Join local tech innovators making a global splash at Manchester Tech Fest 2025

We’re delighted to join the festival as Platinum sponsors in 2025 - this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the local tech community that Apadmi was born from over 15 years ago.

Even though we’re now growing across European markets and beyond, it remains incredibly important for us to stay connected in the tech community to both nurture new talent, and to keep championing local innovation.

So what can you expect from this year’s tech fest? Here’s 5 reasons to get involved this year…

Meet a very special guest from NASA

This year, Manchester Tech Fest welcomes Ron Thompson, Former Government Executive & Chief Data Officer at NASA.

As a technology leader with over 30 years of experience in the U.S. Federal Government, Ron has served in pivotal roles at the iconic institution, including Chief Data Officer at NASA and Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Ron has some impressive creds, and has even been recognised globally for his contributions to the industry. He received the Technology Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government Business Executive Forum in 2023, and was also named one of the Top 100 Worldwide Data Activators in 2022.

Manchester Tech Fest will be hosting a session with Ron on the real-world challenges and opportunities of driving digital transformation at scale, exploring how data, automation, and culture work together to fuel innovation across different sectors.

Ron has some unique firsthand stories from NASA to share with the audience, highlighting what it takes to move large, complex organisations toward meaningful change. We’re excited to hear more about his experience!

Explore the new Innovation Showcase, and recharge your batteries whilst you’re at it!

New for 2025, the Innovation Showcase offers attendees a chance to explore a curated mix of emerging technologies. Whether you’re curious about emerging tools or just want to expand your view of the tech landscape, the showcase is a place to engage, ask questions, and spark fresh thinking.

Apadmi’s own team of mobile experts will be on hand to discuss how you can recharge your own mobile experience - whether that be through innovation, refreshed strategy, new integrations or re-platforming. We’ll be showcasing our experience building award-winning mobile products for the likes of the NHS, BBC, Domino’s, Co-op and more.

From app audits to product discoveries, wherever you are on your mobile journey, we’ll meet you where you’re at and help you unlock true value from your digital products.

Join us in the Innovation Showcase to charge your batteries (physically and digitally) at our recharge station with refreshing ginger shots and mobile device charging facilities, and enjoy a chat to our friendly team about all things mobile!

Gleam retail insights and AI strategies from one of the biggest names in the biz

Lego has been one of the most iconic global brands for over almost a century. The brand knows a lot about transformation and growth, and is one of the retailers that has survived and thrived throughout multiple periods of change.

That’s why it’s incredibly exciting to see the Former CDO of LEGO Group and now Board Member at Empiriq, Orlando Machado, joining the MTF line-up.

Orlando was, in fact, the first Chief Data Officer at the LEGO Group, enabling colleagues to take advantage of forward-facing technologies, whilst protecting the privacy of its most important consumers: children.

He has previously headed up data science teams for the likes of dunnhumby, Tesco, MoneySuperMarket and Aviva, and was named a ‘World AI Top 50 innovator’ in 2022 - what a CV!

So with AI and machine learning a hot topic, Orlando will be sharing the real differentiators in success when it comes to implementing these technologies in the world of retail and beyond.

Orlando will be exploring why some businesses unlock transformative value from AI while others stall in demo deadlock, with plenty of real-world examples and insights to share from his own experiences. Not one to be missed.

Hear the first-hand stories behind life-saving technology

The NHS Blood and Transplant team is back at Manchester Tech Fest again this year, but this time, taking to the Main Stage to showcase the life-saving technology that is streamlining the organ donor process.

With help from Apadmi’s Managing Director Matt Hunt, Product Leads and Specialist Organ Nurses Hellen Bullock and Laura Ellis-Morgan will be sharing how digital products have made the process of matching donors with patients simpler, faster and more efficient.

The presentation will also involve a premiere screening of a short film which brings to life the journey of digital transformation that the NHSBT team have been on over the last 10 years.

Joined by the developers behind the technology, and the specialist nurses who use it, the team will also explore the future potential of this technology, before taking questions from the audience.

You can catch the story behind the life-saving tech on Thursday 25th September at 4pm.

Make new connections, explore future opportunities

Manchester Tech Fest wouldn’t be complete without a good old natter with industry friends and connections, old and new.

The event is designed to be a community hub, bringing together people from all corners of the tech industry, whether seasoned professionals or new tech enthusiasts. From Chief Technology Officers to Product Owners to Engineers to L&D Specialists - all are welcome and encouraged to get involved.

Manchester Tech Fest provides a much-needed space to make new connections that may lead to future partnerships, exciting career opportunities, new innovations and beyond. This is a chance to learn from peers, share your own experience, and get involved with the grassroots of the tech scene.

Join us on the 24th and 25th September in the Innovation Showcase to talk about recharging your mobile experience, or meet us in the Tech Exhibition if you're interested in recharging your career in tech and becoming one of our mobile experts.

Tickets are available on the Manchester Tech Festival website, in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to schedule a meeting with our team ahead of the festival.