GAMBICA Lab Industry Conference 2026: Smart Lab Suppliers' summit

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