On 7 October 2026, business, engineering, investment and education leaders gathered at Silverstone Museum for the IoD’s The New Geography of Growth: Shaping the Future of Business and Innovation. The event also marked the launch of the IoD’s South Central region.
Our four-page recap highlights the day’s key contributions and questions for business leaders. A central theme was that growth depends not only on the assets a place has, but on how effectively people, knowledge, capital and skills connect. Speakers explored engineering capability, technology adoption, regional collaboration, investment and the leadership needed to turn opportunity into action.
The synopsis includes practical questions for boards, from identifying skills and expertise gaps to considering which clusters, universities, suppliers and professional networks to engage with next.
Download the full event synopsis to revisit the discussion and share its insights with your network.
