The 5th Accelerating AI Conference
A full day equipping business leaders to harness AI for innovation and growth, through real-world case studies and practical guidance. Free to attend.
Practical AI, not theory
Four editions in, the conference has become the place Milton Keynes business leaders come to see what AI actually looks like in a working business, and to meet the people running it.
Case studies, not sales pitches
Every session is built on work that has already shipped in a real business, with the numbers behind it.
The room is your peers
Business leaders, founders and operators from across the South Midlands, in one place for a day.
Practical takeaways
Guidance you can act on the following Monday, whatever stage of AI adoption you are at.
Free, because it is not-for-profit
The conference is run collaboratively and funded by its partners, so a place costs you nothing.
Accelerating AI Conference 2025
A full day of talks, plus sponsor and partner stands and exhibitors
A full day of talks
Keynotes and case-study sessions running through the day on the main stage, from 9am to 4pm.
Sponsor and partner stands
Fifteen partner organisations on the floor, ready to talk through tools, funding and support.
Exhibitors and networking
Time built into the schedule to walk the floor, meet exhibitors and talk to other delegates.
The full programme lands soon
Partner sessions run through the day on the main stage. Timings and topics are being confirmed, so check back shortly for the full running order.
Doors open for networking
Arrive, take a coffee and walk the exhibition floor before the stage programme starts.
Welcomes, then partner sessions
Case-study sessions from the conference partners, running through the morning and afternoon.
Breaks and lunch on the floor
Time built into the day to meet the fifteen partner organisations and other delegates.
Fourteen partner sessions, one stage, one day
Speakers and session topics are being confirmed now. Check back for the full running order, or have it sent to you the moment it is published.
Confirmed so far
More speakers announced through the summer. Sessions are case-study led: what was built, what it cost, what changed.
Brian O’Shea
Sr. Partner Solution Architect · Microsoft
I help partners turn “AI at work” into measurable business outcomes. As a Senior Partner Solution Architect, I specialise in AI Workforce transformation—designing and scaling secure, enterprise‑ready solutions that put copilots and agents in the flow of work, uplift skills, and unlock productivity at scale.
Debbie Lewis
Accelerator Community Manager · NatWest
Debbie's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Dr. Ed Braund
Head of School · University of Bedfordshire
Ed's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Jasmine Luk
Startups and scale-ups lead · Google Cloud
Jasmine's bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
TBC
Kerry Lewis-Stevenson
Managing Director · BusinessMK
Kerry's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Lorna Bladen
SMB Community Manager · Canva
Lorna's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Lucy Pitticas-Rothwell
Head of Product Operations · FreeAgent
Lucy's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
TBC
Matthew Rigby-White
Managing Director · Qoob
Matthew is the Managing Director at Qoob, a digital growth agency helping ambitious brands use technology, data and creativity to get better results online.
With deep roots in eCommerce and digital marketing, Matthew works with businesses that want to grow without getting lost in jargon, bloated tech stacks or one-size-fits-all agency thinking. His focus is on making AI practical for real marketing teams - helping brands understand where automation, insight and smarter customer journeys can make a meaningful difference.
As both a speaker and co-organiser of the Accelerating AI Conference 2026, Matthew brings a grounded view of what AI can do for marketers right now, where it is heading next, and how businesses can embrace it without losing the human thinking that makes their brand valuable.
TBC
Richard Morrison-Butcher
Centre Director · Cyber Resilience Centre for London
Richard's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Sam Hunter
Partnerships & Events Manager · South Midlands Growth Hub
With seven years of experience at the Growth Hub, I have successfully managed a core programme of business support events while building and strengthening partnerships across the region. My focus has been on creating meaningful connections between businesses, stakeholders, and support organisations to deliver greater value and improve access to opportunities. I am passionate about collaboration and have worked to develop a more connected and coordinated approach to the South Midlands business support ecosystem. Through relationship building, strategic planning, and programme management, I strive to create initiatives that drive growth and deliver lasting impact.
The challenge now isn't getting businesses interested in AI. It's helping to identify where it can genuinely add value — and giving the confidence and capability to do something about it.
Andy Paul
Founder · Fliweel.Tech
Andy's Bio is still cooking! Check back soon!
Lionel Naidoo
CEO & CAIO · Dragon Information Systems
I help organisations prepare for the next era of business.
For more than two decades, I've been passionate about the intersection of business, technology, and innovation. What began as helping organisations improve their IT infrastructure has evolved into advising businesses on how AI will fundamentally change productivity, operations, customer engagement, and decision-making.
Today, my work focuses on helping organisations move beyond AI experimentation and into AI transformation.
I believe the businesses that thrive over the next decade won't necessarily be the largest. They will be the organisations that adopt technology intelligently, securely, and strategically.
More to be announced
Speaking at the conference? Get in touch with the organising team.
The organisations behind the day
A collaborative, not-for-profit effort. The conference runs because these organisations back it.
Canva
Canva is the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration
Launched in 2013, Canva is the world’s leading all-in-one platform for visual communication and collaboration. Built to empower everyone to design, the company serves the creative and design needs of enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries worldwide.
Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps in design, or a creative professional seeking powerful tools, Canva ensures users have what they need to transform an idea into something beautiful. Underpinned by the world’s most comprehensive library of designer-made content, Canva is powered by a suite of products and proprietary AI tools which elevate how individuals and teams create, collaborate, and communicate with ease.
Microsoft
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is award-winning, easy-to-use accounting software for small businesses and landlords
Scale your business with FreeAgent: the award-winning accounting software designed for ambitious UK SMEs. Advanced cashflow forecasting. AI-powered time-saving tools. Integrated payroll (at no extra cost). UK-based, support from friendly humans. Find out why nine out of 10 business owners feel more confident about their finances when using FreeAgent.
Qoob
AI-Powered Growth Marketing for Emerging DTC & ECommerce Brands
Looking to grow your DTC or Ecommerce brand? At Qoob, we work with ambitious businesses to create digital strategies that actually move the needle across paid media, email, organic content and more.
We don’t do one-size-fits-all. We take the time to understand your goals, challenges and customers, then build a plan that fits.
Our case studies and testimonials show what we’re about better than we can say here, but if growth is your focus, we’d love to talk.
Dragon Information Systems
Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security & Managed Services Provider
At Dragon Information Systems, we help UK organisations put AI to work — practical, secure adoption that delivers real productivity gains rather than hype. Founded by Lionel Naidoo and based in Northamptonshire, we pair our AI for Business services with responsive managed IT support and robust cyber security, including Cyber Essentials-aligned protection, dark web monitoring and ISO 27001-certified processes. We work with SMEs across professional services, legal, property and education, and our qualified engineers act as an extension of your team.
Fliweel.tech
South Midlands Growth Hub
Overcome your business challenges, realise your potential, and generate growth
The Growth Hub provides free business advice and guidance across the South Midlands. We’re a multipurpose, multifunctional hub that goes above and beyond for all businesses, regardless of their size, industry or stage along their journey to success.
Milton Keynes City Council
Federation of Small Businesses
Silverstone Technology Cluster
A not-for-profit organisation supporting Tech businesses
The Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) was founded to support advanced engineering, electronics and software businesses. We are not-for-profit, industry and technology agnostic and we foster growth, innovation and collaboration by aiding our members with promotion, support, thought leadership and skills.
Our mission is to create an ecosystem which promotes and supports the growth of our members by maximising the members’ global competitiveness.
The STC aims to create and facilitate the creation of programmes, groups and events which are informed by the members for the benefit of the members.
South East CRC
Providing fully funded cyber services to SMEs
The South East Cyber Resilience Centre is a police-led partnership with academia and businesses aimed at improving cyber resilience in businesses in the South East of England.
Using a combination of police officers and cyber talent, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East supports and helps protect small business, SMEs and supply chain businesses and third sector organisations in the region against cyber crime by supplying a range of cyber services from awareness training to technical services such as vulnerability assessments, configuration and policy reviews.
University of Bedfordshire
Business MK
Business news, interviews and expert insight for Milton Keynes and the surrounding region.
Business MK is a digital business publication reporting on the companies, people and developments shaping Milton Keynes and its regional economy. Its coverage extends across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the wider area, connecting readers with business news, appointments, investment, innovation, property, education and events. Published online and supported by email newsletters and social media, Business MK gives organisations a platform to share their news and reach a business audience. It works alongside sister publication Business Times, which covers Northamptonshire, and Your Business Expo. Business MK is a media partner of the Accelerating AI Conference, supporting the event and its organisers.
Exhibition Mastery
Turning exhibition spend into valuable business return.
Exhibitions and face-to-face events are still the best way to build relationships, accelerate your sales process, and create trust, when you do them right. Exhibition Mastery exists because too many businesses treat exhibitions as a cost rather than an investment, and that's exactly the thinking Steve set out to change.
From stand strategy to team preparation to follow-up that actually converts, Exhibition Mastery works with founders and small businesses across the UK, helping them stop wasting money on the wrong things and start getting real, measurable results from every event they do.
Unity Place, Milton Keynes
- Ten minutes on foot from Milton Keynes Central, with direct trains from London Euston and Birmingham.
- Parking in the surrounding city centre car parks. Details sent with your ticket confirmation.
- Step-free access throughout. Tell us about any access requirements when you register.
Put your organisation in front of 300 business leaders
Partner and exhibitor stands for the 2026 conference are open. Ask for the pack for stand options and audience breakdown.
Before you book
How much does a ticket cost?
Nothing. The conference is free to attend, funded by its partners and sponsors. Capacity is 300 delegates, so register early.
Who is it for?
Business leaders, founders and operators who want to understand what AI can practically do in their organisation. No technical background is assumed.
Do I need to stay for the whole day?
Whilst we encourage guests to try and stay around for the whole day, we won't hold you hostage! Sessions run from 9am until 4pm, and there are breaks throughout. You are welcome to come for the parts that suit your diary, but timings may change throughout the day. The exhibition floor is open all day. Please note, you may not be able to find a seat if you are late to a session, and will be refused entry if you arrive part-way through a session.
When is the full programme published?
The agenda and speaker line-up are released through the summer. Subscribe below and it comes to you as it is confirmed.
Can my organisation exhibit or sponsor?
Yes. Partner and exhibitor stands are available for 2026. Request the partner pack and the team will come back with options.
How does this relate to Milton Keynes Tech Week?
The conference is a Featured Event of Milton Keynes Tech Week 2026, which runs across the city with events from many organisers.
Ready to accelerate your AI journey?
Tickets are free and capacity is 300. Register now, or get the monthly update with speaker and programme news.
Speaker and programme news, monthly
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