Photonics Means®…

The UK's annual tech, people and growth expo.

Programme

Tech, people and growth

There are three broad themes to Photonics Means.. there will be some great sessions of talks in the auditoria, poster session, and plenty of time to take in the exhibition and networking.

Overview schedule

Running through the day:

8 am to 4pm Exhibition runs all day

Specific times:

10.30am to 10.40am Auditorium B and C, Ministerial opening , Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business and Economy, Scottish Government

10.40 to 12.00pm Morning session of talks and panels

Auditorium A Careers session, Employers and employees. Chair Lewis Hill

Auditorium B and C Innovation Landscape Chair Anke Lohman

12pm to 1.30pm Lunch, in the exhibition areas

1.30pm to 3.00pm Afternoon session of talks and panels

Auditorium A People and Technology Session, Chair Dr David Armstrong

Auditorium B Investment session, Chairs Dr Ian Tracey an Prof Christopher Leburn

Auditorium C Torbay Cluster session, Chair, Dr Murray Reed

4.00pm to 6.00pm Beach Party, closing drinks reception, Glenatnalgement(r) draw.

Auditoria B and C, 10.40 to 12.00

“Mastering the Innovation Landscape:

Creating the Next Generation of Photonics Products”

Chair: Dr Anke Lohman,

Founder, Anchored In

  •  Keynote: State of the Photonics Industry
    • (John Lincoln)
  • UK Industrial Strategy & National Vision
    • UK Quantum Technologies National Strategy
      Faiyaz Amin, Senior Policy Advisor,  Office for Quantum, DSIT
  • Innovate UK (Quantum & Semiconductor) –Interview
    • In Conversation: Innovate UK and the Semiconductor Sector
      Interview with Dr. Iain S. Mauchline, Head of Semiconductors, Innovate UK
  • Innovation Support in Action – Roaming Interviews
  • Photonics Innovation through the new Scottish Supercluster
    Alison McLeod, Director Photonics Scotland, Technology Scotland

Auditorium A, 10.40am to 12.00

“Aligning Photonics: Synchronising Employer–Employee Expectations“

Chair: Dr Lewis Hill,

Future Leaders Group, Photonics Leadership Group

  • This session will be brought to you by the Future Photonics Leaders Group
  • Part of the UK, Photonics Leadership Group, the Future Leaders are focused on fostering, supporting and capturing the opinions of those early in their photonics careers that will lead the industry in the future
  • Panellist include:
  • Ben Hanley, Director, Enigma Solutions
  • Dr. Susannah Heck Principal Engineer EFFECT Photonics
  • Yann Amouroux, Director, Europe Optica
  • Dr. Claire Cisowski,Early Career Leverhulme Research Fellow University of Glasgow
  • Juan Diego Mazo Vasquez, Doctoral Student, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
  • Dr Gordon Flockhart, University of Strathclyde

Lunch, Exhibition and Networking 12.00 to 1.30pm

Auditorium A 1.30pm to 3.00pm

“Photonics Means…People and Photonics Means…Tech”

Chair: Dr David Armstrong,

BDM, Fraunhofer CAP

  • Photonics Means…People
  • Warren Clark, CEO, Europa Science
    Photonics 100
  • Photonics Means…Tech
  • In a fast paced session, 6 exhibitors will give ten minute highlights from recent use cases, projects, applications, and new tech on the market:
    • NKT Photonics 
    • Photonics Solutions
    • Diamond SA
    • Alrad instruments
    • Vortex Optical Coatings
    • The Publishing Bureau

Auditorium B 1.30pm to 3.00pm

“Spin-Outs and Start-Ups Panel Session”

Chairs: Dr Ian Tracey and Prof Christopher Leburn

Ian- Founder, Anchored In.
Christopher-Tech Exploitation Director, Photonics and Quantum Accelerator

This session will explore the spin-out and start-up journey from multiple perspectives — funding routes, investor dynamics, and exit pathways — through a mix of structured panel discussion and open audience participation. The tone will be candid, pragmatic, and encouraging, with real-life insights from entrepreneurs and investors.
Pre-Investment Segment (20 mins)
Living with Investors Segment (20 mins)
Exit Strategies Segment (20 mins)
Summation Panel Format (30mins)

Panellists include:

Ms Shahida Imani,CEO, Singular Photonics

Dr Natalia Herrera Valencia, Heriot Watt University / Intertangle Ltd

Dr Graham Bruce, University of St Andrews

Mr Alister Minty, Experienced Chair and angel investor

Pete Hutton, Cambridge Angels (TBC)

Auditorium C 1.20pm to 3.00pm

“Spotlight on the Torbay Cluster”

Chair: Dr Murray Reed,

CEO, QLM Technology Ltd

  • Murray will introduce a wide range of speakers from the Torbay region and the EPIC centre.
  • Thanks to Murray and Torbay for inspiring our closing reception to have a beach party theme
  • Giving 25 high tech companies a single mission and voice.
    Chris Wardle,
    Torbay High Tech Cluster Chair 
    Creating a successful high technology incubator
    Richard Scutt,
    Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre Director
    The past and future of photonics packaging
    Dr Andrew Robertson,
    Bay Photonics Director
    Using quantum lidar to monitor greenhouse gas emissions
    Dr Murray Reed,
    QLM Technology CEO.

Exhibition continues until 4pm

Beach Party, closing reception from 4pm to 6pm