Overview
Join your peers, the AI for Services Network and Whitecap Consulting for a hands-on workshop series designed to support innovation in the UK’s Financial, Professional and Business Services (FPBS).
Delivered as part of the Next Generation Professional & Financial Services programme that is supported by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), this series will explore three critical themes shaping the future of the sector:
- Responsible innovation
- Digital adoption
- AI literacy
About the workshops
Each workshop is set to equip you with actionable insights, real-world case studies, and practical tools to drive ethical, sustainable, and technology-led transformation. Furthermore, you will be amongst the first to access a new set of online guides (to be published after this series), that have been created to help you apply these approaches effectively within your own organisation.
This series is free to attend however spaces are limited so we recommend that you secure your place as soon as possible. You may register for all events or choose the one(s) most relevant to your location and/or business needs.
Why attend?
- Gain practical tools to address innovation challenges within your organisation
- Learn from and build connections with UK wide peers, academic experts and members from across the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) ecosystem
- Leave with actionable plans tailored to your organisation’s goals
Who should attend?
- Firms looking to embed responsible innovation, digital transformation and AI
- Innovation and digital leads aiming to build organisational capability
- SMEs and startups seeking competitive edge through understanding client needs
- Academic and research partners focused on applied innovation
- Government support and regional growth stakeholders
Workshop schedule
Edinburgh: Responsible innovation
18 November 2025 | 09:30 – 16:30
Learn how to embed responsible innovation practices that align commercial outcomes with environmental and social impact. Explore ethical, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to innovation.
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09:30 – Arrival and networking
10:00 – Welcome and introductions with Astrid Ayel – AI for Services Lead – Innovate UK Business Connect
10:10 – Keynote with Steph Wright – Head of Scottish AI Alliance
10:30 – Panel discussion: Responsible innovation
Explore how firms can drive ethical, inclusive, and sustainable innovation to create long-term value for business and society.
- Nicola Anderson – CEO Fintech Scotland (Chair)
- Tynah Matembe – Founder & CEO – Moneymatix
- Dominic Chalmers – Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Glasgow University
11:15 – Q&A and group reflections
12:00 – Networking lunch
12:45 – Guide to Responsible Innovation Overview facilitated by
- Julian Wells – Director – Whitecap Consulting
- Michael Fletcher – Senior Consultant – Whitecap Consulting
13:30 – Workshop: Case studies and group exercises led and facilitated by Whitecap Consulting
15:00 – Closing remarks and networking
15:30 – Event close
Manchester: AI literacy
25 November 2025 | 09:30 – 16:30
Demystify AI and build foundational knowledge for practical use. Identify relevant AI use cases, address adoption challenges, and plan for responsible and informed implementation.
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09:30 – Arrival and networking
10:00 – Welcome and introductions with Astrid Ayel – AI for Services Lead – Innovate UK Business Connect
10:10 – Keynote industry expert Elliot Morris – CEO – Mozstro
10:30 – Panel discussion: AI Literacy
Explore how AI can move beyond the buzzword to drive innovation and shape new products
- Ben Brownson – Group Board Director and Head of Operations – RPG
- Rob Firth – Senior Research AI Scientist – SFTC Hartree Centre (Chair)
- Katy Sidebotham – Legal Technologist – Weightmans
- Mohamed Ali Walji – CEO – Qurk
11:15 – Q&A and group reflections
12:00 – Networking lunch
12:45 – Guide to AI Literacy Overview facilitated by
- Julian Wells – Director – Whitecap Consulting
- Michael Fletcher – Senior Consultant – Whitecap Consulting
13:30 – Workshop: Case studies and group exercises led and facilitated by Whitecap Consulting
15:00 – Closing remarks and networking
15:30 – Event close
Birmingham: Digital adoption
26 November 2025 | 09:30 – 16:30
Assess digital maturity and explore pathways to successful adoption of digital tools. Gain guidance on technology selection, stakeholder engagement, and operational transformation.
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09:30 – Arrival and networking
10:00 – Welcome and introductions with Astrid Ayel – AI for Services Lead – Innovate UK Business Connect
10:10 – Keynote by industry expert Hilary Smyth-Allen – Chief Executive – SuperTech West Midlands
10:30 – Panel discussion: Digital Adoption
Explore how firms can accelerate digital adoption to improve productivity, efficiency, and client value.
- Symeon Dionysis – Research Fellow – Nottingham Business School (Chair)
- Sagar Khandelwal – Technology Consulting Partner – EY
- Dr Anjulika Salhan – Managing Director – Systems Holdings
- Cristian Gherhes – Founder & CEO – LexVerify
11:15 – Q&A and group reflections
12:00 – Networking lunch
12:45 – Guide to Digital Adoption Overview facilitated by
- Julian Wells – Director – Whitecap Consulting
- Michael Fletcher – Senior Consultant – Whitecap Consulting
13:30 – Workshop: Case studies and group exercises led and facilitated by Whitecap Consulting
15:00 – Closing remarks and networking
15:30 – Event close
You may register for all events or choose the one(s) most relevant to your location and/or business needs.