
Speakers
Meet our 2023 speakers
VentureFest North East speakers are a diverse range of local and global talent who draw on their experience to inspire North East businesses to innovate.
Take a look at our high-profile and inspirational innovation speakers for 2023!

Adah Parris
Polymath, Tech Futurist, Anti-disciplinary Artist, and Activist

Finbarr Dowling
Project Director, Siemens

Martin Hunt
Managing Director, Forum For The Future

Judith McMinn
Founder, Rezon

Estelle Blanks
CEO and Founder, Innovation SuperNetwork

Lysa Morrison
Compere

Nicki Clark OBE
Chief Executive, WE ARE UMi

Charlie Charlton
Advocate for the North East, Interviewer, Presenter

Mundeep Nayyar
Founder, Infotel UK Consulting

Hannah Underwood
Founder, Insightano

Jordan Dargue
Head of Access to Finance, Innovation SuperNetwork

Graham Purvis
Managing Director, Robson Laidler Accountants

Matthew Cormack
Partner, Ward Hadaway

Chris Cook
Former Double Olympian & Double Commonwealth champion, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker and Business Coach

Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino
Author, consultant and entrepreneur

Di Gates
Founder, Stick Theory

Dr Noura Al Moubayed
Associate Professor, University of Durham

Charlotte Knill
North East Regional Cyber Crime Unit

Wayne Bryant
Innovation Manager, Innovation SuperNetwork

Paul Swaddle
Head of Technical Solutions, NBS

Angela Lynch
Innovation Manager, Innovation SuperNetwork

Jenny Hudson
Business development Director, Transmission Dynamics

Sarah Cox
Innovation Challenge Programme Leader, Innovation SuperNetwork

Professor Craig Gaskell
Teesside University

Josh Sanghera
Blu Sky Chartered Accountants