Description
Unlocking the East Midlands Economy and Driving Growth .
Building on the Chamber’s Framework for Growth, launched November 2025, the conference will explore how we can drive forward growth in the region, unlocking barriers, understanding new market dynamics in technology and international trade, supporting better skills development, improving productivity and highlighting supplychain opportunities.
Through a range of speakers, panel discussion, workshops and exhibitors, we will provide a platform to understand and discuss the opportunities and challenges, supporting growth in a year which has seen major economic and political change. It is essential we understand where we can enact change and look to shape policy, ensuring we protect our industrial heritage, driving growth and competitiveness in the East Midlands in a sustainable and inclusive way.
Overview
AGENDA:
- Sector overview – Chris Corkan, Region Director, Midlands & East of England, Make UK
- International Trade Update - Lucy Granger, Head of International Trade, East Midlands Chamber
- Business Case Study – Trading Internationally, Chris Ratcliffe Sales and Marketing Director, Cosy Direct - awarded the prestigious 2025 King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade
International Trade Panel:
-Ioan Reed-Aspley, Head of Corporate Affairs – East Midlands Airport
- Chris Ratcliffe, Sales and Marketing Director, Cosy Direct
- Hollie Coxon, International Freight Forwarder, Nationwide Courier Service
- Mitchell Perks, Deputy Director of Trade Services, British Chamber of Commerce
- Supporting growth for "non-traditional" suppliers in defence - Lee Noble, Co-Chair, East Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster
- UK’s Developing Nuclear Capabilities, Supply Opportunities - Andrew Storer, CEO & Founder, NucCol
- Attraction & retention of talent: Improving productivity through people & technology- presentation, Richard Blackmore, East Midlands Chamber, plus panel discussion:
- Shabir Ismail, Principal/CEO, Leicester College
- Pfr. James Flint, Loughborough University
- James Ferraby, CEO, Digital Planning
- Sarah Knight, Operations Manager, ER Recruitment
- Industry 5.0 - the next big manufacturing paradigm, but how will it deliver Resilience, Productivity and Growth? - Pfr Peter Kinnell, Director of Loughborough Intelligent Automation Centre & High Value Manufacturing Lead
WORKSHOPS:
- Considering the User when Gathering Digital Twin Information Requirements:An Approach.
- Don’t forget the office! AI automation flows in manufacturing context
- Beyond the Levy: Creating strategic Provider/Employer Partnerships to develop future skills together - Leicester College & Nylacast Holdings
- Building a Resilient Energy Strategy - DCC Energy
- Realising the Benefits that Digital Technology promises - Loughborough University
