Dr Gisela Linge is currently leading the transformation to a more digital and resilient supply chain at Autoliv, a world leading tier-1 supplier in automotive safety systems. She is responsible for driving digitalisation, aligning standards and logistics processes globally. Prior to joining Autoliv in 2023, she gained extensive experience during 15 years in top international companies such as McKinsey, Deloitte, Webasto and BMW. Dr Linge has led large cross-functional projects and has a passion for strategies and transformations, and as an experienced automotive SCM leader, she continues to combine strategic expertise with operational excellence to drive digital transformations.

Chris Payne is responsible for GKN Automotive’s global logistics operations. He has worked in the logistics industry for more than 25 years across a range of industries, starting in local distribution for wine and beverages, and building his career sectors including radioactive, film and television, fast moving consumer goods and automotive, both on the service provider and customer side. He is particularly interested in the multi-faceted aspects of logistics, and in continued development and experience in building control towers, developing global transport networks to reduce cost. He is also a strong advocate of mentoring other colleagues throughout their careers in logistics and supply chain. “We work in a fast-moving industry and we need to constantly adapt and gain new experiences to ensure we achieve our goals,” says Payne.

Aleksej Krükov joined CATL in June 2021 as Senior Manager for Service and Aftersales. With almost 15 years of experience in automotive industry he is leading a fast growing aftermarket department of CATL covering Europe, Middle East and Africa. With more than 60 service stations already in operation in the EMEA region, Aleksej and his team has built a strong service eco-system to ensure professional and efficient service for the 3 main segments: passenger cars, commercial vehicles and battery energy storage systems. Before joining CATL Aleksej was working at BMW AG for more than 10 years as a lead buyer for the high voltage lithium-ion cells and cell modules. Responsible for the global sourcing and supplier network worldwide, covering the whole supply chain, starting from the raw materials and up to the fully assembled battery system with a clear focus on sustainable solutions. Aleksej has a degree in Transport Systems Engineering from the Technical University of Riga, Latvia and M.Sc. in Micro- and Nanotechnology from the University of Applied Science in Munich, Germany.

Joost Dirkse is responsible for the global logistics operations at HARMAN Automotive, a leading electronics supplier focusing on the in-cabin user experience. Joost has 20+ years' experience in supply chain and logistics management both in FMCG and Automotive. He joined HARMAN in 2015 and has been leading the global logistics function since 2022. In this role he provides leadership in the global strategy development, business process design and operational execution of logistics at HARMAN Automotive.

Saba joined CATL in 2021 and currently serves as the After-Sales Service Network and Development Manager at the world-leading lithium-ion battery company for electric vehicles. In this role, Saba leverages over ten years experience in the automotive industry to drive the company's international presence and ensure unparalleled customer satisfaction. Additionally, as a Business Development Manager for the EMEA region, Saba plays a crucial role in the strategic expansion of the service network and the efficient management of supply chains, solidifying CATL’s position as an industry leader. Before joining CATL, Saba spent six years at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, gaining extensive experience in after-sales strategy and execution. At Renault, Saba supervised a team responsible for ensuring the timely supply of parts from automotive suppliers. The team's efforts were guided by KPIs aimed at achieving zero VOR (vehicles off the road) and eliminating back orders, contributing significantly to the goals within the procurement team in the aftermarket department. Saba holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Industrial Engineering. A passion for innovation and sustainability drives Saba to support CATL’s vision of a greener future through environmental responsibility and advanced technology.

Sophie is a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in the automotive industry at CHEP. As Global Portfolio Manager - Automotive, she oversees CHEP’s Automotive product portfolio, leveraging her deep industry knowledge and leadership skills to drive innovation and deliver results. Previously, she led CHEP's Automotive business in South Africa as Senior Manager, successfully implementing strategies to enhance performance and grow the business. Sophie holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing with Distinction from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed the Senior Management Development Programme at Stellenbosch Business School. Known for her dedication and expertise, Sophie continues to contribute significantly to CHEP’s success in the automotive sector.

Roman Noack is Co-Founder & CEO of Helrom GmbH, a rail freight and technology company based in Frankfurt, Germany. He has over 20 years of experience in the transport and mobility industry. As Senior Vice President Production Development he led the work at DB Cargo to become a fully scheduled rail operation including the necessary IT systems. Prior to this role, he was Managing Director of Cobra, a rail operations company jointly owned by DB Cargo and Lineas. Since founding Helrom in 2018, Noack and his team are building a new form of intermodal transport for the 21st century. With globally patented freight car technology and an extremely reliable operating model, Helrom today enables logistics to switch between road and rail in a truly barrier-free way for the first time - without major investments in loading terminals and close to the customer or production plant.