Trailblazing Tech 2025 Agenda
This is updated on a daily basis as we firm up a fantastic line-up of content and speakers!
08.00 - 08.50: Arrival for registration, networking, refreshments and light pastries
08.50 – 08.55: Welcome
- Sam Booth & Nicola McCormick - pro-manchester
08.55 - 09.25 (30m) - Panel: Manchester’s Tech Momentum; Growth, Investment & Opportunity
The North West tech sector is gaining serious momentum, with Manchester at the forefront of innovation, investment, and high-growth scale-ups. This session explores the technologies and sectors attracting the most traction. We’ll also dive into how these firms are securing investment: from tapping into regional and national funding streams, to leveraging accelerator networks, university partnerships, and investor communities. Whether you're a founder looking to grow, or an investor scouting the next big opportunity, this is your insider’s guide to what’s driving tech success in the North West.
- Naomi Timperley – Tech North Advocates (HOST)
- Andrew Aldridge - Deepbridge Capital
- Sirka Moore - Innovate UK Business Growth
- Amul Batra - Northcoders
- Katherine Megson - Bruntwood SciTech
09.25 – 09.45 (20m) - Keynote: Tom Cheesewright - The Robot Revolution: AI beyond the desktop
Still catching up with the GPTs and LLMs? Time to get a head start on what's next. Because now we're giving the AIs their own bodies. While prices of food and fuel may be through the roof, robot prices have fallen exponentially, and they've become much more capable. A whole range of industries will benefit from the robot revolution in the years ahead. Will your business be at the forefront?
- Tom Cheesewright - Applied Futurist
09.45 – 10.15 (30m) - Panel: The "AI" Debate
Explore the dual narrative of AI’s rise in this session, examining both the challenges and opportunities it presents. Through case studies of failed resistance and successful integration, we'll highlight the risks and safety concerns surrounding AI adoption. Gain insights into how your organisation can balance ethical considerations, mitigate risks, and harness AI's transformative potential for long-term success
- John Toon – Beever & Struthers (HOST)
- Sohail Ashraf – Financial Times (Commercial Innovation)
- Lauren Birch – Turing Innovation Catalyst
- Tom Sharpe - TLT
10.15 – 10.35 (20m) – Keynote: The Rise of the Retail Investor: Innovation, Insight & Confidence
In a time of rapid technological change, the retail investment landscape is evolving like never before. In this keynote, Camilla Esmund, Senior Manager at Interactive Investor (ii)—one of the UK’s leading investment platforms—will explore the critical role of innovation in shaping the future of investing for everyday people.
The session will highlight how innovation is not just about new tools or faster platforms but about building real confidence for retail investors. From simplifying decision-making to creating more transparent and empowering experiences, ii will share how it's harnessing opportunity across technology, data, and user experience to support a new generation of informed investors.
- Camilla Esmund - interactive investor
10.35 – 11.10 - Coffee Break
11.10 – 11.40 (30m) - Panel: - ‘Tech for Good’
Explore how tech companies are developing solutions that actively tackle challenges to improve lives. From AI-driven platforms that support mental health and crisis in real time, to products that save energy. Meet the innovators using technology to protect and empower vulnerable communities. Learn how these tools are not just reactive, but preventative—designed to intervene early, save lives, and create safer, more connected societies. Discover how smart, compassionate design can prevent harm, improve wellbeing, and uplift communities by addressing the challenges that matter most. Ultimately—using tech as a force for good.
- Ben Davies – Praetura (HOST)
- Dr Ali Alameer – University of Salford
- Eleanor Harry - HACE
- Sophie Zienkiewicz – Carbon Neutral Fuels
- Martin Leigh – Grafmarine
11.40 – 12.00 (20m) – Keynote: My Brain is My Startup: A Neurodivergent Founder’s Mission
Is neurodiversity the untapped frontier of innovation? Join Michael Jakubiak as he charts his journey from misunderstood outsider to leading a breakthrough neurotech company in Manchester’s thriving startup scene. Through lived experience and entrepreneurial grit, he reveals how recognising cognitive difference isn’t just ethical—it’s essential. A talk that reframes disability as design intelligence and diagnosis as data, challenging us all to think—and build—differently.
- Michael Jakubiak - ND Axon
12.00 – 12.30 (30m) – Panel: Ethics, Environment, and Business Impact
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, technology companies are under increasing pressure to do more than just innovation. They must also lead with integrity, sustainability, and accountability. This session explores the intersection of ethics, environmental responsibility, and business impact within the tech industry.
- Join us as we unpack the critical questions facing tech leaders;
- How can companies balance rapid innovation with ethical responsibility?
- What role should environmental sustainability play in product development and operations?
- Rachel Kenyon, The University of Manchester (HOST)
- Padmasini Dayananda – Growth Advisor and Impact Coach
- Thorrun Govind – Pharmacist and Healthcare lawyer (Brabners LLP)
- John Toon – Beever & Struthers
- Fiaz Sadiq – Innovate UK Business Growth
12.30 – 13.15 (15m each) – Trailblazing Tech Award Finalists - Live Demos
12.30 – 12.45 (15m) – Aspire Ultrasound Consultancy Services
- Angie Lloyd-Jones
- Julie Burnage
- Nicola Jones
- Toby Sinclair
13.15 – 14.05 (50m): 2 course buffet lunch with refreshments
14.05 - 14.35 (30m) Panel: Fintech - The Future of Finance
Fintech continues to disrupt traditional business models and the pressure to innovate and adopt is significant. This panel of legal, technology, communications, change and booking.com experts will discuss how firms can innovate sustainably, successfully and responsibly
- Dave Gardner – TLT (HOST)
- Zahraa Murtaza - AI Tech UK
- Sourav Dey – Deloitte
- Rahul Verma - Booking.com
14.35 – 14.55 (20m) - Keynote: Glenn Wilkinson | Hacker turned Speaker - Ransomware 2025: Get Ready or Get Wrecked
Picture this: You arrive at work, coffee in hand, only to find your screen frozen with a ransom note. The message is clear: “Pay up millions, or your data vanishes forever.”
It's not a distant nightmare. It's happening every day. In 2025, the risks have never been higher. We've seen major organisations brought to a standstill by ransomware attacks that began with something as simple as a phone call to IT support. These incidents have led to suspended services, lost customer trust, and significant financial losses.
In this session, we'll uncover the dark history of ransomware, explore the anatomy of an attack, and examine what's coming next in this relentless threat landscape.
Most importantly, you'll leave armed with practical strategies and tools to protect yourself, your team, and your organisation. Because when it comes to ransomware, preparation isn't optional. It's survival.
14.55 – 15.35 (40m) - Panel: Tech Disruption & the Future of Business Collaboration
Dive into the future of tech and business collaboration with a focus on Manchester and the North West. Learn how scale-ups are disrupting the local tech scene and how professional service businesses can adapt to the innovations shaping the region’s future.
- Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo – AMBS (HOST)
- Penny Traynor - Clinical Neuropsychology Services Ltd
- Simon Groom – Magnify B
- Jayden Patel – Aquaint
15.35 - 15.45: Trailblazing Tech Award Winner announcement
15.45 - 15.55: Close
*Subject to change*
Secure your spot today
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or a trailblazer, TT25 offers fantastic opportunities to connect, learn, and lead.