Industry Leaders Gather for Forward-Thinking Logistics and Sustainability Event
Brackmills BID team up with UKWA to host join event focused on innovation and sustainability
On 1st May,we were delighted to host business leaders, sustainability pioneers, and logistics professionals in collaboration with the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), to explore the future of logistics, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.
The event began with a warm welcome from Clare Bottle, Chief Executive of UKWA, followed by opening remarks from BID Chief Executive Sara Homer and Charlotte Patrick, our Vice-Chair. Together they underlined the estate’s ambition to remain a national leader in innovation, security, and sustainability. Charlotte says:
Brackmills is not just a logistics hub – it’s a forward-thinking business community. The BID is here to support companies in their ambitions to grow, innovate and lead the way in sustainability, technology, and talent development. From embracing renewable energy to adopting cutting-edge digital tools, we are committed to helping businesses stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The first keynote session of the day, “Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Future – Smart Simulation Made Simple”, was delivered by Will Lovatt, Chief Revenue Officer at Kallikor, and Jo Gumery, Senior Development Manager at Howard Tenens. They discussed how AI is transforming logistics planning and operations, enabling more agile decision-making, route optimisation, and real-time simulation of supply chain scenarios.
Following a lively networking break, the spotlight shifted to renewable energy, with a compelling session on solar power from Tim O’Callaghan from Electric Places, and a panel discussion featuring Mark Powell from Smart Choice Renewables and Nick Spicer, CEO of Your Eco. The panel explored the growing demand for solar energy across industrial estates, practical challenges of installation, and the long-term economic and environmental benefits.
The event concluded with a market overview from Andrew Blennerhassett, Associate Director at Savills, who offered valuable insight into the current state of the UK logistics property market. He discussed trends such as demand for warehouse space, investment opportunities, and the impact of automation and e-commerce growth. BID CEO Sara Homer added:
“It was fantastic to bring together industry experts and local businesses to spark collaboration, innovation, and future-ready thinking. We would like to extend a special thank you to Clare Bottle and the UKWA team for their support and partnership in delivering such a successful and thought-provoking event”.
