Prolific North is launching a new invite-only event for seasoned tech leaders, marking another addition to a busy 2026 tech calendar following the success of the recent GRAFT event.
In collaboration with Amy Newton, former founder and director of Manchester Tech Festival, Prolific North is bringing The CTO Debrief event to Voco Hotel in Manchester on 30 September.
The CTO Debrief will unite more than 150 seasoned tech leaders and in-house CTOs for a closed-door summit to connect, share insights and navigate challenges together in a safe space.
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And it’s not just about technology, as this event is focused on the human side of leadership and the real-world trials and tribulations of being a tech leader in 2026.
Alexandra Balazs, managing director of Prolific North, said: “I am beyond excited to be collaborating with Amy on this. The tech landscape is in a constant state of flux, and as the pace of advancement accelerates, so do the unique pressures on those leading the charge.
“If my career has taught me anything, it’s that there is no substitute for a safe space where you can speak candidly with people who have walked in your shoes and truly ‘get it.’ That is exactly what we’re building with The CTO Debrief. We want to move past the surface-level talk and get to the heart of what leadership in tech looks like today. I’d urge any in-house tech leaders who want to be part of this conversation to get in touch, we’d love to have you involved.”
Amy Newton added: “CTOs, Engineering Directors and Technology Directors in my network tell me that being a leader in 2026 is unrecognisable from 2016 – their teams have completely different requirements, Boards have increased expectations and global pressures feel much heavier. The solution is an intentionally curated space held for those who face the same challenges in the same-sized organisations – and CTO Debrief is designed to provide that space.
“Combining my network in tech with the sheer reach and expertise of Prolific North’s operation feels like a natural and positive step forward for the region – it’s been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Alexandra and the team and I can’t wait to deliver something fresh and special for our tech leaders in the region this September!”
If you are interested in speaking, sponsoring or simply attending, you can register your interest here and the Prolific North team will get back to you!
