Agenda
Registration
Session
Registration
8.45am – 9.15am GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 30 mins
Session
Introductory Remarks
Session
Introductory Remarks
9.15am – 9.30am GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 15 mins
Session
Opening the conference, Antony Walker, Deputy CEO of techUK, will set the stage for the day’s discussions on the future of the UK’s tech sector and the policies shaping its growth. techUK will also be launching its polling of the sector, conducted by Public First, where we’ll explore some of the key findings and the sentiment across the sector.Speakers

The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there?
Panel
The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there?
9.30am – 10.15am GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Panel
Following the Government’s publication of its AI Opportunities Action Plan in January 2025, the technology sector is looking towards these ambitions and how the UK can continue to seize on the opportunities offered by the technology. This session will consider what more is needed to boost the adoption of AI, and the practical steps needed to foster the development and uptake of AI innovations of the future.Speakers




AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards?
Panel
AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards?
10.30am – 11.15am GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Panel
From automation to the augmentation of how humans perform tasks, the adoption of technologies including AI across the UK is fundamentally changing the ways in which we live and work. Widespread technology use has the potential to boost efficiencies for organisations, driving economic growth across a whole host of sectors. These opportunities, though, must be balanced with the need to support fairer, high-quality and more rewarding jobs for the future. This session will consider how the UK can work to deploy workplace technologies in a way that delivers for all in an ethical way.Speakers





Competition in the digital age - A keynote speech and fireside conversation with Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA
Keynote
Competition in the digital age - A keynote speech and fireside conversation with Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA
11.15am – 12pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Keynote
Keynote speech and ‘In Conversation With’ discussion with Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, chaired by techUK’s CEO Julian David OBE. With the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act now in implementation, the CMA is entering a pivotal phase in shaping the UK’s digital economy. This discussion will explore how the CMA is working to foster competitive, innovative markets that align with the Government’s pro-growth agenda and how the regulator is supporting a dynamic and thriving UK tech sector.Speakers


Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth?
Panel
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth?
12.15pm – 1pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Panel
Creating the right regulatory framework in imperative for delivering a thriving economy in which technology companies can operate and scale. By creating a coordinated and proportionate regulatory approach, it is possible to create a competitive environment that fosters new technologies, supports businesses, and delivers on the Government’s mission for growth. This session will consider what that regulatory approach should look like, the work already ongoing to support businesses to navigate the UK’s current digital regulation landscape and how the regulators are working to deliver on their Growth Duty.Speakers




Stephen Almond
Executive Director, Regulatory Risk, Information Commissioners Office (ICO)

How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive?
Panel
How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive?
1.45pm – 2.30pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Panel
In order to attract further investment and create the right environment to see home-grown businesses thrive, the UK technology sector has to be able to compete on the global stage and be world leading. This panel will examine how the UK can attract investment, foster innovation, and develop the right regulatory and skills environment in order to do this – securing its ability to ensure long-term growth and leadership across key technologies.Speakers

Alan Mak MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Member of Parliament



Delivering digital for the whole of the UK: In conversation with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Session
Delivering digital for the whole of the UK: In conversation with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
2.30pm – 3pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 30 mins
Session
Speakers


Jeff Bullwinkel
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Corporate, External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft EMEA
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK
Panel
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK
3.30pm – 4.15pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Panel
Developing a technology sector that can deliver for the whole of the UK relies on building the right foundations to support regional tech clusters and ecosystems. As the UK Government looks to reform planning laws to unlock greater development of digital infrastructure, and considers locations for AI Growth Zones, this session will consider how best national, devolved and local government can collaborate to get those building blocks in place to help grow UK tech companies and grow the tech sector across the UK.Speakers




Margot James
Former Minister for Digital and Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility


In conversation with The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Keynote
In conversation with The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
4.15pm – 5pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 45 mins
Keynote
Keynote speech and ‘In Conversation With’ discussion with The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, chaired by Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE, CEO – UK and Ireland for Salesforce.Speakers


Closing remarks
Session
Closing remarks
5pm – 5.15pm GMT, 10 March 2025 ‐ 15 mins
Session
To close the annual Policy Conference, techUK’s Deputy CEO Antony Walker will share some final remarks from the discussions throughout the day including reflections on the next steps for the UK’s technology sector and policymakers.* Timings are subject to change as the agenda is finalised *