European Supply Chain Day 2025 | Thursday, 10th of April 2025 [Online]

08.30-09.00: Opening Remarks and Introduction

Speaker: Michael Lynham, E3 Marketing Manager, Trinity College Dublin

Michael Lynham will deliver the opening remarks for European Supply Chain Day 2025. He will provide an insightful introduction to the event, highlighting the theme of sustainable and resilient supply chains in a rapidly evolving global landscape. 

Opening keynote: Minister Seán Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport.

Elected to Galway County Council in 2004, he served as Mayor (2007-2008) and held key roles in planning, development, and transport. As a TD for Galway East since 2016, he has served in multiple ministerial roles, including Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Rural and Community Development, Communications, Climate Action, and currently at the Department of Transport.

He is a passionate advocate for strong communities, digital development, and infrastructure, Seán’s vision for Ireland is one of opportunity, equality, and sustainability for future generations.

09.00-09.30: Presentation: Heineken | Winning in the Digital Age: Scaling Local Operations with Global Tech

Speakers: Wilko Sierksma Director of Global Planning at Heineken, & Chuvasen Govender, Supply Chain Director, Heineken

This presentation will explore how Heineken leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline and scale operations across diverse local markets. By integrating global digital tools, Heineken enhances efficiency, sustainability, improves customer experience, and drives growth while maintaining adaptability to regional needs. The focus is on utilising global tech solutions to strengthen local execution, creating a more agile and connected business model.

Creating the Future We Want for Global Supply Chains.

Speaker: Prof. Jan Godsell, Dean, Loughborough Business School, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Strategy, Loughborough University

Prof. Jan Godsell will deliver a compelling keynote presentation titled "Creating the Future We Want for Global Supply Chains." Drawing from her extensive expertise in operations and supply chain strategy, Prof. Godsell will explore the transformative steps needed to build sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global supply chains. Attendees will gain valuable insights into future-focused strategies and actionable solutions to address current and emerging challenges in the supply chain industry.

Prof. Godsell was ranked 54th in the ‘Top 100 Women in Supply Chain’ report. The list collated by Supply Chain Digital, in association with IBM, recognises exceptional female figures who are driving global innovation across the world.

The Future of Global Supply Chains: Resilience and Sustainability in a Disrupted World

Speaker: Dr. Eoin Plant-O'Toole, Associate Professor in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Edinburgh Napier University

Dr. Eoin Plant-O'Toole will present on "The Future of Global Supply Chains: Resilience and Sustainability in a Disrupted World." This session will explore the critical challenges faced by global supply chains, including infrastructure vulnerabilities and the impacts of disruption. Dr. Plant-O'Toole will highlight emerging opportunities, focusing on the integration of sustainability principles and the factors driving their adoption. Additionally, the presentation will examine the transformative potential of digital technologies in building resilience and optimising operational effectiveness in future supply chains.

Title: Decarbonising Irish Freight Sector – A Microscopic Approach

Speaker: Prof Bidisha Ghosh, School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin

This presentation titled Decarbonising the Irish Freight Sector – A Microscopic Approach will explore modeling emissions from Irish freight. Dr. Ghosh will discuss the results of three national projects: ECOHDV, MAPHDV, and DRIFTHDV.

Using naturalistic driver behaviour data from drivers on Irish roads, we have estimated emissions from individual trucks and proposed a set of measures to decarbonise the freight sector in an island nation such as Ireland.  This study aims to estimate the current state of affairs while transitioning to a net-zero future.

Prof. Bidisha Ghosh is leading the QUANT group in the School of Engineering. Prof. Ghosh is an expert of data-driven decision making in transportation and energy systems.  She has published over 175 peer-reviewed conference and journal papers.  Her research has extensively been used in cycling and other sustainable transport related policy documents by WHO and GOV.UK illustrating global impact of her research. She has been an investigator in multiple national and EU projects in the field of traffic & transportation modelling, environmental modelling, and infrastructure management.

She was the chair of Irish Transport Research Network (ITRN) between 2017-2021, academic member of Road Freight Forum 2022-2024 at Department of Transport and she is leading the transport strand in Next Generation Energy Systems (NexSys) program funded by Research Ireland.

Navigating supply chains in an uncertain climate – future trends and challenges

Speaker: Dr. Omera Khan, Global Head of Strategy and Planning at AP Møller Maersk

The presentation "Navigating Supply Chains in an Uncertain Climate – Future Trends and Challenges" by Dr. Omera Khan will explore the evolving landscape of supply chain management amidst global uncertainties. It will address emerging trends, key challenges, and strategic approaches for building resilient and adaptive sustainable supply chains. Attendees will gain insights into innovative solutions to navigate disruptions and capitalise on future opportunities.

Dr. Omera Khan, Global Head of Strategy and Planning at AP Møller Maersk, is an internationally recognised leader in supply chain risk management and resilience. With over 20 years of experience spanning academia, research, and industry, she has worked across multiple sectors and is a sought-after keynote speaker. Previously, she held academic positions at Royal Holloway University of London and Cranfield University, among others, and led high-profile research projects. Dr. Khan holds a PhD from Alliance Manchester Business School and is the author of several influential books and publications in supply chain management. She is also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Trends Reshaping Supply Chain & Procurement

Speaker: Philip Ideson, Managing Director, Art of Procurement

Explore the key trends reshaping procurement and sustainable supply chains, from digital transformation to strategic innovation. Philip Ideson, founder of The Art of Procurement podcast, shares insights to help leaders navigate change, drive impact, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Philip Ideson is the Founder and Managing Director of Art of Procurement, a media, events, and advisory business where he helps procurement leaders elevate their impact. Since its start in 2015 as a podcast, Art of Procurement has grown into a fast-growing media-led business with a global community of procurement and supply chain executives. Before Art of Procurement, Philip led procurement transformation, shared services, category management, and sourcing programmes for organisations including Ally Financial, Chiquita, Pfizer, and Visteon.

The 3Ds: Decarbonation, Digitalisation and De-globalisation: Time for Systemic Innovation

Speaker: Hervé Legenvre, Professor and Research Director, European Institute of Purchasing Management (EIPM)

Hervé Legenvre will deliver an engaging presentation titled "The 3Ds: Decarbonation, Digitalisation, and De-globalisation | Time for Systemic Innovation." This session will examine the profound impacts of these three forces on modern supply chains, illustrating how ecosystem-driven innovation can enhance resilience and sustainability. Attendees will gain practical strategies to navigate ongoing turbulence, balance efficiency with adaptability, and influence evolving industry dynamics.

The Role of Young Professionals in Shaping the Future of Supply Chains & Global

Speaker: Ruth Clinton, E3 Industry Engagement & Partnerships Manager, Garvan Cerasi, Logiskills, Darragh McCarthy, Morgan McKinley, & Andrew Wilson (Action Sustainability)

Join us for a panel discussion on "The Role of Young Professionals in Shaping the Future of Sustainability and Supply Chains," featuring Chair Ruth Clinton, Garvan Cerasi from Logiskills – Supply Chain Recruiter, Andrew Wilson (Programmes Manager, Action Sustainability), and Darragh McCarthy (Director, Supply Chain, Science & Engineering, Morgan McKinley). This engaging discussion will focus on the essential skills, mindset, and career paths required for success in engineering, transport, supply chain management, logistics, and sustainability. The panel will provide valuable perspectives on how young professionals can drive innovation and make an impact in the evolving supply chain landscape.

Strenghtening supply chain due diligence on social issues through multi-stakeholder governance

Speaker: Dr Maximilian Schormair, Trinity Business School

In this insightful presentation, Dr. Maximilian Schormair, a leading scholar in supply chain governance, will explore how multi-stakeholder governance models can enhance due diligence on social issues within global supply chains. Dr. Schormair will delve into the importance of fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to address human rights, labor conditions, and ethical practices in supply chains. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how to integrate responsible sourcing practices and build more accountable and transparent supply chains that prioritize social impact alongside efficiency.

Dr Maximilian Schormair is a leading scholar in business ethics and corporate sustainability, with a strong focus on multi-stakeholder governance, stakeholder engagement and business and human rights. He is an Assistant Professor in Business Ethics at Trinity Business School, where his research and teaching focus on the evolving role of business in addressing global social and environmental challenges. Maximilian holds a doctoral degree in Business Ethics & Business Administration from the University of Hamburg, one of Germany’s top research institutions. He regularly presents at international conferences and collaborates with industry practitioners, NGOs, and policymakers to bridge the gap between academic insights and real-world applications. He is the Director of the MSc Responsible Business & Sustainability as well as the PG Cert. Sustainable Development for Business at Trinity Business School.

Delivering During Disruption: Visibility, Transparency, and Transformation

Speaker: Patrick Van Hull, Chief Storyteller, Supply Chain Storyteller

In times of disruption, businesses must prioritise visibility to track operations in real time, transparency to build trust with stakeholders, and transformation to adapt to evolving challenges. By leveraging data-driven insights and open communication, organisations can enhance resilience and maintain seamless delivery even in uncertain environments. This presentation will explore strategies for strengthening sustainable supply chains, optimising decision-making, and driving innovation amid disruption.

Patrick is an esteemed strategist and advisor renowned for his practical expertise, profound business acumen, and ability to transform innovative concepts into actionable strategies. His diverse background includes extensive experience managing extensive supply chains as a hands-on practitioner with Dell, Rio Tinto, Apple, and CVS Health. His advisory, analyst, and consultancy roles at SCM World, Gartner, and Deloitte demonstrate his expertise in the field.

Patrick is a trusted advisor to senior executives. His recent engagements with leading SaaS platforms Kinaxis, o9 Solutions, and Interos exemplify his dedication to advancing digitally enabled capabilities.

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and is a lecturer in Supply Chain Strategy at the University of Arkansas’ Walton School of Business.

Supply Chain & Logistics Perspectives from Industry Leaders

Speakers: Chair Michael Lynham (E3 Marketing Manager), Simon McKeever (Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Exporters Association), James Kearney, (The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport), and Dr. Yvonne Delaney (President of IPICS)

Join our industry leaders for an insightful Panel Discussion on "Perspectives from Industry Leaders." Moderated by Michael Lynham, E3 Marketing Manager, the panel will explore how businesses are adapting to digital disruption, addressing sustainability challenges, and implementing best practices to mitigate risks in global supply chains. Drawing on their diverse expertise, the panelists will share valuable strategies and real-world examples to help companies navigate the complexities of today's supply chain landscape.