Birmingham Tech Week announces headline sponsor and keynote speakers

Birmingham Tech Week, the UK’s largest regional tech festival, has announced that IBM will once again be the headline sponsor for the 2025 event.

Taking place between 20 to 24 October, Birmingham Tech Week, sponsored by IBM, will be inviting some of the biggest names in tech to speak across the week.

Confirmed speakers already include Andy Hague, CEO of TechWM, founder of EARTHwise Dr Anneloes Smitsman, Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, futurist and author Amelia Kallman, and founder of HumanVantage AI, Davina Schonle, amongst others.

Key West Midlands figureheads also speaking include West Midlands mayor Richard Parker and strategic lead for West Midlands Roadmap, Mike Lewis, as well as representatives from educational institutions encompassing Aston Business School, BMet, and the University of Warwick.

As headline sponsor, IBM UK and Ireland chief executive, Leon Butler, will also be in attendance at the festival’s Leadership Breakfast, where keynote speakers and business leaders will gather to discuss the evolution of the West Midlands tech ecosystem and speak out about new achievements in the ever-evolving tech sector.

Additional sponsors of Tech Week include Goldman Sachs, the sponsors of the Engineering and Development Conference, new patrons of TechWM Netcom Training, and charity partners Neurodiversity in Business and LoveBrum.

Andy Hague, CEO of TechWM and Birmingham Tech Week, said: “Having IBM once again sponsor Birmingham Tech Week is a great opportunity to show the West Midlands tech sector that we are being recognised across the globe for our achievements and evolutionary work.

“We have a great relationship with IBM who have always supported West Midlands businesses and champion tech start-ups and entrepreneurs.

“We are also very grateful to our ever-growing list of speakers who are offering their time and experience to speak to our Tech Week attendees at the multiple events happening throughout the week.

“This not only includes speakers from tech companies, but local investment, training, and employment businesses and charities to support our attendees and start-ups to make sure we can keep growing the West Midlands tech sector and become a powerhouse tech hub in the UK and across the world.”

The event’s programme, powered by TechWM and supported by some of the biggest local tech giants, multinational corporations, and universities, will be driven by thought provoking discussions on frontier technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.

This year introduces new flagship events including Cyberverse and Frontier Day.

Each day will explore a different theme, from AI, leadership and digital skills to global connections and scaling up, shining a spotlight on the West Midlands’ engineering excellence and future-facing innovation.

Multiple Birmingham businesses will also be hosting their own fringe events outside of the main festival schedule.

Click here for more information about the events taking place and how to register.