In the final episode of the Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we explore how batteries are transforming the off-highway sector from agriculture and mining to construction. Our expert guests discuss the unique demands of these applications, the challenges of durability and thermal management, and the innovations and investment needed to drive solutions forward.We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network. Guests Maria Morera | Operations Director and Co-founder | Global Nano NetworkMatrishvan Raval | Head of Product | Turntide Technologies Hosted by Neelam Mughal | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Advanced Materials | Innovate UK Business ConnectDebra Jones | Knowledge Transfer Manager - Chemistry | Innovate UK Business Connect Click here to download the episode transcript.

Episode 5: Batteries in AI In Episode 5 of the Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we delve into the use of battery technology in the rail sector, exploring its potential to decarbonise rail transport, improve efficiency, and support the transition to electrified mobility. Our expert guests discuss current applications, technological challenges, policy drivers, and the at-scale trials shaping the future of battery-powered rail. We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network Guests Matthew Prosser | Asset Management Director | Angel Trains Limited Robert Hay | Technical Advisor | Railway Industry Association Hosted by Nikoleta Piperidou | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Debra Jones | Knowledge Transfer Manager - Chemistry | Innovate UK Business Connect Listen to previous episodes. Click here to download the transcript.

Buying a home can be stressful—especially when it comes to legal enquiries. Hear how AI and machine learning are helping conveyancers manage chaos and speed up transactions. Wondering how AI supports legal pros? This episode is a must-listen!   Participants of this podcast:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect   - Gemma Fulbrook-Felstead, Director of Operations, Collaborative Conveyancing   - Jonny Palmer, Data Science Lead, Collaborative Conveyancing   - Robert Firth, Senior AI Research Scientist, STFC Hartree Centre   Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

How can AI help pensions match personal values? Discover how conversational AI and sustainability data are helping savers align their investments with what matters most. Interested in values-driven investing? Tune in!  In this episode, we hear from these participants:  - Andrew Tucker, Co-Founder and CEO, Mettle Capital    - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect    - Benjamin Winter, Lead Machine Learning Engineer, Wyser    - Mark Pearce, Founder and CEO, Wyser     Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

Crypto taxation can be complex and confusing. Dan Howitt of Recap explains how his startup is making crypto tax calculations secure and manageable for accountants and investors alike. If you want to understand crypto tax better, this episode is for you.  Participants of this podcast:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect   - Daniel Howitt, CEO and Co-Founder of Recap  Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

When insurance meets the gig economy, flexibility and tech matter. Janthana Kaenprakhamroy of Tapoly shares how AI is reshaping insurance for freelancers and small businesses. Curious about inclusive, tech-driven insurance? Listen now!  Participants of this podcast:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect   - Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, CEO and Founder, Tapoly  Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn.   

What does innovation look like in small accounting firms? Learn how hands-on training and simple tech tools help firms modernise without being tech experts. Ready to update your practice? Don’t miss this episode!  In this episode, we hear from these participants:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead at Innovate UK Business Connect  - Dr. Tzameret Rubin, Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Management at Oxford Brookes Business School and lead of the TiPS Innovation Adoption Accelerator  - Rebecca Trudgett, Director & Founder, Switchfoot Accounting  Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

How do firms overcome the barriers to innovation? Hear from academic leaders on how training and peer support help financial and professional firms embrace new technology. Facing challenges in innovation? This episode is for you. In this episode, we hear from these participants:   - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead at Innovate UK Business Connect  - Dr. Tzameret Rubin, Senior Lecturer in Innovation and Management at Oxford Brookes Business School and lead of the TiPS Innovation Adoption Accelerator  - Jack Stanbury, Senior Project Manager, University of Bristol    - Jonathan Beaverstock, Principle Investigator Future Finance, Deputy Dean University of Bristol Business School   - Ketch Adeeko, Lecturer in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of Bristol    - Martin Spring, Principle Investigator TiPS, Professor of Operations Management, Lancaster University Management School    Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

What does real financial inclusion look like? Tynah Matembe shares how lived experiences inspired her mission to make financial education accessible and practical for all. If you want to understand what inclusion means in practice, tune in!   Participants of this podcast:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect   - Tynah Matembe, Founder and CEO, MoneyMatix  Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

How clear is the fine print you sign? Minesh Patel of Amplified Global shares his journey from dyslexia diagnosis to creating tech that makes legal and financial info easier to understand. If you have ever skipped the small print, this episode is for you.  Participants of this podcast:  - Astrid Ayel, AI for Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect   - Kevin Still, Director, Debt Managers Standards Association (DEMSA)  - Minesh Patel, Founder, Amplified Global  - Richard Hyde, Professor of Law, Regulation and Governance, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham  Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have invested £26.5 million in the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services programme to help professional service sectors (accounting and law) and the financial service sectors (insurance, lending, advisory and payment services) to develop and use digital technologies.   For monthly news, funding and event updates in your sector, subscribe to the free Innovate UK AI for Services Network newsletter.  Join the AI for Services community on LinkedIn. 

In this final episode of the IETF podcast series, Jenni McDonnell MBE, speaks with Kerry Whiteside from Samworth Brothers and Emma Piercy from the Food and Drink Federation, the trade association supporting the food industry. Together, they explore the challenges facing the food industry in decarbonising and how the IETF support has helped food manufacturers to transform their processes, cut emissions and improve energy efficiencies.

In Episode 4 of the Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), their applications in battery manufacturing, characterisation and recycling, as well as the opportunities and limitations for adoption of AI technology for batteries. We’re joined by three experts who share their knowledge and industry insights. We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network. Guests Richard Hewitson | CEO | Lion Vision Dr Mona Faraji-Niri | Associate Professor of Battery Modelling | WMG Steve Kench | CTO | Polaron Hosted by Nikoleta Piperidou | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Neelam Mughal | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Advanced Materials | Innovate UK Business Connect Read the episode transcript Listen to the other episodes in Series 2  

Visit the series page Download the transcript (PDF) In Episode 3 of the Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we explore the role of batteries in grid and stationary storage applications, covering key insights on the UK's ambitious targets for renewable energy and the role of battery energy storage systems. The episode discusses their importance in supporting a stable electricity grid, the battery technologies currently being used for stationary storage, and the commercial opportunities and challenges in this sector. The discussion highlights how batteries can significantly reduce energy costs for businesses and how demand for battery systems is currently surpassing supply. We’re joined by two experts who share their knowledge and industry insights. We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network. Guests Alison McFadden | Managing Director | Continu Energy John-Joseph Marie | Principal Analyst - Energy Storage | The Faraday InstitutionHosted by Nikoleta Piperidou | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Neelam Mughal | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Advanced Materials | Innovate UK Business Connect

In this episode of the IETF podcast series, we focus on the UK paper industry and how businesses are benefiting from IETF support. Richard Lewis from WEPA and Richard Burnett from James Cropper Ltd share with Jenni McDonnell MBE how IETF funding has helped them cut carbon emissions and make their paper manufacturing processes more sustainable. https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/news/industrial-energy-transformation-fund-podcast-series/

Episode 2: Batteries for MaritimeIn Episode 2 of Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we explore the role of batteries in maritime, covering key areas such as the current landscape for decarbonisation, integration of batteries, and the future of zero-emission vessels. We’re joined by three experts who share their knowledge and industry insight.We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network. Guests Enora Pichon | Deputy Project Director | Bibby Marine Limited Syb ten Cate Hoedemaker | Managing Director | Maritime Battery Forum Prune Bouillot | Naval Architect | Houlder Limited Hosted by Nikoleta Piperidou | Knowledge Transfer Manager ‑ Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Silvia Boschetto | (Maternity Cover) Knowledge Transfer Manager - Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Download the episode transcript.

In episode 7 of the IETF podcast, Jenni McDonnell MBE talks to Dean Butler and Sharon Todd from Ardagh Glass Packaging and Mark Pudner from the British Glass trade association.

Episode 1: Batteries in Aerospace In Episode 1 of Battery Caffè Podcast Series 2, we explore the role of batteries in aerospace, covering key areas such as technical innovation, commercial opportunities, and industry collaborations within the aerospace sector. We’re joined by three experts who share their knowledge and experience. We hope you enjoy the series! Please feel free to share it with your network. Guests Kate Cooke | Energy Sources Senior Manager | Collins Aerospace Dr Jack Nicholas | Director | Qdot Technology Jacqueline Castle | Chief Technology Officer | Aerospace Technology Institute Hosted by Debra Jones | Knowledge Transfer Manager - Chemistry | Innovate UK Business Connect Silvia Boschetto | Maternity Cover - Knowledge Transfer Manager - Energy & Infrastructure | Innovate UK Business Connect Download the episode transcript.

In this episode we are joined by Jonathan Mitchell and Dr Richard Clewley from the Insititute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to discuss their role in aligning skills development with labour market needs. Created in 2017, IfATE works with employers to shape apprenticeships, T Levels and higher technical qualifications in order to prepare the workforce for the future. We discuss how they have benefitted from working with the Workforce Foresighting Hub in order to address the future skills challenge. Jonathan and Richard take a broader look at the future of the UK skills challenge, including what changes need to be made and how to support these changes. We also take a look at the greater benefits of addressing the skills challenge for wider society and how this is contributing to helping achieve Government missions. Download the transcript (PDF).

Karen Burgess and Simon Hawdon from CPI join us for episode 6 of the Workforce Foresighting Hub Podcast, following the recent publication of a workforce foresighting report addressing the skills challenge in RNA therapeutics manufacturing. With this sector expected to grow rapidly in the future, the UK has the opportunity to lead the way, but only with a skilled workforce to support this growth. This episode sees Karen and Simon pick out the key insights and recommendations from this report to help address the sector’s current challenges. Watch as a video on YouTube Download the transcript (PDF)

In episode 5, we welcome Kathie Bowden from the Satellite Applications Catapult, and Bethan McAulay of Astroscale, to discuss their experience of workforce foresighting. After recently completing a workforce foresighting report for the UK space sector, the knowledgeable pair go into detail on the challenges facing the sector and the actions needed to prepare the workforce to adapt to future skills requirements. They also talk about their experience of the Workforce Foresighting Hub process and how they have benefitted from participating in a foresighting cycle. Click here to download the transcript.