Agenda overview

How do you build a pipeline of people your business actually needs?
Jacqui Canton, Abingdon & Witney College
A practical look at how businesses can develop sustainable talent pipelines, aligning education, apprenticeships and entry pathways with real commercial need.

How does leadership need to change as AI reshapes decision-making?
Phil Lewis, Corporate Punk
An exploration of how leadership, culture and decision-making must evolve in an AI-enabled world to improve retention, performance and long-term value.

What does a productive, growing business environment actually require—and what’s holding businesses back day-to-day?
Rain Newton-Smith (CEO, CBI) in conversation with Frank Nigriello

The opening plenary grounds the day in the real operating environment facing UK businesses. This session cuts through headlines and theory to explore the practical constraints on growth—skills, productivity, leadership capacity, and decision-making.

What could growth look like for Oxfordshire if the right structures and connections are in place?
Oxfordshire County Council & Blake Morgan

This session expands the lens from internal capability to external opportunity. It explores Oxfordshire’s role within wider regional & national growth agendas, including the potential impact of a mayoralty & stronger economic alignment.

The focus is on what becomes possible when the right connections, partnerships and structures are in place.

How are customer decisions shaped—and where can AI improve them to drive growth?
Oxford Brookes University
Using real-world examples, this session examines how customer journeys are evolving and where AI can enhance decision-making to deliver stronger commercial outcomes.

How does Oxfordshire ensure innovation benefits a broad mix of organisations?
University of Oxford and partners
This session explores how innovation can be more inclusive—ensuring businesses of all sizes can contribute to and benefit from the region’s innovation economy.

How is decision-making changing as technology, automation and scale increase?
Hosted by Freeths

A panel discussion exploring how organisations are adapting as decision-making becomes more distributed, while accountability remains central. Where are the tensions—and how should businesses respond?

Where do risk and value sit inside your systems—and what starts to fail as you scale?
Adrian Sweeney, Planet IT 

Reframing digital infrastructure and cyber around decision-making, this session explores how risk accumulates and where value can be unlocked as organisations grow. 

Where do processes stop working—and what does that mean for growth?
Freeths
An honest look at operational pressure points, and how businesses can scale effectively without losing control or introducing fragility.

If the environment is changing this quickly, how do businesses stay relevant & make good decisions?
We conclude with a forward-looking perspective on how organisations can navigate accelerating change. The session brings together the themes of People, Process and Promotion—focusing on how businesses interpret information, make decisions & take action in an increasingly complex world.

Expect to leave with a clearer understanding of what’s changing—& how to respond inside your own organisation.