For some businesses, the supply chain disruption caused by Covid-19 has been a wake-up call. For others, it has rapidly accelerated programs to build supply chain resilience that were already underway.

But whether they are responding to labor shortages or travel restrictions, companies are increasingly turning to advanced digital technologies to help them out.

• In factories and warehouses depleted of staff, there is an urgent drive to take the use of robotics beyond repetitive tasks to more intelligent, analytics-based activities.
• AI is driving change everywhere from product development to cybersecurity, where companies like Darktrace are helping businesses protect themselves from new threats that have arisen in this transformed working environment.
• AR and VR are helping overcome travel restrictions by enabling highly-skilled, U.K.-based staff to train and support teams worldwide.
• Banks such as HSBC are using digital platforms to connect buyers and suppliers to keep goods moving to where they are needed.
• Demand is growing for the use of autonomous vehicles too, from major logistics firms exploring the potential of autonomous HGVs to a trial on the Isle of Wight to deliver urgent medical supplies by drone.

For companies embracing innovation to build supply chain security, the U.K. provides the resources and infrastructure they need.

With four of the world’s top 10 universities, there is ready access to a highly-skilled workforce.

Innovation clusters around the country provide an ecosystem that fosters creativity and innovation in key sectors, from digitalization at Adastral Park in the east of the country, to an autonomous vehicles hub in the west.

With one of the lowest corporation tax rates in the G-20 and tax relief of up to 230% on research and development costs, there is also clear support from the U.K. government to help pioneering businesses to thrive.

And this month’s EY Attractiveness Survey demonstrates the resilience and agility of the U.K. economy compared to European peers: R&D projects are at a decade high and digital tech projects are leading the way, attracting a 30% share of all European projects.

As business worldwide responds to Covid-19 and adapts to the new supply chain realities, investing and collaborating with the U.K. provides a path to a more resilient and successful future.