Keynote★
Ian Kinnery
The Scale-Up Coach
2026 Series · 5 Events
Rocket fuel for scale
The PLATFORM 2026 series brings together founders, funders & operators across Edinburgh, Newcastle & Sunderland. Half-day events. Zero filler. Real outcomes.
People★Process★Technology★Finance★Scale★Edinburgh · Newcastle · Sunderland★People★Process★Technology★Finance★Scale★Edinburgh · Newcastle · Sunderland★People★Process★Technology★Finance★Scale★Edinburgh · Newcastle · Sunderland★
The StoryBuilt for the
Built for the
ambitious.
Since January 2024, our monthly half-day PLATFORM events have inspired, educated & connected business owners, leaders, funders, investors & advisers from across the North East of England, Teesside & Scotland.
In 2026, the series goes on the road. Five half-day events across Edinburgh, Newcastle & Sunderland — focused on the people, processes, technology & finance that scale serious businesses.
01
People
Hire, lead, retain — the human engine of scale.
02
Process
Systems that hold when the pressure rises.
03
Technology
From AI to infra — the unfair advantage.
04
Finance
Funding, investment & the £10bn opportunity.
The Programme
Events.
Edinburgh · Newcastle · Sunderland
- 0110 July 2026
PLATFORM (Edinburgh)
10:00 am — 12:30 pm
37a Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2EL
- 0217 July 2026
PLATFORM (Newcastle)
09:00 am — 12:30 pm
Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3SA
- 0311 September 2026
PLATFORM (Sunderland)
10:00 am — 12:30 pm
Keel Square, Sunderland, SR1 3DZ
- 0418 September 2026
PLATFORM (Newcastle)
09:00 am — 12:30 pm
Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3SA
- 0523 October 2026
PLATFORM (Newcastle)
09:00 am — 12:30 pm
Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3SA
The Full Day
Agenda.
Conference programme
- 0109:30am-10:00am
Registration, refreshments, networking & exhibition
- 0210:00am-10:10am
Opening remarks & welcome
Paul Lancaster (Founder, PLATFORM) & Charlotte Nichols (MD, Harvey & Hugo)
- 0310:10am-10:40am
Keynote: The Scale-Up Coach
Ian Kinnery
- 0410:40am-11:00am
Networking, refreshments & exhibition
- 0511:00am-11:45am
Fireside chat with Lee Hartley, CEO Castrius Capital Partners
Hosted by Neil Stephenson (Stephenson Ventures)
- 0611:45am-12:15pm
North East Business Awards & Drinks Reception
Ammar Mirza CBE (High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear)
- 0712:15pm-12:30pm
Keynote: Teaming Smart
Dr Marc Owens
- 0812:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch, networking & exhibition
- 091:30pm-2:30pm
Panel: People & Process
Kat Bond (Xero), Nicky Jolley (HR2day), Adeel Bashir (Nouveau Legal), Stuart Bramley (Mira Marketing), Andrew Farrell (Optimal Accountancy), Mark Renney (Wubbleyou) — hosted by Neil Stephenson
- 102:30pm-2:50pm
Networking, refreshments & exhibition
- 112:50pm-3:35pm
Panel: Technology
Scott Cardow (Precursor Security), Mitali Deypurkaystha (Impact Icon AI), Mark Renney (Wubbleyou), Ciaron Gallagher (Unity Angels) — hosted by Neil Stephenson
- 123:35pm-4pm
Networking, refreshments & exhibition
- 134pm-4:45pm
Panel: Funding & Investment
Michael Williams (NEL Fund Managers), Rebecca Minchella (Maven Capital Partners), Ciaron Gallagher (Unity Angels) — hosted by Neil Stephenson
- 144:50pm-5pm
Closing remarks & departures
- 155:30pm-Late
After party / networking event nearby
The Cast
The heavyweights.
Operators with scars. Investors with cheques. Leaders who've actually done it.
Fireside★
Lee Hartley
CEO, Castrius Capital Partners
Keynote★
Dr Marc Owens
Teaming Smart
Host★
Charlotte Nichols
MD, Harvey & Hugo
Host★
Paul Lancaster
Founder, PLATFORM
Host★
Neil Stephenson
Stephenson Ventures
Award★
Ammar Mirza CBE
High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear
Panel★
Kat Bond
Head of Partner Success, Xero
Panel★
Nicky Jolley
MD, HR2day
Panel★
Adeel Bashir
Founder, Nouveau Legal
Panel★
Stuart Bramley
CEO, Mira Marketing
Panel★
Andrew Farrell
Optimal Accountancy
Panel★
Mark Renney
MD, Wubbleyou
Panel★
Scott Cardow
CEO, Precursor Security
Panel★
Mitali Deypurkaystha
Founder, Impact Icon AI
Panel★
Michael Williams
NEL Fund Managers
Panel★
Rebecca Minchella
Maven Capital Partners
Panel★
Ciaron Gallagher
Co-Founder, Unity Angels
Inside the room
The Gallery
The Locations
Venue.
Edinburgh · Newcastle · Sunderland
Edinburgh
37a Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2EL
10 July 2026, 10:00 — 12:30
Doors open 09:30
Moments from Edinburgh Castle, at the top of the Grassmarket.
Get directionsNewcastle
Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3SA
17 Jul, 18 Sep & 23 Oct 2026, 09:00 — 12:30
Doors open 08:30
A 2-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station — use the main entrance.
Get directionsSunderland
Keel Square, Sunderland, SR1 3DZ
11 September 2026, 10:00 — 12:30
Doors open 09:30
In the heart of Sunderland city centre, next to Keel Square transport links.
Get directions