Electech Innovation Cluster Annual Conference 2026

The Electech Innovation Cluster invites you to our second annual conference, bringing together industry leaders and experts.

Following the success of our 2025 conference - which brought together over 100 professionals from industry, academia, defence, space, and government - this year's event promises to be even bigger, bolder, and more connected.

Join us for a full day of insight, collaboration, and innovation, exploring the technologies, people, and ideas driving one of the regions fastest-growing clusters.

This free-to-attend event offers you a unique chance to:

• Learn more about the continued growth and expansion of the Electech Innovation Cluster
• Network with stakeholders across multiple sectors and create valuable new contacts
• Gain insights into the latest technology innovations and trends shaping the future, including AI
• Explore the importance of Education in the growth and development of the sector

Event Agenda

09:00 - 10:00 Registration & Networking

10:00 - 10:15 Welcome & Housekeeping

10:15 - 10:45 Opening Keynote & Audience Q&A
Chris Mayne, MD, Teleplan Forsberg

10:45 - 11:00 Lightning Innovation Talk 1

11:00 - 11:15 Lightning Innovation Talk 2

11:15 - 11:30 Comfort Break

11:30 - 12:00 Parallel Sessions A & B
Session A - Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Accessing Skills, Facilities and Expertise

· Panel Chair: Kate Houlden, MD , Like Technologies

· Allan Rennie, Associate Dean for Engagement, Lancaster University

· Sarah Hall, Director, Business at Blackpool and Fylde College,

· Kerry Harrison , Partnership Lead, Lancashire Digital Skills

Session B - Health and medical technologies to support the future health service

· Neil Reeves, Professor of Secure Health Technologies, Lancaster University

12:10 - 12:40 Sessions C & D

Session C - The Ecosystem Mindset: Creating an Innovation Ecosystem

· Dan Knowles, Founder, Northern Reach

Session D - Title TBC

· Steve Hodges, Distinguished Professor, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University. Former Senior Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research

12:40 - 13:30 Lunch & Networking

13:30 - 14:00 Lightning Innovation Talks 3 & 4

14:10 - 14:40 Sessions E & F

Session E - Starting where you are: Recognising and building on existing sustainability

· Dr Zoe Detko, Ardea Eco-Innovation

Session F - The Irish Sea Rim - Panel Session

· Prof Phil Leigh, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager, University of Cumbria 

· Jo Cresswell, Director of Innovation, The Irish Sea Rim

· Marco Rappacinni, Technical Director, The Irish Sea Rim

14:45 - 15:15 Closing Fireside Chat

Hosted by Dan Knowles, Founder, Northern Reach interviewing Rob Young, Chief Scientist, Founder, Quantum Base

15:15 Event Recap and Formal Close

15:15 - 16:00 Networking