Welcome to The Circuit series. Meet our next interviewee:
Logistics tech platform Beacon is reimagining the global logistics stack to make it smarter, simpler and more connected.
CEO Fraser Robinson used the principles he learnt as head of Uber’s EMEA business to create a digital-first business in an industry that is traditionally slow to adopt new technologies.
This ambition to replace outdated tools with automated workflows is ever more important as the logistics sector faces managing operations amid a backdrop of geopolitical challenges and rising costs.
In this exclusive Circuit interview, Robinson discusses the UK start up ecosystem, the key to making logistics more connected and how Beacon aligns with the UK government’s digitalisation plans.
How is Beacon helping UK logistics firms navigate post-Brexit trade and labour challenges?
Brexit created a significant amount of complexity for any company doing trade with Britain, not just British companies. This is not a great factor for British trade but supply chains are already complex; such processes sort of move under your feet without your being aware of it. This is just the nature of supply chains.
Supply chains can be simplified and costs reduced by using structured data to improve workflows and efficiency. The challenge is that supply chain data is often siloed and scattered. We provide a platform that allows operators in supply chains – a user-focused, operator-focused platform – that helps with visibility.
That is how we approach any global company that exists in a volatile, difficult supply chain, not just those that are impacted by Brexit. We seek clarity and visibility through data.
The UK has a rich history of logistics – whether it is maritime, air or road – and has always had to operate a supply chain
Where does your vision fit within the UK government’s push to digitise freight and supply chains?
Right in the middle. Data tends to solve most problems in businesses of all shapes and sizes, whether it’s financial, customer or supply chain related. For progress to made, companies must first digitise, organise and accumulate key data to get the most out of automated workflows and AI-driven supply chains.
That is Beacon’s main business model and is what the UK government is striving for in their digitalisation plans.
What advantages – and hurdles – does the UK startup ecosystem offer for building a global logistics tech leader?
The UK has a rich history of logistics – whether it is maritime, air or road – that has always had to operate a supply chain. This has naturally created a forward-thinking environment which, paired with access to high-level talent at world-leading universities, creates an optimal environment.
Everything is relative. Do we have the same depth and scale of talent as the US West Coast? No. Are our capital pools as deep as theirs? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t achieve great things.
Capital is increasingly global – we’re backed by investors from around the world, including the US, and we have outstanding talent across engineering and beyond. It’s all a matter of perspective.
What role does automation play in making UK logistics smarter and more connected?
Automation creates efficiency; people can do more with less.
Much of supply chain work is repetitive – such as updating people, tracking changes and sharing information. These tasks matter, but they consume huge amounts of time. Automating such processes frees teams to focus on deeper insights and improvements, unlocking significant efficiency gains.
In supply chains, the impact goes beyond productivity: it affects margins, working capital, inventory levels and even environmental outcomes. By assembling and structuring data, companies can pinpoint major inefficiencies and drive meaningful change.
That is the real value – data-driven transformation not only boosts efficiency but also strengthens resilience, competitiveness and overall business performance.
How do you see Beacon supporting UK businesses facing global supply chain disruptions and uncertainty?
Such disruption and uncertainty are the new normal.
This is thanks not just to events such as Brexit and Covid, but also changing consumer behaviours have driven a more complex, ever-changing supply chain.
I think the way we help these companies to navigate this is through visibility and data, helping create greater efficiencies through automation. This makes businesses more competitive, agile and resilient.