Inovation Conference 2026

Friday 22 May 2026

Gavin Henderson

Principal Director
Stanton Williams

Olaide Oboh

Managing Director at Populate and Executive Director at Socius
Populate and Socius

Howard Dawber OBE

Deputy Mayor for Business
Greater London Authority

Catherine Staniland

Chief Impact Officer
NLA

Francesca Colloca

Head of Innovation
London Legacy Development Corporation

Nathan Davies

Senior Manager - Economic Strategy and Innovation
Greater London Authority

Jonathan Trout

Property & Commercial Director
Stanhope PLC

Elizabeth Harris

Head of Economic Growth
London Borough of Sutton

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The NLA Innovation Conference 2026 will explore how London can respond to its next cycle of reinvention and continue to deliver on the ambitions of the London Growth Plan and the UK Modern Industrial Strategy.

As the nature of innovation research and collaboration continues to evolve, how will demand for workspaces, labs, housing and social infrastructure change in the years ahead? What types of places best support knowledge exchange, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth? And how can the built environment continue to unlock innovation?

Through leading case studies and best-practice placemaking strategies, the conference will demonstrate how well-designed, inclusive infrastructure is fundamental to fostering collaboration and sustaining long-term growth - particularly for innovation in life sciences, climate innovation, and AI and technology. To secure London’s global leadership in innovation, we must align policy, planning and infrastructure with the needs of a rapidly evolving sector.

The NLA Innovation Conference is a key moment to bring distinguished leaders across government and the built environment together to influence the future of innovation and the innovation economy in London. It is a chance to exchange insights on best practice and engage in meaningful discussions about collaborative efforts to address the most pressing urban issues.