Employee Interview – Phil

Tell us about your role with IFC and how long you have been with the business.
I am currently the IFC Group’s Chief Information Officer. Charged with charting and executing our technological roadmap across all our companies.

My role encompasses the continuous improvement of our foundational infrastructure, implementation of our cyber security requirements, and the orchestration of bespoke solutions that integrate technology with our business workflows.

Over my tenure spanning 11 years, I’ve worked in multiple technology roles within the business, starting my journey as an application developer, I’ve worked through various positions, from Application Development to solutions architecture through enterprise architecture. This year I was promoted to the CIO role, to assist in business transformation.

What do you enjoy most about working at IFC?
At the heart of my role lies the collective endeavour of my team and I to ideate and shape the bedrock of our business offerings. Our ethos gravitates towards challenging the conventional metrics of success, propelling us to take a pioneering stance in technology investments and methodologies, thereby consistently positioning us at the vanguard of industry trends.

Throughout my tenure at IFC, I’ve had the privilege to contribute to several landmark projects, each representing a rare career opportunity. Our organisational culture, underscored by an industry leading retention rate well above the national average, has shielded us from the upheavals of the “great resignation” following the pandemic.

This continuity fosters a seamless synergy among colleagues, enabling us to navigate complex engagements with both familiarity and cohesion. Our rapid project turnover times, though perceived as exceptional, owe much to our intimate understanding of each other’s capabilities and the assurance of collective commitment. Moreover, IFC prides itself on its embrace of calculated risk-taking, where challenges are met with dynamic risk assessment and innovative problem-solving. This culture of fearlessness permeates our daily operations, fuelling a constant pursuit of innovation and fostering an environment where the impossible is merely a challenge awaiting resolution.

What drew you to work in the supply chain industry?
Initially my background was in the retail space, which is a key beneficiary of logistics done well. But working “behind the scenes” was where I wanted to be, to be part of a logistics disruptor.

Tell us a little about your background and experience.
I have worked for blue-chip and smaller bespoke retailers and logistics providers throughout my career, with the mantra that technology is the ideal supplement to all business processes and growth, building and engineering solutions has been the mainstay of what I do.

 What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you’ve encountered in your experience working in the industry?
Logistics, much like the realm of technology, has undergone a profound metamorphosis. No longer confined to the periphery as mere facilitators, we now stand as integral partners, intricately woven into the fabric of our clients’ operations. This shift heralds an era of unparalleled professional growth and innovation, positioning logistics at the forefront of business and technology evolution.

Amidst this transformative landscape, we encounter challenges ripe with opportunity. The seismic impact of the pandemic has accelerated the realisation of once-unimaginable feats such as lightning-fast time-to-market, lean inventory management, and precision-driven just-in-time logistics. These serve as beacons, highlighting the boundless potential for continued innovation and reinvention within our industry.

Reflecting on a recent client engagement, we were confronted with a seemingly insurmountable demand – order-to-delivery within a mere four hours. Through the fusion of cutting-edge technology and meticulous workflow optimisation, and input from our key colleagues, what was once deemed implausible has seamlessly integrated into our daily operations, a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of possibility.

In the realm of opportunity, Artificial Intelligence emerges as our lodestar, guiding us towards unprecedented realms of efficiency and efficacy. With fervent enthusiasm, we are embarking on a new ambitious journey, establishing an internal AI lab to unearth novel solutions and augment our existing offerings, thus cementing our position as trailblazers within the logistics industry.

How do you think IFC differentiates from competitors?
At IFC, our distinctiveness arises from our commitment to being at the nexus of technology and logistics. We epitomise agility, tailoring bespoke solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. Recognising the inherent diversity among businesses, we don’t recognise the notion of a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach rather we are all in favour of a collaborative partnership that expands in tandem with the challenges presented.

Central to our differentiation is the imminent launch of our revolutionary technology platform, HUB. This bespoke system, meticulously crafted from the ground up, promises to revolutionise our service offerings by furnishing invaluable insights into our clients’ supply chains, thereby catalysing process optimisation and enhancing operational efficiency.

Moreover, our ethos of transparent and candid communication underscores every facet of our interactions, be it internal collaborations or client engagements.

For those seeking a logistics partner poised to redefine industry standards, I urge you to reach out to us at IFC and discover firsthand the potential we bring to the table.

For aspiring professionals interested in a career in the supply chain industry, what advice would you give them to kickstart their journey?
In the wake of the pandemic, logistics has emerged as a phoenix from the ashes, shedding its image as an unyielding industry to reveal its dynamic potential as a catalyst for innovation and growth. This reimaging underscores the pivotal role of logistics as a linchpin of resilient economies and thriving businesses.

For those embarking on a journey into the supply chain industry, I would encourage anyone to embrace this era of reimagined logistics with boundless enthusiasm and curiosity. Seize the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ecosystem of retail, where the intricacies of inventory management and demand planning offer invaluable insights into the power of logistics, or, similarly, the realm of freight forwarding beckons with promise, offering a gateway to unravelling the complexities of cross-border trade and global supply chains. Equip yourself with knowledge garnered from diverse sources, be it through voracious reading or enrolling in short courses.

Above all, remain agile and adaptable, for the landscape of logistics is ever evolving, presenting a canvas ripe for innovation and reinvention.

What hobbies or interests do you enjoy pursuing in your free time?
In addition to my passion for both technology and logistics, one of my greatest joys is playing my guitar, or making music particularly with my children.

I enjoy playing Pool and badminton and am a keen reader of European middle age political history and modern history.

Describe your life’s motto in a few words!
Tech makes me tick; family makes me tock.