Global Growth Congress

As the global technology landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, it becomes vital to understand how the UK tech sector stacks up against international competitors and what the UK can learn from other successful tech economies around the world. We are delighted to bring together expert speakers for this panel discussion to examine the UK’s position in the global tech market, exploring its strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth.

Hear from Dan Storer – West Midlands Growth Company on the West Midlands Innovation Picture

The West Midlands is one of the UK’s most dynamic tech hubs, gaining recognition for its innovation and growing digital economy, with strong digital infrastructure and R&D. This panel will dive into the region’s success in the tech sector, exploring how it is positioning itself as a leader in the UK’s tech landscape.

Hear from Rob Valentine, Bruntwood; Prof Nigel Driffield, WBS; Sarah Windrum, HORIBA MIRA; Alex Favier, Midlands Innovation, Chaired by Dr Helen Turner, Midlands Innovation

Learn the importance of bilateral relations in global expansion from Georgina Ayre.

Chair: Jason Sahota, TechWM

Panel Members: Georgina Ayre, DSIT; Mr. Rhee Han Woo, Hydrogen & Energy Technology Group, Ulsan Techno Park (UTP); Bindiya Verma, Invest Region Leipzig; Richard Austin, Crowe UK

An opportunity to network over lunch

Panel discussion with Lloyd Board: Head of European and International Affairs in Birmingham City Council; Iain Mansell: Cluster Leadership Delivery Manager West Midlands Combined Authority; Aline Martins: Global Business & Partnerships Lead in Connected Places Catapult

Panel discussion with Jinkyung Lee: Team Lead, Global Strategy Team in Ulsan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation; Ben Roberts: Director, Tenants Hub Tech; Venetia Hulse: Accelerator Programme Team Lead in Connected Places Catapult; & Prof Monder Ram: Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston University

Panel discussion with Manolya Kavakli-Thorne: Program Lead for Gamification & Simulation Technology in Aston Digital Futures Institute (ADFI), Aston University; Prof. Kanghyun Jo: School of Electrical Eng. University of Ulsan; Prof. Hung-Suck Park: Emeritus Professor, Ulsan College; Peter Laybourn: Chairman of International Synergies Limited; & Raj Mack, Head of Digital city&innovation, Birmingham City Council

Building skills for the 21^st Century and capturing a $4.75bn growth opportunity

An introduction to West Midlands and Innovation Growth with John Baty, West Midlands Growth Company

Hear from Alison Kilby – Associate Director at Arup; Sarah Windrum – Future Mobility Cluster Lead at Horiba MIRA; Michael Clifford – Economic Advisory at EY, Chair by Jon Baty – Head of Inward Investment at WMGC as they discuss how companies re-thinking workspace to drive innovation, productivity and commercial advantage in a post-Covid world.

Find out how the Global Growth Program spearheaded by the West Midlands Growth Company can support your Globalisation Journey. Witness Agilyx as the case in point in a candid conversation with Harpal Mattu , Managing Director & John Catarinich, CEO Agilyx Group (Australia) hosted by Ashlene Smith – Innovation and Scale-up Manager at WMGC

In discussion with John Burt, CEO at Medherant; Kieran Borrett, Director at Plug and Play UK, Will Flint, CEO at Energym; Chaired by Jo Birch, CIO at Woodbourne Group

Witness JLR’s Journey, Presented by WM5G and Ericsson in discussion with Jess Ellis, Programme Director at 5GIR; Mike Barlow, Regional Sales Director UK & Ireland at Ericsson Enterprise, Chaired by Lesley Holt, WM5G

In candid conversation with David Keene, CEO Aurrigo on the success of their international journey hosted by Charles Brant, Gowling WLG

An insightful discussion with Hoda Shahzadeh – Senior Trade Consultant – OCO Global, Rick Shaw – Partner – Evelyn Partners, Liz Villani – Founder – #BeYourselfAtWork, Nicholas van der Walle  – Founder & Chairman – Astute Graphics, Chaired by Shezhad Chaudhary Deputy Director Midlands – DBT

An invigorating session with Fredericke Thone, Senior Trade Consultant – DBT Netherlands; Aanand Davé, Chief Solutions Officer – Decision Lab; & James Blakemore, MD – The JMB Partnership

Hear from Steve Crane, Founder – Export to Japan; Melissa Snover, Founder – Nourished, Gerti Willis, Lead Culture Advisor – DBT; Chaired by Jane Grady, Director of Science and Technology – DBT.

Hosted by Dr Chris Moore – AI Specialist DBT & Fredericke Thone – Senior Trade Consultant – DBT Netherlands

How the CPTPP Free Trade Agreement can boost your business hosted by Ella Chippendale, Valeria Vigilante – CPTPP FTA Utilisation Leads

Hosted by Hoda Shahzadeh – Senior Trade Consultant – OCO Global