Innovation – Opportunities for Optimal Growth

Scot has broad leadership experience across retail, hospitality, and events, with a track record of driving growth both in the UK and internationally. In recent years, he’s played a key role in accelerating the tech ecosystem in Manchester, helping scale SMEs through innovation-driven events, building strategic partner networks, and embedding himself in the local business community. As part of the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team at The University of Manchester, Scot leverages his unique skill set to bridge the gap between academic experts and industry leaders, fostering collaborations that drive economic growth, social impact, and cultural advancement. As a passionate Mancunian his focus is on creating value-driven partnerships that best serve the region and its people.

The inspirational speaker and founder, who along with Lewis Hamilton, and Stormzy was named as one of 29 notable Black individuals, by Radio 1Xtra in its first ever annual Future Figures List who are making Black History now. The Blair Project is a multi-award winning motorsport STEM education provider based at the Manchester Technology Centre which specializes in growing the workforce of the future in new and emerging clean technologies to tackle climate change by enthusing the next generation of innovators, technicians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

Nile’s company secured £4 million of funding from UK Government for the Manchester Innovation Activities Hub; an industrialisation and electrification skills training centre that will specialise in providing industrial grade equipment for SMEs to prototype new products and services to reach Net Zero. The centre will also focus on rapidly upskilling, reskilling and new skilling Manchester residents in Industry 4.0 skills to be fast tracked to rewarding jobs within Manchester Science Park.

Nile sits on the GM Social Enterprise Advisory Group advising the Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, as well as the Manchester Science Festival Advisory Board.

Ben is the group marketing director for Praetura Group. As part of the wider group, Praetura Ventures is an award-winning tech and life sciences focused VC, born-and-bred in the North of England. Praised for its early backing of northern success stories such as Peak, XR Games and Culture Shift, the Manchester-based VC has now become known for its ‘more than money’ approach to supporting early-stage founders post investment. Before Praetura, he headed up the marketing for Social Chain’s media division around the time of its IPO. Ben also co-founded the alternative co-working and event space Ziferblat UK.

As a young entrepreneur, Hannah has a 15-year background in the energy industry and has worked closely with large international clients designing and managing complex energy strategies. Starting her career as an Analyst, Hannah worked her way up to board level at a green-tech company before founding Enerlytic in 2020. She has previously been involved in the design and implementation of an automated energy billing system, as well as a Blockchain solution aimed at incentivising energy efficient behaviour which was featured in The Times and Forbes.  Hannah is a regular speaker at industry events and has also featured in industry media. In 2020, Hannah became a regional champion for the Female Founders Forum, is a council member of the CBI and utilises the support from the Innovate UK funded Women in Innovation.

Cassim’s role as Access to Finance Business Advisor, assists businesses across all sectors in raising capital through debt and equity finance.

His background has been in commercial and corporate finance in Lancashire, West Midlands, Greater Manchester and London – He has worked in this sector for 22 years.