A student led conference exploring the future of supply chain management was the grand finale of a week long series of events at the University of Huddersfield held to celebrate European Supply Chain Day. Third year NOVUS students organised the conference with expert industry speakers from Arla, BiS Henderson, CEVA, Cummins, DB Cargo, PZ Cussons, XPO Logistics and Yusen Logistics discussing past and future innovation in the supply chain in a ‘back to the future’ themed event.
After a series of presentations the conference culminated in a lively ‘Question Time’ style panel debate featuring NOVUS Chair Andy Kaye; Phil Whiteoak, also of NOVUS; Richard Gibson of Yuson Logistics; and Tom Roberts of XPO Logistics. Students quizzed the panel over their predictions for the future of the industry. The student conference organising committee, led by Mirek Raba – currently on placement with PZ Cussons – were delighted with the event. “It was a great opportunity for us to discuss innovation and to network with industry professionals,” said Mirek.
Andy Kaye expressed his delight at the event. He said: “It was fantastic to see NOVUS students taking the lead and to see their hunger to find out about the latest thinking and to contribute their own ideas.”
The conference followed an exciting week at the University, with first year students in Belgium visiting logistics operations, a work experience fair at the Arla dairy in Leeds, a trip to the Howdens Joinery manufacturing site and mentoring visits from Smiths News, Wincanton and Morrisons.
The NOVUS scheme, featuring two industry backed supply chain degree courses that guarantee graduate employment, is designed to attract and develop the next generation of supply chain talent. “A key part of the scheme is the opportunity for tomorrow’s professionals to learn from today’s professionals,” explained David Leach, NOVUS Programme Director at Huddersfield. “We would like to thank all our visitors, students and staff for making our celebrations such a great success.”
To find out more about NOVUS, email: [email protected] or tel: 01484 472614 or visit: www.novus.uk.com
ENDS
Editorial Notes
About The Novus Trust
Created by Andy Kaye, CEO and founder of recruitment and business consultancy BiS Henderson, NOVUS is the long-term strategic answer to the serious skills gaps and shortfall of graduate talent that is becoming increasingly evident in the Supply Chain and Logistics Industry today. As an educational initiative, set up and initially based at The University of Huddersfield, NOVUS has introduced two innovative 4-year Supply Chain Management degree courses that will guarantee a job, should the graduate meet the necessary criteria. The course covers supply chain management, finance, statistics, organisational structure and methods, sociology and psychology, transport network design, warehouse design, inventory management, supply chain IT and HR management. In addition, the ‘core’ degree course will be supplemented with further content covering the ‘craft skills’ required to effectively manage, e.g. leadership, people-management and communication. In fact, the course will give a student all the tools needed to develop a successful career in logistics.
The NOVUS scheme is run on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis by The NOVUS Trust. A management team of supply chain and logistics professionals assembled to develop the initiative is drawn from organisations such as BiS Henderson; Travis Perkins; Wincanton; Lloyd Fraser; the University of Huddersfield; and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT).
Media Contact:
Ross Matthews
Director
Arkill Matthews Allen Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 208 123 1900
Mobile: +44 (0) 7711 347 701
Email: [email protected]
NOVUS Contact:
David Leach
NOVUS Programme Director
University of Huddersfield
Tel: 01484 471852
Email: [email protected]
