Welcome to CTO Debrief: 30 September 2026, Manchester
Most tech conferences focus on the stack, from deep dives into AI architecture, scaling infrastructure or mitigating security risks. But what about the humans behind the tech?
This is where the CTO Debrief comes in. On Wednesday 30th of September, we are gathering the North’s senior tech leaders to focus exclusively on the human realities of running engineering operations in 2026 and beyond.
The aim is to make leadership a little less lonely. Our agenda is designed to help you connect and share insights with peers. No vendor pitches. No corporate theatre. Just honest conversations with people who are navigating the same pressures as you.
Who is in the room?
Don’t let the name put you off. If your job title isn’t “CTO” but you hold a budget, steer technical strategy at a senior level, and manage people within a tech business, this day is built for you.
- Tech strategy: CTOs, CIOs, Chief AI/Data Officers, Directors of Technology.
- Engineering leadership: Directors of Engineering, Heads of Software Development, Heads of Engineering.
- Data & Delivery: Directors of Data Systems, IT Directors, AI Team Leads.
How is the CTO Debrief different?
We have intentionally structured the day to enable quality human interaction and dial down conference fatigue:
- One plenary session only: We’re only hosting one traditional “talk” – our morning panel. The rest of the day offers choice, allowing you to build the schedule that works for you.
- Facilitated Networking: Coloured lanyards let you quickly spot peers in your sector (including retail, fintech, FMCG, manufacturing etc) and we’ll facilitate industry-mapped seating at lunchtime. You can choose to sit with someone from your industry or perhaps switch it up and learn from a new sector!
- Facilitated roundtables: Afternoon sessions are strictly confidential and run under Chatham House rules, allowing for honest, zero-consequence strategic discussions.
- Leadership workshops: Hear from expert coaches on the topics of interest to you.
- Freeflow zones: Skip the structure when you need to. A dedicated lounge is open all afternoon for informal, unstructured catch-ups.
The agenda
11 am am – Registration and morning coffee
11.30 am – Plenary panel discussion: the realities of people leadership in 2026
Sponsored by Forbes Solicitors
A panel of seasoned tech leaders and HR experts share real-time data on how the management landscape has shifted over the last 12 months. Expect a pragmatic look at retention, remote accountability, and cultural alignment.
Note: Q&A is entirely anonymous via Slido. Ask the hard questions you can’t put your name to in public.
12.30am – Executive Networking Lunch
A relaxed, sit-down lunch in the executive lounge. Tables are structured by industry sector so you can connect directly with peers facing similar market conditions.
13:00 – Facilitated Roundtables, Workshops or Freeflow sessions
Customise your afternoon based on what your organisation—and your own career—needs right now.
Option A: Strategic Roundtables
Honest, confidential discussions driven by the real-world pressure points of engineering leadership. The topics are still evolving but expect them to include:
- AI & Transformation: How do we lead people through AI-driven change without losing the human beings inside the transformation plan?
- Boardroom vs. Reality: What happens when the strategy agreed in the boardroom is not working on the ground?
The Disruptive Genius: What do you do when your strongest technical performer is negatively affecting everyone around them? - Evolution of Leadership: How has people leadership changed from 2016 to 2026?
- Performance management: How much emotional support should a leader be expected to provide before people management starts becoming therapy? Where is the line between supporting someone and avoiding a difficult performance conversation?
Option B: Leadership Workshops
Practical sessions with expert executive coaches focused on your professional growth and operational resilience. May include:
Future Alignment Workshop
- Mapping career vision against your actual energy and output.
- Pragmatic decision-making frameworks for high-level career moves.
- Practical tools for navigating market uncertainty and rapid corporate change.
Leadership Performance Workshop
- Leadership style and values assessment
- Team culture and communication mapping
- Resilience and presence practices for high-pressure situations
- Conflict resolution through embodied awareness
Change Management Workshop
- How to navigate sudden corporate restructuring and fast-paced change objectively, without defaulting to micromanagement.
- Science-backed strategies to regulate your nervous system under high pressure, maintaining sharp decision-making when systems fail.
- Designing a daily and weekly operational structure that prevents executive burnout and keeps your cognitive capacity high.
Option C: Freeflow Sessions
Skip the structured sessions entirely. The executive lounge remains open with refreshments for unstructured, informal catching up with old contacts or for making new connections.
16.30 – Decompression break
A 30-minute window to step away, catch up on critical emails, check in with the office, or simply decompress at the bar.
17:00 – Live Comedy & Drinks Afterparty
Sponsored by Elevate
After a heavy day of strategic thinking, clear your head with an evening of live comedy. Hosted by award-winning comedian Ross Preston as MC, featuring Edinburgh Fringe alumnus Tom Short as headliner. Full bar provided, including non alcoholic drinks.
