Leading engineers attended from the following companies
What is different about the 2026 edition?
Powering the possible track structure Navigate the event with six clearly defined tracks – from AI and automation to net zero, advanced manufacturing, future materials, innovation, and people & skills – so you can focus on the decisions that matter most this year.
Co-located with UK Metals Expo (new for 2026) For the first time, Advanced Engineering will be co-located with UK Metals Expo, giving you direct access to the entire metals supply chain - all in one visit.
Electronics and Semiconductor forum Deep-dive into the latest in circuit design, embedded systems, PCB manufacturing, test & measurement, advanced components and more, with practical insights you can take straight back to your projects.
Innovation Gallery – you decide the winner For the first time, you will help choose the stand-out innovation. Explore the Innovation Gallery, discover the most exciting products and solutions on display, and vote for the 2026 winner.
Make UK and Make UK Defence pavilion Connect with leading UK manufacturers and defence innovators, explore new partnerships and understand how policy, capability and technology are shaping the UK’s industrial future.
More new suppliers than ever Over one third of exhibitors will be new to Advanced Engineering 2026, giving you fresh suppliers, solutions and ideas you did not see last year.
Engineers meet-ups Join informal meet-ups tailored to your discipline. Grow your network, share real-world challenges and discover new ways to solve problems with peers. Check the agenda and build them into your visit.
Feature Museum You asked, we delivered. Explore a dedicated area showcasing F1 cars, drones, EVs, advanced modelling, 3D printing and more - with in-depth stories behind each innovation.
Enabling Innovation Zone See tomorrow’s technologies today in an expanded Enabling Innovation Zone. After showcasing 10 disruptive SMEs and start-ups in 2025, we are scaling up to 25 for 2026 – giving you even more ground-breaking ideas and emerging technologies in one place.
Meet some of the 2026 speakers
Chester Butterworth
Mr Chester Butterworth, head of strategy for the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Technologies and Capabilities Office, outlined Royal Navy and MOD innovation and technology needs and joined a defence panel on innovation and collaboration opportunities.
Jean-Paul de Vooght
Mr Jean-Paul de Vooght, CTO partner for manufacturing at Grid Dynamics, spoke on “Architecture for smarter, scalable manufacturing”, showing how digital platforms, industrial IoT and servitisation are reshaping manufacturing and enabling scalable, sustainable operations.
Isabelle Russell
Ms Isabelle Russell, UK aerospace account manager at Siemens Digital Industries, spoke on “Digitalisation for aerospace: the technology gap and how to close it”, sharing how manufacturers are digitalising to reduce costs and accelerate growth.
Jack Millar
Mr Jack Millar, senior composite research engineer at GKN Aerospace, presented ASPIRE: Advanced Structural Product Integrated Airframe in the Composites Engineering Forum and later joined our Meet the Speaker session to discuss automated composite manufacturing and advanced airframe innovation.
Kate Willsher
Kate Willsher from IfM Engage at the University of Cambridge joined The Skills Junction to speak at our Women in manufacturing networking brunch – Leading with inclusion, focusing on inclusive leadership and skills in manufacturing.
Jason Barker
Mr Jason Barker, CTO and founder of CNC Robotics, presented “Large-scale additive manufacturing: faster lead times with large-format additive manufacturing” in the AM² Forum, sharing how robotic 3D printing and LFAM can reduce lead times and enable flexible, digital manufacturing.
Who should attend
Put your brand in front of 9,000 buyers
Director of engineering / manufacturing / operations
Head of manufacturing or production
Plant manager or site leader
Engineering manager or chief engineer
Senior manufacturing / production / process engineer
Continuous improvement manager
Operations director
Managing director or owner (manufacturing SME)
Machine builder, OEM or integrator lead
Free entry. 400+ exhibitors, 5 CPD forums, live demos and networking lounges — all in one venue.