Welcome to Innovate to Accelerate
Hosted by Columbus
Sponsored by Akeneo, Optimizely, Censhare 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.
Henry Anson 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.
Fredrick 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 CustomersPersonal, purposeful, convenient: What customers expect and what you should do
TBC
Rob Watson Rosie StanoLunch
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 Censhare
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 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
Coffee and networking
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.
Akeneo Microsoft TBC Innovation and Evolve StageClosing Remarks
Wrap up the day with Henry and Chris as they spotlight top insights, actionable takeaways, and the next steps to supercharge your innovation and transformation journey.
Henry Anson Chris Mean Innovation and Evolve StageDriving Performance: Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience in Formula 1
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
Henry Anson
Event Host
Henry will be opening the event with welcome remarks and introducing the various tracks and partner organisations.
Chris Mean
CEO Columbus Global
Chris is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in technology innovation and business transformation.
Liz Leigh Bowler
Technology Strategist
Nick brings deep expertise in digital transformation and industry trends, helping organisations navigate the new era of technological advancement.
Frederik Ahlers
AI Specialist
Frederik is an expert in agentic AI systems and their practical applications in business environments.
Jack Binnall
AI Technology Lead
Jack specialises in implementing AI solutions and understanding their impact on modern business operations.
Rob Watson
Customer Experience Expert
Rob focuses on understanding customer expectations and developing strategies for personalized, purposeful, and convenient customer experiences.
Rosie Stano
Customer Engagement Strategist
Rosie specialises in developing customer engagement strategies that drive meaningful connections and business results.
Sally Howell
Managed Services Director
Sally leads initiatives to maximise value from managed services, with extensive experience in service optimisation and customer success.
Kevin Bull
Operations Technology Expert
Kevin specialises in smart factory implementations, connected data systems, and supply chain integration technologies.
Tarn Brown
Data Strategy Consultant
Tarn focuses on driving customer value through data analytics and insights, with proven success in retail and consumer sectors.
Ian Kingstone
Change Management Expert
Ian specialises in helping organisations navigate change, turning disruption into strategic direction and competitive advantage.
Liz Leigh Bowler
Microsoft Representative
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
Panel Facilitator
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
AI Implementation Lead
Steve leads AI adoption initiatives and shares practical insights on scaling Copilots, agents, and generative innovation across delivery practices and customer solutions.
Steve Higgins
AI Development Specialist
Steve specialises in AI-assisted development and creating innovative prototypes that demonstrate the art of the possible in AI applications and customer tools.
Steve Weaver
Columbus - 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
Derek provides insights into Origin Enterprises' operational transformation, focusing on real-time decision-making capabilities and process automation achievements.
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 shares her leadership journey in Formula 1, discussing performance optimisation, resilience, innovation, and data-driven decision-making in high-pressure competitive environments.
Jessica Gilmore
Event Lead & Interviewer
Jessica leads multiple sessions and conducts the exclusive interview with Claire Williams, bringing together insights on leadership, innovation, and business transformation.
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 8TN, UK
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