Is the ERP Dead?
The constant evolution within the data and AI space has led to disruption on an unprecedented scale.
For decades, ERP systems have sat at the centre of enterprise operations, defining how organisations structure data, processes, and decision-making, but as AI, real-time analytics, and modern data platforms mature, that centre of gravity is starting to shift. Enterprise leaders are increasingly finding that the most valuable insights, predictions, and automations now live outside traditional ERP environments. Pricing, promotions, supply chain decisions, customer engagement, and even core business rules are being driven by data platforms and AI models operating closer to live, multi-source data.
Join us for an intimate event starting at 8am on Thursday 12th March at Snowflake’s London HQ as we explore a provocative but practical question: ‘is the ERP still the brain of the business, or has it become just another execution system?’
Our carefully curated panel of experienced retail leaders includes:
- Peter Swann; Group Operating Director of WHSmiths
- Currently the Group Operating Director for WHSmiths, Peter is sure to bring an incredible perspective to the discussion backed by a wealth of experience. With a career spanning over 40 years of experience within the retail sector, Peter has overseen the complete transformation and evolution of technology and data whilst holding senior titles within WHSmiths, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer including CIO, Chief Systems Architect, IT Director and IS Director.
- Simon Pakenham-Walsh; CIO of River Island
- Possessing over 25 years of building high performing technology teams, Simon has led successful digital transformations and across functions to deliver outstanding value and a step change in operational performance and customer experience. He has held leadership roles in several industries and businesses of different sizes and complexities including CTO at Sweaty Betty, Digital and Retail Technology Director at Arcadia and Food CIO at Sainsbury’s
- Paul Winsor; Head of Retail EMEA of Snowflake
- Paul has worked within the Retail industry for over 35+ years helping retailers apply intelligence to their data with nearly 20 years spent at Sainsburys. Paul currently helps retailers accelerate their business outcomes leveraging the Snowflake Retail AI Data Cloud.
- Andy Tudor; CEO of Clekt
- Andy is the former Technology and Data Director for Monsoon Accessorize, and Head of Business Systems for Debenhams. After spotting a gap in the market for organisations to be using their data more effectively to drive commercial growth, Andy founded Clekt in a bid to help organisations unlock the hidden value in their data.
Chaired by Iain Blair, Founder of Revoco, this discussion will explore how modern data platforms and AI tooling are reshaping enterprise architecture, whether ERP can realistically remain the orchestration layer in an AI-led organisation, and what this shift means for the c-suite attempting to balance innovation, control, and scale.
This is not about ripping out ERP. It’s about understanding how leadership, architecture, and operating models evolve when intelligence moves upstream.
