The UK freight industry faces an acute talent crisis, with an aging workforce and persistent recruitment challenges threatening operational capacity. Simultaneously, 20% of the UK population lives with a disability, representing an underserved market for accessible freight solutions. This creates both commercial urgency and untapped opportunity: diverse, inclusive teams drive better innovation, attract broader talent pools, and design solutions that capture previously inaccessible markets.

Join us at this cross-modal industry event reframes Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a commercial imperative rather than a compliance exercise. A keynote from Mode8 will explore the economic advantages of diverse leadership and inclusive innovation, drawing on real-world experience with underestimated founders who are reshaping the freight sector. The session establishes why inclusive practices enhance resilience, innovation quality, and investment readiness.

Following the keynote, participants will engage in facilitated workshop breakouts covering sector benchmarking and EDI best practices, enabling operators to assess their positioning and implement proven frameworks. A dedicated accessible ideation workshop will equip innovators with tools to design freight solutions that serve all users, unlocking new customer segments and commercial opportunities.

Why attend?

For Freight & Logistics organisations:

• Practical frameworks to address workforce recruitment and retention challenges
• Benchmark your EDI maturity against industry standards
• Access proven strategies to diversify talent pipelines
• Network with peers facing similar operational pressures

For Innovators and SMEs:

• Learn accessible design principles that expand your addressable market
• Understand large organisations’ expectations around inclusive practices
• Gain competitive advantage through inclusive innovation methodologies

Agenda 

09:30 Registration and networking

10:00 Overview of the DfT Freight Innovation Fund

10:15  Keynote: The Underestimated Value of EDI in Freight & Logistics

10:30 Networking break

10:45 Breakout 1: EDI benchmarking with Rail Unites for Inclusion

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Breakout 2: EDI Best Practices with Diversity Study Group

14:00 Networking break

14:15 Workshop: Designing ideas and products for all

15:45 Closing remarks

16:00 Event close