LEADERSHIP
DAY
02.10.25
About the conference
HOTEL VOCO, ManchesteR
08:15AM Registration | 5PM DRinks Reception
SPONSORED BY
Please note: to ensure attendees can benefit from networking opportunities and attendance at the conference, tickets are limited to 2 tickets per company. Leadership content is aimed at C-Suite, Heads of, Directors and Founders. If you are from a recruitment company or consultancy our PSL for the event is full for those attendees. We kindly ask you do not purchase a ticket to allow us to keep the event balanced. If you do purchase a ticket from one of those industries we will not allow entry and are not able to process a refund.
What to expect
The MTF Leadership day is designed for C-Suit executives, VP’s and Directors, Entrepreneurs and Founders, Aspiring Senior Leaders, Heads of Department and Functional leaders. Regardless of title, delegates can expect:aders
Kick off the conference with three high-impact sessions delivered by industry experts, handpicked for their deep experience and practical insights. Each talk is designed to equip delegates with actionable takeaways on topics that matter to today’s tech leaders. To close the morning, we’ll be joined live from the U.S. by a special guest speaker for an exclusive Q&A.
New for 2025, our hands-on workshops offer a focused space for leaders to sharpen key skills and dive into high-level discussions. Each session provides not only the chance to develop new capabilities but also to explore how peers are tackling the same challenges in their own organisations.
These breakout discussions bring leaders together around a single-word topic—think AI, Culture, or Change Management (yes, we’re cheating a bit). Whether you’re looking to learn from others, crowdsource advice, or share how your team is leading the way, these sessions offer open, honest conversations with no slides and no filters.
This interactive session puts the power in your hands. Submit a burning question and vote on others. We’ll display the live poll results and invite our expert panel to unpack the top four topics in depth. From architecture strategy to GenAI adoption, nothing’s off the table.
We end the day with our signature social—an informal drinks reception where the most meaningful conversations often happen. Mingle with fellow leaders, reconnect with speakers, and carry on the conversations that matter in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
SPEAKERS
Discover this years speakers
Caroline Canty
Founder & Director
Craft Coaching
Andrew Carlin
Principal Software Engineer
Jaguar Land Rover
Clare Sudbery
Technical and leadership Coach
Sudbery Software Engineering Ltd
AGENDA
We’re still busy pulling together this year’s agenda, so check out the talks below and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when new talks go live!
Andrew Carlin
Principal Software Engineer
Jaguar Land Rover
SESSION OVERVIEW: What happens when a well-established engineering culture is dismantled almost overnight? Over 2 years, I lived through a full transformation—from a thriving, high-performing in-house team to an offshored, supplier-led model that struggled to meet the same standards. The fallout wasn’t just technical—it was deeply human. This talk explores how we adapted, rediscovered purpose, and began the hard work of cultural rehabilitation. Through honest reflection and real-world examples, I’ll share what went wrong, what I’d do differently, and how momentum was rebuilt. You’ll leave with practical tools for leading through disruption, rebuilding culture, and using coaching and storytelling to recover identity and performance.
Clare Sudbery
Technical & Leadership Coach
Sudbery Software Engineering Ltd
SESSION OVERVIEW: Ensemble programming, also known as mob programming, is like pair programming but more so. Described by Woody Zuill as “All the brilliant minds working together on the same thing, at the same time, in the same space, and at the same computer”, it brings teams together to maximise collaboration and minimise bottlenecks.
Some teams do it all the time, some use it as a targeted tool in particular circumstances – for instance when starting a new project, learning a new technology or onboarding new team members. In this workshop we’ll practice various techniques and learn how to make the ensemble work best.
Caroline Canty
Founder & Director
Craft Coaching
SESSION OVERVIEW: Deadlines, client pressure, driving buy-in, having difficult conversations – the stressors of senior leadership never seem to end, especially in tech where the constant push for innovation can be overwhelming. All of this means that cortisol often plays a huge role in our work lives and our day-to-day performance, way more than we realise. But is there a way to work with it, rather than against it? A way to lead and scale without burning out? Absolutely – and in this session, you’ll learn how, plus the key leadership tactics you’ll need to do it, and the next steps you can implement immediately to bring it to life. Join us for this session and start rewiring the mindsets and behaviours of your team for serious growth.
Purchase your pass
Tickets for our Leadership Conference are £36 each and include admission to the day conference at Hotel Voco and the private drinks reception on the terrace. Ticket price also includes refreshments & lunch.
Please note: to ensure attendees can benefit from networking opportunities and attendance at the conference, tickets are limited to 2 tickets per company. Leadership content is aimed at C-Suite, Heads of, Directors and Founders. If you are from a recruitment company or consultancy our PSL for the event is full for those attendees. We kindly ask you do not purchase a ticket to allow us to keep the event balanced. If you do purchase a ticket from one of those industries we will not allow entry and are not able to process a refund.
AFTER PARTY
Roof Terrace, Voco, Manchester M1 3HP
Our evening social offers the perfect setting to forge new connections, exchange insights, and build valuable relationships within the tech community.
With a vibrant atmosphere, delicious refreshments, and opportunities to engage with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and like-minded enthusiasts, this evening social is the ideal platform to relax, unwind, and expand your professional network.
Thank you to all the organisers, I can’t wait for next year!
You understood that representation would matter, and rose to the challenge!
Take to the MTF Stage
At MTF we are proud of the incredible community we are part of, that’s why at the end of every conference we welcome members of the community to take to the stage and have their say for 99 seconds!
It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned speaker or new to the tech scene we want to hear from you! In fact, some of Manchester’s most experienced speakers started with a quick 99 second pitch!
We welcome sign up’s on the day, so make sure you grab a member of the team if you want to take to the stage!
CHARITY PARTNERS
Throughout the year Manchester Tech Festival supports a number of charities. Find out how your business can support them on the pages below and connect at one of our events:
