Session type Hybrid

Toggle between Day 1 and Day 2 to see full search results.

Tracks

• Transport
• Construction & Local Growth
• Data Infrastructure
• Pitch & partner

Day 1 Day 2

Wednesday 18 March

Registration

08:30-09:15

45m

Keynote speeches

9:15–11:00

105m

Driving growth and catalysing change

Grand Hall

Featured speakers

Kellie Beirne

Cardiff Capital Region

Dr Amit Bhave

CMCL

Professor Greg Clark CBE

Connected Places Catapult

Rokhsana Fiaz OBE

Newham Council

Rob Quinn

MakeSense Technology

Prof Patricia Thornley

Department for Transport (DfT)

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Keynote speeches | Driving growth and catalysing change

Grand Hall

Welcome address

Erika Lewis, CEO of Connected Places Catapult, will open the Summit with a keynote address setting the scene for the year ahead, reflecting on current market dynamics and the opportunities shaping the transport and construction sectors. She will outline how business growth and targeted support for high-potential SMEs can drive stronger economic outcomes for the UK in 2025 and beyond.

09:15-09:35

20m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Professor Greg Clark CBE

Chair

Connected Places Catapult

Erika Lewis

CEO

Connected Places Catapult

Growing the infrastructure giants of the future

SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, accounting for over 99% of UK businesses and around 60% of private-sector jobs. Supporting the growth of high potential companies is central to boosting national productivity, as well as economic activity across the UK. In this session three company CEOs explore what it takes to grow a promising venture, framed by real experiences in product-market fit, routes to market, financial resilience, and the leadership decisions that turn early traction into scalable, lasting impact.

09:30-10:00

30m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Dr Amit Bhave

CEO

CMCL

Anna Jordan

CEO

Alchera Technologies

Rob Quinn

CEO

MakeSense Technology

Dr Alison Vincent CBE

Non-Executive Director & Chair of Remuneration & Nominations Committee

Connected Places Catapult

Sustainable futures from transport innovation

Professor Thornley's talk will consider the impact of transport on the environment, and the positive change innovation can create. She will celebrate the role Connected Places Catapult and the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme have played in promoting innovation in the transport sector, and offer a glimpse of the future of the TRIG programme in 2025-2026.

10:00-10:10

10m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Prof Patricia Thornley

Chief Scientific Advisor

Department for Transport (DfT)

The role of business, civic leadership, and connected infrastructure in unlocking investment and growth in city region

This panel brings together influential civic and business leaders focused on the role of better-connected infrastructure in growing UK businesses and unlocking better growth in our city regions. By aligning local leadership with the needs of innovative, high-growth potential businesses, the discussion will highlight how cities and regions can retain talent, attract capital, and translate innovations in connectivity and infrastructure into growth and prosperity.

10:10-11:00

50m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Kellie Beirne

Chief Executive

Cardiff Capital Region

Andrew Carter

Chief Executive

Centre for Cities

Oliver Coppard

South Yorkshire Mayor

South Yorkshire

Rokhsana Fiaz OBE

Mayor of Newham

Newham Council

Back to panel information

Networking break and visit exhibitors

11:00–11:30

30m

Day 1

11:30–13:00

Transport

How will we move tomorrow?

Grand Hall 2

Featured speakers

Robert Bateman

Nissan Technical Centre Europe

Valentina Gentili

Innovate UK (IUK)

Marc Rozendal

EIT Urban Mobility

Sameer Savani

Connected Places Catapult

Prof Patricia Thornley

Department for Transport (DfT)

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Transport | How will we move tomorrow?

Grand Hall 2

Hard truths & high growth: Reclaiming UK transport infrastructure credibility

The mandate is clear, but the delivery is stalling. While transport holds the key to the UK’s Green Growth, we remain caught between ambitious targets and the "hard truths" of delivery. From navigating complex regulatory minefields to rebuilding infrastructure credibility for global investors, the path to decarbonisation is currently paved with barriers that too often lock out our most innovative SMEs.  

 

This session cuts through the polite policy lines to ask what it will actually take to turn transport into a high-velocity platform for the economy. It’s time to move beyond "theoretical opportunities" and build a system where innovators can actually compete, thrive, and lead the world in transport technology. 

11:30-11:45

15m

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Speakers

Sameer Savani

Transport Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

Celebrating excellence: The Chief Scientific Adviser’s TRIG Awards

This panel brings together influential civic and business leaders focused on the   role of better-connected infrastructure in growing UK businesses and   unlocking better growth in our city regions. By aligning local leadership   with the needs of innovative, high-growth potential businesses, the   discussion will highlight how cities and regions can retain talent, attract   capital, and translate innovations in connectivity and infrastructure into   growth and prosperity.

11:45-12:15

30m

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Speakers

Prof Patricia Thornley

Chief Scientific Advisor

Department for Transport (DfT)

Ignition: the future of cars

Session Partner

As the UK faces a pivotal moment in its transport evolution, this session explores whether shifting away from car dependency is truly desirable - or even feasible.

Drawing on case studies from UK cities experimenting with 15-minute principles, this session asks who benefits and who loses from car-reduction strategies, and whether rural transport will ever reach a place where it's not reliant on cars. Are options to travel more quickly actually reducing journey times, or do we just travel further?

12:15-13:00

45m

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Speakers

Kit Allwinter

Senior Travel Inspector

Active Travel England

Robert Bateman

Manager - Vehicle Research & Advanced Engineering

Nissan Technical Centre Europe

Valentina Gentili

Battery Innovation Programme Director

Innovate UK (IUK)

Susan Ross

Deputy Director

Edge Innovation

Marc Rozendal

CEO

EIT Urban Mobility

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Day 1

11:30–13:00

Construction & Local Growth

Harnessing regional clusters for business growth

Grand Hall 1

Featured speakers

Stuart Leslie

National Wealth Fund

Matt Mason

The Crown Estate

Catherine McGuinness CBE

Connected Places Catapult

Sarah Windrum

HORIBA MIRA

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Construction & Local Growth | Harnessing regional clusters for business growth

Grand Hall 1

State of the nation: Growth

Presenting a state of the nation view of the Business Growth agenda across the UK’s regions and international landscape, this keynote explores disappearances in regional performance and the challenge of scaling innovation beyond pilots. 

Discover why Connected Places Catapult is well placed to unlock business growth through devolution, place based investment and national programmes, and how we are supporting growth at scale and helping UK firms expand into international markets..

11:30-11:45

15m

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Speakers

Alan Welby

Built Environment & Local Growth Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

Innovation assets driving investment and inclusive outcomes

Session Partner

Regional authorities, place leaders, and industry are harnessing innovation assets to drive growth. By directing resources and expertise into the right economic spaces, they are building the foundations for vibrant, high potential business clusters. Initiatives like the national Innovation Accelerator help turn ideas into reality, while Investment Zones and Innovation Districts act as compact catalysts where research, SMEs, industry leaders, and investors align.

In this panel, leading exemplars share how to attract investment, engage industry, and secure inclusive outcomes.

11:45-12:20

35m

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Speakers

Emma Frost

Chair

UK Innovation Districts Group

Prabs Johal

Head of Regional Delivery

Connected Places Catapult

Matt Mason

Head of Innovation and Skills, Urban

The Crown Estate

Sarah Windrum

Head of Cluster Development

HORIBA MIRA

Investment for innovation in net zero: financing pilots to scale

Over the last 4 years, Connected Places Catapult has supported the Cities Commission for Climate for Climate Investment (3Ci), a partnership between local government and the private sector.

This session explores why local net zero investment remains challenging, what is starting to work, and how partners across government, finance and delivery can move innovation and pilots into delivery at scale. It introduces the newly launched Local Net Zero Finance and Investment Group (LNZFIG), sponsored by Minister White in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and supported by Connected Places Catapult, and draws on lessons from the 3Ci legacy to accelerate commercially viable, community-supported and scalable local net zero investment across the UK.

12:20-13:00

40m

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Speakers

Caroline Haas

Head of sustainable finance advisory

Natwest

Victoria Lawson

Chief Executive

London Borough of Islington

Stuart Leslie

Director, Local Authority Advisory and Lending

National Wealth Fund

Catherine McGuinness CBE

Non-Executive Director & IUK Nominated Director

Connected Places Catapult

Back to panel information

Day 1

11:30–13:00

Data Infrastructure

Growing the businesses of tomorrow with data

Doddington Forum 1

Featured speakers

Anna Cartwright

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Davin Crowley-Sweet

National Highways

Miranda Sharp

Metis Digital

Sam Thornton

Bridewell

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Data Infrastructure | Growing the businesses of tomorrow with data

Doddington Forum 1

Scaling the frontier: From innovation pilot to enduring impact

The UK is world-class at starting things, but middle-of-the-pack at finishing them. Too often, our best innovators are trapped in 'pilot-purgatory', forced to reprove their technology every time they cross a city line. This keynote breaks the cycle, revealing the new digital architecture needed to make success portable and turn frontier startups into national anchor firms.

11:30-11:45

15m

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Speakers

Justin Anderson

Data & Digital Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

Data is infrastructure: Policy, investment and delivery

The UK is treating data as national infrastructure to support AI, public service reform and productivity, backed by commitments including £112m for improved access to public and AI‑ready data. Initiatives such as the National Data Library form part of wider efforts to make public data more accessible and reusable. This panel session discusses how these policies are translating into real delivery, and how the infrastructure being built actually connects across sectors. Is the investment overcoming fragmentation, security and standards barriers, and ultimately boosting trust?

11:45-12:30

45m

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Speakers

Davin Crowley-Sweet

Chief Data Officer

National Highways

Stefan Kneip

VP Head of Infrastructure EMEA

Siemens Advanta

Miranda Sharp

Founder

Metis Digital

Melissa Tallack

Stream co-lead

Northumbrian Water Group

Securing the connected nation: Cyber–physical resilience for UK critical national infrastructure

What standards (NIST, ET3) and cyber strategies are shaping the future? How do government, industry and SMEs collaborate to secure infrastructure?

This session examines the emerging cyber threats facing cyber-physical infrastructure (CPI) and how the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) can bridge the gap between digital and physical security. It will explore the impact of social, political and environmental pressures on security strategies and provide insights into building more resilient, integrated approaches to protect critical systems in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

12:30-13:00

30m

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Speakers

Marianne Betts

Chief Executive Officer

Civiteq

Anna Cartwright

Deputy Director – Cyber Strategy and Legislation

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Sam Thornton

Chief Operating Officer

Bridewell

Dr Alison Vincent CBE

Non-Executive Director & Chair of Remuneration & Nominations Committee

Connected Places Catapult

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Day 1

11:30–13:00

Pitch & partner

AWS: Leveraging digital innovation to deliver the transport systems of the future

Doddington Forum 2

Featured speakers

Savina Chergarova

AWS

Andy Emmonds

Transport for London

David Gregory

NVIDIA

Daniel Hobbs

Connected Places Catapult

Reda Kechouri

Trainline

Andrew Leadbetter

Manchester Airport’s Group

Elaine Scott

Port of Tyne

Jennifer Stanley

Amazon Web Services

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Pitch & partner | AWS: Leveraging digital innovation to deliver the transport systems of the future

Doddington Forum 2

Amazon Web Services: Leading the Connected Transport Revolution

Programme Partner

This session explores how cities and regional transport bodies are innovating to create seamless mobility solutions. We'll examine how automation and smart infrastructure can drive operational efficiencies and learn from regional leaders who are successfully implementing connected transport solutions to transform urban mobility.

11:30-12:00

30m

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Speakers

Savina Chergarova

Roads and Policy

AWS

David Gregory

Head of Smart Spaces and Local Government UKI

NVIDIA

Daniel Hobbs

Head of Integrated Transport Delivery

Connected Places Catapult

Elaine Scott

Director of Innovation

Port of Tyne

Amazon Web Services: Building Tomorrow's Intelligent Airport

Programme Partner

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is transforming aviation operations across the UK's largest airport network, serving 60 million passengers annually across 200+ destinations. MAG's AI solutions span computer vision for airfield efficiency to machine learning for passenger flow optimisation, delivering enhanced efficiency and improved passenger experience. This session shares MAG's practical approach and the roadmap from tactical wins to strategic transformation of airport operations.

12:00-12:30

30m

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Speakers

Andrew Leadbetter

Chief Technology Officer

Manchester Airport’s Group

Amazon Web Services: Transforming Transport Through Data, AI and Agentic AI

Programme Partner

Explore how AWS and other industry leaders are revolutionising transport operations through AI, automation, and agentic AI. Using real world case studies, learn how organisations can become truly data driven, optimise operations, and deliver better services for citizens. This session will share practical insights on starting and scaling digital transformation and innovation, and how to get it right.

12:30-13:00

30m

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Speakers

Andy Emmonds

Chief Transport Analyst

Transport for London

Reda Kechouri

Director for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Trainline

Andrew Leadbetter

Chief Technology Officer

Manchester Airport’s Group

Deepak Shukla

Head of AI and Data

AWS UK Public Sector

Jennifer Stanley

Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

Amazon Web Services

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Lunch

13:00–14:00

60m

Day 1

14:00–16:00

Transport

Turning transport innovation into commercial growth

Grand Hall 2

Featured speakers

Alex Green

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL Group)

Rue McIlmoyle

National Shipbuilding Office

Emma Partlow

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)

Chris Patnoe

Google

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Transport | Turning transport innovation into commercial growth

Grand Hall 2

Future journeys: envisioning the future of accessible transport

Transport systems shape how we live and connect, yet many people still face barriers that limit their journeys. This session shares early insights from the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Motability Foundation collaboration, supported by industry partners, and people with lived experience of sight loss. Discover how a design-led approach is uncovering opportunities for fairer, more accessible travel, and how co-created storytelling and documentary highlights can drive meaningful, long-term change.

14:00-14:30

30m

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Speakers

Emma Partlow

Chief Executive Officer

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)

Chris Patnoe

Head of Accessibility

Google

Sophie Randall

Innovation Lead, Mobility & Cities

Innovate UK (IUK)

Robin Spinks

Head of Inclusive Design

RNIB

Charting a cleaner course in maritime

What are the front runners in future clean mobility and if we know what they are, what will it take for them to reach wide scale adoption across domestic and international markets?

Join this session to discover how regulation is driving change, how the supply chain is responding to fuel availability demands, and the latest solutions from tech providers. Are we at the point of mass take up of clean maritime mobility? 

14:30-15:15

45m

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Speakers

Helen Barden

Director - External Affairs

North Standard

Geraint Evans

Chief Executive Officer

UK Major Port Group

Kirsty Gouck

Consultant

Connected Places Catapult

Alex Green

Senior Business Development Manager – New Energy

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL Group)

Tristan Smith

Professor of Energy & Transport

University College London (UCL)

David Surplus

Chief Executive Officer

B9 Energy

De-Risking the future: Using AI simulation to accelerate autonomous systems

Maritime environments are complex, safety-critical environments where introducing autonomy is particularly challenging. This panel brings together Fidelis AI, Serco, and Portsmouth International Port to discuss how AI-powered simulation is used to train, test and improve autonomous systems before deployment in real operations. How can simulation reduce risk for organisations, enable better decision making, and ultimately support moving with confidence from trials to real-world deployment?

15:15-15:35

20m

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Speakers

Abanoub Ghobrial

Chief Executive Officer

Fidelis AI

Chris Hatter

Head of Compliance

Portsmouth International Port

Iwona Wilk

Programme Manager

Connected Places Catapult

Jack Wootton

Transformation Portfolio Manager

Serco

From data to decisions: mapping workforce mobility in UK shipbuilding

The UK shipbuilding sector depends on a skilled and mobile workforce, but there is limited evidence about how people actually move across the industry. Bringing together Gauge19 and the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO), this session explores their pilot using the Lorefully platform to better understand workforce mobility and retention. How can new, trusted insights support employers and policymakers to make better decisions on skills, retention, and long-term workforce planning across the maritime and defence sectors?

15:35-16:00

25m

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Speakers

Amrit Chandan

CEO

Lorefully

Georgina Cruttenden

Consultant

Connected Places Catapult

Rue McIlmoyle

Skills Lead

National Shipbuilding Office

Back to panel information

Day 1

14:00–16:00

Construction & Local Growth

Embedding the industrial strategy to accelerate exports and investment

Grand Hall 1

Featured speakers

Rodney Berkeley CBE

Department for Business and Trade

Dr Adrian Johnston MBE

Innovation City Belfast

Dimple Patel

NatureMetrics

Dame Susan Rice DBE

Forth Green Freeport

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Construction & Local Growth | Embedding the industrial strategy to accelerate exports and investment

Grand Hall 1

Building the right conditions for businesses to grow in a place

What does a place need for businesses to thrive? How do actors across the quadruple-helix come together to crowd investment?  What is the role of local and national government in closing the 'viability gap' for innovation assets?

In this panel, hear perspectives from across the UK on how places are building the conditions for business growth. The panel will focus on how businesses are supported to access capital investment, as well as the role of collaboration between places - both coordinating activities for more impact and learning from each other.

14:00-14:35

35m

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Speakers

Jo Birch

Managing Director

GROWTHINNK Associates

Dr Adrian Johnston MBE

Innovation Commissioner

Innovation City Belfast

Iain Mansell

Head of Regional Engagement

Connected Places Catapult

Eve Roodhouse

Director of Strategy and Policy

Local Government Association

Fiona Tuck

Director

Metro Dynamics

Exports and international partnerships as a key driver of business growth

Why are exports critical in scaling UK businesses, and what role does UK expertise play in addressing global challenges? 

Through real examples showcasing collaboration in action, this session focuses on why international partners value working with the UK, how Connected Places Catapult catalyses SME growth in high-growth markets such as India, and how we can pave the way for Team UK success in global markets.

14:35-15:15

40m

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Speakers

Vanessa Ambler

Director

We Care 4 Air

Rodney Berkeley CBE

Director of Infrastructure & Technology

Department for Business and Trade

Dimple Patel

Chief Executive Officer

NatureMetrics

Elena Williams

Director of International & Trade

Connected Places Catapult

Driving growth through UK Industrial Strategy Zones: catalysts for inclusive growth and investment

UK Industrial Strategy Zones (Freeports & Investment Zones) are leading the charge on growth by attracting investment and innovative businesses. 

They are quickly becoming hotbeds of innovation and playing a key role in growing the sectors of the future, creating thousands of long-term, high-quality jobs for local people. What are the immediate and long-term growth opportunities and how are Freeports and Investment Zones catalysing inclusive growth?

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Ibrahim Mohamed

Infrastructure Investment & Freeport / Investment Zones Advisor

Office for Investment

Dame Susan Rice DBE

Chair

Forth Green Freeport

Jan Ward CBE

Chair

Plymouth & South Devon Freeport

Gavin Winbanks

FDI expert and co-founder of the Office for Investment

White Hawk Green

Neil Young

Freeport Skills & Workforce Development Manager

Tees Valley Combined Authority

Back to panel information

Day 1

14:30–16:00

Data Infrastructure

Boosting growth with data infrastructure

Doddington Forum 1

Featured speakers

Christopher Burr

The Alan Turing Institute

Priya Ramdas

Department for Business and Trade

Shweta Saxena

AI Gizmo

Dr Scott Steedman

BSI Group

See more

Data Infrastructure | Boosting growth with data infrastructure

Doddington Forum 1

SME Trust: Assurance and data

SMEs need trust to compete in digital markets, supported by government frameworks, industry standards and real SME experiences. The UK has strong data strategies, but growth depends on access, not policy. This session explores how to turn data into a competitive advantage by enabling SMEs to innovate, scale and export. What does a functioning data ecosystem actually require to overcome current barriers and what are the roles of government, regulators, industry and Catapults?

14:30-15:15

45m

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Speakers

Christopher Burr

Senior Researcher in Trustworthy Systems

The Alan Turing Institute

Natasha Good

Partner

Freshfields

George Johnston

Head of AI Living Lab

Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership

Ali Nicholl

Data and Digital Strategic Engagement Director

Connected Places Catapult

Dr Scott Steedman

Director-General, Standards

BSI Group

Empowering SME growth

What are the practical steps SMEs can take to build the skills, structures and capabilities needed to grow in a digital data‑driven economy? How can SMEs strengthen operations through better data access, AI adoption and targeted skills development? What are examples of actionable guidance on accelerating innovation, leveraging funding, embedding resilience and connecting SMEs with industry bodies, technology partners and innovation hubs? Join this session to deep dive into how aligning with national priorities such as decarbonisation, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies can open new markets.

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Chris Jones

Data and Digital Products Director

Connected Places Catapult

Priya Ramdas

Head of Consumer Policy Reform

Department for Business and Trade

Shweta Saxena

Founder & CEO

AI Gizmo

Graham Williamson

Applied Data Science & Strategy Director

Connected Places Catapult

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Day 1

14:30–16:00

Pitch & partner

Santander: The role of partnerships in powering change

Doddington Forum 2

Featured speakers

Aleksandar Bogdanov

Milton Keynes City Council

Kevin Dixie

Buyerdock

Polly Harrold

Santander UK

Dr Fiona Hutchison

Diffley Partnership

Danielle Stephens

Recycle-labs

Wendy Whewell

Santander UK

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Pitch & partner | Santander: The role of partnerships in powering change

Doddington Forum 2

Turning research into action

Programme Partner

An exploration of how the collaboration between business, communities and local authority can drive change in through place based action. The case study revels key insights about the barriers and opportunities to support home energy efficiency in Milton Keynes.

14:30-15:15

45m

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Speakers

Aleksandar Bogdanov

Sustainability Lead

Milton Keynes City Council

Polly Harrold

Senior Public Affairs Manager - Sustainability

Santander UK

Dr Fiona Hutchison

Head of Research

Diffley Partnership

Powering Circular Economy Growth

Programme Partner

This session explores how to support SMEs to help scale circular economy innovation by providing mentoring, skills and connections required to turn ambition into growth.

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Kevin Dixie

Co-founder

Buyerdock

Danielle Stephens

Founder and CEO

Recycle-labs

Hussam Sultan

Head ESG Solutions

Santander UK

Wendy Whewell

Head Sustainable Solutions & Finance, Corporate & Commercial Banking

Santander UK

Back to panel information

Networking break and visit exhibitors

16:00–16:30

30m

Keynote speeches

16:30–17:30

60m

The future of transport

Featured speakers

Professor Greg Clark CBE

Connected Places Catapult

Andy Lord

Transport for London

Sameer Savani

Connected Places Catapult

See more

Keynote speeches | The future of transport

Delivering a world-class transport network: Andy Lord in conversation

Join Sameer Savani and Andy Lord for an in-depth conversation on what it takes to deliver and sustain a world-class transport network for a global city. This session will explore the leadership, innovation, and long-term planning required to keep London moving efficiently while supporting economic growth and improving passenger experience.

16:30-17:15

45m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Andy Lord

Commissioner

Transport for London

Sameer Savani

Transport Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

Closing remarks

17:15-17:30

15m

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Speakers

Professor Greg Clark CBE

Chair

Connected Places Catapult

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Networking reception

17:30–18:30

60m

Thursday 19 March

Registration

08:30-09:15

45m

Keynote speeches

9:15–11:00

105m

Future proofing infrastructure, the built environment and transport

Grand Hall

Featured speakers

Mete Coban MBE

Mayor of London's Office

Graeme Craig

Places for London

Amy Li

HSBC

Hugh Taylor

British Business Bank

Clare Wildfire

Mott MacDonald

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Keynote speeches | Future proofing infrastructure, the built environment and transport

Grand Hall

Welcome address

09:15-09:25

10m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Erika Lewis

CEO

Connected Places Catapult

Infrastructure investment keynote

The session will explore the role of the National Wealth Fund how its new five year strategy supports the Government’s growth and clean energy missions. It will cover how the National Wealth Fund is targeting its advisory expertise and finance to places — working with regional leaders to ensure investment drives growth and projects that meet local needs and priorities.

09:25-09:35

10m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Ian Brown

Chief Investment Officer

National Wealth Fund

The role of national infrastructure in driving business growth across the UK

09:35-09:45

10m

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Speakers

Jon Loveday

Director for Infrastructure, Enterprise & Growth

NISTA

Unlocking sustainable growth and connected infrastructure

To deliver its growth mission, the UK government plans to spend at least £725 billion on infrastructure over the next 10 years. The scale of the opportunity for our towns and cities, and well as businesses and local supply chains is huge. But how do we do that in a way that not only unlocks economic growth, but is also sustainable, connected and liveable? This panel brings together thought leaders from Europe’s largest transport and construction project, one of the UK’s leading engineering consultancies, TfL’s transport-oriented property development company, and the Greater London Authority to explore how local leadership and collaboration across the public and private sectors is critical for unlocking growth opportunities in infrastructure development, place-making and regional connectivity

09:45-10:25

40m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Mete Coban MBE

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy

Mayor of London's Office

Graeme Craig

Director & Chief Executive

Places for London

Huw Edwards

Director of Stations & Placemaking

HS2

Erika Lewis

CEO

Connected Places Catapult

Clare Wildfire

Global Cities Lead

Mott MacDonald

Financing the businesses of the future

As innovative UK businesses scale, securing the investment needed for growth becomes increasingly challenging. Recent government reforms to the British Business Bank and the establishment of the National Wealth Fund signal progress, but critical gaps persist, especially for regional firms whose search for scale up finance often draws them away from their place of origin. 

 

Join this session to discover what more is required to align finance with innovation, how to strengthen regional investment pathways, and ensure UK companies can grow and compete globally. 

 

10:25-11:00

35m

Hybrid

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Speakers

Amy Li

Senior Vice President - Early Stage Banking, ClimateTech

HSBC

Karim Palant

Director of External Affairs

UK Private Capital

Hugh Taylor

Director, Strategy

British Business Bank

Alan Welby

Built Environment & Local Growth Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

Back to panel information

Networking break and visit exhibitors

11:00–11:30

30m

Day 2

11:30–13:00

Transport

Driving the rail revolution together

Grand Hall 2

Featured speakers

Helen Davis

Siemens Mobility Limited

Graham Goswell

Worldline

Ross Welham

LNER

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Transport | Driving the rail revolution together

Grand Hall 2

Tracks of tomorrow: How innovation and devolution will reshape rail

Rail reform marks a transformative moment for the UK rail network. This session examines how reform could enable greater devolved decision-making at local level, alongside stronger, more empowered collaborations to drive innovation. We explore the challenges of balancing national strategy with local autonomy, assess the risks of fragmentation against the benefits of localised control, and consider how this shift could support innovation at scale and embed new approaches across the rail system.

11:30-12:05

35m

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Speakers

Helen Davis

Director Strategy & Business Development, Rail Infrastructure

Siemens Mobility Limited

Graham Goswell

Rail Systems Operations Director

Worldline

Fiona Tuck

Director

Metro Dynamics

Vaibhav Tyagi

Head of Rail Engagement

Connected Places Catapult

Ross Welham

Lead Digital Research & Innovation Manager

LNER

Breaking down data barriers to transform delivery & assurance on HS2

Discover how HS2 are breaking down silos and reimagining data-sharing for the AI age. Through collaborative experimentation with real-world data on the HS2 Accelerator, in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, innovators are helping HS2 tackle key reset priorities — from predictive safety to cost and schedule assurance. The session will include a panel discussion exploring the insights from the latest data-driven cohorts, followed by a case study of BuildPrompt — a start-up using AI to bring clarity and confidence to commercial assurance on HS2.

12:05-12:40

35m

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Speakers

Rebecca Goulding

Head of Enterprise Support (Transport)

Connected Places Catapult

Jonathan Kelly

Senior Innovation & Accelerator Manager

HS2

Eric Ritchie

Head of Business Improvement & Innovation

EKFB

Harry Yates

CEO & Founder

BuildPrompt

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Day 2

11:30–13:00

Construction & Local Growth

Unlocking the future of construction

Grand Hall 1

Featured speakers

Elspeth Finch MBE

IAND

Ben Raybould

Turner and Townsend

Mohammad Shana'a

Morta

Melissa Zanocco OBE

UK Research and Innovation

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Construction & Local Growth | Unlocking the future of construction

Grand Hall 1

State of the nation: Construction and infrastructure

Presenting a state of the nation view of the construction and infrastructure sectors across the UK, this keynote explores opportunities and challenges in delivering the nation's infrastructure strategy and how new approaches can unlock growth. 

Discover how Connected Places Catapult is driving new approaches to Digital Whole Life and industrialising construction, and how we're supporting growth at scale and helping UK firms expand into international markets.

11:30-11:45

15m

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Speakers

Alan Welby

Built Environment & Local Growth Managing Director

Connected Places Catapult

The next frontier for UK construction: Industrialised construction

The UK is increasingly recognising the potential of industrialised construction to transform how we design, manufacture and deliver the built environment. The next challenge is coordinating an industry-wide shift that embeds MMC, platform approaches and product-based delivery, while enabling SME innovation and capability growth. 

How do we create the right conditions for manufacturing‑led approaches across the asset lifecycle to improve productivity, cut cost and carbon, and deliver predictable outcomes? This panel will also examine how structured pathways into major programmes help SMEs validate, demonstrate and scale new industrialised construction solutions.

11:45-12:20

35m

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Speakers

Jeff Endean

Director

Cast

Jamie Hillier

Partner

Akerlof

Krithika Ramesh

Head of Built Environment and Urbanism

Connected Places Catapult

Keith Waller

Director of Industrialised Construction

High Value Manufacturing Catapult

Melissa Zanocco OBE

Director, Growth Mission Accelerator

UK Research and Innovation

Global growth at scale: Turning UK digital expertise into opportunities

Initiatives like the Digital Construction International Programme (DCIP) can act as powerful export levers, creating structured pathways for UK businesses to access global markets. By showcasing innovative SMEs alongside established industry leaders, we examine how the UK’s Digital + Domain expertise can scale worldwide and position the nation at the forefront of a rapidly expanding sector. 

How do we turn the UK's digital construction expertise into international opportunity?

12:20-13:00

40m

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Speakers

Sarah Crawley

Director and Co-founder

SymTerra

Elspeth Finch MBE

Chief Executive and Founder

IAND

Ben Raybould

Digital Lead, New Hospital Programme

Turner and Townsend

Hadeel Saadoon

Digital Construction Technical Lead

Connected Places Catapult

Mohammad Shana'a

Chief Executive Office

Morta

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Day 2

11:30–13:00

Data Infrastructure

Driving transport efficiency through data

Doddington Forum 1

Featured speakers

Prof. David Flynn

University of Glasgow

Mark Masterson

Ito World

Katherine Williamson

Department for Transport

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Data Infrastructure | Driving transport efficiency through data

Doddington Forum 1

Driving transport efficiency through data

How can data and digital infrastructure unlock new efficiencies and sustainability in UK transport? What are the latest research insights and how can they be rapidly adopted at scale?

Join this session to discover actionable steps for decarbonising the network, real-world examples of technology adoption, strategies for overcome barriers to adoption, and key opportunities for SMEs to scale up solutions nationally. 

 

11:30-12:20

50m

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Speakers

Gemma Ball

Strategic Account Director

Satellite Applications Catapult

Prof. David Flynn

Professor in Cyber Physical Systems

University of Glasgow

Robert Harwood

Chief Executive Officer

Sim Analytica

Mark Masterson

Chief Executive Officer

Ito World

Prof. Clive Roberts

Executive Dean, Faculty of Science

Durham University

Katherine Williamson

Chief Data Officer

Department for Transport

See it, Pitch it, Scale it”: AI solutions redefining smarter transport

Fresh from braving the dangers of a ‘Dragon’s Den’ session on AI innovation, meet the three survivors of the DfT’s “Smarter Transport Systems – AI in Transport” funding competition. These trailblazing SMEs will present their AI-powered solutions and their plans for real-world implementation. Don’t miss this chance to see the future of transport unfold!

12:20-13:00

40m

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Speakers

Peter Ainsworth

Chief Executive Officer

Monirail

Moria Bennett

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

KIGO

Robert Franklin

Chief Operating Officer

Trackbase

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Day 2

11:30–13:00

Pitch & partner

Innovating the future of transport

Doddington Forum 2

Featured speakers

Claire Charlton

Wincanton (now part of GXO)

David Elvy

Department for Transport

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Pitch & partner | Innovating the future of transport

Doddington Forum 2

Scaling Freight Together: How Policy, Capital and Industry Move Innovation Forward

Bringing together perspectives from government, investors, industry leaders, and SMEs, this session explores how to unlock and scale freight innovation. What’s needed to move proven ideas beyond pilots, support growth, and shape the future of freight?

11:30-12:00

30m

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Speakers

Liam Bouges

Policy & Advocacy Lead (Freight)

Network Rail

Cato Davies

CEO

Ensemble Analytics

Arnold Du Toit

Founder and CEO

WeSprint

David Elvy

Deputy Head Multi Modal Freight Policy

Department for Transport

Rebecca Goulding

Head of Enterprise Support (Transport)

Connected Places Catapult

Accelerating Freight Innovation: From Trials to Impact

This panel will highlight how the Accelerator is turning innovative ideas into real-world impact across the freight sector. Speakers will share insights on partner collaboration, trial outcomes, and how the programme is driving change, alongside practical reflections on procurement and adoption.

12:00-12:45

45m

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Speakers

Claire Charlton

Head of Open Innovation

Wincanton (now part of GXO)

Taran Loibl

Project Manager

DFDS

Hannah Murphy

Consultant Freight Innovation Fund

Connected Places Catapult

Jamie Sands

Head of Solutions

Welch Group

Ampetronic: The Future of Inclusive Listening Technology in Public Spaces

This session examines how next‑generation assistive listening technologies, including Auri™, developed by Ampetronic and Listen Technologies, are transforming accessibility in transport hubs, cultural venues, and other complex spaces. Attendees will explore evolving regulations, limitations of traditional systems, and emerging digital solutions addressing acoustic challenges and modern communication integration to enable truly inclusive listening.

12:45-13:00

15m

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Speakers

Jonathon Hoskin

Business Development Manager

Ampetronic

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Lunch

13:00–14:30

90m

Day 2

14:30–16:00

Transport

Tackling transport emissions

Grand Hall 2

Featured speakers

Jenny Kavanagh

Green Skies Consulting

Paul Perera

Waygate Technologies

James Wright

Port of Tyne

Lucy Yu

Connected Places Catapult

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Transport | Tackling transport emissions

Grand Hall 2

Powering the transport of the future with clean energy

From offshore wind creating energy independence for maritime, to the electrification of rail, to moving freight via eTrucks, and the sustainable fuel alternatives for aviation, this session explores how the integration of new technologies and expanded infrastructure will allow the UK to meet net zero goals whilst also creating a more efficient transport network. Crucially, how do we secure sufficient investment to make this future a reality?

14:30-15:15

45m

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Speakers

Michael Boxwell

Founder & Corporate Development Officer

Voltempo

Sophie Eynon

Project Manager - Electric Vehicles

Places for London

James Wright

HSE Leader

Port of Tyne

Lucy Yu

Non-Executive Director & Chair of the Projects, EDI & Sustainability Committee

Connected Places Catapult

Zero emission flight: Moving from roadmaps to coordinated trials and beyond

The UK government’s Jet Zero strategy sets out key milestones on the path to net zero aviation emissions by 2050, but significant challenges remain.  This session explores how funding can be de-risked and better incentivised, how cross sector collaboration can be strengthened, how investor confidence can be increased, and how net zero ambitions can be translated into commercially viable solutions.

Are the targets still achievable and what are the practical steps required over the next five years?

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Mark Eldridge

Director of Hydrogen

Element Materials Technology

Jenny Kavanagh

CEO and Founder

Green Skies Consulting

Paul Perera

Strategy & Technology Operations Director

Waygate Technologies

Gareth Powell

Non-Executive Director

Connected Places Catapult

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Day 2

14:30–16:00

Construction & Local Growth

Infrastructure as an enabler of business growth

Grand Hall 1

Featured speakers

Chris Coonick

National Grid

Mike Pittman

Department for Transport

Prof. Mark Tewdwr-Jones

UCL

Dr Wei Yang OBE

Digital Task Force for Planning

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Construction & Local Growth | Infrastructure as an enabler of business growth

Grand Hall 1

Collaborative innovation in infrastructure: Scaling innovation for systemic impact

Infrastructure underpins the economy, yet much of what we’ll need by 2050 remains unbuilt. Fragmented, project‑based delivery limits innovation in climate resilience, digital transformation and productivity. 

This session explores how treating infrastructure as a connected system, rather than isolated projects, can unlock efficiency, sustainability and value; and how collaborative, lifecycle‑driven innovation, shared frameworks and interoperable standards transform delivery. How can the UK lead globally by creating exportable models for digital, system‑level infrastructure?

14:30-15:15

45m

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Speakers

Chris Coonick

UK/US Innovation Management Office Director

National Grid

Lee Edmonds-Ward

Chief of Staff

Sizewell C

Charlotte Hills

Head of Innovation

HS2

Mike Pittman

Head of Transport research and innovation board

Department for Transport

Jonathan Saks

Chief Economist

NISTA

Integrated planning for a better future: Aligning housing, infrastructure and sustainability

England’s planning system faces a critical challenge: fragmented priorities after a decade of localism have slowed housing delivery, infrastructure rollout and decarbonisation. While devolution and emerging Spatial Development Strategies signal a shift back to coordinated planning, regional authorities often lack the expertise and digital tools to deliver at scale.

This session explores how integrated, digital‑first approaches can transform regional planning, using shared data standards, interoperable platforms and scalable innovation to align housing, transport, utilities and environmental priorities into one coherent strategy.

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Geoffrey McCormick

Head of Planning and Urbanism

Connected Places Catapult

Catriona Riddell

Director

Catriona Riddell & Associates

Prof. Mark Tewdwr-Jones

Professor of Cities and Regions

UCL

Dr Wei Yang OBE

Chief Executive Officer

Digital Task Force for Planning

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Day 2

14:30–16:00

Data Infrastructure

Accelerating business growth with testbeds

Doddington Forum 1

Featured speakers

Callum Alder

AIM Group

Mark Enzer

Mott MacDonald

Kath Fuller

TechWM

Nathan Watt

TransHumanity

Melissa Zanocco OBE

UK Research and Innovation

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Data Infrastructure | Accelerating business growth with testbeds

Doddington Forum 1

Newton Day: Making AI Agents Work: Challenges, Obstacles, and Solutions

This session explores how UK sovereign AI enterprise operating systems with self building agents overcome the major barriers to AI adoption and deliver instant ROI solutions. It highlights the organisational, technical, and cultural obstacles leaders face, and shows how next generation AI agents can transform operational challenges into strategic advantages for cities, regions, and infrastructure systems.

14:30-14:45

15m

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Speakers

Ian Tomlin

CEO

Newton Day

TransHumanity: Realising the benefits of AI and the pitfalls to look out for

We all hear the promises of AI, but for critical industries and the public sector, often working with complex data environments, these claims can feel a long way off. TransHumanity is working with some of the UK’s leading transport organisations and major construction programmes to deliver real, measurable benefits. Join us to hear real‑world examples of AI already making an impact in this space, along with practical steps for exploring meaningful value and unlocking significant benefits.

14:45-15:00

15m

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Speakers

Nathan Watt

Director of Transport

TransHumanity

AIM Group: Turn Sensor Data to Decisions: AI Predictive Monitoring for Critical Transport Structures

From “we think it’s fine” to “we know what’s changing.” AIM transforms existing monitoring data into predictable, actionable insights. We help asset owners across sectors reduce unplanned restrictions and increase safety confidence - delivering up to 65% cost savings with 99% predictive accuracy. 

15:00-15:15

15m

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Speakers

Callum Alder

Founder & CEO

AIM Group

How can connected testbeds transform Britain?

Testbeds are the launchpads for technology adoption and scale‑up. This session explores how successful pilots can be turned into national infrastructure, examining what it takes for proven innovations to move beyond isolated trials. Examining the roles of government, industry, SMEs and academia in shaping testbed ecosystems, how can each contribute to creating pathways that turn early‑stage success into widely deployed, scalable solutions?

15:15-16:00

45m

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Speakers

Craig Bower

Digital Infrastructure Consultant

Oxfordshire County Council

Mark Enzer

Fellow

Mott MacDonald

Graham Faiz

Head of Digital Energy

DNV

Kath Fuller

Chief Operating Officer

TechWM

Melissa Zanocco OBE

Director, Growth Mission Accelerator

UK Research and Innovation

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Day 2

14:30–16:00

Pitch & partner

Pitching the future: SME innovations

Doddington Forum 2

Featured speakers

Chantelle Arneaud

White Lotus Energies

Sam Evans

Aeroflow

Nathan Hurdsfield

Department for Transport

Kjell Kolstad

RUNWITHIT Synthetics

Timothy Mangozza

PA Consulting

Kristen Tapping

GOROLLOE

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Pitch & partner | Pitching the future: SME innovations

Doddington Forum 2

Paths to Investment: Stories from TRIG Innovators. Wins, Pitfalls, and Practical Advice.

Join a panel of TRIG Alumni at different stages of their investment journey as they share candid reflections on the challenges, opportunities, and pivotal moments that shaped their growth. From securing early‑stage funding to navigating scale‑up hurdles, this session offers practical tips, honest lessons learned, and real‑world guidance for innovators preparing to take the next step. The panel will also reflect on what the initial TRIG investment meant for their growth journey.

14:30-15:00

30m

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Speakers

Chantelle Arneaud

CEO & Founder

White Lotus Energies

Sam Evans

CEO & Co-founder

Aeroflow

Nathan Hurdsfield

Head of Innovation

Department for Transport

Kristen Tapping

Co-founder & Director

GOROLLOE

DX Unit: Agentic Declaration: Level Up Your Customs Declaration Game

The UK Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is complex, and rework is costly. Watch a live demo of Sailapp Agentic Declaration in action — catching hidden errors, accelerating complex cases, and improving compliance confidence. Leave with a practical edge to process more declarations faster, with fewer rejections, while staying fully in control.

15:00-15:15

15m

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Speakers

SAMSON YU

Founder

DX Unit Limited

PA Consulting: The Quantum Rail Inertial Navigation System

The Quantum Rail Inertial Navigation System (RQINS) addresses the challenge of tracking trains in GPS-denied environments such as tunnels and in dense urban areas. This project looked to prove the quantum-powered system and its potential to enable safer, infrastructure-light navigation and faster fault detection, transforming rail operations, reducing costs, and bolstering the UK’s leadership in quantum innovation.

 

 

15:15-15:30

15m

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Speakers

Timothy Mangozza

Transport expert

PA Consulting

Zest: How to improve the reliability of the EV network and enhance the customer experience through AI and smart management.

Learn how utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for predictive maintenance can improve reliability, reduce inconvenience, and lower operational overheads, while also anticipating EV drivers’ charging behaviours to support dynamic pricing and enable more efficient demand management.

15:30-15:45

15m

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Speakers

Paul Ford

Chief Development Officer

Zest

RUNWITHIT Synthetic: See Your City in 6D: How Human‑Centred Digital Twins Unlock Infrastructure Outcomes and Community Benefit?

Discover how AI-driven digital twins with synthetic populations enable transportation and infrastructure decision-makers to visualize and bring clarity of choice to complex futures. 

15:45-16:00

15m

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Speakers

Kjell Kolstad

Strategic Partnerships

RUNWITHIT Synthetics

Back to panel information

Networking break and visit exhibitors

16:00–16:30

30m

Keynote speeches

16:30–17:30

60m

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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. 

Find out more

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. 

Find out more

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. 

Find out more

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.

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The countdown is on

Book your pass

Getting there

Event Venue: Convene Sancroft, Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7DQ

Nearby Bus Stations:
St. Pauls Station – King Edward Street – 8, 25, 56, 133, N8, N25, N242

Nearby Underground Lines:
Underground Stations St. Pauls (Central Line) Bank (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City Lines) Moorgate (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern) Monument (Circle, District)

Get there for free with Santander Cycles:
Our Programme Partner and Official Cycling Partner, Santander, are pleased to offer complimentary day passes for Santander Cycles across the 18th and 19th March to all those attending Connected Places 2026.
The pass gives you 24 hours of unlimited rides of up to 60 mins on their classic or e-bikes. Simply download the Santander Cycles app, go to the ‘My promo code’ section, and use the code Connected26.

Accommodation: Preferential rates have been secured through HotelRes and can be booked here. We recommend booking early to take advantage of the discounted rates.

Please also view our FAQs for answers to any questions regarding the event.