MSDUK@20 Conference and Awards 2026
MSDUK 20th Year Anniversary this year brings together SMEs, corporate businesses and public sector bodies to connect, learn and cultivate prosperous partnerships. 2026 marks a pivotal milestone as MSDUK celebrates 20 years of championing inclusive procurement and driving economic empowerment for SMEs across the UK. This flagship event reflects on two decades of impact while setting the agenda for the future of inclusive growth, innovation and collaboration.
About This Event
Event Overview
MSDUK 20th Anniversary
This year brings together businesses and corporates to connect, learn, and cultivate prosperous partnerships.
2026 marks a pivotal milestone as MSDUK celebrates 20 years of championing inclusive procurement and driving economic empowerment for underrepresented businesses across the UK. This flagship event reflects on two decades of impact while setting the agenda for the future of inclusive growth, innovation and collaboration.
Who It's For
Who Should Attend
The MSDUK@20 Conference and Awards will unite SMEs, corporate businesses, public-sector organisations, and ecosystem partners to connect, learn, and build meaningful collaborations.
- MSDUK Certified SMEs
- Corporate Members
- Non-certified SMEs
- Corporate Non-members
- Freelancers
- Partners
Programme
The Agenda
Tuesday, 15 September
Day 1 - Conference Agenda
08:30
Registration & Networking Breakfast
09:30
Host Introduction, Welcome & Agenda
Host: Ria Hebden
Founder & CEO · Wonder Women
09:35
MSDUK CEO Opening: 20 Years of Impact. The Next Chapter Starts Here!
Reshma Sheikh
CEO & Managing Director · MSDUK
09:45
Headline Partner Welcome: EY
EY reflects on its partnership with MSDUK, the value of inclusive supply chains and opportunities ahead.
Theresa Harrison
Global ESG & Enablement Leader · EY
09:50
Celebrating Innovation
Announcement of Innovation Challenge Finalists
Nadia Forde
Director of Growth & Partnerships · MSDUK
Richard Lawson
Global Director · Accenture
10:00
Powering UK Growth: The Inclusive Procurement Opportunity
How government, cities and business can unlock SME growth, investment and economic value through more inclusive procurement.
Moderator: Ted Archer
Managing Director, Global Head, Supplier Partnerships · JPMorganChase
Michelle Cuomo-Boorer
Managing Director, Strategy · London & Partners
Tim Rudin
Head of Responsible Procurement and Supplier Skills · Transport for London and the Greater London Authority
10:25
The AI Edge: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Opportunity
How corporates and business are using AI to innovate, compete and create new opportunities.
Moderator: Ann Ramakumaran
CEO · Ampcus Inc.
Caleb Streur
Director Procurement Operations · Amazon
10:50
Fireside Chat: Going the Distance - Lessons in Resilience and Success
In conversation with Dame Denise Lewis DBE – Gold medallist Olympian and influential voice in sport, leadership and opportunity.
Dame Denise Lewis DBE
Dame Denise Lewis is an Olympic gold medallist, successful TV presenter and the President of Commonwealth Games England. Specialising in the heptathlon, she won gold at the Sydney Olympics where she made history as only the sixth British woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the history of track and field. Speaking at conferences, Denise encourages delegates to see her gold medal not just as a symbol of winning, but also of collaboration. As well as the need for dedication, ambition and passion as keys to success, she stresses the crucial role of communities in allowing young people to reach their dreams. She also looks at the importance of discussing and promoting diversity, both in and out of sports, which she champions through her charity work. Since leaving athletics, Denise has built a successful TV career as a sports pundit for high profile athletics events as well as fronting shows such as BBC’s Secret Britain and Right on the Money and writing and presenting a number of documentaries. She has also rowed the length of Britain for ITV’s Don’t Rock the Boat and danced her way to the semi-final on Strictly Come Dancing.
Moderator: Raul Suarez-Rodriguez
Executive Director, Global Economic Inclusion · MSD
11:15
Morning Refreshments Break
11:50
Innovation Challenge Finals
Finalists pitch to a live audience for an opportunity to win £20,000.
12:45
Building the Movement
20 Years of MSDUK Through the Eyes of its Champions.
Moderator: Jean Chawapiwa
Interim Director of Member Success and Impact · MSDUK
Farida Gibbs
Founder · Gibbs Consulting Global
Ben Ngobi
Global Supplier Impact & Sustainability Lead · Accenture
Laurence Kirk
Senior Vice President & Managing Director · AgileOne
Leonard Spencer
Head of Responsible Sourcing Global Corporate Procurement · Amazon
13:10
Networking Lunch
14:20
A Different Note
An MSDUK Surprise… Expect the unexpected
14:30
MSDUK Legacy and Lifetime Achievement Awards
Honouring the trailblazers who shaped our journey.
14:40
Growing Through Inclusion
UK Government’s support for SMEs – plans and progress.
Emma Jones CBE
UK Small Business Commissioner
Shirley Cooper OBE
Small Business Crown Representative
15:00
From Ambition to Achievement
How SMEs are Driving Growth, Creating Employment Opportunities and Delivering Social Value & Impact.
Moderator: Jessica Grey
Global Supplier Inclusion Lead · Royal Bank of Canada
Emily Lee
CEO · Speaking Voices
Leslie Owusu
CEO · Gazelle Global
Dr Bashir Parkar
Managing Director · Bap Pharma
Dr Tevin Tobun
CEO & Founder · Routd Technology
15:50
Together We Are Stronger
One community, one future, one ecosystem = united for impact.
Reshma Sheikh
CEO & Managing Director · MSDUK
16:10
Closing Remarks
Ria Hebden
Founder & CEO · Wonder Women
16:30
Break
18:00
Drinks Reception
Rhythm & Connections: drinks, music & networking.
In partnership with Gibbs Consulting Global
19:00
Business Awards & Dinner
An Evening of Excellence.
Dress code: Black tie or cultural attire.
Host: Noreen Khan
22:45
Awards Conclude
23:00
After Party
Celebrations continue – join us for music, dancing and late night connections.
In partnership with Gibbs Consulting Global
Wednesday, 16 September
Day 2 - Conference Agenda
09:00 - 16:30
Exhibition Opens
09:00 - 16:30
Health & Wellbeing Hub
Healthy mind, body, spirit = Healthy business and team!
- Abhyas
- M for Menopause
- Be Free Rapid Therapy
- Panoptic Oncology
- Kai Connections
- Mile Rainbow
- Aurora
10:25 - 11:00
Silent Workshops
10:25 – 10:40 ‘Why Most Revenue Engines Fail’, Growth Velocity Partners
10:45 – 11:00 ‘The Misalignment Tax: 5 Signs Your Transformation is Losing Momentum’, Multi Passionate Consulting
11:05 – 11:20 ‘The Founder Bottleneck: Why Great Businesses Stop Growing and How to Break Through It’, Be The Boss Intl
11:25 – 11:40 ‘Finding Your Niche: How We Built a Specialist Cleaning Business That Wins Enterprise Contracts, Aligning with the Growth in AI’, C4 Cleaning
11:45 – 12:00 ‘From Festival Fields to Boardrooms: 18 Years of Building Trust in Security’, Kingfisher SEC
11:00 - 12:00
Roundtables
Featuring:
EY - Burns & McDonnell - TERN - Royal Bank of Canada - CBRE and others
First come, first served basis.
13.00 - 14.00
Responsible Procurement Ready: Partnering with Amazon
This session provides an overview of Amazon's GPS sub-pillars and how each supports suppliers on their journey to becoming responsible procurement ready, covering certification, sourcing opportunities, supply chain sustainability, and partnership pathways.
Number of places is limited. Strictly on a first come basis.
14:00 - 15:00
Roundtables
Featuring:
EY - Coca-Cola - Royal Bank of Canada - Accenture - CBRE and others
First come, first served basis.
For Suppliers
Join as a Supplier
Explore procurement opportunities, business programmes, and access a community of ambitious SMEs across the UK.
Register nowFor buyers
Join as a Buyer
Connect with verified SME suppliers, embed inclusive procurement into your supply chain, and demonstrate social value at scale.
Join as a Buyer