilding, Chair at the Centre for Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Cranfield University.