SurgTech is the annual event for innovators, clinicians, academia and communities to connect and shape the future of healthcare. This is where world-class surgical technologies are guided by visionary policy leadership, cutting-edge industry solutions and patient voices.
NIHR is the health and social care research arm of the nation, driving life-changing research. SurgTech 2026 brings together the breadth of the UK’s surgical and perioperative research excellence, showcasing how the most revolutionary technologies are transforming care before, during and after surgery.
The two-day programme promises a host of prestigious speakers, interactive panel discussions, educational breakout sessions and industry show cases.
The event is hosted by a collaboration between the Leeds NIHR HealthTech Research Centre and the NIHR Translational Research Collaboration in Surgery and Perioperative Care (SPOC-TRC), supported by Health Innovation Leeds.
Confirmed Speakers include:
- Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency MHRA
- Professor Michael Lewis, NIHR Life Scientific Industry Director
- Professor Jonathan Benger, Chief Executive NICE
- Mark Slack, Chief Medical Officer CMR
Why Attend
- Hear how inspiring surgical technologies are making tomorrow’s healthcare possible, today.
- Make connections between ideas, science, public and industry to solve real-world challenges.
- Forge the tight partnership across national networks to take innovation to the next level.
Date
Date: 8th & 9th October 2026
Venue: Headingley Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3BR
Register Here
Speakers
Professor Michael Lewis, Scientific Director for Innovation NIHR Programme Director SBRI Healthcare & i4i University of Birmingham Medical School
Professor Michael Lewis, is Scientific Director for the NIHR, and recently i4i and SBRi Healthcare programmes as well as Professor of Life Science Innovation at the University of Birmingham.
His industry experience covers pharma, biotech, digital, dental, devices, clinical trials and diagnostics. Currently, he is Chair of 2 life science companies all with an emphasis on citizen focused, data and outcomes driven healthcare. He recently sat on the Board of SNOMED, the global medical coding standardisation system, the Executive Board of Birmingham Health Partners and is an advisor on data, AI, quantum, genomics and engineered biology.
He lectures on innovation in life sciences and how this aligns with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development goals. He is also closely involved with delivering the new Birmingham Health Innovation campus, a £250m life science park at the University of Birmingham.
Professor Nick Plant, FRSB Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Research & Innovation, Professor of Systems Biology University of Leeds
Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency MHRA
Professor Alastair Denniston, AI Strategic Advisor, Birmingham
Professor Darren Treanor, Consultant Pathologist, Honorary Clinical Professor, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Philip White, Founder & Managing Director, Audacia
Professor Henrietta Hughes OBE, Patient Safety Commissioner for England
Professor Jonathan Benger, CE NICE
Dr Rosie Britton, Innovation Policy Manager, MedTech & Innovation Directorate, DHSC
Mark Slack, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer CMR Surgical
Professor David Beard Professor of Muscoskeletal & Surgical Sciences
Mr James Kinross, Consultant colorectal surgeon at Imperial College London
Dr Mike Odling-Smee, Co-Founder & Director AireLogic
Department of Health & Social Care – Speaker TBC
Alwyn Kotze, Perioperative Lead, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Dr Naill Keenan, Consultant Cardiologist and Divisional Director for Medicine
Dr Sarah Vollam, Senior Researcher, NIHR HRC in Community Care
SPOC TRC – 1st in the UK Womb Transplantation: Challenges and the Role of Qualitative Research
CRAS – New Technologies for Computer/Robot Assisted Surgery
Medilink Regulation Session
PBIAA Session, Implantable Medical Devices – Brief presentation on Yorkshire based innovations. Followed by panel session discussing translation and regulation.
EMC StarMap Tool
SPOC TRC – Developing Invasive Placebo Interventions
NIHR Net Zero Innovation Catalyst/ SUSTAIN
Capacity & Building Training, MedTech Foundation
EDI Session Women (as patients) s an Underserved Group in Surgery
PBIAA Session, Diagnostics – Brief presentation on Yorkshire based innovations- problem, unique solution. Followed by panel session discussing translation and regulation.
SPOC TRC – Evaluation and Regulation of New Devices and Surgical Procedures
Clinical Cost Effectiveness
PBIAA Session – EPSRC
HealthTech Investment Zone
Adoption of Tech & Successful Navigation of Healthcare System
SPOC TRC – Perioperative Care
HRC Network
EMRI Network – PPIE Involvement
Innovation Pop-Up
Diagnostics & Regulation – BIVDA Innovation Pipelines
Surgical Observatory – Unmet needs and prioritisation. With a system readiness lens
PBIAA Showcase Session – Select show and tell demonstration across funded technology areas