Join innovation leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders from across the UK for a high-impact summit focused on driving collaboration, investment and skills development across innovation districts.

This year's summit centres on three key themes:

Investment into Innovation
Be part of the first discussion on our new mini white paper, outlining strategic recommendations for unlocking investment across the UK's innovation landscape. Hear from a panel of experts and contribute to a conversation with key government departments and funding stakeholders.

Entrepreneurial Skills for the Future
Discover new research exploring the role and nature of youth entrepreneurial skills in the UK and how to unlock future founders and high-growth teams. A high-level presentation will be followed by a panel focused on piloting these findings within districts—learn how you can get involved.

Effective Collaboration & Partnerships
Explore what makes partnerships in innovation districts really work and how this contributes to their higher than average productivity rate. How can districts and clusters can work together more effectively to amplify impact? 

Agenda

10.00 Registration and networking 

10.30 Welcome
Emma Frost, Chair, UK Innovation Districts Group

10.45 Collaboration and partnerships: What’s the secret behind Innovation Districts and why they are so popular?
Chair: Gemma Carpenter, Vice-Chair, UK Innovation Districts Group
Jodie Eastwood, Chief Executive, Knowledge Quarter London
Stephen Jones, Director, Core Cities UK
Matt Mason, Head of Urban Innovation & Skills, The Crown Estate

11.30 From Insight to Action: The Role of Innovation Districts in delivering the Industry Strategy
During this keynote and following panel the Unlocking UK Innovation Districts to accelerate Industrial Strategy outcomes paper will be discussed and referenced.
Tom Bridges, Director, UK Government Business Leader, ARUP

11.45 Investing in innovation: unlocking growth via innovation districts 
Chair: Emma Frost, Chair, UK Innovation Districts Group
Emily Robson, Assistant CEO, KQ Liverpool
Natalie Gasson-McKinley MBE, Senior Manager, Policy and Strategy, British Business Bank
Alan Welby, Managing Director Local Growth, Connected Places Catapult

12.45 Networking lunch

13.30 Empowering the Next Generation: Youth Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Innovation
During this keynote and following panel the UK Innovation Districts Group Entrepreneurial Skills Report 2025 will be discussed and referenced.
Eamon Banerjee, Consultant, Urban Foresight

13.45 Skills, Startups, and Districts: Shaping the Future of Youth Entrepreneurship
Chair: Vasant Chari, Director of Regional and Local Growth, Connected Places Catapult
Alisdair Gunn, Director, Glasgow City Innovation District
Charlie Charlton, Community Engagement Manager, Newcastle Helix
Phil Smith CBE, Chair, Skills England
Professor Hanifa Shah OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM, Birmingham City University

14.45 Closing comments
Emma Frost, Chair, UK Innovation Districts Group

15.00 Networking drinks

16:00 Event Close