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

The Horizons main stage brings together the day's headline discussions, exploring innovation, growth, competitiveness, technology and international opportunity. Through interactive debates, expert panels and practical business insight, you will hear directly from those making decisions, overcoming challenges and driving growth in their organisations.

Alongside the main stage programme, create your own event experience with practical export case studies in Take Off, expert advice in the Growth Lab, valuable networking in the Business Lounge and interactive opportunities in Make Your Move.

Main stage agenda

10:00-10:05

Plenary welcome and introductions

10:05-10:10

Sponsor remarks
Santander UK

10:10-10:20

Local welcome 
Bev Craig OBE, Mayor of Greater Manchester 

10:20-10:30

Keynote address

10:30-11:00

In conversation: Unlocking international growth
Lord Sarwar, Minister of State (Minister for Trade)

11:00-11:15

Future growth debate
Audience participation - slido themes gathered for the afternoon debate 

11:45-12:30 

Innovation: A competitive advantage
Panel discussion, how are the best businesses staying ahead?

13:40-14:25 

Future growth debate 
Audience-led discussion reflecting the Slido themes 

14:30-15:15 

What will matter by 2030? 
Panel discussion, forward-looking AI and competitiveness

15:15 

Close
End of the final Horizon session

Agenda 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.
 

About our speakers