Advisory Board

  • Alan Williams

    Alan is an experienced logistics professional with over 34 years working for one of the largest transportation and logistics companies in the world - UPS.

    Over the last 12 years, he led the logistics teams responsible for executing two of the largest, peace time, global logistics programs – the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games and Expo 2020 Dubai.

    Alan’s career has been mostly spent in Operations, Industrial Engineering, General Management and Project management. He has worked in over 35 countries with the last 7 years being based in Dubai, UAE.

    In Dubai, Alan was responsible for the logistics program of Expo 2020 where UPS was the logistics partner and then for the final year of the assignment, Alan assumed additional responsibility for the Supply Chain Solutions Business Unit covering the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.

    Leading the Expo 2020 project and the Business Unit required skills in operations, project coordination, contracting, pricing, and marketing activation to drive the return on investment and achieve the P&L and Revenue goals.

    Alan has an Honours Degree in Engineering with Business Studies and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transportation.

    • Derek Irving

      Derek has almost 40 years’ experience working for one of the largest transportation and logistics companies in the world – UPS and, prior to that, managing the transportation business for a leading UK wholesaler.

      Derek specialises not only logistics operations, where he has spent a large portion of his career but also in strategic planning, contract negotiation and execution and developing robust client solutions. that balance cost, service and sustainability.

      From 2009 to 2012, as Director of Logistics Operations, Derek conceived, implemented and then dismantled the physical supply-chain for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. And then, from 2016 to 2022, Derek performed a similar role at Expo 2020 Dubai, ultimately managing the supply chain for 65 self-build pavilions as well as a number of ancillary services.

      Not only an advocate of supporting technology, Derek is equally passionate about the human factors that encompass logistics operations be that team profiling, recruitment, on-going management and/or development through to re-deployment. Away from the Events Industry, Derek has managed a number of high-profile contracts spanning sectors as diverse as defence, government services, spare parts, FMCG and line-side replenishment both inside the UK and Europe, often ensuring continuous or step-change improvement.

      In additional to a BSc in Mathematical Sciences, Derek also holds a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for Road Traffic Operations.

      • Gregg Svingen

        Gregg is an experienced communications strategist with over 25 years of expertise in navigating international political and media challenges for startups, multinationals, NGOs, and governments. Throughout his career, Gregg has built a global network of media and political contacts, drawn from roles at leading agencies including APCO, Weber Shandwick, and The Centre/Edelman.

        He spent five years as Director of Communications for a major technology trade association, overseeing communications and political outreach during a period of significant mergers and acquisitions. Gregg also served nearly a decade at UPS, where, as Vice President of Corporate Affairs, he led a newly formed team that integrated internal and external communications across 219 markets. During this time, he was instrumental in driving global communications for UPS’s role as the official logistics provider for EXPO 2020 Dubai, managing the logistics challenges that are integral to mega-events like these. As a recognized leader in communications, Gregg was appointed to the Media Advisory Council for EXPO 2020 Dubai.

        His academic background includes studies at the University of Washington, SciencesPo Paris, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and executive education from the Yale School of Management.

        Currently consulting internationally, Gregg’s most important title remains the double-hatted role of father and husband.

        • Peter Harris

          Peter joined UPS in 1989 as an Automotive Supervisor and was promoted in 1992 to Fleet Manager. In 1997, he accepted the Automotive Director position in the UK before becoming UK Industrial Engineering Director in 2003. In 2005, Peter took an assignment with Corporate Compliance, developing and implementing a system to manage regulatory compliance outside the U.S. He accepted the role of Sustainability Director for Europe in 2011 and became Vice President, International Sustainability in 2020. In this capacity he managed all aspects of Sustainability for the organisation, from innovation coordination to public policy development, outside the United States.

          Peter retired from UPS at the end of 2023 but remains a director of the Zemo Partnership, a public-private entity in the UK whose purpose is to accelerate the shift to low carbon transport. In addition, he chairs the Zemo Partnership’s commercial vehicle working group. During his time at UPS Peter was a member of the advisory council of the Smart Freight Centre, the international non-profit focused on reducing emissions from freight transportation. He also served on the UK’s Green Innovation Policy Commission and was a member of the UK government’s Net Zero Transport Board.

          Prior to UPS Peter worked for 4 years with London Transport and 2 years as a volunteer agricultural engineer with Voluntary Service Overseas in Indonesia, developing better ways of storing rice.

          Peter is the holder of a Masters degree in Engineering from Cambridge University, UK. He is also a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE).

          • Niranthi Ratnayeke

            Niranthi is a seasoned Customs Compliance and Customer Excellence professional with an impressive career spanning over 25 years in the transportation and logistics sector across the Middle East and Africa region. With a wealth of experience, Niranthi's expertise lies in brokerage, customs compliance, project management, and process improvement.

            One of Niranthi's major accomplishments includes the creation of seamless import and export processes for the participants of Expo 2020 Dubai, a task involving coordination with numerous stakeholders. Her ability to navigate complex logistical challenges and establish efficient processes contributed significantly to the success of the event.

            Niranthi has relationships with Customs authorities across many geos which was demonstrated when she led the AEO certification project for UPS when it became the first such certified entity in the region.

            As well as having a strategic understanding, Niranthi is also not afraid to get into the detail of the operation. She has developed specific solutions and shipping plans and overcome complex issues to diverse global destinations through close relationships with clients. Her efforts in maintaining a reputation for customs compliance excellence has been achieved through focused client communication to ensure risks are mitigated, compliance audits are undertaken, and on-going process improvements become part of the day-to-day routine. Her strength being to make the complex, simple.

            • Cathy Nighingale

              With over 25 years in the Logistics and Defence sectors across the Middle East and Europe, Cathy is a NEBOSH-qualified Health & Safety Manager, Lead ISO Auditor, and Trainer. Her expertise spans developing and executing Health & Safety strategies, governance frameworks, risk assessment and management, leading change, crisis, and incident management, as well as training and talent development.

              Cathy has a proven track record of managing complexities and driving operational excellence in fast-paced environments such as Expo 2020 and other events in the Middle East region. During her time with UPS, she significantly reduced incidents and improved training completion rates, demonstrating her commitment to safety and efficiency.

              Formerly a senior female in the British Army, Cathy has been recognized for her leadership and was nominated for the "Outstanding Contribution" category at the Women in Defence awards.

              Cathy is adept at leading large multicultural teams and engaging with various stakeholders to drive operational excellence. Her hands-on experience in developing training programs and managing large-scale logistics projects highlights her capability to address complex challenges effectively.