Name: IMPACT: The Future of Work
Start: 2026-03-27T09:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-27T12:00:00+00:00
Location: Maker Building

With the rise of AI, how much do people matter in the modern workplace? We look at the perfect combination: Tech + People.
About this Event

The BUSINESSiQ Impact campaign continues to convene the conversations shaping the future of the North East — bringing together the people, ideas and partnerships driving meaningful, long-term change.

Join us for the next event in the Impact series, The Future of Work, as we explore one of the defining questions of our time: in a world increasingly powered by AI, how much do people really matter?

From automation and machine learning to evolving leadership models and workforce expectations, the workplace is being reshaped at pace. But technology alone is not the answer. This session will examine the balance that high-performing organisations are striving for — the right blend of smart technology and human capability. Tech plus people. Efficiency plus empathy. Data plus judgement.

We will bring together business leaders, HR professionals, skills providers and policy partners to debate what the modern workplace demands: how organisations can harness AI without losing culture, how to futureproof skills in a shifting landscape, and how to design environments where innovation and human performance thrive side by side.

There is no better backdrop for this conversation than the remarkable Maker Building, located at the heart of Riverside Sunderland — one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects. A symbol of modern workspace design and forward-thinking development, it provides the perfect setting to discuss what comes next.

Whether you are leading a team, shaping talent strategy, investing in technology or simply trying to understand how work is changing, this is your opportunity to be part of the conversation — with time built in to connect, challenge thinking and build valuable new relationships.

Agenda

9:30 Arrival and networking
10:00 Q&A with Dr Ashmita Randhawa, Director of R&D at Sunderland Software City and Co-Lead at the Hartree Centre
10:45 Panel discussion with Impact partners, plus audience Q&A (Host: Mike Hughes)
12:00 Close

As part of registration, you will be invited to submit up to two questions. Where possible, these will be woven into the discussion — helping to shape the conversation.

Important information:

Parking is available nearby.
Upon arrival, please sign in at the main reception.
Tea and coffee will be available.

The Northern Echo's Impact campaign is designed to highlight and drive economic, social, and environmental change across the North East, helping to build a region where businesses thrive, communities are empowered, and sustainability, innovation and inclusivity are at the core of growth, leaving a lasting impact for future generations.