The judging panel comprises independent, senior industry experts with expertise across the sector, chosen for their knowledge, objectivity and credibility.

Judges mark entries in categories relevant to their specialist knowledge and expertise, ensuring a considered and educated response to submissions.


Professor John Manners-Bell

CEO | Transport Intelligence

Judging Category: Operations (Large)


Prof John Manners-Bell is Chief Executive of Transport Intelligence (Ti), Honorary Visiting Professor at the London
Metropolitan University’s Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law and an adviser to the World Economic Forum.

He has over 30 years’ experience working in and analysing the global logistics sector. John started his working life as an
operations manager of a logistics company based in the UK. Prior to establishing Ti in 2002, he worked as an analyst in consultancies specialising in international trade, transport and logistics. He also spent a number of years as a manager of UPS, in a strategic marketing and communications role.

John holds an MSc in Transport Planning and Management from University of Westminster and is an Associate of King's College London where he studied Classics and Theology.

He has written five books on the industry - ‘An Introduction to Global Logistics’, ‘Supply Chain Risk Management’, ‘Logistics and Supply Chains in Emerging Markets’, ‘Supply Chain Ethics’ and 'The Handbook of Supply Chain and Logistics
Innovation'. His second book, ‘Supply Chain Risk Management’ won the Mention Speciale ACA-Bruel Prize for supply chain literature in 2014.


Ruth Edwards

Business Manager | Talent in Logistics

Judging Category: Well-Being Initiative


Ruth has been working in logistics for over 10 years, starting out in marketing before moving over to operations.

In her current role as Talent in Logistics Business Development Director she spends her time showcasing the amazing people that work in our sector and helping companies with their talent attraction, workforce development and employee engagement.

Ruth previously worked for a FTSE100 company where she headed up engagement and wellbeing for circa 1200 employees.

Ruth is excited to be a part of this year’s judging panel and can’t wait to read the submissions
and seeing what great things the entrants have been up to.

 


Kanwal Kanda

Head of Transportation | Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

Judging Category: Safety


As one of HM Principal Inspectors of Health and Safety, Kanwal Kanda has over 17 years of regulatory experience with the Health and Safety Executive across numerous industry sectors.

In that time, Kanwal has personally conducted, prosecuted and managed investigations following multiple workplace fatalities, injuries and cases of ill health. Included are numerous incidents in a warehouse setting and with a workplace transport related element.

His current role as HSEs Head of Transport sector involves devising national transport policy aimed at addressing the worse than average record for health and safety performance in the transport and logistics sector.


Kirsten Tisdale, BSc FCILT MIoD

Logistics Consultant & Founder | Aricia

Judging Category: New Facility


Kirsten’s career in logistics has included operations, business development, HO roles and over 15 years of consulting, since establishing Aricia Limited in 2001.

Kirsten started off her logistics life as a graduate management trainee and then contract manager for what was NFC, now
part of DHL. She then worked for TNT Contract Services and PE Inbucon before spending 12 years as an internal consultant for M&S working on projects spanning its supply chain operations.

Kirsten now works with corporate clients who are planning change in their logistics infrastructure and operations –
helping them to develop concepts and put facts and figures around options.


Neil Ashworth

Non-Executive Chair, Board Member and Advisor | CollectPlus & Yodel

Judging Category: Innovation


Neil was the boss at CollectPlus, the UK’s largest independent store-based parcel network, having
been at the forefront of digital developments in retail for over 15 years. Neil subsequently took accountability for Yodel's marketing and commercial functions in November 2017 through his appointment as Chief Commercial Officer, then
Chief Strategy Officer until April 2019.

Before joining CollectPlus/Yodel, Neil worked as a business advisor to several blue-chip UK retailers and fulfilment businesses following a period at Tesco. Prior to Tesco, Neil held senior positions at Woolworths, Hallmark Cards and CWS Ltd.

Neil is a former Chairman of CILT (UK) and remains a great supporter of the Institute, and is an active member of the Engineering & Logistics Staff Corps within the British military, and an Ambassador for Transaid.

He is a member of the Advisory Board at Cranfield University’s Supply Chain faculty, a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University, a Visiting Fellow at Warwick University (WMG) and is Hon. Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems at Nottingham University Business School.

Neil is currently Non-Executive Chair of Selazar.com, a Non-Executive advisor at InPost and at IVIS Group and works with a number of other organisations on an advisory basis. 


Nick Finill

Senior Analyst | ABI Research

Judging Category | Technology Transformation


As a Senior Analyst, Nick Finill contributes to ABI Research’s Intelligent Supply Chain service. Nick’s research coverage focuses on how supply chain operators and logistics service providers can leverage transformative technologies to increase intelligence, visibility and efficiency across their operations.

His commercial analysis of the most transformative technology trends has focused on topics such as robotics and automation, AI in supply chain planning and IoT in inventory management.

As well as publishing reports for large and medium-sized enterprise clients, Nick provides custom guidance to supply chain stakeholders and speaks at industry events.  


Gwynne Richards

Author, Lecturer & Director | Apprise Consulting

Judging Category | Warehouse Efficiency


Gwynne Richards has over 35 years’ experience in warehouse management and logistics. He began his career with BRS a forerunner of Exel Logistics which later became part of DHL.

He founded his own logistics consultancy and training company in 2003. Gwynne works with companies on improving logistics operations, benchmarking performance and deciding whether to outsource or not.

His course on Warehouse Management was recently accredited by CILT. He is also lecturer in Supply Chain at Warwick University.

His book on Warehouse Management published by Kogan Page has sold over 10,000 copies worldwide. A book on Logistics and Supply Chain tools was published in July 2016.


Professor Samir Dani

Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Huddersfield Business School

Judging Category | Environment