ATI Conference 2026 Agenda

08:00

Arrival, coffee and pastries

Head to reception to collect your badge, then explore our exhibition hall before the main programme starts.

09:00

Welcome

Welcome to the conference by Sophie Lane, Chief Relationships Officer, ATI.

09:20

Delivering growth in every postcode

The economic argument for investing in R&T and continued government support.

09:35

Vision for growth: the future on trial

Exploring the market opportunity, key decision points and timelines. Explaining where the key areas of divergence from the future market scenario might be and what that would mean for the UK and global sector.

10:20

Signalling demand

Alex Simpson, GE Aerospace, will provide a unique insight into requirements and help influence what you do today to ensure you are a competitive supplier in the future.

10:40

BREAK

11:10

The airframers perspective

Panel with leading figures in product development on technology, commercial realities, future product decisions and supplier readiness. Speakers include Bill Carter, Boeing and Sue Partridge, Airbus.

11:55

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Choose from three breakout sessions exploring the hot topics in aerospace.

Framework for growth: Composite capability enhancement in the UK

A key discussion on the five pillars that make up the composites framework for growth, what has been done so far and what more can be done. Discuss the ways we can accelerate progress to secure six times growth in the UK composites market. Speakers include Bill Carter, Boeing.

Electrifying the aircraft

Exploring the opportunity for electrifying major aircraft systems to improve efficiency and performance. What is technically possible in the immediate future and where can UK expertise secure future market share? Most importantly, what does this mean for investments you might need to make now to be ready for what comes next?

From AI curiosity to business value

This session focuses on decision-making rather than technology. Using real aerospace case studies, explore how organisations identified opportunities, secured investment and stakeholder support, measured value, and successfully deployed AI in engineering and manufacturing environments.

ATI Toolkit drop-in

Meet the team behind the toolkit and discover how it can support your decision-making. Hosted by Mutinda Musuva (Tish) and James O’Doherty-Jennings, ATI.

12:55

LUNCH

13:45

Welcome back

13:50

Tech leaders – major components

Panel on next generation single-aisle growth, performance and cost trade-offs, integration, UK market share and partnership opportunities.

14:35

Signalling demand

This session will give a unique insight into requirements and help influence what you do today to ensure you are a competitive supplier in the future.

15:00

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

UK expertise: Structures

Explore the UK structures capability, R&T activity and market opportunity in depth. Assess UK competitiveness and what we need to do to retain sovereignty in key areas.

Future propulsion: Beyond NGSA

Explore the UK propulsion capability, R&T activity and market opportunity in depth. Assess UK competitiveness and what we need to do to retain sovereignty in key areas. Speakers include James Owen, Safran Electrical & Power.

Systems: Beyond wings and engines: Maximising the systems opportunity on NGSA

Explore the UK systems capability, R&T activity and market opportunity in depth. Dive into systems areas from an OEM and SME perspective, outlining the NGSA challenge and capitalising on the systems opportunity. Speakers include Callum Healey, Domin.

ATI Toolkit drop-in

Meet the team behind the toolkit and discover how it can support your decision-making. Hosted by Mutinda Musuva (Tish) and James O’Doherty-Jennings, ATI.

16:25

Welcome back

16:30

Revolutionising assembly through automation

Panel on future factory automation, business-practice and design change, lessons, barriers, roadmap and opportunities. Speakers include Dan Thombs, Automate UK.

17:15

Signalling demand

This session will give a unique insight into requirements and help influence what you do today to ensure you are a competitive supplier in the future.

17:30

The ATI Awards 2026

Find out who has won the 2026 ATI Awards for technology and innovation, highlighting the companies, teams and projects trailblazing solutions to the most pressing challenges in aerospace.

18:00

Reflections and close

Gary Elliott, Chief Executive Officer, ATI, wraps up Day One.

18:15

DINNER AND DRINKS

Join us for dinner, drinks and networking.

08:00

Arrival, coffee and pastries

Explore the exhibition hall and enjoy refreshments before the programme starts.

09:00

Welcome

Welcome back to Day Two from Sophie Lane, Chief Relationships Officer, ATI

09:10

Innovating at pace

Explore the pitfalls and opportunities of rapid technology developments, risk management and tech transfer opportunities.

09:30

Accelerating industrial readiness

Learn how AI, robotics, quantum computing and other advanced technologies are transforming manufacturing, and what aerospace companies need to do now to be ready for future aircraft programmes.

10:10

Signalling demand

This session will give a unique insight into requirements and help influence what you do today to ensure you are a competitive supplier in the future.

10:30

BREAK

11:00

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Enabling industrial readiness

Enabling industrial readiness from an academic and industrial capability and answering the question: How do we get the most out of UK capability?

MRO

What does it take to support the next generation of aerospace technologies once they enter service? From maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities to supply chain resilience, workforce readiness and cross-sector dependencies, this panel will explore the infrastructure and industrial ecosystem required to keep future technologies flying. Speakers include Andy Norton, Rolls-Royce; Bruce Lawson, Rolls-Royce and Hua Wei Huang, ATI.

Beyond carbon

A session exploring the progress and results of non-CO2 research and what it means for how we operate and what more we need to know.

ATI Toolkit drop-in

Meet the team behind the toolkit and discover how it can support your decision-making. Hosted by Mutinda Musuva (Tish) and James O’Doherty-Jennings, ATI.

12:00

Inside the investment decision: How aerospace companies raised private capital

Many aerospace SMEs understand grant funding and collaborative R&D but have less experience of raising private investment. This session replaces a traditional investor panel with a more engaging format that allows attendees to step into the investor’s shoes. Speakers include: Mike Campbell, K3 Metrology; Gareth Mayhead, Development Bank of Wales; Stephen Bennington, Q5D and Maria Nelson, ATI.

12:40

Signalling demand

This session will give a unique insight into requirements and help influence what you do today to ensure you are a competitive supplier in the future.

12:55

Final remarks

Wrapping up a fantastic couple of days.

13:00

LUNCH

Join us for a networking lunch and final opportunity to discover the exhibitors before the conference ends.