PLATFORM Conference
A new, 1-day conference for ambitious business owners and leaders, funders and investors.
Since January 2024, our monthly, half-day PLATFORM events have been inspiring, educating & connecting ambitious business owners & leaders, funders, investors & advisers from across the North East of England, Teesside & Scotland.
Our new, 1-day PLATFORM Conference will focus on the people, processes, technology & finance that will provide rocket fuel for you & your business!
Agenda
9am-10am: Arrivals, networking & exhibitors
10am-10.20am: Introduction from Paul Lancaster (Founder & Event Producer, PLATFORM | UK Startup & Scaleup Week | Stellar Business Events)
10.25am-11.05am: Keynote from Ian Kinnery (aka The Scale-Up Coach) who has spent 20yrs building & scaling businesses & coaching leaders because the toughest part isn’t strategy, it’s thinking clearly)
11.10am-11.55am: Panel discussion with service providers hosted by Charlotte Nichols (Founder & Managing Director, Harvey & Hugo) & featuring:
- Nicky Jolley (Founder & Managing Director, HR2day Limited)
- Adeel Bashir (Founder & Legal Director, Nouveau Legal)
- Stuart Bramley (Founder & CEO, Mira Marketing)
- Andrew Farrell (Senior Accountant, Optimal Accountancy Limited)
12pm-1pm: Lunch & networking with exhibitors
1.05pm-1.45pm: Keynote by Dr Marc Owens (Teamwork & Technology Consultant, Teaming Smart) on ‘Overcoming Troubles: The Science of Teamwork’
1.50pm-2.35pm: Panel discussion with tech / digital leaders hosted by Paul Lancaster (Founder & Event Producer, PLATFORM | UK Startup & Scaleup Week | Stellar Business Events) & featuring:
- Kat Bond (Head of Partner Success, Xero)
- Mark Renney (Founder & Managing Director, Wubbleyou)
- Scott Cardow (Founder & CEO, Precursor Security)
- Mitali Deypurkaystha (Founder, Impact Icon AI)
2.40pm-3.10pm: Mid-afternoon coffee / tea break
3.15pm-4pm: Panel discussion on funding & investment hosted by Neil Stephenson (Angel Investor, Stephenson Ventures & Co-Founder, Stellar Business Events) & featuring:
- James Katirai (Head of Investments, NEL Fund Managers)
- Rebecca Minchella (Investment Manager, Maven Capital Partners)
- Rebecca Roberts (Investor & Co-Founder, Unity Angels)
4.05pm-4.45pm: Fireside chat with Lee Hartley (CEO, Castrius Capital Partners & Founder, Fairstone Group)
4.50pm-5pm: Closing remarks & departures
5.30pm-Late: After party / networking event nearby
Want to know more?
Like | Follow | Subscribe for future event updates & speaker announcements at:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlatformNEUK
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/platformuk
- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/platform_UK
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ukstartupweek
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ukstartupweek
The PLATFORM Conference is sponsored by: HR2day Limited, Kinnery, MIRA Marketing, NEL FundManagers, Nouveau Legal, Optimal Accountancy, Precursor Security, Wubbleyou & Xero
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/platform-conference-28-april-2026-tickets-1982887388557