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

We are delighted to say that Lancaster University are our Event Partner for this year's conference.

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
Where compliance falls down, and ideas on better ways to think about people.
· Laurie Ibbs, Fractional Technology Leader

11:00 - 11:15 Lightning Innovation Talk 2
A Cyber Professional Ecosystem to enable the Safe and Secure adoption of Robotic Systems in the Public Sector and Beyond
· Zeshan Sattar, Director, The Cyber Scheme

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 -

· 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 - 13:45 Lightning Innovation Talk 3
Innovating the Language Learning Journey for Bilingual and SEND Kids
· Marco Rapaccini, Founder, Lingo Starters

13:45 - 14:00 Lightning Innovation Talk 4
CEA Seed to Sapling: Growing Resilient Reforestation 
· Darius Darwell, Operations Manager, iGrowing

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 - Connecting Clusters: Scaling the Electech Ecosystem Through the Irish Sea Rim; How the ISR Supercluster Amplifies Regional Innovation, Skills, and Supply Chain Resilience- Panel Session

· Panel Chair: Chris Mayne, MD, Teleplan Forsberg

· Dr Justin Larner, Business Lecturer, University of Cumbria

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

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

· Marco Rapacinni, 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