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| 6 Feb 2026 | |
| Blog |
Technology has the power to reshape society, not just through innovation, but through intentional action that improves lives, strengthens communities and protects our planet. The Tech for Good Impact Summit in Nottingham brings together founders, innovators, policymakers, and practitioners who are harnessing technology to create meaningful social impact.
Across a full day of talks, panels and workshops, attendees will explore how technology can address some of today’s biggest challenges, from health and education to sustainability, entrepreneurship and ethical AI. The summit provides a space for collaboration, learning and inspiration, showcasing the people and ideas shaping a more responsible and inclusive tech ecosystem.
Below is a look at what the day will explore and the inspiring speakers leading the conversations.
The summit opens with welcomes from Allia and the University of Nottingham Innovation Park, setting the tone for a day focused on collaboration between the public, private and social sectors.
A featured VIP discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities within the East Midlands’ business support ecosystem and green economy strategy, highlighting how regional collaboration can accelerate sustainable growth.
Head of Business Support and Sector Engagement, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)
Lucie Andrews leads business support and sector engagement for the East Midlands Combined County Authority, helping shape programmes that support innovation, economic growth and sustainable development across the region. Her work focuses on connecting businesses, public sector organisations and local initiatives to build a stronger and more resilient regional economy.
Green Growth Project Manager, East Midlands Combined County Authority
Adrian Prestidge leads regional initiatives focused on retrofit, energy transition and the development of the East Midlands Retrofit Strategy. He has been instrumental in coordinating multi-authority retrofit programmes, including the Nottinghamshire–Derbyshire bid to the MCS Foundation’s Local Authority Retrofit Accelerator Pilot. With experience as an installer for a Derbyshire SME during his MSc studies, Adrian combines practical knowledge with strategic insight to help accelerate place-based decarbonisation across the region.
A safe environment and meaningful connections are essential to our mental health and wellbeing. This session explores how innovative platforms and robotics technologies are helping address challenges in social care, loneliness and youth support.
Transformation Manager, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board
Michele Freer is a senior healthcare transformation leader with extensive experience delivering complex change programmes across the NHS and private healthcare sectors. She specialises in improving services, systems and technology while managing large-scale initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. At Nottingham City PLACE within the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, she leads projects supporting neighbourhood healthcare, primary care improvement and population health initiatives.
Co-Founder, bPlaced
Jessica Sandwell is the co-founder of bPlaced, a platform improving how children in care are matched with the right homes. With 17 years of operational and commercial experience in the childcare sector, she brings deep knowledge of the system and a commitment to improving outcomes for young people. Developed alongside her co-founder Roxy and shaped by lived experience, bPlaced combines sector expertise with thoughtful technology design to better support local authorities, providers and children.
Co-Founder & Director, Robotics for Good CIC
Richard Solly co-founded Robotics for Good C.I.C., a social enterprise focused on deploying service robotics to support real-world challenges. His organisation develops and implements robotics solutions across sectors including education, healthcare and cultural spaces. Deployments have included telepresence robots in galleries, colleges supporting students with SEND, care homes and airports, demonstrating how assistive robotics can improve access and wellbeing.
With nearly a million young people classified as NEET in the UK, innovative approaches to learning and engagement are urgently needed. This session explores how immersive technologies and AI are transforming education and opening new pathways into employment.
Founder, Mesh Training
Priten Chauhan is a Virtual Reality specialist and design educator who helps creatives use VR as a collaborative and immersive design tool. With a background in product design and experience across education and industry, he works at the forefront of integrating VR into learning environments. Through his Nottingham-based company Mesh Training, Priten focuses on enabling collaborative design, accelerating ideation and equipping learners with career-ready digital skills.
Co-Founder & CEO, Unique Tech Solution Ltd / Creator of MySmartTeach
Dr Sharzad Madjlesi is a technology entrepreneur and the creator of MySmartTeach, an AI-powered teaching assistant designed to transform assessment and feedback in UK schools. She holds a PhD in Financial Technology and an MBA from the University of Nottingham and works as a guest lecturer and innovation associate at the University of Birmingham. A former physics teacher, Sharzad combines classroom experience with technological expertise to develop practical EdTech solutions.
This session explores how technology can strengthen communities and support inclusive employment.
Founder, Kakao Tech
Ann Fomukong-Boden is the founder of Kakao Tech, developing digital solutions designed to connect people with places and strengthen local communities. Her work focuses on using technology to increase local engagement, improve access to services and support thriving community ecosystems.
Founder, Her Momentum
Dr Tolu Adebayo founded Her Momentum, a technology platform that connects women returning to the workforce with employers ready to support their transition. With a PhD in Sustainability from the University of Nottingham and experience across multiple industries, she combines personal insight with professional expertise to address the “career break penalty” many women face.
As climate challenges intensify, innovative solutions are essential for reducing environmental impact and building sustainable systems.
Founder, Chefsally
Wendy Baird’s journey into tech began while running community cafés during lockdown, where surplus food deliveries forced her to find creative ways to avoid waste. This experience led to the creation of Chef’s Ally for professional kitchens and Chef Sally for households, technology platforms designed to turn available ingredients into practical meals, reduce food waste and protect livelihoods.
Founder, Future Makers
Tristan Hessing leads Future Makers, an initiative focused on building innovative solutions that address environmental and social challenges while supporting sustainable entrepreneurship.
In this candid panel, experienced entrepreneurs share their journeys – including the highs, lows and lessons learned while building technology ventures.
Founder, Noum
Martin Sandu is a product innovator and AI consultant with over 20 years’ experience building scalable businesses across healthtech, wellbeing and digital innovation. He leads ventures including Noum, Built in Notts, Mindora and Lab82, focusing on applying design thinking to real-world challenges.
Founder, Mindora
Will Mellors-Blair is a systems thinker and strategist working at the intersection of AI, Web3 and human performance. With expertise spanning biotechnology, mathematical sciences and workforce intelligence, he has advised governments, enterprises and elite athletes on resilience and performance systems.
CEO & Co-Founder, digital4health UK
Jo Berkis leads digital4health UK, supporting innovation adoption across healthcare ecosystems. Her work connects innovators with academia, investment and NHS stakeholders while also engaging with policy and government initiatives.
Communicating impact effectively is critical for organisations seeking funding, partnerships and growth.
Executive Officer, It’s in Nottingham Foundation
Graham Moran has spent decades leading community and sports initiatives across Nottingham. After establishing and leading charitable organisations linked to Notts County and Nottingham Forest, he now works with the It’s in Nottingham Foundation to deliver social impact through collaborative community initiatives.
Founder, Clear Penny
Phillipa Pearty founded Clear Penny, a platform helping organisations explain their impact in simple, transparent ways. Her work focuses on making complex information accessible and helping audiences understand where money goes and what difference it makes.
Founder, Klir Online
Danniebelle Gunter is the founder of Klir Online, a digital branding and marketing studio supporting purpose-led organisations to build visibility online. She specialises in social media strategy, AI-powered marketing systems and digital storytelling for impact-driven ventures.
This session explores how organisations can transform data into meaningful insights and use automation to improve decision-making.
Professor and Director, City as Lab (University of Nottingham)
Professor Paul Grainge leads City as Lab, a University of Nottingham initiative focused on place-based innovation using digital technologies and data. He has led multiple collaborative projects across the Midlands and served on the Arts and Humanities Research Council Advisory Board.
Founder, Pragmatyq
Clinton Walker is a cybersecurity entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience working with global organisations including Sainsbury’s, Experian, E.ON and the NHS. He founded Pragmatyq, a cybersecurity risk and resilience SaaS platform, and is a recognised thought leader and international speaker in cybersecurity and digital trust.
This workshop highlights the work of the Royal Society of Arts Inclusive Growth Commission and explores how communities can collaborate to build sustainable local economies.
Fellowship Engagement Manager, Royal Society of Arts
Luke Dorian works with RSA Fellows across the Midlands to build coalitions and support community-led change. With a background in politics and public strategy, he now focuses on fostering collaboration between citizens, organisations and institutions.
Director, Community Enterprise Engine
Tobias Gould is a serial social entrepreneur specialising in business model innovation and social venture development. He has supported hundreds of organisations in building sustainable enterprises and co-authored the UK Government’s Help to Grow leadership programme.
Understanding funding pathways is essential for growing a technology venture.
Regional Manager, Innovate UK
James Silverward works with public, private and academic partners to drive innovation across the East Midlands. His expertise spans economic development, strategic programmes and regional innovation ecosystems.
Director, Innovation Incentives, KPMG
Patrick Fletcher has more than 28 years’ experience in corporate taxation and innovation incentives. He helps businesses across sectors maximise the value of R&D tax credits and Patent Box incentives.
This workshop focuses on turning ideas into successful digital products.
Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, University of Nottingham
Dr Chris Carter is an award-winning entrepreneurship educator and researcher focused on the intersection of digital technologies and entrepreneurial behaviour. His work explores the transformative potential of digital education and innovation ecosystems.
Co-Founder, Nightingale Research
Frances Brown co-founded Nightingale, a consultancy that uses research and evidence to guide product design and innovation. Her team has worked with organisations including the NHS, LEGO and the Department for Education.
Founder, Evergreen Apps
Martin Wright is an app developer who supports startups from idea validation through to product launch, helping founders build scalable digital platforms that solve real problems.
Alongside the talks and workshops, attendees will also be able to explore the summit’s exhibition space, featuring organisations such as:
These exhibitors showcase how technology can be applied to real-world challenges – from education and robotics to community innovation and digital infrastructure.
The Tech for Good Impact Summit is more than a conference – it’s a meeting point for innovators, policymakers and changemakers committed to using technology responsibly and creatively.
By bringing together leaders from across sectors, the event aims to spark new ideas, partnerships and solutions that will shape the future of technology for positive impact.
For founders, professionals, students and innovators alike, the summit offers a rare opportunity to learn from those actively building the next generation of socially responsible technology.
