Logistics operator engaged Network and Natter

Driver resource, retention and training featured in headlines

Carl Lomas did the introductions in an energetic exchange asking for challenge drivers in the express sector. It’s a top draw of headlines impacting the operators in the sector. Driver resource, skills, recruitment and retention featured strong against workload variation from peak and trough delivery numbers. AI featured in the headlines for the first time alongside data for delivery.

· Artificial intelligence and data

· Driver resource

· Recruitment and retention

· Training and skills for delivery and sortation

· Work patterns

· Adapting to peaks from Black Friday to Valentines, Mothers Day – Fashion Week.

· London market challenge

· Net zero impacts

· Social values

· Risk management

Red Hot agenda delivered worker status to UEZ expansion

Inspiration of next generation express managers was overflowing in room full of final mile hosted by the City of London Corporation, courtesy of Vince Dignam. It was a pre-Peak natter to remember for LSA. Standing room only, brands national to regional from DPD, Evri and FedEx to GLH and SME final mile operators. 250 thousand vans at the table for the round table express sector heads of industry. Road safety champion Alderman and IOC hon fellow Alison Gowman was in the room with IOC fellows from national brands and regional operators. Stars of the show were two FedEx Express Manager degree apprentice students who wowed the old guard with inspiration of their learning modules en route to management in our sector.

Energetic engaged introductions came from the final mile of Fashion Week to the Peak 2023 ahead and post-Peak planning. Showcasing the Sunday email, the sector group meetings. Today a new group sector chair announced. Much talk of the National Courier Awards shortlistings, the Lord Mayor's Show entry and even the Feb 29th Fellows' Gowning for leap year 2024 - all topics for the fellows' notebooks.

The group of keynotes were at the heart of the heads of industry. Headline keynotes that have built an enviable reputation for knowledge focused on final mile, last mile delivery, packing in a punch of factors key to sector. TfL opening with very latest London ULEZ expansion and actions for owner-drivers to get their share of the last one hundred million scrappage for their vans. Highways England spoke eyeballs from the truck on Operation Tramline. Neil Ashworth and John Manners Bell enthralled with focused knowledge lens on the sector. University of West London Express Manager Degree candidates took the stage to showcase their latest projects on compliance. City Corporation reinforced clean air vision. Last but not least Melanie Stancliffe talked worker hours and the reinforcement of under 3.5t compliance.