A lifetime in the logistics industry
John started his working life as an operations manager of a logistics company based in the UK. Prior to establishing market research organization Transport Intelligence Ltd in 2002, he worked as an analyst in think tanks and consultancies specializing in international trade, transport and logistics. He also spent a number of years as a manager of global logistics company, UPS, in a strategic marketing and communications role.
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In 2021 he founded non-profit organization, the Foundation for Future Supply Chain to undertake research on issues related to driver shortages, gender equality, sustainability, innovation, disruption and risk. He has been Honorary Visiting Professor, London Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law, London Metropolitan University since 2015. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carmen.
Expert Witness at UK Covid-19 Inquiry
John recently provided evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The appearance was the culmination of a year’s investigation into the effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply chains before, during and since the pandemic.
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His report, running to 60,000 words, provided the Inquiry with the context to the UK government’s response as well as setting out industry best practice in terms of supply chain resilience. His research assessed levels of preparedness, including the effectiveness of procurement policies, inventory stockpiles, risk mitigation strategies and the upstream and downstream processes put in place to source and supply critical PPE and other healthcare equipment, including ventilators.
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The report contained 29 far-reaching recommendations which Professor Manners-Bell believed would ensure that the UK was better prepared in the event of another pandemic.
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The report can be accessed by the following link
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A livestream of Professor Manners-Bell’s evidence to the inquiry can be accessed here
https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/hearings/procurement-module-5-public-hearings/hdid/38559/
Supply Chain Policy
John has always had a keen interest in influencing the development of the logistics and supply chain industry at a governmental level. He was formerly an adviser to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport and has presented evidence to the UK House of Lords EU External Affairs and Internal Market Sub-Committees. Between 2008-10 he advised the UK Shadow Transport Team on road transport policy.
He has written and contributed to papers for the Interamericas Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and presented the results of policy research programs at WEF meetings in Davos, Tianjin and Dalian (China) and Cape Town, South Africa. He has also contributed to governmental supply chain initiatives in the United Arab Emirates.
In the media
John is regularly quoted in the trade, national and global press (including Financial Times, Bloomberg, Wall St Journal and Economist) as well as appearing on TV and Radio commenting on industry trends and developments.
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Keynote speaker and moderator
John has travelled the world speaking at government and industry forums addressing audiences on the key issues affecting the development of the industry. As well as a speaker, he is an experienced moderator, facilitating numerous conferences for the UN in Switzerland, the World Economic Forum at Davos and other industry, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
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The list of countries in which he has spoken include Hong Kong, China, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, India, USA, UAE, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Mauritius as well as the UK.
Founder, Foundation for Future Supply Chain
In 2021 John founded the Foundation for Future Supply Chain to undertake research into some of the most pressing issues affecting the industry. The Foundation’s over-riding ethos is that solutions can only be effectively developed through an approach that addresses the needs of people, profit and the planet. Directed by a strategic advisory board of some of the world's leading experts, the Foundation has published papers on, amongst others, gender equality, sustainability and ethics.
Chief Executive, Ti Insight
In 2002, John founded market research organization, Ti Insight, to provide high quality expert analysis to the global logistics and supply chain industry. It helps businesses to make informed strategic investment, corporate development and out-sourcing decisions through a range of online knowledge platforms and reports.
