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The 6th BIFA Business Leaders Forum explored the issues affecting an industry that is balancing investment, regulation and technological change, while continuing to support increasingly complex global supply chains Industry challenges and opportunities highlighted
T he BIFA Business Leaders Forum, held in London on 12 May, brought together senior leaders from across logistics, freight and transport to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping UK supply chains. A common theme throughout the event was the need for businesses to adapt quickly to rapid change across infrastructure, regulation, technology and workforce development. Richard Lennard of London Gatwick opened the forum by outlining the airport’s growing role in trade, connectivity and regional growth. He highlighted a £1.9 billion investment programme over the next five years aimed at improving infrastructure, resilience and passenger experience, alongside Gatwick’s commitment to achieving net-zero operations by 2030. Lennard also emphasised the importance of the Northern Runway Project in boosting capacity, strengthening supply chains and supporting jobs and international trade. Maritime session In the maritime session, Aart Hille Ris Lambers from DP World reviewed developments in the UK deepsea container market. Despite weak GDP growth, container volumes remain resilient due to increased transhipment activity, Chinese exports and automotive traffic. He highlighted major investments at London Gateway, Southampton and Felixstowe, including new berths, rail infrastructure and cranes. However, he warned that ports face growing
pressure as shipping lines continue investing in larger vessels, creating challenges around capacity and infrastructure planning. Richard Steeples from Border Force and Ian Wilkins from HMRC updated attendees on current policy and compliance developments, including discussions around the future compliance strategy for Safety & Security GB declarations. Road haulage Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association, focused on workforce development, industry representation and policy engagement. He stressed the importance of attracting new talent into logistics while improving skills and collaboration across the supply chain to address future regulatory and operational challenges. Technology and automation were key themes throughout the forum. Rob Thomas from Forwarding Digital demonstrated how artificial intelligence is helping freight forwarders automate repetitive administrative processes, improve document handling and reducing manual data entry. Richard Hogg, CEO of Unsworth and chair of the BIFA AI Working Group, expanded on this by showcasing practical AI applications including customs processing, quote generation, meeting summaries and finance automation. Both speakers emphasised the importance of maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” approach to ensure technology supports rather than replaces expertise and customer relationships.
BIFA Director General Steve Parker address the audience
“ Despite weak GDP growth, container volumes remain
Employment law specialist Jane Williams from JW Employment Law outlined the implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025, including new day-one employment rights, statutory sick pay reforms and tougher requirements around workplace harassment and unfair dismissal. Strengthening policies She encouraged businesses to strengthen policies, training and management processes ahead of further reforms. The forum concluded with Allie
resilient due to increased transhipment
activity, Chinese
exports and automotive traf fi c
22 | June 2026
www.bifa.org
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