Hear from business leaders, innovators and exporters tackling the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of UK business.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) invites you to join industry leaders, successful exporters and trade experts at the flagship opening event of International Trade Week (ITW) 2026, in partnership with Santander. 

Designed to turn ambition into action, the event combines inspiring main stage discussions, real-world exporter stories, tailored one-to-one support and valuable networking.

Leave with the insights, connections and practical next steps to drive international growth. Discover the main stage agenda, speakers and programme highlights below, and build an event experience tailored to your business.

Date: Monday 9 November 2026
Time: 09:00 - 15:30
Location: 1830 Warehouse, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester, M3 4FP

Build your day

Take Off | 20-minute presentations and Q&A
Hear real exporter success stories and gain practical insights you can apply to your business. Find out more

Business Lounge | Navigation and networking
Build valuable connections with businesses, advisers and support organisations. 
 

Take Your Next Step | Virtual one-to-one's
Book appointments with export experts and receive tailored guidance for your business. Find out more

Main stage agenda

09:00-10:10

Registration and Networking
Master of Ceremonies - David Martin, Deputy Director, Engagement and Events in Exports, BIST

10:15-10:20

Welcome and introduction to BIST
Jo Crellin, Director General for Domestic and International Markets and Exports, BIST

10:20-10:25

Sponsor remarks from Santander UK
Mark Ling, Head of Trade and Working Capital, Santander UK Corporate and Commercial

10:25-10:30

Keynote address 
Lord Anas Sarwar, Minister for Trade for BIST

10:30-10:50

Fireside chat 
Bev Craig OBE, Mayor of Greater Manchester and The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for BIST
Hosted by Jo Crellin, BIST

10:50-11:05

Future growth debate
Audience participation 

11:10-11:45

Networking break 

11:45-12:30 

Innovation: A competitive advantage 
Panel discussion chaired by David Johnstone, BIST, featuring:
Adrian Saw, Technical Director, Coltraco Ultrasonics Limited
Shivani Lodhia, Communications and External Affairs Lead, Paragraf
Janet Geddes, Deputy Director, Innovate UK
Veronica Munoz De Andrea, Business Development Director, Santander

12:30-12:45 

Transition to the Growth Lab and Take Off zones 

12:45-13:40 

Networking lunch 

13:40-14:25 

Future growth debate
Panel discussion chaired by Simon Argyle, BIST, featuring Board of Trade advisers:
Dame Vivian Hunt, Chief Innovation Officer, United Health Group
Mike Hawes OBE, Chief Executive, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Sarah Walker, Chief Executive, Cisco UK and Ireland

14:30-15:15 

What will matter by 2030? 
Panel discussion chaired by Adam Stevens, BIST featuring:
Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director, Manchester Digital
Steve Crompton, Managing Director, Changing Social
Liz Scott MBE, Chief Executive, Turing Innovation Catalyst

15:15

Close 
End of the final Horizon session 

Main stage highlights

Future growth debate: Your voice shapes the agenda
Most panels start with questions. This one starts with your answers.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business? Growth, skills, productivity, technology, investment or international expansion?

At the start of the day, you will share the opportunities and barriers affecting your business. Those insights will then shape a live debate featuring leading business voices, including members of the Board of Trade, ensuring the discussion focuses on the issues that matter most.
 

Innovation: A competitive advantage
The breakthrough is exciting. Making it pay is where the real story begins.
Every business has ideas. The challenge is turning them into growth, productivity and competitive advantage.

Join business leaders as they share the decisions, challenges and lessons behind successful innovation, from developing new products and improving productivity to scaling and expanding into international markets.
 

What will matter by 2030?
2030 is closer than it looks. Is your business ready?
AI, changing customer expectations and emerging technologies are reshaping how businesses compete, grow and export.

Join technology, innovation and business leaders as they explore the trends, opportunities and risks that UK businesses cannot afford to ignore.
 

Main stage speakers