Welcome to Innovate to Accelerate
Hosted by Columbus
Sponsored by Akeneo, Optimizely, Entirely and Tabellae
Innovate to Accelerate is a collaborative event designed to bring together industry leaders, partners, and innovators to explore forward-thinking strategies, share insights, and drive meaningful business growth. Set in the iconic surroundings of Silverstone, the event offers a unique opportunity to network, showcase your brand, and engage with key stakeholders through curated sessions, presentations, and exhibition spaces. Our goal is to foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate success through shared knowledge and collaboration.
Event Agenda
Thursday, April 23 2026
Arrival
Refreshments & networking. Pastries, fruit and yoghurts will be available alongside tea and coffee.
All AttendeesWelcome & Opening Remarks
An introduction to Innovate to Accelerate, including how to navigate the different talk tracks and an introduction to our sponsors.
Tom St John Innovation and Evolve StageDisrupt. Accelerate. Dominate: Winning in a World of Constant Change
The keynote explores how emerging industry and technology trends, driven by AI, agentic systems, and intelligent automation, are reshaping innovation, accelerating disruption, and creating opportunities amid market volatility. Attendees will gain insights into how leading organisations, including Microsoft, leverage these forces to transform business models and drive growth.
Chris Mean Liz Leigh Bowler Innovation and Evolve StageAgentic AI
Most organisations are experimenting with AI however, few are extracting real value. Columbus cover where Agentic AI is heading, what's blocking adoption, and how Columbus are helping customers move from interest to impact. Real use cases, honest blockers, and a practical next step.
Frederik Ahlers Jack Binnall Innovation and Evolve StageMorning Break
Tea, coffee and other refreshments available.
All AttendeesInnovation and Evolve Stage
This stage focuses on refining, improving, and scaling existing ideas, products, or services to maximise their impact and long-term value with an emphasis on continuous innovation.
Customer Engagement Stage
This stage focuses on building strong, meaningful relationships with customers by understanding their needs, behaviours, and interactions across the entire journey.
Panel Discussion: What Is The Future of Managed Services?
With the increase of AI-related technology and innovation, what does a future Managed Service model look like? This panel discussion, including customers and Columbus industry-experts, explores how continuous improvement and value-add innovation will be the focus in years to come, moving away from traditional Incident Management models.
Sally Howell James Willett Customer SpotlightPersonal, purposeful, convenient: What customers expect and what you should do
Today's customers expect personal, purposeful, and convenient experiences. In this session, we will explore trends through case studies of brands excelling in personalisation, sustainability, and seamless omnichannel experiences. Attendees will learn how businesses excelling in ecommerce, turn strategy into action, delivering measurable value while building long-term competitive advantage
Rob Watson Rosie StanoOptimising operations: Smart factories, Connected data and supply chain integration
Discover how smart factories, connected data, and integrated supply chains are transforming operations. This session explores real-world strategies to optimise production, improve visibility, streamline workflows, and drive efficiency across every stage of the value chain, turning data into actionable insights and measurable business impact.
Tom St John Kevin BullAgentic Commerce: From Vision to Execution sponsored by Optimizely
AI is moving from assistant to autonomous colleague. In the era of Agentic Commerce, discover how AI-driven workflows and agents can optimise operations and reshape your business for efficiency, trust, and seamless human-machine collaboration.
The AI Buyer: How to prepare your data and storefront for "machine customers" that now find, evaluate, and purchase products autonomously.
Operational Autonomy: Leveraging agentic workflows to drive massive efficiency in B2B/B2C operations, from merchandising to finance.
The Executive Roadmap: The practical steps to transition your technology stack from a passive toolset into an active, agent-driven ecosystem.
Lunch
Indulge in a variety of street food and desserts while networking with peers, exploring our partner booths, competing on the F1 simulators, or step out onto the balcony to watch a test racing day unfold.
All AttendeesWinning in Motion: From Transformation to Rapid Adaptation
Why traditional transformation is no longer enough in a world of constant change. This session explores how leading organisations are shifting from heavy, episodic change programmes to a more continuous model of innovation, evolution and adaptation. It will introduce a practical way to sense change earlier, focus on what matters, test and learn faster, and turn innovation into real business value without overwhelming the organisation.Ideal for leaders looking to build a business that can keep moving, learning and winning in motion.
Ian KingstoneWhat on Earth Is PIM? From Chaos to Clarity: Unlocking Product Data for Real World Value, featuring Slimming World, sponsored by Entirely
Ever wondered how to unlock your product data? PIM might just be the answer.Discover how Product Information Management (PIM) cuts through scattered, inconsistent product data. This session shows how to turn data chaos into clarity, unlocking accuracy, efficiency and real‑world value, with insights from Slimming World on how PIM delivers consistent, trusted information, streamlines processes and strengthens customer experiences.
Tarn Brown Antony Biondi Slimming WorldCustomer spotlight: Origin Enterprises
This session explores how Origin Enterprises transformed its operations through Microsoft Dynamics 365 and partnership with Columbus. It highlights overcoming complex, seasonal challenges, enabling real-time decision-making, automating processes, and building a scalable, data-driven foundation for innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Steve Weaver Derek Wilson Luke BaystonAI in Practice: How We Scaled Copilots, Agents, and Generative Innovation
How we systematically scaled AI adoption across our delivery practice. We'll share how these capabilities now drive AI-assisted development of customer tools and accelerators and how this journey has empowered us to create inspiring 'art of the possible' prototypes that spark new conversations and new value.
Steve Lyon Steve HigginsAfternoon Break
Tea, coffee and other refreshments available.
All AttendeesPanel: From Insight to Action, Agentic AI and the Next Era of Intelligent Operations, sponsored by Akeneo
As organisations evolve from data-driven to decision-driven, agentic AI is reshaping how work gets done. This panel explores how autonomous systems can enhance decision-making, accelerate execution, and unlock innovation—while balancing governance, risk, and human oversight in fast-moving, complex environments.
Microsoft Garret Cunningham Claes Reinholdt Kongsdam Justin Thomas Customer Spotlight Innovation and Evolve StageClosing Remarks
Wrap up the day with Tom and Chris as they spotlight top insights, actionable takeaways, and the next steps to supercharge your innovation and transformation journey.
Tom St John Chris Mean Innovation and Evolve StageDriving Performance: Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience in Formula 1 with Claire Williams
This discussion explores Claire Williams' journey into Formula 1 leadership and the challenges of rebuilding team performance. It highlights leadership, resilience, innovation, and data-driven decision-making, alongside fostering culture, meeting relentless deadlines, and driving continuous improvement within regulatory and competitive constraints.
Claire Williams Jessica Gilmore Innovation and Evolve StageFeatured Speakers
Tom St John
The Manufacturer - Editor of The Manufacturer
Chris Mean
Columbus Global - CEO UK & US
Chris Mean is CEO of Columbus, a global digital consultancy, where he leads the company's growth across the UK and US. With over 20 years' experience in the business, he has played a key role in driving digital transformation for organisations across manufacturing, retail, and distribution. Chris is passionate about helping companies unlock value through technology, data, and innovation, with a strong focus on aligning strategy, systems, and people to deliver measurable business outcomes.
Frederik Ahlers
Columbus Global - Director, Automation & AI
Frederik Ahlers is Director of Automation & AI at Columbus, where he leads the development and delivery of AI‑driven and automation solutions across enterprise clients. His work focuses on translating emerging technologies into practical business value, with a strong emphasis on scalable architectures, data foundations, and responsible adoption.
Frederik works closely with both business and IT leaders to design and implement AI solutions that support real operational needs. He has extensive experience with Microsoft technologies, including Copilot, Power Platform, and Azure, and regularly advises organizations on how to move from experimentation to production-ready AI.
Jack Binnall
Columbus Global - AI Technology Lead
Jack is a Microsoft Principal technology consultant at Columbus Global, specialising in AI adoption, Azure, Dynamics 365, and the Power Platform. He works with clients across manufacturing, financial services, and social services helping organisations move from AI awareness to real-world implementation. From Agentic AI frameworks to cloud infrastructure, Jack brings both technical depth and commercial clarity to every conversation.
Rob Watson
Columbus Global - Principal Advisor - Digital Commerce
Rob Watson is a Principal Advisor in Digital Commerce Strategy at Columbus, working with enterprise clients across both B2B and B2C. He brings over 20 years of ecommerce leadership, having held senior roles at The Fragrance Shop, Hotter Shoes, Bensons for Beds, and American Golf. Rob specialises in turning customer insight into commercial clarity, helping organisations prioritise initiatives with measurable impact. Known for blending customercentric design with operational pragmatism, he bridges strategic vision with tactical delivery to guide complex transformations. He is particularly passionate about bringing the simplicity and effectiveness of B2C experiences into the fragmented world of B2B.
Rosie Stano
Columbus Global - Head of Sales for UK Digital Commerce
Rosie specialises in developing customer engagement strategies that drive meaningful connections and business results.
Sally Howell
Columbus Global - Client Services Director
Sally Howell is a Client Services Director at Columbus, with over 25 years' Microsoft Dynamics experience helping organisations achieve their goals. In her current role, she leads Columbus’s Service Delivery Management team, ensuring service quality, managing customer relationships, and driving continuous improvement across the company’s managed and innovation services. A former Dynamics consultant and accountant, she combines deep business process expertise with a proven track record in Microsoft Dynamics solutions and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
Kevin Bull
Columbus Global - Product Strategy Director
With an extensive and deep range of experiences across a broad range of industries Kevin is well positioned to enlighten, motivate and guide a business through its selection and implementation of a business-critical IT system. Kevin is at his happiest when looking round a manufacturing facility, exploring the unique products, unique manufacturing practices and unique problems that can benefit from a digital solution.
Tarn Brown
Columbus Global - Senior Consultant, Business Transformation
Tarn is a Business Transformation Advisor at Columbus Global UK, helping organisations turn data into tangible customer and commercial value. She works with leadership teams to connect strategy, data, and execution, ensuring initiatives such as PIM, ERP, Data and AI directly support growth, efficiency, and customer experience.
Tarn specialises in shaping value‑led transformation journeys, helping organisations prioritise the right data, define clear ownership, and build phased roadmaps that deliver benefits early while enabling long-term scale. With hands-on experience across complex digital programmes, she brings a pragmatic, outcome-focused lens to how data is governed, operationalised, and embedded into day-to-day decision-making.
Ian Kingstone
Columbus Global - UK Director of Strategy & Growth Practice
Ian specialises in helping organisations navigate change, turning disruption into strategic direction and competitive advantage.
Liz Leigh Bowler
Microsoft - Partner Development Leader
Liz brings Microsoft's perspective on emerging industry trends, AI innovation, and how leading organisations leverage technology to transform business models and drive growth.
James Willett
Columbus Global - Customer Engagement Director
James is responsible for introducing new customers to Columbus whose goal is to get more value/ROI on their "live" Dynamics solutions. He spent several years as Head of Managed Services within the Dynamics Partner channel and also has 20 years of experience within 'end user' companies, including Head of Operations within AB Agri (an ABF company). James will be facilitating this panel discussion on behalf of our specially-invited guests.
Steve Lyon
Columbus Global - Business Development Manager
Steve leads AI adoption initiatives and shares practical insights on scaling Copilots, agents, and generative innovation across delivery practices and customer solutions.
Stephen Higgins
Columbus Global - Head of CXE
Steve is an experienced business lead, with many years of experience in helping organisations to digitally transform, primarily through the successful delivery of the Microsoft stack of technologies. Having spent 16 years as an Accountant in the manufacturing industry, Steve moved across to the Microsoft Partner channel delivering ERP solutions and in 2006 moved focus to Dynamics CRM.
Steve Weaver
Columbus Global - Lead Solution Architect
Over 25 years' experience delivering Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions across multiple platforms and industries. Proven success leading complex, multi‑application implementations for both domestic and international organisations. Extensive expertise in functional requirements definition, solution architecture, strategic advisory, and continuous improvement across the Microsoft technology stack and wider enterprise ecosystems. With over 18 years at Columbus, Steven currently serves as Lead Solution Architect, heading the Lead Solution Architect team responsible for the delivery of Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions.
Derek Wilson
Origin Enterprises - CIO
Derek Wilson is the CIO at Origin Enterprises Plc, based in Dublin. He has a background in Information Technology and has held various roles, including at The Irish Times and Siemens Business Services.
Luke Bayston
Origin Enterprises
Luke discusses the technical aspects of Origin Enterprises' digital transformation, including system integration challenges and the benefits of their partnership with Columbus.
Claire Williams
Former Formula 1 Team Principal
Claire Williams OBE is one of only two women to head a Formula 1 team in the modern era. Under her leadership the Williams F1 team finished 3rd in the World Championship for Constructors in 2014 and 2015, the team's best performance since 2003.
Jessica Gilmore
Columbus Global - Marketing Director for UK & US
Jessica Gilmore is the Marketing Director for the UK & US at Columbus, where she leads go‑to‑market strategy, brand development, and customer engagement across multiple industries. Jess works closely with sales, consulting, and delivery teams to design and deliver high‑impact campaigns, events, and customer experiences that drive measurable business outcomes
Garret Cunningham
Columbus Global - Vice President - Global Optimisation
A seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in digital, Garret Cunningham is the VP of Global CX at Columbus, a leading digital agency. He has extensive experience in the field of conversion rate optimization and possesses a deep understanding of user psychology and behavior. Garret is passionate about creating online experiences that are not only effective but also inclusive and enjoyable for all users. His expertise lies in using data and insights to drive innovation and deliver exceptional results for clients.
Claes Reinholdt Kongsdam
Columbus Global - Business Line Executive for Data & AI
As Business Line Executive for Data & AI at Columbus since June 2024, I bring over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, with deep expertise in leadership, sales management, and consulting. My current role focuses on leveraging data and AI to drive business innovation, while ensuring a customer-first approach and successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
Justin Thomas
Akeneo - VP of Sales for EMEA North
Justin spearheads the company's expansion and mission to establish itself as the global leader in the Product Experience (PX) space. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise software and data-driven solutions, Justin brings a wealth of expertise in scaling high-growth SaaS and Cloud businesses across Europe and APAC.
Joey Moore
Optimizely - GTM Lead for AI
Joey has spent the last decade working with organizations from all around the globe to advance their digital maturity. With particular specialisms in platforms, personalization and user experience Joey understands what it takes for organizations to be successful in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Antony Biondi
Censhare - MD UK&I
Submit Your Question
Have a question for our speakers or about the event? Submit it here and we'll do our best to address it during the Q&A sessions.
Event Information
Getting There
By Car
Silverstone Circuit is located just off the A43, between Towcester and Brackley. Ample parking is available on-site near Hilton Garden Inn.
Address: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, NN12 8TL, UK - Access via Hilton Garden Inn Hotel; Parking available outside hotel
By Train
The nearest train station is Milton Keynes Central (15 miles).
By Air
Birmingham Airport (45 miles) and London Luton Airport (40 miles) are the closest airports.
Accommodation
For those joining us for the evening and staying overnight, we have booked a hotel room for you at Escapade which is on site at Silverstone.
At 5pm, please make your way back to the registration desks to hand in your headphones and collect your hotel room key card. The Columbus team will be on hand to direct you to Escapade.
Evening Details
Location: Escapade restaurant and bar
Drinks reception: 6:30
3 course meal: 7:30
Bar open until: 1am
Important Notes
- Badge must be worn at all times
- Photography allowed except during closed sessions
- WiFi available throughout the venue
- Dietary requirements catered for (pre-registered)
- Event app available for iOS and Android
Health & Safety
- Emergency exits clearly marked
- First aid available at all times
- Security personnel on-site
- Please report any incidents to staff immediately
- Assembly point: Main car park entrance
Dress Code
Day: Smart casual
Evening: Smart casual