Conference Programme

Five Stages.
One Ecosystem.

Microelectronics UK 2026 is the UK's only event bringing together dedicated conference stages across Semiconductors, Photonics, Embedded Systems, Startups and hands-on Discovery Sessions — uniting the entire value chain under one roof.

Senior engineers, R&D leaders, policymakers and innovators shaping the UK's electronics future. Two days. Five stages. Excel London.

4,000 +
Attendees
120 +
Speakers
175 +
Exhibitors
5
Stages
Register Free View Speakers
Programme Stages · 29–30 Sept 2026 · Excel London
Stage 01
Semiconductors UK
Day 1 & 2 · 29–30 Sept 2026
Coming Soon
Stage 02
Photonics UK
Day 1 & 2 · 29–30 Sept 2026
Programme Live
Stage 03
Embedded Systems UK
Day 1 & 2 · 29–30 Sept 2026
Coming Soon
Stage 04
Startup Stage
Day 1 & 2 · 29–30 Sept 2026
Coming Soon
Stage 05
Discovery Stage
Day 1 only · 29 Sept 2026
New for 2026 Coming Soon
More stages being announced. The Photonics UK programme is live now. Semiconductors UK, Embedded Systems UK, Startup Stage and Discovery Stage agendas will follow — register your place to be first to know.

Photonics UK 2026 Agenda 

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29 Sept 2026
  1. Chair's Welcome and Conference Commencement
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Mark Elliott
    Mark Elliott, COO - Electro Optics
  2. What Will the Photonics Roadmap Mean for the UK Photonics Market? (panel)
    Speakers
    Speaker image for John Lincoln
    John Lincoln, CEO - Photonics Leadership Group
  3. Free Space Optical Communications
  4. Photonics for Space-Based Systems & Orbital Infrastructure (panel)
    • Lidar & optical remote sensing for EO & deep-space missions • Optical interconnects & photonic payloads for satellite architectures • Laser-based space debris mitigation & in-orbit servicing technol …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Alison McLeod
    Alison McLeod, Director- Photonics Scotland - Technology Scotland
    Speaker image for Zhixin Liu
    Zhixin Liu, Professor of Optical Signal Processing & Communications - University College London ; CTO - Nibras Communications
    Speaker image for Nikki Antoniou
    Nikki Antoniou, Advanced Systems Chief Engineer - Airbus Defence and Space
  5. Lunch
  6. Photonics Manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Rory Holmes
    Rory Holmes, Chairman of the ISAM Committe - UK Space
  7. UK Photonics Distribution: What Manufacturers, Startups & OEMs Need to Know - ElectroOptics Session
    Marketing executives from some of the UK's most prominent photonics distributors will give their frank perspective on the state of the market, the challenges distributors face, and crucially, what the …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Mark Elliott
    Mark Elliott, COO - Electro Optics
  8. Spectrum Policy for Satellite Communications Networks
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Henny Sands
    Henny Sands, Head of Telecommunications - UK Space Agency
  9. Enhancing Airborne Operations with Photonic Technologies (panel)
    • Photonic payloads for UAVs & aircraft • Secure, jam-resistant optical communications • Photonics for real-time navigation & situational awareness • Balancing SWaP constraints for deploying advanced …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Shaun Viola
    Shaun Viola, Systems Engineer - MBDA
    Speaker image for John Robertson
    John Robertson, Programme Manager - DSTL
    Speaker image for Martin Agnew
    Martin Agnew, Senior Technologist & Intrapreneur - New Business - Airbus
  10. Multi-domain Sensing for Defence
    An overview of Defence research focussing on sensing in the future operating environment, sensing challenges, mission enablers and the enterprise approach to science and technology research.
    Speakers
    Speaker image for John Robertson
    John Robertson, Programme Manager - DSTL
  11. Optical Systems for Ground & Naval Security (panel)
    • Photonic sensors for land & maritime navigation & situational awareness • Photonics enabled ISR (night vision, hyperspectral imaging) • Biosensing & wearable technologies to support personnel safety …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Joseph Cotter
    Joseph Cotter, Advanced Research Fellow - Imperial College London
    Speaker image for Chester Butterworth
    Chester Butterworth, Head of Strategy, Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office - Royal Navy
    Speaker image for Jonathan Murrell
    Jonathan Murrell, Principal Electronics Engineer - General Dynamics
  12. Earth Based Sensing for Environmental Monitoring & Climate Solutions
  13. Closing Remarks
  14. Day 1 Agenda Close
30 Sept 2026
  1. Chair's Welcome and Conference Commencement
  2. Advances in Compact Photonic Integration (panel)
    • Silicon photonics for co-packaged optics • Advances in III-V on silicon integration • Miniaturization & its impact on AR/VR, 5G & edge computing • Manufacturing & packaging challenges  
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Shaun Viola
    Shaun Viola, Systems Engineer - MBDA
    Speaker image for Frank Yao
    Frank Yao, Managing Director and CEO - Innofocus Photonics Technology Pty Ltd
    Speaker image for Colin Mitchell
    Colin Mitchell, Senior Research Fellow - University of Southampton (ORC)
    Speaker image for Adam Carter
    Adam Carter, CEO - OpenLight
  3. Modern Fibre Optic Tech for Increased Security & Transfer Speed
  4. A Review of Fibre Sensing in Urban Environments
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Lord
    Andrew Lord, Senior Manager, Optics & Quantum Research - BT
  5. Morning Break
  6. Harnessing the Potential of Optical Computing (panel)
    • The evolution of optical links – from 800G to 1.6T and beyond • Emerging fibre technologies – how hollow core fibre is maturing • Where optical computing delivers real advantage today • What's neede …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andrew Lord
    Andrew Lord, Senior Manager, Optics & Quantum Research - BT
    Speaker image for Ioannis Kypraios
    Ioannis Kypraios, Prof in AI and ML and Innovation Radar Expert in AI - European Innovation Council of the European Commission
  7. Impact of AI on Photonic Processes
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Andy Sellars
    Andy Sellars, Director of Strategy - Cornerstone
  8. Lunch
  9. 6G and the Optical Network Convergence
  10. Creating Next Generation AR/VR
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Hassan Zaidi
    Hassan Zaidi, Head of Technology for Strategy and Integration - BAE Systems
  11. The Impact of Quantum Technologies on the Microelectronics Landscape (panel)
    • How quantum could reshape chip design, materials, & architectures • The role of advanced microelectronics in enabling scalable quantum systems • Long-term impact of quantum on security, encryption, …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Johan M. Carlsson
    Johan M. Carlsson, Senior Industry Process Scientist - Dassault Systemes Germany GmbH
    Speaker image for Sara Duodu
    Sara Duodu, Programme Manager - Quantum and Digital Twins - TechUk
    Speaker image for Rhian Granleese
    Rhian Granleese, Partner - Marks & Clerk
  12. Chair's Closing Remarks
  13. Day 2 Agenda Close

29–30 September 2026 · Excel London

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Registration is free. Join 4,000+ engineers, executives and innovators at the UK's leading microelectronics event — two days that will sharpen your strategy, grow your network and put you at the centre of the industry.

120+ Speakers 5 Stages 175+ Exhibitors Free to Attend
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29–30
September 2026
Excel London
LONDON · UK
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