26 February 2026, Abingdon, UK – Achilles, a global leader in supply chain performance, in partnership with The Business End, a leadership intelligence platform, will host an exclusive panel discussion, Achilles Live Belfast: Performing Under Pressure – Lessons from Elite Sport on Supply Chain Risk and Resilience on 19 March 2026 at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast.
This session is designed for leaders who want to strengthen resilience, improve supplier readiness and minimise disruption. The conversation will focus on what drives confidence under pressure and how organisations can build systems that protect outcomes when the stakes are high.
A High Performance Lens on Supply Chain Resilience
The discussion draws on insights shaped inside elite rugby, offering a clear view of how preparation, discipline and decision making translate into stronger, more reliable supply chains.
Attendees will explore practical ways to:
- See risk earlier and more clearly
- Understand whether suppliers are truly ready to deliver
- Strengthen operational resilience during pressure moments
- Build governance that supports better, faster decisions
- Create long term consistency across their supply base
These principles reflect the same foundations that drive high performance in sport, and they hold the same power in complex supply chains.
Voices with Real Experience
The session is led by Katie Ferrier, Regional Director, UKI & MENA at Achilles, who brings deep experience in supply chain performance across critical industries.
She is joined by respected figures from elite rugby, offering rare insight into how high-pressure environments shape decision making and resilience:
- Gareth Steenson — former Exeter Chiefs rugby player, Premiership winner, and current Irish Women’s Coach, widely known for his precision and leadership under pressure.
- Justin Fitzpatrick — former Ulster, London Irish, Castres and Ireland international, now Co-Founder of The Business End, specialising in leadership performance.
- Liam Mooney — former Exeter Chiefs, London Irish, Ireland A and Barbarians prop, now a leading voice on capability, culture and performance systems.
Together, they offer perspectives forged in environments where clarity, selection, readiness and accountability determine outcomes long before kick-off.
Justin Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder of The Business End, commented:
“When organisations scale or enter new markets, their systems are tested. In sport and in business, pressure reveals whether standards were properly built in the first place. This event is about examining the systems that protect performance when visibility and expectation rise.”
High performance environments show us that clarity, preparation and accountability drive results. These same principles are essential to building supplier resilience and managing risk across critical sectors,” said Katie Ferrier, Regional Director for the UK, Ireland and the Middle East at Achilles.
Event at a Glance
- What: Achilles Live Belfast – Performing Under Pressure: Lessons from Elite Sport on Supply Chain Risk and Resilience
- Where: The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ
- When: Thursday, 19 March 2026
- Time: It starts from 6:00 pm
- Format: Panel discussion with Q&A and open conversation in a relaxed setting
- Audience: Senior leaders from public sector, infrastructure, utilities, transport, energy
About The Business End
The Business End is a leadership platform that convenes senior decision-makers from across business, government and industry to share insight on performance, strategy and decision-making. Through curated events and strategic discussions, it provides a forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange and the exploration of real-world leadership challenges. www.business-end.com
About Achilles
For more than 30 years, Achilles has protected organisations’ business interests and reputations by providing unrivalled levels of supply chain transparency, carbon reduction and management. Achilles is the supply chain risk, ESG and carbon management partner of choice for the world’s leading global brands. Achilles specialises in supporting customers who require robust global supply chain resilience, risk management and reporting to comply with ESG regulations, meet investor requirements, and achieve ambitious sustainability goals. It works with market-leading financial, industrial, commercial and governmental organisations that require serious, detailed analysis and expert insight to deliver exceptional supplier selection and reporting confidence. Operating from 22 locations worldwide, Achilles is at the forefront of the battle against climate change, a champion for social justice and human rights, and an expert in health, safety, and risk management – www.achilles.com
Achilles PR contact details:
Priya Maurya: priya.maurya@achilles.com
