The N‑ACT Summit 2026, held on 11 March 2026 at the Bradford Arts Centre, brought together leaders from government, industry, defence, academia, and regional innovation clusters for a full day dedicated to shaping the future of Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT). Organised and hosted by Space Hub Yorkshire, the summit explored how next‑generation connectivity can drive economic growth, industrial resilience, and UK competitiveness.
The event opened with a welcome address from Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, who highlighted the region’s central role in advancing UK innovation and connectivity. Her remarks set the tone for a forward‑looking programme focused on collaboration, capability building, and regional leadership.
Through keynote talks and panel discussions, the summit explored how future telecoms, terrestrial and non‑terrestrial networks, and space‑enabled connectivity intersect with the UK’s industrial strategy. Speakers emphasised how regional clusters across Yorkshire and the North can help turn national ambitions into practical impact, supporting commercialisation, skills, and global reach.
The message was clear, real progress relies on collaboration, clusters, and place‑based innovation, with the North uniquely positioned to shape the next wave of UK connectivity.
The summit brought together RF engineers, telecoms specialists, space‑tech innovators, strategists, and scale‑ups—an audience reflective of the UK’s rapidly expanding advanced connectivity ecosystem. Delegates from across the North attended to exchange insights, build partnerships, and identify emerging opportunities.
In addition to celebrating innovation and collaboration, the summit also served as the launchpad for the N‑ACT brand—positioning it as a unifying identity around which clusters of RF and Microwave companies in the North can convene.
The brand will be used in conjunction with the Space North branding and is designed to act as a collaborative anchor point, enabling organisations across the region to:
- strengthen their shared identity as a world‑class RF and Microwave hub,
- extend their networks into adjacent industries such as space, telecoms, defence, transport, and advanced manufacturing,
- attract new innovators and collaborators, and
- amplify the North’s visibility within the national and international connectivity ecosystem.
By establishing N‑ACT as a recognisable and future‑focused banner, the summit helped create a focal point for companies seeking to scale innovation, deepen partnerships, and accelerate growth across and beyond traditional RF disciplines.
With a packed day of expert discussions, strategic insights, and networking, the N‑ACT Summit 2026 successfully positioned Yorkshire and the wider North as vital contributors to the future of UK connectivity. It provided a platform not only to discuss what comes next—but to build the networks and identity that will make that future possible.
The summit was very well received by delegates and speakers alike and established a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration, signalling the North’s unique position to lead the UK’s next wave of advanced connectivity innovation.
When asked for comment Adam Lowes, Head of Advanced Connectivity at DSIT responded:
“I found the day really interesting, the community you’ve built is really strong and I’m looking to seeing how they can continue to benefit from the upcoming funding and other activity on ACT.”
These sentiments were reflected by Sarah Gregory, Commercial Director at Slipstream Design who have been a key supporter of Yorkshire’s cluster since Space Hub Yorkshire first brought the RF community together in 2021.
“The Northern RF Cluster’s voice has grown significantly in recent years and we’re now being invited to government led conversations to share our experience. It’s a strong signal that the region has global potential and the opportunity it represents for the UK economy is there. We’re really excited to see where Space Hub Yorkshire and N-ACT will take the region next”
