We’re delighted to share with you the confirmed speakers and sessions for our upcoming Innovation Exchange on 25 June. Join UVAC, the North East Institute of Technology and the ORE Catapult, for an inspiring Innovation Exchange bringing together leaders from education, industry, research and the wider technical skills ecosystem. 

Hosted at the UK’s leading offshore renewable energy innovation and research centre, this high-impact event will explore how curiosity-driven research, workforce foresighting and collaborative partnerships are helping to shape the future of technical, vocational and professional education while supporting the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. 

Together, we will examine how innovation, inclusion and skills excellence can help build a future-ready workforce capable of meeting evolving industry needs and driving sustainable economic growth. 

Confirmed speakers and sessions include:

Unlocking the UK’s potential: Bridging systems and connecting tertiary education pathways to raise standards, champion future skills, and deliver UK further and higher technical skills excellence

Dr Mandy Crawford Lee- Chief Executive UVAC

Exploring curiosity-driven research, skills, and technologies to meet industry needs, while securing a greener more sustainable future

Chong NG- Senior Associate Director, Applied Research, ORE Catapult

Offshore Renewable Energy Horizons: Powering the future of clean energy. An Industry- led panel chaired by Thomas Wildsmith, Head of Strategic Business Development, ORE Catapult

Clean Energy – A journey of discovery: Destination Net Zero

Professor Roberto Palacin- Academic Director for Electrification (SAgE)

Equipping the workforce to thrive in the industries of today and tomorrow– The Energy Mix!

Danielle Portsmouth-FutureSkills Lead, ORE Catapult, joined by colleagues from Newcastle and Durham Universities

Pride in professionalism: Inspiring technical skills excellence- from extraordinary to everyday!

Cerian Ayres- Associate- International, UVAC

Owen McAteer-Sector Engagement Lead, Enginuity

Digital transformation solutions in education, and key industry growth sectors

Stephen Hilton, Professor of Chemistry and Enabling Technologies, University College London

Calum Knott, Didactic Services Limited, WorldSkills UK Expert- Mechatronics

Chris Fairclough- Lecturer, Lead Technical Engineer and ETF and Royal Commission Technical Teaching Fellow

People, Place, Pathways and Possibilities: Building Ladders of Opportunity for All. Panel chaired by Professor Rene Koglbauer, Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice, Director of Educational Leadership Centre, Professor of Professional Learning and Leadership

•       Sharon Grant- Director, North East Institute of Technology
•       Babak Johnabani- Director, Didactic Services Ltd, WorldSkills UK CoP
•       Owen McAteer- Sector Engagement Lead, Enginuity
•       tbc -STEM Driving
•       Hamidreza Jafarnejad- Partnerships and Outreach Director, Didactic Services Ltd

The agenda for the day is now available to DOWNLOAD 

Exclusive ORE Catapult Site Tour 

Delegates are invited to experience innovation first-hand through a guided tour showcasing cutting- edge innovation in offshore wind, floating technologies and robotics to see first-hand how breakthrough ideas move from research and development into real-world impact. 

Why this matters 

The UK faces growing workforce challenges, including a projected shortfall of up to 1 million engineers by 2030 alongside persistent diversity gaps across STEM and priority growth sectors. 

This Innovation Exchange will explore how universities, technical education providers, employers and sector partners can work together to widen participation, strengthen skills pathways and develop inclusive, future-focused talent pipelines that support productivity, competitiveness and Net Zero growth. 

Be part of the conversation 

Join colleagues, innovators and sector leaders for a dynamic day of insight, collaboration and inspiration exploring how clean energy innovation and skills excellence can create a greener, fairer and more prosperous future 

 REGISTER