2026 Agenda

Your time is maximised onsite through a combination of keynote presentations, workshops, interactive discussion groups, pre-arranged one-to-one meetings & quality networking sessions

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Wednesday 25th November 2026
08:30 - 09:00

Arrival, Registration & Breakfast Networking

09:00 - 09:15

Introduction from The Network Group & Chairperson

A brief introduction to the event software, SNS — this software, unique to the industry, empowers our attendees to make the most effective use of their time at the event by maximising networking opportunities. The software designs a personalised agenda & enables attendees to arrange one-to-one meetings with each other. This will be followed by a welcome from the chairperson.

09:15 - 09:45

The Autonomous Enterprise: Redefining Leadership, Operations & Value Creation

  • Embedding AI agents into workflows to accelerate decision-making & boost productivity
  • Modernising operating models around platforms and automation to increase organisational agility 
  • Strengthening AI governance to enable trusted innovation at scale
09:45 - 10:45

Roundtable Discussions and Wrap-Up

Join group discussions with your peers on some of the most challenging & significant topics. Each host will facilitate the discussion & give a short summary of key findings in the wrap-up session. 

Roundtable 1: AI Governance
Roundtable 2 : Modernising Legacy Systems for AI
Roundtable 3: Third-Party Risk Management
Roundtable 4: Digital Transformation

Simon Bell, Technical Director, Mott Macdonald

Roundtable 5: The Cloud Reckoning

George Evans, Head of IT Applications, University of Exeter

Roundtable 6 : Information Security
10:45 - 11:00

Coffee Break & Networking

11:00 - 11:25

Open Forum Think Tank

Skills for the AI Era



11:25 - 11:50
Networking
11:50 - 12:15

Open Forum Think Tank

IT Talent



12:15 - 12:40
Networking
12:40 - 13:05

Open Forum Think Tank

Shadow IT



11:00 - 13:05

One-to-One Meetings

Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings:

  • Talent Development & Skilling
  • BI/Data & Analytics
  • Cybersecurity
  • AI/Machine Learning
  • Customer Experience
  • IT Service Management
  • Digital Transformation Strategy
  • IT Workflow Automation
  • Low Code & Enterprise Application Development
  • Digital Experience Platforms
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Legacy & IT Modernisation
  • IoT
  • Backup & Disaster Recovery
  • Generative AI
  • DevOps
13:05 - 14:00

Networking Lunch

14:00 - 14:25

Open Forum Think Tank

Customer-First IT



14:00 - 14:25

One-to-One Meetings

Intelligently matched one-to-one meetings on some of the most challenging & significant topics facing senior leaders in IT

14:25 - 14:50

Networking 

Stream 1 - AI, Data & Intelligent Enterprise
14:50 - 15:20

Proving the Value of AI: From experimentation to Enterprise Impact

  • Defining business outcomes before deployment to focus AI inestment on measurable results
  • Tracking value through consistent performance metrics to identify & scale successful use cases
  • Scaling proven AI use cases across the organisation to increase return on investment 

Lee Wright, Associate Director, IT, Formula 1

Stream 2 - Trusted Leadership
14:50 - 15:20

Cyber Resilience is a Leadership Problem, not an IT Problem

  • Real world case: cyber resilience as a leadership challenge, weighing trade-offs under pressure and clarity on what's essential for continuity
  • How leaders navigate uncertainty, define a minimum viable enterprise, and align stakeholders on a recovery path
  • Building trust and resilience before a crisis hits, through governance, accountability, and disciplined decision making

Graeme McFall, Former CIO, Jaguar Land Rover

Stream 1 - AI, Data & Intelligent enterprise
15:20 - 15:50

Optimising IT Through AI, Cost Control, & Automation

  • Integrating AI into IT operations to improve service reliability and reduce manual workloads
  • Using FinOps practices to optimise technology spend and maximise business value
  • Automating routine processes across the IT estate to increase efficiency and accelerate service delivery

Douglas Goodridge, CIO, Amari Metals

Stream 2 - Trusted Leadership
15:20 - 15:50

The Board's New Expectations of the CIO

  • Balancing short-term business value with long-term digital investment
  • Managing competing demands for growth, cost efficiency, innovation, and risk management
  • Turning board ambition into practical, achievable outcomes

Marie Banks, CIO, Marshalls 

15:50 - 16:30

Panel Discussion: Are we Entering the Age of Autonomous Enterprise?

  • Assessing how AI agents are transforming business operations to understand the opportunities and risks of greater autonomy
  • Managing the impact on workforce, governance, and leadership models to prepare organisations for large-scale change
  • Determining where CIOs should focus investment over the next three years to maximise business value and competitive advantage

Eugenia Planas, CIO, Markets Banking, Payments & Resolution, Bank of England

Douglas Goodridge, CIO, Amari Metals

Mark Beauchamp, Global IT Director, Hellerman Tyton

Alan Gillies, IT Director, Corndel

Wojciech Witczak,Director, Driveline IT Global Operations, GKN Automotive

16:30 - 16:35

Closing remarks from the Chairperson & The network Group

16:35
Networking Drinks Reception

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