GENERATION NORTH EAST: Building Tomorrow’s AI Workforce Today

Join business leaders and AI experts from across the North East to hear how we can collectively harness the opportunities of AI for the benefit of our region and develop a workforce that is truly ready to power the North East into the future.

Rye Hill Campus
22nd-23rd January 2026

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Join us at Generation North East

Generation North East: Building Tomorrow’s AI Workforce Today is a major two-day event hosted by Newcastle College University Centre (NCUC) for business leaders across the North East, in conjunction with our valued sponsors:

Headline sponsor: Lenovo and Nvidia

Event sponsors: Enigma, Hedgehog Lab, HTG and Sage

As the North East takes forward its designation as an AI Growth Zone, this event will bring together business leaders, educators, and policymakers to explore how we can harness these technologies to drive regional growth and opportunity.

With a proud history of developing talent and higher technical skills in the North East, NCUC plays an important role in preparing people for the jobs of tomorrow. Generation North East will showcase how education, industry, and local leadership are working together to build a workforce ready for the opportunities of an AI-driven economy.

At the event, you will have the opportunity to engage with employers, innovators, and our talented students - the next generation of skilled workers who will help deliver a prosperous and inclusive North East.

Hear from expert panellists and speakers including:

Ruth Harrison, Global Industry Lead – Retail and Consumer Goods, Avanade
Paul Graham, Senior Solutions Architect, Nvidia
Kevin Howell, CEO and Founder of Howell Technology Group
Richard Dawson, Economic Advisor, Newcastle City Council
Paul Wealls, Principal Consultant AI Growth Zone Task Force, Lenovo
Tim Flagg, CEO and Founder, UKAI
Lee Rorison, Founder and CEO of Seriös Group
Jen Hartley OBE, Assistant Director Capital Investment and Growth, Newcastle Council
Charlie Hoult, Founder, Opencast
Lisa Ewans SVP, Sage Experience Platform, Sage
Lewis Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Aircards
Phil Witcherley, Director of Economy and Innovation, North East Combined Authority
Steve Grainger, Managing Director, Enigma-Interactive
Dame Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and West
Paul Farrow, Head of IT Service, Darlington Economic Campus (DEC)
Robin Cramp, Head of Advanced Media Production Studios, Digital Catapult
Mark Jose, Director of Consulting, Hedgehog Lab
Dr Patricia Ryser-Welch, Data, Analysis, Intelligence and AI Expert