Sponsors and Exhibitors
Associated Event Partners
Event Agenda
Registration Opens
Session location: Reception Atrium
Session time: 8:30am
Doors open for you to explore our exhibition area. Don't forget to confirm your place for the workshop tour!
Welcome to Robotics & Automation 2025
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 9:30am
Welcome address by Chief Automation Officer, Mike Wilson.
Mike Wilson
MTC
The Importance of Robotics and Automation for UK Manufacturing
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 9:45am
John Slinger
MP for Rugby
Comfort Break
Session time: 10:15am
Network with other attendees and exhibitors.
A Journey to Automation – Empowering SMEs
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 10:45am
Automation is transforming the way SMEs operate, but where do you start? This session explores the role of collaborative robots as an accessible entry point for first-time automation adopters, ensuring safe and effective integration. Hear directly from businesses that have successfully navigated their own automation journeys.
Nick Hall
HSE
Tom Reardon
Bloom in Box
Jonathan Thacker
Walsall Wheelbarrow
Lunch Break
Session time: 12:00pm
Network with other attendees and exhibitors.
The Critical Role of Industrial Strategy and Manufacturing in Driving Productivity
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 1:00pm
The Rt Hon Greg Clark is Executive Chair of the University of Warwick’s Innovation District, Chair of WMG - the Warwick Manufacturing Group and a member of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, which contributes to the development and long-term delivery of HM Government’s industrial strategy. Join Greg as he discusses the role of industrial strategy, the importance of manufacturing and the need to drive productivity in the UK.
Rt Hon Greg Clark
WMG
A Journey to Automation – Lessons from Industry Leaders
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 1:30pm
Large multinational companies are leading the way in robotics and automation, driving efficiency, productivity, and resilience at scale. This session brings together industry leaders to share their real-world experiences, key learnings, and the challenges they've overcome on their automation journeys.
Marco Chacin
Airbus
Andy Francis
GKN
Tony Tinley
Unite the Union
Roger Holden
TPR
Tom Cockerill
BAE Systems
Knowledge Bites – Funding & Support for Automation
Session location: Room 8 (First Floor)
Session time: 2:45pm
Looking to adopt automation but unsure where to start? This quick-fire session will break down the funding opportunities, entry points, and support available to help businesses of all sizes on their automation journey. Discover how MTC’s Workforce Foresighting Hub is helping SMEs develop the skills needed for the future and learn how to access financial assistance, expert guidance, and tailored resources to accelerate adoption and maximise impact.
Yunus Khalifa
Made Smarter
Timothy Biddle
Lloyds
Satchin Semage
WFH Skills
John Georgieff
How to Robot
Rudolf Cyprian
MTC
UK Automation Forum – Insights on Finance & Technology Adoption
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 4:00pm
Join the UK Automation Forum as they unveil the findings of their latest survey, conducted in collaboration with NatWest. This session will explore the current landscape of finance accessibility for technology adoption and integration in the UK. Gain key insights into market trends, challenges, and opportunities, and discover how businesses can better navigate the financial landscape to accelerate automation and innovation.
Peter Williamson
Automate UK
Laura Capper
NatWest
Mike Wilson
Catherine Barratt
BAMUK Group
Tom Flude
Engineers Insight
Drinks Reception & Innovator Pitches
Session location: Reception Atrium
Session time: 5:00pm
Join us for our drinks reception at the end of day one to network with exhibitors and fellow delegates, talk with our speakers, and hear from some of the start ups who are beginning their journey in creating transformational robotics and automation solutions.
Registration Opens
Session time: 8:30am
Doors open for you to explore our exhibition area. Don't forget to confirm your place for the workshop tour!
Welcome
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 9:30am
Welcome address by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Graham Hoare OBE.
Graham Hoare OBE
MTC
Keynote - Rebuilding a Whole Europe Robotics Market by Dr Bernd Liepert
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 9:45am
Europe is a natural market for UK robotics products and services. The UK’s exit from the EU has broken many well established connections built up over decades of collaboration and euRobotics is keen to see these reestablished. The new world order being forged today makes rebuilding these connections, between trusted partners, more important than ever. euRobotics with its inclusive focus on a “whole Europe” approach is keen to maximise the opportunity for closer collaboration. The UK’s research and innovation strengths and its evolving regulatory environment create opportunities for European robotics, while its AI strengths provide a counter balance to the US and China. On the other side, Europe provides a scalable market for UK robotics companies with its common business environment, its growing pool of robotics expertise, its “intelligent customers” and a common infrastructure. With the UK seeking to maximise its growth through technology Europe provides an opportunity to deliver.
Bernd Liepert
euRobotics
Comfort Break
Session time: 10:15am
Network with other attendees and exhibitors.
Next Generation Robotics – Shaping the Future of Work
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 10:45am
As physical AI, robot dexterity and humanoid technologies advance, the future of work is being redefined. This session explores how these technologies are set to transform industries, enhance productivity, and complement the workforce. Discover the latest innovations, their real-world applications, and what businesses need to do to prepare for an AI-driven future.
Rich Walker
Shadow Robot
Aaron Prather
ASTM International
Francesco Nori
Google Deepmind
Werner Kraus
Fraunhofer IPA
Lunch Break
Session time: 12:00pm
Network with other attendees and exhibitors.
West Midlands RAS Cluster
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 1:00pm
The West Midlands Robotics Cluster is exploring international robotics hubs to uncover best practices, innovation opportunities, and global collaboration benefits. This session will highlight key takeaways from these visits, the potential impact on West Midlands & UK industry, and how the progress the cluster is making on building a robotics ecosystem in the West Midlands.
Mike Wilson
MTC
Dave Bartell
Expert Technologies Group
Rachel Eade
University of Birmingham
Tom Bouchier
FANUC
Chris Greenough
CEL Sheetmetal
Tech Bites
Session location: Room 8 (First Floor)
Session time: 2:00pm
This quick-fire session offers expert-led introductions to key topics shaping the robotics and automation community. Covering essential insights in a concise format, each segment highlights key takeaways and provides contact details for those looking to dive deeper. A perfect opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and connect with industry experts.
Mostafizur Rahaman
MTC
Tom Andersson
STIQ
Kat Thiel
MMU
Peter Williamson
Automate UK
Rebecca Raper
Cranfield University
Shanti Sud
Loughborough University
Bridging the Valley of Death – Connecting Research & Industry
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 3:15pm
Turning cutting-edge research into real-world impact is a challenge many industries face. This session brings together leaders from both research and industry to share their experiences and discuss how they are working together to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. Explore current collaborations, success stories, and areas for improvement to accelerate the transition from research to commercial success.
Zac Scott OBE
UKAEA
Pranay Shah
ARIA
David Bisset
euRobotics
Dominic Keen
BritBots
Jill Burnett
Wavedrives
Ian Pulford
Smart City Consultancy
Closing Remarks
Session location: Main Auditorium
Session time: 4:30pm
Speakers
Bernd Liepert
euRobotics
Laura Capper
NatWest
Graham Hoare OBE
MTC
John Slinger
MP for Rugby
Rt Hon Greg Clark
WMG
Mike Wilson
MTC
Catherine Barratt
BAMUK Group
Pranay Shah
ARIA
Nick Hall
HSE
Marco Chacin
Airbus
Satchin Semage
WFH Skills
Tom Cockerill
BAE Systems
Andy Francis
GKN
Kat Thiel
MMU
Tom Flude
Engineers Insight
John Georgieff
How to Robot
Jonathan Thacker
Walsall Wheelbarrow
Rich Walker
Shadow Robot
Aaron Prather
ASTM International
Francesco Nori
Google Deepmind
Werner Kraus
Fraunhofer IPA
Peter Williamson
Automate UK
Zac Scott OBE
UKAEA
David Bisset
euRobotics
Tom Reardon
Bloom in Box
Rudolf Cyprian
MTC
Roger Holden
TPR
Timothy Biddle
Lloyds
Yunus Khalifa
Made Smarter
Tony Tinley
Unite the Union
Mostafizur Rahaman
MTC
Dominic Keen
BritBots
Rebecca Raper
Cranfield University
Chris Greenough
CEL Sheetmetal
Rachel Eade
University of Birmingham
Jill Burnett
Wavedrives
Ian Pulford
Smart City Consultancy
Tom Anderson
STIQ
Dave Bartell
Expert Technologies Group
Tom Bouchier
FANUC
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