In this episode of the Chain Reaction Podcast, host Michael Ostroumov welcomes Paul Brooks, a veteran of the supply chain and logistics sector with over 40 years of experience. Paul shares a reflective and insightful journey through the evolution of logistics – from manual stock tracking in the 1980s to the dynamic, AI-enhanced supply chains of today. His passion for the industry remains palpable, driven by its complexity and continuous innovation.

The conversation traverses critical topics including the role of technology in modern logistics, the power of collaboration, the barriers and enablers of trust in supply chains, and the transformational potential of AI and agentic systems. Paul also discusses FLOX’s relevance in today’s market as a platform enabling efficient capacity utilization and trust-based transactions. The episode concludes with a thoughtful dive into leadership, inspired by Paul’s writings and his “PRIME” leadership model.

Guest Bio

Paul Brooks is a distinguished leader in the logistics and supply chain industry, with a career spanning over four decades across multiple sectors including automotive, consumer goods, and third-party logistics. He has held numerous C-suite roles and contributed significantly to industry thought leadership, including serving as Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Paul is also a published author, known for his “Inspired” leadership book series. A passionate advocate for collaboration, trust, and people-centric transformation, he brings a rich mix of operational insight and strategic foresight to the conversation.

Takeaways

• Supply chain complexity is a key driver of professional engagement and innovation.
• Technology has shifted logistics from manual processes to intelligent, interconnected ecosystems.
• Collaboration and “co-opetition” remain core tenets of supply chain excellence.
• Visibility and data are now central to building trust and optimizing performance.
• AI and digital transformation offer chief supply chain officers actionable insights and simulation capabilities.
• Marketplaces like FLOX enable dynamic capacity matching and drive network-level optimization.
• Effective integration allows businesses of any size to adopt advanced logistics platforms without massive investment.
• Trust is built on consistent delivery and transparent communication, not just contracts.
• Leadership in logistics must evolve with the industry—Paul’s PRIME model (Persistence, Resilience, Inspiration, Motivation, Endurance) provides a fresh framework.
• Clean data is essential—bad data accelerates bad decisions.
• Outsourcing requires process clarity first; tech is an enabler, not a panacea.
• Visibility and communication enhancements are reducing friction across logistics networks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul Brooks and his background

02:00 Falling into logistics and early experiences

04:00 The evolving perception of logistics

06:00 Technological evolution in the supply chain

09:00 The role of data and integration

11:00 Challenges and enablers of collaboration

14:00 Importance of clean data and process clarity

16:00 AI’s current role and future potential in logistics

21:00 How FLOX aligns with market needs and technology trends

27:00 Trust dynamics in logistics and marketplaces

31:00 Leadership and Paul’s inspiration behind his books

34:00 Closing thoughts and next steps

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Paul Brooks

Michael Ostroumov