The GAMBICA UK Laboratory Industry Conference 2026 will focus on how the laboratory supply sector is transforming — what this means for your company and how you can spread your risk, access new markets, and improve your productivity.
The full programme...
The smart lab suppliers’ summit:
SESSION ONE: FORECASTS FOR THE COMING YEAR
Welcome: Jenny O’Connell, Chair, GAMBICA Lab Tech Board
Political forecast: The UK in Europe: Anand Menon
Economic forecast: Lee Hopley, UK Finance
Update for GAMBICA Members: Steve Brambley
Refreshments
SESSION TWO: AI optimisation for lab companies
AI and our people – how GSK is upskilling for the digital revolution – Laura Williams GSK Data Capability Leader
AI in selling – what can it do for you today - Jonathan Wagstaffe AI digital sales and marketing coach
Minimum viable AI – how we should be using AI and digitalisation in our companies Nicola Rosa Technology Innovation Director Europe at Accenture
Breakout panel – what’s stopping us?
AI for sales - led by Jonathan Wagstaffe, AI sales and marketing coach
AI for administration and financial reporting or problem solving - led by Caroline Collings-Wood, Innovate UK
AI for manufacturing - led by Daniel Smalley, Siemens
AI and digitalisation for service - led by Sharon Palmer, Binary Vision
Each group will deal directly with your issues and answer your questions
Feedback session
Lunch
SESSION THREE: WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT
What AI is doing to lab purchasing patterns Caroline Briggs, Amici
What academic customers are looking for in 2026 Lee Hibbet Lee Hibbet, technical manager, University of Nottingham
SESSION FOUR: BREAKING INTO AMERICA: WHAT IT REALLY TAKES AND WHAT IT REALLY COSTS
With European markets slowing, the US remains a standout growth opportunity for UK laboratory for UK lab and instrumentation companies. It’s also a market that punishes hesitation, under-investment, and early missteps.
This session brings a US-based, ground-level perspective on what it really takes to establish a credible, scalable presence in the American market.
Framing the US opportunity; why this has to be a deliberate strategic commitment - Barbra Wells, Think Partners Advisory
US service models, fulfillment, and distribution with practical examples - David Wright, Sterilelink
The investment reality — people, infrastructure, inventory, ongoing costs, and why underinvesting usually fails - Bernie Youngblood, Think Partners Advisory
Results of business sentiment survey and close