MFT & ABHI Event 2026

This event brings together leaders and innovators from across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), members of The Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) and the local ecosystem to explore shared priorities, highlight collaboration opportunities, and demonstrate how Manchester is driving health innovation and partnerships.

The event will feature talks and a showcase carousel of stands covering specific focus areas including Clinical Trials, Innovation Adoption, Data & Digital and more. 

Event Objectives

• Explore national priorities and emerging themes from the NHS 10 Year Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan
• Showcase how MFT are advancing innovation, research and collaboration
• Connect NHS, industry and academic partners to foster new relationships and opportunities
• Provide direct access to experts and teams from England's largest NHS Trust
• Facilitate meaningful introductions and new connections for ABHI’s members

Agenda

12:30pm – Networking Lunch

1:30pm – Welcome

Kath Mackay, Chief Scientific Officer, Bruntwood SciTech.

13:35 Opening Keynote

Sohail Munshi, Joint Chief Medical Officer, MFT.

1:50pm – ‘From Reactive to Proactive: How MFT is Using Data and Wearables for Early Detection’

Lukas Hughes-Noehrer, Lead for Computational Medicine at MFT and Lecturer in at the University of Manchester.

2:10pm – Showcase Carousel

3:10pm – ‘How MFT Can Generate the Evidence You Need for HealthTech’

Annie Yarwood, Operations Lead, NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Emergency and Acute Care.

3:25pm – Adoption Case Study

Aqsa Siddiqui, Programme Manager for MFT’s Innovative Technology Adoption Programme (iTap).

3:40 – Closing Remarks

Richard Phillips, Executive Director of Policy and Partnerships, ABHI

Followed by another opportunity to engage with the showcase carousel, networking and a campus tour.