Our People

Alireza Shokri is Professor in Digital Supply Chain and Operational Excellence in Newcastle business School at Northumbria University in Newcastle. He is also the member of the academic advisory board for the National Digital Supply Chain Hub in the UK. Prior to joining academia in 2011, Alireza had many years of experience working in the industry in different managerial roles. Alireza’s research interest is in bridging digitalisation, operational excellence and supply chain management for better sustainability. Alireza has led funded projects of different scales and has had many publications published in impactful academic journals. His recent collaborative projects include Innovate UK and Digital Catapult funded projects working with SMEs and also contract research projects with regional NHS facility management group, a local authority (City Council), and a major utility Company.

As the Director and academic lead of the Centre, Alireza leads or co-leads the projects and the academic team involved in the project bringing expertise into the projects and the needs of the industry.

Business Development Manager

Vince Robson is the Business Development Manager at Northumbria University’s Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence (CDSCE), where he leads efforts to connect industry with academic research to drive innovation in digital supply chains. With over 30 years of experience in business engagement and strategic partnerships, Vince has a proven track record of fostering impactful collaborations across sectors.

He plays a key role in supporting organisations through access to cutting-edge research, digital tools, and professional development. Vince is also a strong advocate for sustainable and socially responsible supply chain practices, having represented the Centre at events such as the Sustainable Supplier Event 2024, organised by Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, where he spoke on the role of digital innovation in procurement and social value.

Strategic Industry Collaborator

Toby Bridges is the chair and senior executive of NBT Group. He is also the visiting professor at Northumbria University and is the member of the advisory group for the Digital Supply Chain Hub in the UK. Toby is the advocate of supply chain transformation through digitalisation and has been collaborating with the Northumbria University for many years for different digital supply chain funded projects.