TECHNEXT
Beyond the North East: Building a global tech company
The final session zooms out to explore what globally-scaled success can look like from the North East.
Through the story of Kromek, this conversation examines scaling, deeptech, international growth, leadership, resilience and what it takes to build globally significant companies from the region.
Exhibit
Exhibitors
See the exhibitors at this year's event below.
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Lightning Talks
Featuring engaging 15-minute insights from experienced industry professionals, all free for attendees. Talk timings are as follows:
15:00–15:15 - Lightning Talk 1
What to put in a tech CV that actually gets interviews
15:30–15:45 - Lightning Talk 2
Changing careers into tech: 3 lessons learnt
16:00–16:15 - Lightning Talk 3
Why technical skills alone won’t get you promoted (and what will)
16:30–16:45 - Lightning Talk 4
How to stand out from the crowd as a techie
17:00–17:15 - Lightning Talk 5
How AI is changing your tech career
About Tech Talent Live
The final session zooms out to explore what globally-scaled success can look like from the North East.
Through the story of Kromek, this conversation examines scaling, deeptech, international growth, leadership, resilience and what it takes to build globally significant companies from the region.
Exhibitors at Tech Talent Live
Browse some of the fantastic companies exhibiting at Tech Talent Live.
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Tech Talent Live Lightning Talks
All lightning talks were held in Committee Room 1, an easily accessible room overlooking the main careers fair hall. The talks typically lasted 10 to 15 minutes per subject.
Schedule:
15:00 – Breaking into Tech: No Technical Experience? No Problem!
Discover how people from retail, music, healthcare and more are building new tech careers through low code platforms, self-learning and support from inclusive communities. This session will share powerful real-life stories and practical advice to help you confidently take your first step into tech without a traditional background.
15:30 – Why Can’t Women Thrive in Tech?
With women facing unique challenges in tech, this session will provide actionable strategies to overcome barriers like imposter syndrome and bias. You’ll gain practical advice on building confidence, developing key skills, and expanding your network to thrive in the tech sector.
16:00 – Ever Wondered About Public Sector Tech Jobs? It’s More Exciting Than You Think!
Think public sector tech is all red tape? Think again. This fast-paced session unveils how digital roles in government shape essential services used by millions, from tax collection to digital operations across departments. Discover how you can make a real impact while enjoying benefits like flexibility, job security, and room to grow. No matter your background, this could be your most exciting move yet!
16:30 – The Secret Skills That Get You Hired (and Promoted)
While technical skills open doors, soft skills like communication, adaptability, and collaboration drive career growth. This session will highlight the key soft skills tech employers value most and provide actionable tips on how to develop and showcase them.
17:00 – Want to Innovate? Try Content Design.
Discover how content design plays a crucial role in driving innovation within the tech sector. This session will introduce you to the skills and opportunities in content design and provide clear steps to start your career.
17:30 – What if 15 minutes could shed light on why your CV gets ghosted?
In this quick lightning talk you will learn about common CV pitfalls that prevent your application from standing out and practical tips to avoid them. This session is perfect for job seekers who want to make simple and effective improvements without rewriting their entire resume.
Overview
The final session zooms out to explore what globally-scaled success can look like from the North East.
Through the story of Kromek, this conversation examines scaling, deeptech, international growth, leadership, resilience and what it takes to build globally significant companies from the region.
Speakers
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Since founding Kromek in 2003 as a university spin-out, Arnab has transformed it into a global enterprise with over 150 employees across the UK and US. Under his leadership, the company has developed a world-class portfolio of patented technologies, serving customers in more than 50 countries. He led the company’s IPO on the London Stock
Exchange in 2013, raising over £100 million to date for growth, R&D, and strategic expansion.
Arnab has successfully executed key acquisitions—including NOVA R&D Inc. (California) and eV Products (Pennsylvania)—and secured many major strategic licensing and partnership deals. He has built enduring relationships with Tier 1 global medical and security OEMs and secured many high-value, multi-year contracts with the US Department of Defense (DARPA, DTRA), UK Ministry of Defence, and UK Home Office, cementing Kromek’s role in national security, defence, and medical imaging.
A passionate advocate for industrial innovation, Arnab has held senior non-executive and advisory roles with organisations such as Innovate UK and Russell Group Universities, Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria , North East Local Enterprise Partnership and Business Durham. He currently chairs the County Durham Culture Trust and serves on both the North East Investment Zone Advisory Board and Russell Group Industrial Strategy Expert panel. Arnab is the High Sheriff Durham and in recognition of his contributions, Arnab was appointed MBE in 2014 and Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham in 2020. He is a dedicated member of the local community, previously chair of the Durham City Cricket Club, one of the largest community cricket clubs in the region and was appointed as a Patron for St Margaret’s, a mental health Charity in Durham, along with ambassador for the Advanced Manufacturing Forum.
A physicist by training with a PhD from Durham University, Arnab is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, the Royal Society of Arts, and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Northumbria University in 2016. He is also a regular media commentator on international trade, innovation, and technology policy.
Event Registration is Closed
This event is either sold out or has taken place. Registration is closed.
Registration
How to get involved
Please read the information back below, and then fill out an expression of interest form. This will let us know you’d like to take part, what age the participating children are and whether you’d like any support from us or an ‘industry mentor.’
Plan your challenge, consider your resources and the participating students. Challenges can be completed in small or large groups. but please be aware that only 8-10 students from selected schools will be able to attend the celebration event.
Submit your challenge responses via our online form below. Your school can submit up to 10 entries. The deadline for responses is Friday 9 May, 2025. Please get in touch if you are struggling to meet the deadline.
The Schools Challenge steering committee will identify a small group of students from selected schools to be invited to a celebration event on the morning of Friday 20 June at South Shields Customs House.
If selected, you will be invited to attend by 23 May. There will also be an opportunity to display students‘ work as part of a number of public
exhibitions across local authority areas.
If you have any issues, contact us via email: getinvolved@technext.co.uk
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