Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has announced two keynote speakers ahead of its new-format Annual Conference taking place in Aberdeen on June 5.
Adopting the theme Kaizen – a Japanese business philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement – the conference will look to the future, shining a spotlight on what a thriving Scottish wholesale sector looks like now and in the future, and what wholesalers should be doing to ensure that the industry goes from strength to strength.
Kaizen, which means “change for the better”, and its five core principles will be explained in a presentation by António Costa, the global CEO of Kaizen Institute, who said: “Success in food and drink wholesale doesn’t happen from the sidelines – you have to see the reality and take action.
“Kaizen methodology can help you transform your business: from streamlining operations and cutting waste to leveraging technology and AI for greater efficiency. We’ll discuss sustainability, competitiveness, and, most importantly, how to turn continuous improvement into a powerful driver of success. The future of the industry is shaped by those who make things happen.”
A panel session will also showcase examples of how elements of Kaizen can leverage results for the wholesale sector and wider supply chain, and how to apply them in your business.
Meanwhile, Captain Emma Henderson, a former airline captain and founder of Project Wingman, a charity providing wellbeing support to NHS frontline staff, will share her inspirational journey from airline captain to charity CEO – discussing how leadership, resilience and adaptability can help businesses to thrive.
Until September 2020, she was one of fewer than 500 female airline captains in the world, flying thousands of passengers all over Europe. As Covid swept the globe and grounded the aviation industry, she founded her charity. She was recognised as Businesswoman of the Year 2023 and awarded an MBE for services to charity in 2021.
Emma commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be speaking at the Scottish Wholesale Association conference this June. The focus on Kaizen resonates deeply with my aviation background – in the flight deck, we are constantly making small adjustments to stay on course and constantly adapting to small (but sometimes significant) changes throughout the day.
“It’s also exactly how I approached building my charity Project Wingman from scratch during the pandemic. Whether you’re flying a multi-million-pound jet or running a wholesale business, success comes from those continuous improvements and the courage to adapt.
"I can’t wait to share how my grounded leadership approach – bringing humanity, humility, and a good dose of humour to the table – can help your teams find those ‘rainbows in dark clouds’ while delivering exceptional results.”
The conference, which this year moves out of the central belt to the north-east of Scotland, will use Kaizen to help the industry explore topics such as the importance of technology within wholesale, along with the use of data and AI (artificial intelligence) within the sector to bring efficiency and improved insights to wholesale operations.
Other discussions will explore DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in the workplace, along with creating value, and maintaining a competitive edge in an ever-changing and fast-moving wholesale industry.
An important component of the one-day conference at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa near the River Dee on the outskirts of Aberdeen is an exhibition featuring some of Scotland’s finest produce, as part of the SWA’s commitment to a strong, resilient, local supply chain.
The exhibition will showcase food and drink producers which have participated in the SWA’s Delivering Growth Through Wholesale (DGTW) programme, in collaboration with Scotland Food & Drink and SAOS. Later, a panel session will explore the importance of a resilient supply chain, the opportunities for members, and key advice from those who have benefited from the training programme.
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “As our new-format Annual Conference returns for the first time since 2019, we want to ensure that the event remains relevant to both our members and suppliers by creating an environment that is conducive to encouraging discussion and sharing information.
“By using Kaizen as our theme, and incorporating that into our panel sessions, we hope to provide a platform for some robust and lively conversations which will provide food for thought which will make everyone think a little differently about their approach to their business model, and how they collaborate with colleagues and customers.
“The conference will also provide a key networking opportunity for members and suppliers to share and exchange information with their peers and make new connections in a relaxed environment.
“We will be announcing more speakers and panellists in due course but as space is limited, please secure your place as soon as possible to ensure you are part of an event that promises to inspire and empower.”
For those travelling to Aberdeen the day before, there is a pre-conference BBQ and networking evening in Ardoe’s stunning gardens, overlooking the River Dee, on Thursday, 4th June, which attendees can book as part of the conference package.
