Conference programme announced for Reset Connect North, taking place 3-4 March 2026 at the Royal Armouries

Reset Connect North will make its debut on 3-4 March 2026 at the Royal Armouries in Leeds as part of the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival. With registrations now open, the event welcomes KPMG as headline sponsor and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as strategic partner, promising an inspiring inaugural gathering for businesses, innovators and policymakers driving the North’s green transition.

Richard Andrews, UK Sustainability Lead at KPMG said: 

"KPMG is proud to be the headline sponsor of Reset Connect North, supporting an event that brings together businesses, innovators, investors and policymakers to drive the North’s green transition. By sharing expertise, showcasing solutions and fostering collaboration, Reset Connect North will connect people, ideas and investment in ways that accelerate the region’s progress towards a sustainable, net zero future."

Immerse yourself in the latest trends and cutting-edge innovations

Made up of main stages, show floor hubs, the Pitch & Invest Programme and a series of VIP Workshops & Roundtables, the conference programme at Reset Connect North will inspire action, spark collaboration and accelerate change. 

Uncover the main stages

Two main stages will deliver powerful keynotes, panel discussions and real-world case studies. The Transforming Cities & Communities Stage will spotlight how local authorities and urban leaders are building future-ready, climate-resilient places through clean transport, retrofit innovation and regional collaboration to deliver system-wide change. Speakers will include Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire; Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council; Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100; Richard Andrews, UK Sustainability Lead at KPMG; Minister Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers; and Milly Hennayake, Trustee at Engineers Without Borders UK.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“This event shares our commitment to ensuring West Yorkshire achieves net zero by 2038, while boosting prosperity across the region.

We have a thriving green economy, worth around £8 billion and powered by more than 3,000 businesses, but we’re not standing still - we’re helping our innovators to scale and grow.

Bringing this conference to Leeds will help cement our place as a national leader while signalling that West Yorkshire is open for the next wave of transformational investment, innovation and growth.”

Meanwhile, the Transforming Business & Industry will explore how organisations can decarbonise operations, future-proof supply chains and align sustainability with growth. Session will cover investment trends, digital sustainability and the green skills shaping the regional economy. Speakers will include Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool FC; Alex Martin, Head of Environmental Risk at Admiral Group; Phillip Holdgate, Head of Production Sustainability at ITV; Michelle Cooper, International Trade Adviser at the Department for Business & Trade; James Murray, Editor-in-Chief of BusinessGreen; Julia Meek, Director of Bus and Coach - UK at Zenobē; Nancy Bikson, Managing Director at Chapel & York; Phoebe Tucker, Senior Nature Associate at the Green Finance Institute; and Thomas Viegas, Group Nature Lead at Aviva.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council said:

"We are delighted to welcome Reset Connect North to Leeds, it’s fantastic to see another major national event coming to the North.

Leeds is widely recognised for our ambitious and practical approach to climate action — from the council’s own progress in reducing carbon emissions, to the continued expansion of our district heating network, and the strong, city‑wide partnership working that underpins our climate and nature ambitions.

Events like Reset Connect North play a crucial role in bringing together businesses, innovators, investors and public sector leaders, to stimulate discussions that will help accelerate the delivery of sustainable growth, green jobs and a fairer, more resilient economy for our city and the wider region.”

Discover the show floor hubs

Show floor hubs will provide hands-on learning, live demonstrations and high-impact networking. The Innovation Hub will showcase sector-specific tools and technologies to cut emissions, accelerate circular economy solutions and build sustainable supply chains, while connecting attendees with experts driving scalable green business models and green skills pathways. Sponsored by FUNKLED, the Finance & Investment Hub will explore how finance is powering the transition to a sustainable economy, with sessions examining impact investing trends, innovative financial instruments and evolving regulation.

Explore the perks of being a VIP

The Pitch & Invest Programme is where innovation meets opportunity, connecting start-ups and scale-ups with investors. Live pitching sessions will showcase businesses spanning Tech & AI, Engineering & Manufacturing, Energy, Urban Regeneration, Corporate Sustainability, Retail, Fashion & FMCG, Food & AgriTech and Female-led ventures, with pitches evaluated by a panel representing the full spectrum of capital. Designed for exhibitors and VIP delegates, the programme creates a powerful platform for founders to secure investment, partnerships and strategic insight.

Interactive workshops and roundtables will deliver focused, collaborative sessions designed to drive real-world impact. Curated for peer-to-peer learning and problem-solving, the programme will encourage open discussion and cross-sector collaboration, providing practical insight, meaningful connections and actionable outcomes. The VIP Workshops & Roundtables will support organisations in accelerating their sustainability ambitions.

Meet the exhibitors, speakers and sponsors

Reset Connect North will be supported by a high-profile line-up of exhibitors, speakers and sponsors, including the Department for Business & Trade, Climate Change Committee, National Wealth Fund, Glasgow City Council, Octopus Energy, Aviva, GB Energy, Zenobē, West Yorkshire Pension Fund, Impact Investing Institute, ITV, Manchester Evening News, Liverpool FC, Leeds United FC, Rugby Football League, University of Leeds, WRAP and the Low Carbon Contracts Company & Electricity Settlements Company, with many more to be announced.

CEO & Co-Founder of Reset Connect, Duncan Reid, said:

"We are thrilled to have KPMG join the event as our headline sponsor and to be working closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority as our strategic partner. Reset Connect North is designed to bring together the brightest minds, the most innovative businesses and leading public sector organisations to drive meaningful action in the green economy.

From our headline stages, hands-on show floor hubs and interactive programme, the event will inspire collaboration, showcase cutting-edge solutions and equip attendees with the knowledge and connections to accelerate the North’s transition to a sustainable future.

We can’t wait to welcome the UK’s leaders in sustainability to Leeds in March and to see the ideas, partnerships and innovation that will emerge from this inaugural event."

Join the industry at the event in March

Secure your place as an attendee to network, discover the latest trends and empower your business. Book your ticket at reset-connect.com/north/registration

Interested in speaking, exhibiting or sponsorship? Showcase your brand, connect with decision-makers and be seen as a thought leader. Discover more at reset-connect.com/north/why-exhibit