UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Innovate UK (the new name for the Technology Strategy Board), have unveiled the details of speakers at this year’s Innovate UK event, with top industry figures from companies including Innocent Drinks, Cisco and Shell International BV heading the bill.
Day One of the event – the country’s largest multi-sector conference and exhibition for entrepreneurs, innovators, exporters and investors - will open with an address from Phil Smith, CEO of Cisco UK & Ireland and Chairman of Innovate UK.
From robotics to graphene, regenerative medicine to sustainable solutions, he will set the scene for the rest of the event, shining a light on the UK’s leadership in innovation, and celebrating its entrepreneurs.
Across the two days of the event, speakers will share the benefits of their knowledge and expertise, with some of the most unmissable sessions to feature:
* Vince Cable, Business Secretary;
* George Freeman MP, Minister for Life Sciences;
* Richard Reed, Co-founder of Innocent Drinks;
* Angela Strank, Group Chief Scientist at BP International;
* Ruth Mallors-Ray, Chief Operating Officer at the Aerospace Technology Institute;
* John Womersley, CEO of the Science and Technology Facilities Council;
* Kenneth Morse, Chairman and CEO of Entrepreneurship Ventures Inc;
* David Hughes, Global Head of Technology Scouting at Syngenta; and
* Michael Ruggier, Game Changer at Shell International B.V.
Other highlights will include Michael Davis, CEO of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills; who will be exploring how technology entrepreneurs can build an effective leadership structure, with the team and skills needed for success.
Meanwhile Mark Miodownik, Engineer, Broadcaster and Writer will discuss the importance of partnering for business growth; and Zoe Cunningham, Managing Director of Softwire will debate the innovations that are set to revolutionise modern living. In 2013, Zoe was named one of the most influential people in Tech City and selected by the BBC as the Brightest Woman in Britain.
Irene Ing, Professor of Marketing and Service Systems at the University of Warwick will be discussing the importance of investing in the digital economy, looking at how it drives global markets and generates new business opportunities; while Stephen Pattison, Vice President of Public Affairs, at ARM Holdings will head up a panel of high level international speakers from industry and Government as they debate promoting the UK’s technology capability to a global audience.
Innovate UK will be structured around four core areas – Fund, Support, Connect and Go Global - each featuring high calibre speakers drawn from a broad cross-section of industry, including Agri-Food, Built Environment, Digital Economy, Energy, Healthcare, High Value Manufacturing, Space and Transport.
Innovate UK event will be held in the heart of the City of London, at Old Billingsgate EC3, on 5th-6th November 2014.