SMI Annual Conference 2026
We are delighted to announce that the SMI Conference 2026 will take place on 17th February 2026 at the University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre.
SMI Conference 2026 Agenda - 17th February 2026
Time | Session Title | Speaker |
0800 -0900 | Registration and networking | |
Session 1 - Strategic Update and Future Opportunities | ||
0900 -0910 | Welcome to the SMI Conference 2026 | Tom Chant MBE, Chief Executive + Rachel Connor, Chair, SMI |
0910 -0915 | Introduction+ Housekeeping | Dr Peter Collinson, Founder Dendrityca + Chair of ACUA OCEAN |
0915 – 0925 | Opening Keynote | Speaker TBA |
0925 - 0940 | Collaborating for a Secure and Sustainable Maritime Domain | Speaker TBA |
0940 - 0955 | National Shipbuilding Office: Delivering for the Future | Rod Paterson, Chief Executive, National Shipbuilding Office |
0955 - 1025 | Glasgow Maritime Case Study -From Type 26 to Tomorrow’s Fleet: Innovation and Partnership in Advanced Naval Shipbuilding | Future Business, BAE Systems Naval Ships |
1025 - 1045 | Networking Break |
|
Session 2 - Sovereign Capability |
| |
1045 – 1100 | Shipyard Update | Speaker TBA |
1100 – 1115 | Shipyard Update | Speaker TBA |
1115- 1125 | Delivering Sovereign Maritime Capability and Industrial Resilience | Tom Trent, Business Development – UK & Europe, Saronic |
1125-1135 | Scaling for the Future Force | Ken Houlberg, Chief Executive, OCEA UK |
1135 - 1145 | Redefining Sovereign Capability- Building Maritime Resilience through Skills | Ferguson Marine |
1145 - 1215 | Panel Discussion |
|
1215 - 1315 | Lunch Break | |
Session 3 - Autonomy, AI and Digital | ||
1315-1325 | REACH Remote: Redefining Offshore operations through autonomous innovation | Marthe Kristine Sand, Kongsberg Maritime |
1325-1335 | Topic TBA | L3 Harris |
1335- 1345 | From Data Backbone to AI Future: Enabling Autonomy Through Decades of Maritime Insight | Garry Clarke, Chief Product Officer, SpecTec |
1345-1355 | REPMUS Project 2025 | William Morris, Exail |
1355 - 1405 | Evaluating Maritime Autonomy Through the End User Lens | Speaker TBA |
1405 - 1430 | Panel discussion |
|
1430 - 1450 | Networking Break | |
Session 4: Clean Maritime Innovation and Global Competitiveness | ||
1450 - 1500 | Leading the Maritime Transition: Innovation, Efficiency, and Environmental Stewardship in the UK | Tristan Matthews, Head of Marine Division UK, Ireland & Nordics, Alfa Laval |
1500 - 1510 | Unlocking Innovation in Maritime: Lessons from Across Transport | Simon Graham, Head of Innovation, DeCourcy Alexander |
1510 - 1520 | A Collaborative Model for Maritime Decarbonisation: Developing an Ultrasonic Monitoring System for Ammonia Fuel Tanks | Professor Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE, Chief Exec, Coltraco Ultrasonics |
1520 - 1530 | Topic TBA | Jon Childs, Global Leader -Marine Application Engineering, GE Vernova |
1530-1540 | From Silos to Systems: Rethinking Maritime’s Fragmented Digital Ecosystem | Martin Saunders, MD, Rivertrace |
1540 - 1600 | Panel Discussion |
|
Session 5 - Offshore Energy Transition and Critical National Infrastructure | ||
1600 -1615 | The Offshore Energy Transition in Context and Opportunity | Speaker TBA |
1615- 1630 | Aligning Priorities to Deliver the Offshore Energy Transition | Speaker TBA |
1630 - 1645 | Delivering a Competitive and Resilient Offshore Wind Supply Chain | Speaker TBA |
1645 - 1655 | Discussion/ Round Up |
|
1655 - 1700 | Closing Remarks | Rachel Connor, Chair – SMI |
SMI Conference 2026 Sponsors
We are delighted have the support of the below companies in delivering the SMI Conference 2026: Glasgow.
- Diamond Sponsor - L3 Harris
- Platinum Sponsor - IMI Truflo Marine
- Silver Sponsors - Exail, Kongsberg Maritime
- Bronze Sponsors - Alfa Laval, Chess Dynamics and Roxtec UK
Glasgow 2026 Programme
Monday 16 February
1800- 2030 - Welcome Networking Event featuring speed pitches from innovative maritime organisations, drinks and canapes.
Tuesday 17 February –
0800 - 1700 - SMI Conference 2026 at the Technology & Innovation Centre, featuring a maritime exhibition.
1900-2000 - SMI Conference 2026 Drinks Reception at the Radisson Blu - Megalithic Suite
2000 - 2300 SMI Conference 2026 Gala Dinner at the Radisson Blu - Megalithic Suite - after dinner speaker TBA
Wednesday 18 February
1000 - 1300 - Optional visits to local shipyards
Special delegate rates for local hotels will be available via the SMI Conference event team.
| Date | Tuesday 17 February 2026 |
| Venue | University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre |
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