Chaired by Andy Salter, Trustee at VTCT Skills, the conference centred on the theme “Managing change in the logistics training sector”, bringing together influential voices to address some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry.
The day opened with a keynote from Phil Roe, President of Logistics UK, who explored the UK’s growing skills gap and the role of initiatives like Generation Logistics in attracting new talent. This set the tone for a series of high-level discussions on apprenticeship reform, government policy, and the future skills landscape.
Insights from Simon Ashworth of Association of Employment and Learning Providers and Samantha Leleu, Director of PDT Fleet Training, highlighted the evolving apprenticeship landscape and its implications for logistics employers and providers ahead of the 2026 reforms.
A panel featuring sector leaders including Mark Currie, Chief Executive of Mantra Learning and The National Logistics Academy, Susan Rashid, CEO of SR Supply Chain Consultants and Chartered Procurement and Supply Professional, Samantha Leleu, Director at PDT Group and Stephen Schmidt, Learning & Development Manager at Travis Perkins, sparked lively debate, reflecting on how organisations can adapt to policy changes while maintaining quality and accessibility in training.
The conference also explored key themes such as the new Ofsted inspection framework, led by Tony Higgins from SP Training, and improving diversity within the sector, with a dedicated session on attracting more women into logistics led by Keely Priestman, General Manager at Palletline.
Afternoon sessions included forward-looking insights from Leighton Burman of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, alongside discussions on digital training resources and upcoming sector initiatives.
A highlight of the day was a preview of the VTCT Skills Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating achievements across the logistics training landscape and reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to recognising impact and innovation.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Tamsyn Hammond, Head of New Business Development for logistics at VTCT Skills, said:
“This conference demonstrated the strength of collaboration across the logistics sector. Bringing together employers, providers and policy experts in one room created a real sense of shared purpose. There’s no doubt the sector is facing significant change, but events like this show we are ready to respond together.”
With strong attendance, engaged discussions and a clear focus on the future, the conference reinforced VTCT Skills’ role as a key convenor in the logistics training space driving forward conversations that will shape the sector in the years ahead.
