Agenda

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce represents businesses across all sectors and sizes and is recognized for bringing these businesses together to connect, inform and promote.

During this one-day event, we will provide a B2B exhibition hall, the opportunity to hear from leading industry speakers, our legendary speed networking, and more.

In addition to the core programme, in 2024 our themed zone will be ‘Green and Digital’.

More details of the agenda and our speakers can be found below, along with registration links for all events.

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Business Leaders Breakfast Exhibition Hall Panel 1 (within the Exhibition Hall) Panel 2 (within the Exhibition Hall) Speed Networking

8.00am

Business Leaders Breakfast

9.45am

10.00am

Running throughout the day

10.30am

11.00am

'Green Growth'

12.00pm

12.30pm

Session 1

1.00pm

1.15pm

'Digital Transformation'

2.15pm

Session 2

2.45pm

3.00pm

Event Closes

Event Closes

Event Closes

Event Closes

Event Closes

3:00pm

Drinks reception

Drinks reception

Drinks reception

Drinks reception

Drinks reception

Speakers

The Future of the Economy - Unpacking the Autumn Budget

Business Leaders Breakfast

8.00-9.45am

Networking breakfast featuring a panel discussion, ahead of the official opening of CambsB2B South.

Register your place here > https://afx.one/44dbe1ac

Chief Executive Officer

Charlotte Horobin - Panel Host

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

Charlotte became CEO of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce in July 2023.

Previously Charlotte joined Make UK, formerly the Engineering Employers’ Federation, in 2013. Her role has encompassed responsibility for a fast-growing membership representing manufacturing, engineering and technology related industries across the Midlands and East of England. Charlotte is a Trustee of WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Board Director for the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Engine Partnership Board Member and leads Make UK’s engagement across the West Midlands Combined Authority and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Charlotte attained her undergraduate degree at The University of Leeds and completed her Masters at The University of Nottingham in Biomedical Sciences. She is also a Senior Industrial Fellow within the Advanced Services Group at Aston University.

Agent, South East and East Anglia

Kieran Dent

Bank of England

Kieran became Agent for the South East and East Anglia in 2023. Prior to joining the Bank’s Agency network, Kieran was, for many years, a senior economist within the Bank’s Monetary Analysis area, working on the Bank’s UK forecast and monetary strategy teams. Kieran joined the Bank in 2011, starting out in its Financial Stability area, working on the design of the Bank’s concurrent stress test of the UK banking system, and issues concerning the UK banking sector more generally.

Kieran studied Economics at SOAS and Birkbeck, both part of the University of London. He began his career with a brief stint at the Department for Transport.

MP

Andrew Pakes

Labour & Co-operative MP for Peterborough

Andrew Pakes is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Peterborough, serving since the 2024 General Election. He is the Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships. Before entering Parliament, Andrew was the Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union representing a diverse membership across science, technology and engineering jobs. He is a former member of the OECD’s Expert Panel on AI and interested in digital technology, skills and the future of work.

Chief Executive Officer

Michaela Eschbach

Cambridge Wireless

Michaela has an impressive track record as a Founder and Director, both in the not-for-profit and for-profit space.

As co-founder of Form the Future CIC, Michaela drove strategic direction and operations for this multi-award-winning organisation which connects young people with career opportunities. As Managing Director of Founders4Schools, Michaela led the operational, financial and cultural transformation of this ed-tech charity.

Michaela is known for her passion and dedication in successfully driving companies through growth and challenges.

She was winner of the Cambridge News ‘Cambridge’s Most Influential Businesspeople Award’ in 2017 and was included in the EU-Startups’ Top 100: Europe’s Most Influential Women in the Startup and Venture Capital Space in 2023.

Executive Director for Economy & Growth

Richard Kenny

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

Richard is a lifelong advocate of devolution and has led strategy and delivery at multiple levels for local government, including working for two city councils focused on the comprehensive regeneration of two major core cities, led two inclusive economy and place portfolios for two county councils, and contributed to one of the biggest devolution deals in the country.

His work is also deeply embedded in other sectors that are the key partners of Combined Authorities, especially universities and senior business leadership teams, but also central government, health, policing, colleges and regions.

Regional Leader

Steve Ainsworth

Barclays

Stephen is Head of Mid Corporate, Eastern Region, leading teams to support clients across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and East Anglia.

He has been with Barclays since 2005 and held coverage and leadership roles within the Investment Banking and Corporate Banking divisions, in a variety of sectors including TMT, Hospitality & Leisure, and Business & Professional Services. Prior to joining Barclays, Stephen worked in the defence sector for 12 years.

Stephen holds an MA from Cambridge University, a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Bath University and an MBA (distinction) from Manchester Business School.

Green Growth

11.00am-12.00pm

Panel debate, featuring a range of perspectives on what green growth and being a sustainable business means.

Register your place here > https://afx.one/5468ea90

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Alex Hughes - Panel Host

Green Jobs Foundation

Alex has recently taken over the Directorship of the Green Jobs Foundation, bringing his experience in entrepreneurship and community-focused initiatives. He's worked extensively in creating educational and employment pathways for young people, particularly focused on East of England. He's also had the privilege of being involved in multiple startups and scaleups, employing over 150 people in those businesses he has started and more recently built the first Citizen Hub in the UK, the reimagination of what a Job Centre could look like in the future. His skills are in facilitating and convening citizens and businesses to drive socioeconomic change.

The Green Jobs Foundation is dedicated to mitigating climate change-driven employment risks by raising awareness of and access to green jobs. Through collaboration with job seekers, businesses, NGOs, and governments, the foundation aims to deepen knowledge of green job opportunities and support a more equitable and sustainable future. Its mission focuses on providing access to the right jobs, using the right skills, in the right places, at the right time, ensuring that no one is left behind in the green transition.

Sales Manager

Katie Pallatt-Taylor

Gen Phoenix

Katie Pallatt-Taylor joined Gen Phoenix in 2021 after graduating from Loughborough University, where she studied Material Innovation and Design, with a year in industry at the online clothing retailer ASOS, where she worked in responsible material sourcing and development.

In her first position within Gen Phoenix, as NPD project manager, she successfully led significant projects in the consumer markets, including with renowned global brand Dr Martens. Building on the sell-out success of their new product developments, Gen Phoenix has since established strategic partnerships with Dr Martens, Tapestry, and JLR.

In her role in Project Management, Katie’s expertise extended beyond consumer applications. She also facilitated the development of innovative solutions in their other sectors, including aviation, automotive, mass transport, and public seating.

Recently, Katie transitioned to a sales role within the mass transport division, where she leverages her technical knowledge and project management experience to provide customers with exceptional support and expertise.

With a passion for sustainable design and innovation, Katie is committed to driving advancements in material technologies and fostering strong relationships with clients in her industry.

General Manager

Christophe Ughetto

Novotel Cambridge North

Christophe Ughetto is the General Manager of Novotel Cambridge, where he champions the principles of positive hospitality. He focuses on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for both guests and staff, emphasizing exceptional service and community engagement.

He is committed to enhancing the guest experience through personalized service while promoting sustainable practices within the hotel.

His leadership fosters a culture of positivity and innovation, making Novotel Cambridge a leader in the hospitality sector for both its service and sustainability efforts.

Engineering Manager

Peter Collins

Stagecoach East

Stagecoach are the sponsors of our Green Growth panel and will be contributing to the panel discussion.

Peter Collins has been with Stagecoach for 26 years, rising from Apprentice Electrician to Engineering Manager for the Peterborough and Fenstanton depots.

Peter was named Engineer of the Year 2024, a testament to his exceptional service. One of his most significant achievements was spearheading the launch of Cambridgeshire's first fleet of electric buses. Peter played a key role in designing and implementing the infrastructure for 32 electric buses in Cambridge, a major step in Stagecoach’s commitment to sustainability and green transport.

Digital Transformation

1.15-2.15pm

Panel debate exploring how technology is being utilised to boost competitiveness.

Register your place here > https://afx.one/7fe31dfc

Founder

Peter Heneghan

The Future Communicator

Peter Heneghan is a distinguished AI and communications expert with a rich background in prestigious roles at BBC News, Channel 4, BuzzFeed, and 10 Downing Street. Heneghan played a pivotal role in transforming the UK Government’s digital communication during the COVID-19 pandemic through tech advancements and audience-centric campaigns.

In Spring 2023, he founded The Future Communicator, an innovative agency focused on AI and digital communication strategies. Their clients include a UN agency, The British Chamber of Commerce, a NASDAQ-listed company, and major media and tech players like Virgin Media and Mailchimp. Heneghan noted that many organisations struggle in the “messy middle” of their AI journey, caught between selecting the right AI technology and preparing their employees for this transformation.

To support leaders and their businesses, he launched ‘AI Halo,’ a framework and suite of tools to help businesses no matter where they are on their AI journey. Testament to its early successes, PR Week named The Future Communicator as an “agency to watch in 2024.”

Managing Director

Katy Davies

Cap Air Systems

Katy is the Managing Director of Cap Air Systems, a St Ives Cambridgeshire based SME manufacturer of cable assemblies and PCBs, where she is tasked with growing and transforming the company. After graduating from Cambridge, she started her career at Deloitte before moving to Cambridge family-owned group Marshall, where she held senior finance leadership roles in various sections of the group before moving into operations transformation. She then became MD of CamdenBoss, a Suffolk-based manufacturer of electronic components and enclosures, where she led the turnaround, growth, and diversification of the business.

Katy is a manufacturing sector champion on the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Business Board, (also representing the business voice on the CPCA Skills & Employment Committee); an SME Advisory Board member of Enginuity; Industrial Advisory Board member of the UK Women in Manufacturing initiative; the Deputy Chair of NAAME and is also the Chair of the Eastern Regional Productivity Forum.

Her leadership and commitment to positive change have earned her recognition as a Manufacturer Top 100 Exemplar for Inspiring Leadership, as well as featuring in the Wall Street Journal. As a founding Co-Director of the Citizen Hub St Neots CIC, Katy brings her expertise in transformational leadership, workplace culture development, innovation, and manufacturing to the skills and employment sector, trailblazing progressive business and community engagement mechanisms to promote economic and social growth.

Guided by collaboration and a belief in collective action, Katy is dedicated to driving positive social and economic impact through fostering sustainable practices.

Founder

Jason Mashinchi

Cambridge Kinetics

Jason Mashinchi is the founder of Cambridge Kinetics, the company behind Kinabase — software designed to help businesses organise information, save time, and boost efficiency.

Jason has earned a distinction in Industrial Systems, Manufacturing, and Management from the University of Cambridge, and has a first-class degree in Computer Science. Jason combines his technical expertise and managerial skills to drive innovation in business productivity solutions, delivering results for a wide range of organisations.

Senior Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Specialist

Hollie Church

Illumina

Hollie supports Illumina’s internal and external CSR efforts across Europe and Middle East, whose core focus areas include Expand Access to Genomics, Empower our Communities, Integrating Environmental Sustainability, Nurture Our People and Operate Responsibly.

Hollie also set up a new ERG group called UNIQUE, short for ‘Embrace Your Uniqueness’, who are focused on making workplaces inclusive for all unique abilities, such as neurodiversity. As someone who struggled at school, Hollie is determined to drive change and ensure everyone has equal opportunities to succeed, with businesses needing to have the right infrastructure set up to support all staff.

Head of Product Analytics and Data Science

Juan Antonio Martinez Leon

G's Growers

As the Head of Product Analytics and Data Science at G’s Growers, Juan is passionate about leveraging data to revolutionize farming. By utilizing Machine Learning and AI, they enhance crop maturity and availability forecasting, ensuring their produce meets the highest standards.

Previously, Juan led the ERP Software Development team at G’s, focusing on optimizing order-to-cash and supply chain processes. His efforts facilitated a seamless cross-border transition post-Brexit, integrated IT systems with major UK retailers, improved internal compliance controls, and automated critical processes such as order import and invoicing.

In addition to his professional achievements, Juan holds a PhD in Industrial Technologies, specializing in Neuro Control. This academic pursuit has fuelled his curiosity and drive to innovate within the agricultural sector.