Agenda

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Guests Arrive: Light refreshments

Enjoy some light bites and refreshment while meeting some like minded colleagues in STEM.

Introduction and Icebreaker: STEM Myth Busting

The Summit opens with a warm, energetic welcome designed to get people talking, thinking, and comfortable contributing from the very start of the day.

Dr Steve Cross will briefly welcome delegates, outline how the day will run, and introduce the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the Summit. This is followed by a lively STEM Myth Busting icebreaker that playfully challenges some of the assumptions, stereotypes, and clichés that still surround STEM education and careers.

Through light audience interaction, quick prompts, and humour, the session is designed to break down barriers, spark curiosity, and get voices into the room early. Rather than diving into solutions, this opening moment focuses on connection, openness, and shared reflection, creating the right atmosphere for the deeper conversations and insights that follow throughout the day.

Host: Dr Steve Cross (PhD)

Stem for All: Keynote Introduction With Dr Olga Kozlova

This keynote sets the strategic context for the Summit, exploring why inclusive access to STEM skills and careers is essential for regional growth, innovation, and long-term economic resilience.

Dr Olga Kozlova will outline the current landscape across education, skills, and industry, highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing the STEM talent pipeline. Drawing on national policy and regional investment perspectives, the session will examine how places, institutions, and employers can work together to unlock untapped potential and build a more diverse and sustainable workforce.

The keynote provides a shared foundation for the day, framing the themes of access, opportunity, and collaboration that will be explored in greater depth through panels, workshops, and discussions across the Summit.

Speaker: Dr Olga Kozlova, Investment Lead (Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor Unit), UK Civil Service

Mind the Gap: Unlocking Untapped Talent

Panel Session:

This panel explores how small and medium-sized businesses can better access, develop, and retain STEM talent by understanding where current pathways succeed and where they break down.

Bringing together perspectives from education, recruitment, and industry, the session also features individuals who have completed or are progressing through apprenticeship programmes, offering first-hand insight into alternative routes into STEM careers. Their experiences help highlight what works in practice and where employers can make the biggest difference.

The discussion will focus on practical considerations for SMEs, including how apprenticeships and early-career pathways can support growth, how to attract talent beyond traditional recruitment routes, and how businesses can engage more effectively with education and training providers.

Attendees will leave with clearer insight into how to tap into wider talent pools and build more resilient teams.

Joining the discussion:

Alastair Lomax (session host), Director, Arc Universities Group

Monika Bartoszak, Former Apprentice, Aston Martin F1 Team

Keely Herring, Talen Acquisition Lead, Personal Group

Ayeisha Massouma, Apprentice Project Manager, Bidwells

Emma Schierbaum, Baylab and STEM Outreach Manager, Bayer UK

Networking and Comfort Break

Enjoy some light bites and refreshment while meeting some like minded colleagues in STEM.

Money, Money, Money! How to Raise Finance in an Ever-More Competitive World

Hosted by South Midlands Growth Hub

Delivered by the South Midlands Growth Hub, this session provides practical guidance on funding, grants, and investment readiness for small and medium-sized businesses.

The session will explore the wider funding landscape available to innovative and growing businesses, including public funding, grant programmes, and early-stage investment. Attendees will gain insight into how funders and investors assess opportunities, what makes a strong application, and how to position a business for future growth.

With a focus on clear, actionable advice, the session will cover common challenges faced by SMEs, from navigating eligibility criteria to understanding match funding and investor expectations. It is designed to help businesses make informed decisions about funding routes and identify practical next steps to support innovation, scaling, and long-term sustainability.

Guest Speakers TBA

The Future Isn’t Waiting: The New World of Tech

In an age where technology reshapes markets almost daily, understanding the forces at play is essential for SME competitiveness. Drawing on his extensive experience in AI, cybersecurity, data science and digital skills development, Dr Ali Al-Sherbaz explores the major technology trends redefining business opportunities and risks across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and beyond.

This keynote will look at how developments in artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, data innovation and digital transformation are creating new pathways into growth for smaller firms. Practical examples will illustrate how businesses can harness these technologies to innovate, protect their operations, engage talent, and future-proof their strategy.

Attendees will come away with a clearer understanding of where tech is heading and what it means for their business in practice.

Guest Speaker: Ali Al-Sherbaz, Academic Director (Digital Skills), University of Cambridge

Networking and Lunch Break

Eat, refresh and enjoy informal networking

Different Minds, Better Ideas: How to Use DEI as a Tool for Growth and Opportunity

This panel explores how businesses can turn Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) into a practical advantage for innovation, talent attraction and long-term growth rather than just a compliance exercise. Rather than focusing solely on corporate responsibility, panellists will discuss how fostering diversity of thought, background, and experience can boost creativity, problem-solving and business performance – a benefit supported by research showing that diverse teams produce more original and impactful outcomes in science and technology contexts.

Speakers will share real examples of inclusive practices, common challenges for businesses, and actionable steps businesses can take to build more equitable cultures. The aim is to help delegates understand how proactive DEI approaches can unlock new markets, strengthen teams, and support sustainable, inclusive growth across the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor and beyond.

Joining the discussion:

Jacqui Gavin (BEM), Director & Found, 5 Sense of Inclusion

Zara Hussain, Head of Inclusive Trade, UK Export Finance

Eman Martin-Vignerte, Director of Political Affairs, Bosch

Olu Orugboh, Founder and CEO, Synergy Solutions



Celebrating Success: Regional Case Study and Highlights from Last Year’s Award Winners

This session shines a spotlight on the people, projects, and organisations that are already making a real difference across the region through STEM innovation, inclusion, and collaboration.

Drawing on examples from the Overt STEM Awards (formerly the MK STEM Awards), the session will showcase award-winning initiatives and standout achievements from across the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. These case studies highlight how businesses, educators, and community organisations are creating impact in practical, scalable ways.

Rather than focusing on accolades alone, the session is designed to inspire delegates with real-world examples of what success looks like, particularly for small and medium-sized organisations. It offers insight into what can be achieved through partnership, creativity, and commitment, and sets a positive, motivating tone ahead of the collaborative sessions that follow.

Coffee and Workshop Break

This session provides a structured break from the main programme, combining refreshments with the opportunity to take part in informal workshops and focused discussions.

Delegates will be invited to join small-group conversations around key themes from the day, including skills, talent, technology, and collaboration. These sessions are designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning, shared problem-solving, and the exchange of practical ideas relevant to small and medium-sized organisations.

The workshop break offers space to reflect on earlier sessions, connect with other delegates, and contribute insights that will help shape the final collaboration session later in the afternoon.

Co-created Framework

This closing session brings the Summit together with a collaborative focus on turning insight into action.

Building on the themes explored throughout the day, delegates will take part in a facilitated discussion to help shape a shared framework for improving access, inclusion, and opportunity across STEM. Drawing on perspectives from business, education, policy, and lived experience, the session aims to identify practical priorities and realistic interventions that can be taken forward beyond the event.

Rather than producing a one-size-fits-all solution, the focus is on co-creating a set of guiding principles, ideas, and recommendations that reflect the realities of small and medium-sized organisations operating across the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

The outputs from this session will help inform future Overt STEM activity, partnerships, and programmes.

Super Panel:

Dr Steve Cross, Chair and Facilitator

Ali Al-Sherbaz, Academic Director (Digital Skills), University of Cambridge

Monika Bartoszak, Former Apprentice, Aston Martin F1 Team

Jacqui Gavin (BEM), Director & Found, 5 Sense of Inclusion

Dr Olga Kozlova, Investment Lead (Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor Unit), UK Civil Service

Alastair Lomax, Director, Arc Universities Group

Closing remarks

A Final word from our host, when resources will be sent out. Also please do leave your feedback!

Get Involved

Sponsor the Awards

Partner with the Overt stem summit & awards and showcase your commitment to innovation, inclusion and regional impact. Be part of the summit and awards and position your organisation at the heart of STEM leadership across the Arc.

Become a Judge

The Overt stem Awards are built on credibility, fairness, and expertise. Our judging panel brings together leaders from education, industry, and community to ensure every entry is recognised with integrity.

By joining the panel, you’ll:

  • Play a key role in celebrating the achievements shaping STEM across the Oxford–Cambridge Arc
  • Gain insight into the most innovative projects, organisations, and individuals in the region
  • Be recognised as a thought leader and champion for excellence and inclusion

Email: meena@events-together.co.uk to find out more

MK Conferencing

The Venue

MK Conferencing is a top-class conference and meetings venue located just half a mile from Central Milton Keynes and one mile from the railway station, offering free parking for all guests!

The summit and awards will be held at:

MK Conferencing, Strudwick Dr, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes MK6 2TG

Contact us

Media Enquiries: anne@stratos.agency

General Enquiries: meena@events-together.co.uk