Building the Tech We Want: Innovation, Skills and the Disappearing Entry Point

Scale-up operator turned ecosystem enabler. I yap about business growth, cool companies and the North West innovation ecosystem.

Currently supporting and growing Manchester’s tech and digital ecosystem, working with businesses to start, scale and grow, and developing Manchester as a global hub for innovation at Bruntwood SciTech. Bruntwood SciTech is the UK’s leading developer of city-wide innovation ecosystems, specializing in environments that empower science and technology companies to form, scale, and grow.

Over a decade of experience in tech, digital, and innovation and have led and scaled an EdTech SaaS business to £3M ARR.

Skilled in creating and leading strategies and partnerships that deliver impact and thrive when collaborating with and working alongside others to achieve a shared vision.

Subrah leads the Chamber’s Research and Analytics team that supports the Chamber’s Policy & Campaigning work by conducting research on economic issues and business policy to provide relevant and up-to-date insights including sector specific reports. As part of this, Subrah leads on the research for the development and implementation of the Greater Manchester Local Skills Improvement Plan, a Department for Education funded initiative to ensure that available post-16 technical education or training is more responsive and closely aligned to local labour market needs .

Subrah also runs the influential Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Greater Manchester and is the QES co-ordinator for the wider North West. As part of the Research & Analytics team, Subrah helped develop and improve the Chamber’s highly acclaimed Construction Pipeline Analysis, a methodology recommended by government and industry for  modelling medium-term demand in the construction sector and supply-side shortfalls in skills.

Eliza is an engaging facilitator and leadership development specialist with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering high-impact solutions to enhance leadership, learning, and organisational capability. She has led large-scale strategic workforce initiatives, including two major European Social Fund projects worth over £10 million, aimed at strengthening leadership and management skills across the North West.

Her work spans SMEs, the NHS, emergency services, the financial sector, nuclear industry, and charitable sectors, helping leaders and teams think differently, build confidence, and take action. She is a Fellow of the CMI and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, an accredited practitioner in MBTI, FIRO, and OPQ, and a Lego Serious Play facilitator, using creative methods to drive leadership growth.

Martin Keelagher is the CEO of Agile Automations, a leading, Intelligent Automations business, working to automate everyday organisational processes, driving efficiency, enhancing processes and reducing cost. Martin brings over two decades of experience in international business, organisational development, strategic planning and digital transformation, to name just a few key areas.

Outside of his role in Agile Automations, Martin Keelagher is a Serial Entrepreneur, Chair, Non-Executive Director, and Board Member in various businesses spanning Security, Automation, AI, Robotics, Insurance, FinTech, InsurTech, Philanthropy, and Family Office.

Lauren is the Talent and Skills Lead at the Turing Innovation Catalyst (Manchester). Based at the University of Manchester, TIC is focused on catalysing an AI ecosystem across the city region, providing practical support to build AI products, companies and careers. Passionate about education, Lauren spent six years at the Department for Education, leading recruitment for teacher training and social work. She previously worked with the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner on public protection partnerships, and held roles in the charitable sector to expand access to science and education across communities.