Data and digital technologies are the invisible infrastructure of modern life, powering everything from public services and transport to housing and healthcare. At the Connected Places Summit, explore how trusted, resilient digital systems can unlock smarter, fairer, and more secure places.
As the UK sharpens its focus on data capability and national storage infrastructure, the conversation has never been more urgent. From digital twins and AI to secure data sharing and local data economies, we’ll explore how data is being turned into decisions and into impact.
This is where technologists, policymakers, and place leaders come together to discuss not just innovation, but trust, governance, cyber resilience, and the infrastructure needed to keep our systems future-proof and connected.
Whether you're building cloud strategies for public services, scaling IoT deployments, or designing standards for interoperable systems, the Summit is your platform to connect, collaborate, and lead.
Join us at the intersection of data, digital and resilience and help shape a future where every place can harness the power of trusted technology.
Attending in 2026
Speakers confirmed for 2026:
Anna Jordan
CEO
Alchera Technologies
Cato Davies
CEO
Ensemble Analytics
Graham Faiz
Head of Digital Energy
DNV
Mohammad Shana'a
Chief Executive Office
Morta
Paul Perera
Strategy & Technology Operations Director
Waygate Technologies
Dr Wei Yang OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Digital Task Force for Planning
Anna Jordan
CEO - Alchera Technologies
Cato Davies
CEO - Ensemble Analytics
Cato Davies is the cofounder and CEO of Ensemble Analytics. Cato leads the UX design and client onboarding. Cato has previously developed climate modelling software for optimised greenhouse locations across the UK and US and is a lecturer in the Energy and AI Lab at UCL.
Graham Faiz
Head of Digital Energy - DNV
Graham heads the Digital Energy practice in DNV’s Energy Systems UK & Ireland operation, leading a team of 20+ people. He is a Chartered Engineer; and a Fellow of the BCS – the Chartered Institute for IT – with over 20 years’ experience. He is responsible for the leadership of flagship industry digitalization projects, holding project manager, director & project sponsor roles.
Mohammad Shana'a
Chief Executive Office - Morta
Paul Perera
Strategy & Technology Operations Director - Waygate Technologies
Dr Wei Yang OBE
Chief Executive Officer - Digital Task Force for Planning
Dr Wei Yang OBE is an internationally renowned town planner and urban designer advocating a place-based, whole-systems approach to the grand challenges of our time. She is Co-Founder and CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning—the world’s first innovation-led social enterprise pioneering systemic transformation of spatial planning in the digital era—and Founder and Chair of Wei Yang & Partners, an award-winning masterplanning firm specialising in 21st-century Garden Cities and contemporary societal challenges. Wei promotes joined-up thinking across professions, having served as President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (2021) and Chair of the Construction Industry Council (2023–25). She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Board Member of the British Library and Chair of its Capital Portfolio Committee, and an Honorary Professor at UCL. She has advised government as a member of the New Towns Taskforce (2024–25) and as an Expert Adviser for the London Plan Review (2023–24). She was awarded an OBE for her contribution to town planning in 2025.

The Connected Places Summit offers up a big picture canvas along with numerous opportunities to make connections across multiple sectors. In other words, it joins the dots!"
Department for Business & Trade


...really enjoyed the Connected Places Summit because as a cybersecurity business we need to work across our industry and this event provides us with the ability to network with both startups and existing established businesses..."
Complete Cyber


The Summit has been a great opportunity for DNV to be part of discussions and initiatives that will shape the future of connected places. Together, we can unlock the potential of digital technologies to safely transform our world for the better."
DNV

The countdown is on
Tracks
Transport
From clean energy and future fuels to next-generation infrastructure and connected systems, the Transport Track explores how innovation is transforming the way we move people and goods. Featuring a showcase of pioneering SMEs, this track highlights the technologies driving decarbonisation, resilience, and growth across the UK’s transport sector.
Construction and local growth
This track explores how digital planning, modern infrastructure, and innovation are reshaping the built environment. Showcasing SMEs on their scale-up journey and real-world success stories like the West Midlands demonstrators, we’ll spotlight how innovation in construction and place-making drives productivity, sustainability, and economic growth across the UK.
Data infrastructure
Data is the backbone of the UK’s future infrastructure. This track explores how data sharing, digital connectivity, and advanced analytics are enabling smarter decision-making, stronger resilience, and more efficient delivery across transport and construction. Featuring a showcase of pioneering SMEs, we’ll highlight the innovators turning data into real-world impact, building the foundations of a more resilient, connected, and competitive UK.
Pitch & partner
Where the brightest innovators shaping the future of transport, construction, mobility and data take centre stage. In this fast-paced, interactive showcase, cutting-edge SMEs and scale-ups will pitch breakthrough solutions to real-world industry challenges, from greener mobility to smarter infrastructure.