Discover the agenda for Member Conference 25, taking place on 4th December at No.1 Circle Square, Manchester.
This year’s theme, Built to Last, shines a spotlight on members who are thriving through collaboration, experimentation and resilience – doing more with less, building new models of leadership and innovation, and driving sustainable growth.
Member Conference 25 is sponsored by The PMC, Traversally and Bruntwood SciTech.
13:00
Arrival and Registration
13:30
Welcome address
To open the day, Kate Wilson will introduce the Conference, outline the agenda and highlight the key themes and sessions ahead.
Kate Wilson
Head of Community and Membership
Manchester Digital
13:35
Stream One
The durability of
the Arm CPU architecture across decades
Laura Moore
Staff Information Developer
Arm
Stream Two
Thriving
Through Uncertainty – a working session for digital leaders
An in-person, practical session where leaders share how confident they feel about the year ahead, map the pressures on their businesses and identify where real opportunities for growth and innovation sit.
The focus is on peer learning, not presentations.
Rob Sugden
Managing Director
Morson Edge
Emma Grant
Head of Programmes
Manchester Digital
14:00
Stream One
The Death of the Marketing Team:
Why AI, Economic Pressure, and Fractional Talent Are Forging a New Model
MD of The PMC, Carl Phillips, will be discussing how the pressures of a declining economy, hiring challenges, and the state of AI are driving real changes in how businesses should look at resourcing their marketing function. He will also explore how those in these roles need to adapt to stay competitive, and how those looking to grow can take advantage of fractional talent to reduce their overheads and not their strategic impact.
Carl Phillips
Managing Director
The PMC
Stream Two
Building 
something that lasts when technology is moving at the speed of light
Every great business learns and goes through a lot continually. Even when you've made it, the foundation you have built to last can still so easily crumble underneath you.
Discover what we've learned building Powdr, and what it takes (beyond great software) to build something made to last.
Nicola van Gelder
Chief Operating Officer
Powdr
14:25
Networking Break & Refreshments
15:00
Stream One
Ai - Artificial Intelligence or Augmented Intelligence
Too many organisations are merely experimenting with AI, without direction, impact or trust. Traversally was founded to change that. Ian and Phininder will explore how to shift from technology-led adoption to purposeful AI strategy—one that drives value, earns trust and builds resilience. In this session, they will share practical insight into what it takes to build a business designed to thrive, not just survive, in an AI-led world.
Ian Makin
Founder
Traversally
Phininder Balaghan
Founder
Traversally
Stream Two
The power of
data and analytics: how digital marketers can thrive in an omnichannel media world
x
Ailish McDonnell
Head of PR & Communications
Buymedia
15:25
Stream One
The Punk and the Process:
Building Resilient Quality
The talk, 'The Punk and the Process,' argues that true resilience - the secret to being 'Built to Last' - is not found in more process.
It's forged by combining two opposing forces:
- The Punk: A rebellious, engineering-driven 'Punk QE' mindset. This is the professional sceptic who pledges allegiance only to the user, tells the 'uncomfortable truth', and kicks down the door on design to challenge assumptions from day one.
- The Process: A human-centric leadership model that channels this rebellion. Instead of coercion, we use intent-based leadership, create psychological safety, and empower autonomous, self-accountable teams to navigate the natural 'denial and resistance' that comes with any real change.
The talk will provide a practical roadmap for any leader. It shows how to channel the punk's passion into a streamlined, adaptive process for our 'multi-speed' IT organisations, giving fast teams the freedom to innovate and core enterprise systems the stable, automated structure they need.
This is how we move from being reliant on fragile bureaucracy to being resilient through empowered people.
Rob Lunt
Director of Quality Engineering
Planit
Stream Two
Kevin versus 
John - How sticking with a carrot made Aldi the Kings of Christmas
Jamie Peate
Head of Effectiveness
McCann
16:20
General Meeting
Our General Meeting will close the afternoon, providing an overview of Manchester Digital’s performance and impact over the past year. We’ll also provide an update on organisational priorities and introduce the latest changes to the Manchester Digital board.
This is an opportunity for members to hear how their support is helping to shape our work, understand the strategic direction for the year ahead, and engage in the governance of the organisation.
Shaun Fensom
Board Secretary
Manchester Digital
Ghislaine West
Head of Operations
Manchester Digital