techUK is proud to bring its regional Telecoms Showcase series to Yorkshire – convening industry, local government, investors and innovators to spotlight the role of digital infrastructure in driving inclusive economic growth across the region.
Building on the success of the London, North West, South West and West Midlands Telecoms Showcases, techUK is delighted to bring this series to Yorkshire. As a leading advocate for the UK tech sector, techUK works alongside local authorities, combined authorities, devolved government, and national policymakers to champion the role of digital connectivity in strengthening regional economic growth and resilience.
Yorkshire stands at a pivotal moment in its digital journey with major infrastructure investment underway, a rich innovation ecosystem and ambitious plans for connectivity across urban and rural communities alike. This Showcase will bring together the region’s leading voices from industry, the public sector, and the investment community to take stock of progress, tackle shared challenges and chart a course for what comes next.
Home to some of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes and a thriving cluster of digital innovators, Yorkshire is playing a central role in the national mission to deliver world-class connectivity. The region’s combined authorities, universities, and private sector partners are leading the way in turning connectivity investment into tangible economic and social outcomes.
This Showcase will place Yorkshire’s digital infrastructure story in a national context, and explore how the region can attract further investment, showcase its innovation pipeline, and ensure that connectivity delivers for every community.
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration and networking
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome and opening remarks
Josh Turpin, techUK
Max Handforth, MD Business Solutions, Liberty Blume
09:45 – 10:05 | Keynote: The future of digital infrastructure in the UK
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Session 1 – Infrastructure deployment
10:05 – 10:50 | Panel: Building the networks across Yorkshire
Chloe Wood, VP Operations, Liberty Blume
Kasam Hussain, Regional Partnership Director, Openreach
Hayley Sykes, Director of Brand, Communications and Public Affairs, nexfibre
Kate North, Senior Public Affairs Manager, VMO2
10:50 – 11:15 | Project spotlight: Delivering Project Gigabit in Yorkshire
Dan Hague, Director Contract and Programme Delivery, Quickline Communications
11:15 – 11:40 | Networking break
Session 2 – Data and digital infrastructure
11:40 – 12:00 | Insight talk: Using data to drive infrastructure deployment
Katie Todd, Director of Wayleave, Liberty Blume
11:45 – 12:00 | Fireside chat: Investing in digital infrastructure in the North
12:00 – 12:30 | Innovation spotlight: Digital infrastructure innovation in Yorkshire
12:30 – 13:30 | Networking lunch
Session 3 – Digital infrastructure in practice
13:30 – 13:50 | Case study: Connectivity enabling public services
13:50 – 14:30 | Panel: The Yorkshire digital infrastructure ecosystem
Sarah Bowes, Head of Business, Innovation and Inclusive Economy, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Ady Rhodes, Managing Director, Comtech
14:30 – 14:35 | Closing remarks
Session 4 – Public sector workshop (closed)
14:40 – 15:30 | Combined authority workshop
This event is designed for those shaping, funding or delivering digital infrastructure across Yorkshire. This includes:
If you are interested in contributing to the programme or exploring sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch with the techUK Telecoms team.
Head of Business, Innovation and Inclusive Economy, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Mayor of West Yorkshire
Director Contract and Programme Delivery, Quickline Communications
MD Business Solutions, Liberty Blume
Regional Partnership Director, Openreach
Kate North, Senior Public Affairs Manager, VMO2
Managing Director, Comtech
Director of Brand, Communications and Public Affairs, nexfibre
Director of Wayleave, Liberty Blume
Telecoms and Net Zero Programme Manager, techUK
VP Operations, Liberty Blume
