Mission Tech
Join the UK Tech Cluster Group for an afternoon focused on tackling challenges and driving innovation across the UK’s tech ecosystems. We’ll showcase the role of local clusters in unlocking growth, connect leaders from every nation and region, and formally launch the Regional Tech Booster programme.
Bringing together ecosystem leaders and local and combined authorities to explore how best to build and strengthen tech ecosystems, the event will feature a ministerial keynote alongside interactive sessions and national expert contributions.
Alongside panels and networking, there will be interactive roundtable sessions offering participants the chance to contribute ideas, test solutions, and strengthen the connections that power regional innovation.
Date: 01/10/2025. Please note this Event has now passed.
Time: 13:00-17:30
Location: No. 1 Circle Square, Symphony Park, Oxford Road
Registration link for tickets
AGENDA
| Time | Segment | Session Topic | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Arrival | ||
| 13:15 | Opening remarks and launch of the Regional Tech Booster | UKTCG Chair and Senior Government Keynote | |
| 13:45 | Catalysts for Change | This session will spotlight the new and unconventional approaches reshaping how we develop regional tech ecosystems. From pioneering investment models and breakthrough skills programmes to novel partnerships that connect founders, funders and civic leaders, the panel will show how bold, innovative interventions can unlock growth and resilience in every part of the UK. | Chair - David Dunn, CEO Sunderland Software City and Dynamo NE Speaker - David Dunn, CEO of Sunderland Software City |
| 14:30 | BREAK | ||
| 14:45 | How does investing in regional tech ecosystems deliver long-term returns? | National Industrial Strategy sets the ambition but it’s regional ecosystems that turn it into delivery on the ground. This panel brings together leaders who track fast-moving sectors, run targeted skills programmes, support local innovation, and build strong tech markets. The discussion will show why backing the local connectors who know their markets best isn’t just good policy, it's the only way to generate long-term returns for communities, investors and the UK economy. | Chair - Stuart Clarke, CEO, Leeds Digital and Leeds Digital Festival Speakers - Stuart Clarke, CEO, Leeds Digital Henry Whorwood, CEO, Beauhurst Ben Davies, Group Marketing Director , Praetura Ventures Katharine Fuller, COO, TechWM Nick Sturge, Mayor's Business Advisor, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority |
| 15:30 | Interactive roundtable discussions - all participants to select the topic of most relevance/interest to them | All participants will be invited to select the topic of most relevance or interest to them. These five themed discussions are directly linked to the government’s Industrial Strategy and priority growth areas. Each table will be facilitated by a UKTCG member and designed to spark open, practical conversations about on-the-ground delivery and ecosystem needs. This is an opportunity for local and combined authority leaders, civic partners and ecosystem stakeholders to test ideas, share challenges and co-develop solutions. Key points from each roundtable will be captured and fed into the UKTCG final report for DSIT, ensuring that the collective experience of the regions helps inform national policy and funding priorities. | |
| Topic 1. Maximising Regional R&D Impact: Turning research into commercial outcomes and local market growth How can regions better connect their universities, research centres and innovators with local industry to unlock growth? This discussion will explore practical steps to accelerate commercialisation, overcome barriers to collaboration and ensure R&D delivers tangible returns for local economies. | Facilitator - Tim Robinson, COO, Tech East | ||
| Topic 2. Skills for Fast-Moving Sectors: Delivering agile training, careers advice and talent pathways at pace What does it take to keep up with rapidly changing sectors such as AI, cyber and fintech? This table will focus on how local partners can deliver skills provision that is flexible, employer-led and able to create real pathways for residents into high-growth roles. | Facilitator - Nigel Lambe, CEO, Sussex Innovation | ||
| Topic 3. Innovation in Public Procurement: Using procurement to stimulate local tech growth and market creation Public procurement is one of the most powerful levers for shaping markets. How can local and combined authorities use procurement to back innovation, reduce risk for new entrants and create opportunities for SMEs? This discussion will highlight practical models and barriers to overcome. | Facilitator - Katie Gallagher, Managing Director, Manchester Digital | ||
| Topic 4. Unlocking Regional Investment Corridors:Connecting local strengths to national and global capital flows How do we ensure capital reaches the regions where it can have the greatest impact? This session will explore the concept of regional investment corridors, what attracts investors and how local authorities can work with clusters to connect strengths with national and international capital. | Facilitator - Ben Shorrock, CEO, TechSpark | ||
| Topic 5. Digital Adoption for Productivity: Helping SMEs integrate tech and AI to compete and grow SMEs are the backbone of local economies, but too many are held back by low levels of digital adoption. This roundtable will examine how to support SMEs to adopt new technologies and AI, boost productivity and embed digital capability into local business support strategies. | Facilitator - Mark John, COO, Tramshed Tech | ||
| 16:20 | Closing remarks | ||
| 16:30 | Networking and drinks |
Mission Tech Guest Speaker Info
Nick Sturge:
After short spells in medtech startups, Nick joined Inmos, part of a global semiconductor business. From there he co-founded Motion Media Technology developing videophones, IPO’ing in 1996 with a peak valuation of £270m.
Nick grew the Bristol SETsquared business incubator, for high-tech, high-growth businesses to be ranked the world’s best university business incubator, in 2015, 2018 and 2019; and FT ranked it best in the UK in 2024.
In 2013, he founded Engine Shed, a collaboration between Bristol University and Bristol City Council, housing the re-located SETsquared incubator and other projects to drive an inclusive and sustainable scale-up ecosystem.
Nick is on the Board of Governors of Bath Spa University and is Mayor’s Business Adviser and Co-chair of the Business Board for West of England Combined Authority.
Awarded an MBE for services to the digital economy in 2019 he now has a portfolio of non-executive, chair and advisory roles.
Ben Davies:
Ben is the marketing director for Praetura Ventures, who recently announced they plan to merge with Par Equity to become PXN Group (subject to FCA approval). Born-and-bred in the North, Praetura Ventures is an award-winning venture capital investor praised for its early backing of northern success stories such as Modern Milkman, Street Group and Culture Shift. The Manchester-based VC has now become known for its ‘more than money’ approach to supporting early-stage founders post investment. With over £350m AUM and 60+ portfolio companies, their team manage a number of funds including the Praetura Growth VCT and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II for the British Business Bank (North West Equity fund). Ben also helped launched PraeSeed, the North’s first cohort investment programme designed to help founders at the start of their journey with pressed NPIFII investment and investor-readiness support. Before Praetura, he headed up the marketing for Social Chain’s media division around the time of its IPO. Ben also co-founded the alternative co-working and event space Ziferblat UK.
Katharine Fuller:
Katharine is the Chief Operating Officer of TechWM, the not-for-profit organisation leading the growth of the West Midlands’ tech ecosystem towards achieving a £100bn economy by 2030. She oversees strategic delivery across key priorities, including business support, skills development, investment, globalisation, and thematic areas such as AI, 5G, Women in Tech, ESG, and Cybersecurity. Katharine works in close partnership with local authorities, industry stakeholders, and civic leaders to ensure alignment and impact.
With over 15 years’ experience in the West Midlands innovation district, Katharine has a proven track record of helping start-ups, scale-ups, and established businesses translate emerging digital and clean technologies into sustainable growth. For a decade, she specialised in challenge-led innovation, fostering collaborations between businesses, academia, and the public sector to tackle societal and industry challenges. Her expertise in this area has been shared through speaking engagements and programmes across Europe, the US, and Asia.
Beyond her role at TechWM, Katharine advises organisations on maximising the impact of their initiatives through strategic collaboration and provides direct guidance to businesses navigating the innovation ecosystem. She also serves as an independent expert for the European Commission and as an assessor for Innovate UK, offering insights on integrating regional ecosystems into national and global opportunities.
Katharine holds a degree in Economics and a triple-accredited MBA (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS). Her career is defined by a consistent commitment to translating national strategies into tangible local delivery, fostering resilient and connected tech markets that create long-term value for communities, investors, and the UK economy.
Stuart Clarke:
Stuart Clarke MBE is the founder of Leeds Digital, Yorkshire’s largest tech community. Leeds Digital runs the annual Leeds Digital Festival, the largest open-platform tech event in the UK. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the 2025 Festival had over 230 events celebrating all things digital.
Stuart is also the founder of UK Tech Week which brings together regional tech ecosystems, alongside national advocacy organisations, to celebrate tech across the whole of the UK. Featuring 40 partners, UK Tech Week will return on 16 to 20 March 2026.
Running his own marketing and PR consultancy, working with startup and scaleup firms in the tech sector, he is also a non-executive director and adviser to a number of startups as well as being a board member of the established £20m turnover life sciences software firm Lhasa. Stuart devised and runs the PARSE peer roundtable programme for startup founders and is the creator of the Leeds Tech Map.
Henry Whorwood:
Henry started and runs Beauhurst’s Research & Consultancy unit which produces research on the UK’s economy, with a focus on innovation and growth. He has worked on briefs for clients including the British Business Bank, HM Treasury, DSIT and Innovate UK. Henry is an expert on business finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, and regularly gives presentations on market trends at events around the country. He studied Classics at the University of Oxford.