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2026 Festival

Home>Calendar of events>Our Future, Our North: Regional growth - the new tech trio

Our Future, Our North: Regional growth - the new tech trio Edward Twiddy, Abi Broadley, Helena Daffern, James Chong and Sarah Thompson (Chair)

Panel discussion
This event has now finished.
  • Date and time: Wednesday 10 June 2026, 1.45pm to 3pm
  • Location: In-person only
    Radisson Hotel, North St, York YO1 6JF
  • Admission: Free admission, booking required

Event details

Where will the next generation of high-quality jobs in York and North Yorkshire come from? Join us for a dynamic session spotlighting the ‘growth opportunity trio’ – BioTech, RailTech and CreaTech – as our speakers demonstrate how a powerful partnership between government, business and universities is driving success.

Speakers include Edward Twiddy of Northstar Ventures, Abi Broadley, a consultant specialising in the rail industry, and Helena Daffern and James Chong of the University of York. Helena is Co-Director of CoStar Live Lab, which will develop new technology to support innovations and experiences that will enrich the UK’s creative industries, economy, and culture. James investigates how anaerobic microbes can turn waste into valuable products. The session is chaired by Sarah Thompson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research at the University of York.

This event will now be held in the Radisson Hotel, North St, York YO1 6JF (map) and includes refreshments and lunch. 

This event is part of the Festival Focus series ‘Our Future, Our North: Building jobs and prosperity’ exploring how the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) is driving economic growth, creating new job opportunities and benefitting the pockets of everyone in the North of England.

You may also be interested in ‘Our Future, Our North: From local roots to regional wealth’ and ‘Our Future, Our North: Good growth - from strategy to your street’ also on Wednesday 10 June. Come along to one session or join us for the whole day.  

Image credit: Alex Holland, University of York

About the speakers

Abi Broadley is an experienced business consultant specialising in helping SMEs successfully navigate the complexities of the UK rail industry. With deep sector experience and insight, she empowers businesses to win new contracts, build valuable connections, and establish a strong foothold in the rail sector. Abi’s core focus is driving sustainable growth and building a dependable sales pipeline. 

James Chong is Head of the Department of Biology at the University of York and has a background in molecular biology and biochemistry. His research investigates how anaerobic microbes can turn waste into valuable products. He collaborates closely with Yorkshire Water (including as Principal Investigator for a BBSRC Prosperity Partnership and separate Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership) in addition to working on interdisciplinary projects with other UK water- and waste-processing companies.

Helena Daffern is a Professor of Music Science and Technology at the AudioLab in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York with specialist expertise in the singing voice. Working at the intersection of music, science and technology, she leads interdisciplinary initiatives and programmes of research that develop new solutions to tangible challenges facing society around accessing and measuring the benefits of musical activities. Helena is currently Co-Director of CoStar Live Lab, part of the £75.6 million national R&D network of laboratories delivered by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council. With a focus on Live Performance, Live Lab will develop new technology to support innovations and experiences that will enrich the UK’s creative industries, economy, and culture.

Professor Sarah Thompson is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research at the University of York, UK and has a particular interest in how the University partners with business, industry and policy makers. She has previously held the roles of Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor Research, Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Sciences and Head of the Department of Physics at the University and has served as Vice President of the Institute of Physics (Science and Innovation). Her research interests are in nanomagnetism and nanoscale thermal transport and she has also won awards from the Institute of Physics and the British Association for science outreach. In 2012 she was awarded an MBE for services to Higher Education.

Edward Twiddy is Chair of Northstar Ventures, a Newcastle-based, FCA-regulated venture capital firm. He is a Co-Founder of Durham based fintech Atom Bank. He currently sits on the Board of Directors to the Treasury and is also a former Director of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Partners

Darlington Economic Campus University of York

Venue details

  • Wheelchair accessible