The Peter Thompson Annual Lecture

The Annual Dr Peter Thompson Public Logistics Lecture

Beyond Resilience: How Adaptive Capacity Creates Competitive Advantage in Logistics

Join us for this year’s Dr Peter Thompson Logistics Institute Public Lecture & Workshop. This event will bring together industry leaders, government and academics to explore how supply chains can rapidly adapt to meet the challenges of resilience and sustainability.

Context

Global supply chains are under unprecedented pressure. Geopolitical tensions, climate disruption, technological change and shifting consumer demand are transforming how goods move across the world. In response, leaders from academia, industry and government will gather at the University of Hull on Wednesday 20 May 2026 for a major public lecture and workshop exploring the future of resilient and adaptive logistics systems.

Hosted by the Logistics Institute at the University of Hull, the event will bring together experts and decision-makers to examine how organisations can move beyond traditional supply chain management towards dynamic, data-driven logistics networks capable of responding to disruption in real time.

The lecture forms the second public lecture in the Logistic Institute's flagship series, designed to stimulate dialogue between researchers, policy makers and industry leaders on the most pressing challenges shaping global logistics.

What to expect

The afternoon will open with a welcome and opening address from Mike Soutar, Advisor to the UK Government Board of Trade, setting the scene for a forward-looking discussion on the future of logistics and trade, followed by keynote speakers, industry panel and workshop.

We are delighted to welcome high-profile keynote speakers:

Professor Richard Wilding OBE

Vice Admiral Andy Kyte, Chief of Defence Logistics, UK Government

Together, they will share expert insight into adaptive capacity, resilience and how supply chains can respond to disruption while supporting the transition to Net Zero.

This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and explore how national strategy and regional ambition can work hand in hand to strengthen the Humber’s logistics and supply chain ecosystem.

The daytime event will conclude with an interactive workshop, facilitated by The Logistics Institute team. This practical session will bring delegates together to brainstorm and co-create a blueprint for supply chain resilience - helping to shape a shared roadmap for the future.

Register now to secure your place and be part of this important conversation on the future of logistics and supply chains in the Humber and beyond.