North East Automotive Expo 2025
Event Date:
September 25, 2025
Event Time:
9:00 am
Event Location:
Beacon of Light
Don’t miss the North East Automotive Expo 2025 on 25th September at Sunderland’s Beacon of Light – your gateway to the region’s automotive excellence.
Connect with companies across the supply chain, explore cutting-edge technologies from over 100 exhibitors, and engage in vital knowledge exchange through speakers and forums.
Reach a Highly Targeted Audience: Connect directly with over 800+ anticipated delegates, including OEMs, Tier One suppliers, innovative SMEs, and vital service providers – all actively involved in the North East’s thriving automotive sector.
Generate Qualified Leads: Engage with attendees who are actively seeking new solutions, technologies, and partnerships to drive their businesses forward.
Showcase Your Latest Innovations: Be one of over 100 exhibitors and Tech Zone demonstrations who will showcase cutting-edge products, services, and technologies to an engaged audience eager to see what’s shaping the future of the automotive industry.
Access Exclusive “Meet the Buyer” Opportunities: Participate in the exclusive “Meet the Buyer” event, which offers a unique opportunity to pitch your solutions and forge partnerships with key OEM and Tier One purchasing teams. The EOI for this has now closed.
Engage in Vital Knowledge Exchange: Discover a comprehensive agenda featuring main stage speakers and panels, designed to enhance your industry knowledge and discuss current issues.
Future-Proof Your Workforce: Head to the Skills Lounge to connect with training providers and discover opportunities to equip your team with the skills needed for tomorrow’s automotive landscape.
Inspire the Next Generation: Meet with a small number of local schools who will be showcasing their robotics and engineering skills within the Tech Zone – potentially one of your future employees!
DOWNLOAD THE EXPO GUIDE
Registering as a delegate: If you have any issues registering as a delegate via this platform, please use Eventbrite here
Event Timelines
North East Automotive Expo 2025 Opened by Host, Alfie Joey 09:00 - 09:05
Alfie Joey is an award winning keynote speaker (Communicator of the Year, CIPR Awards) and event host. Alfie has appeared in sitcoms (Hebburn, Ideal), acted in soap operas (Coronation Street), has spoken at Ted X, hosted at Wembley Arena & performed at comedy venues around the world. His appearance on BGT has had millions of views on YouTube. For many years Alfie was the voice of local radio at breakfast time on the BBC where he interviewed pop stars, prime ministers, Olympians & Oscar winners.
Main Sponsor Welcome: Cllr Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council 09:05 - 09:20
Join us as main sponsor of the North East Automotive Expo 2025, Sunderland City Council, officially opens the event. Hear how Sunderland is powering growth, innovation and investment across the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.
NEAA Welcome and Sector Update: Paul Butler, CEO, NEAA 09:20 - 09:30
Be there as NEAA CEO Paul Butler sets the scene for the day, offering a warm welcome and an insightful look at the latest developments shaping the North East’s automotive sector. Find out how the region is driving innovation, building supply chains, and leading on collaboration across the UK and beyond.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs - How the Mayor Supports North East Manufacturers: Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor 09:30 - 10:00
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness will brief delegates on the Local Growth Plan and how it will drive forward opportunities in the advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors across the region.
Keynote from AESC: Jeff Pratt, Head of UK Operations, AESC 10:00-10:30
EV Battery manufacturing in the UK – a cutting-edge industry with a long history behind it. Hear how the North East brought battery manufacturing to the UK and why our region is best placed to develop the next generation of electric vehicles.
Women in Automotive Panel Discussion - Support, Promote, and Inspire 11:00 - 12:00
Statistics show a significant underrepresentation of women in UK manufacturing, including automotive. This discussion panel will debate how the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors can increase the representation and advancement of women in manufacturing roles at all levels, foster an inclusive and supportive environment that enables women to excel and lead and what we can collectively do to inspire future generations to want to work within the industry. Panel Speakers: Lucy Malarkey, Director, Positive About Inclusion; Claire Jones, Head of Skills, Nissan; Abigail Kporo, Logistics Engineer, Vantec Europe Limited; Rachel Chambers, Commercial Director, Seaward Group; Rachel Skeoch, Director, Truenorth Marketing; Emelia Fishburn-Parkin, Maintenance Apprentice, Nissan; Caroline Preston, Shine Programme Manager, North East Combined Authority
Lunch 12:00-13:00
We’re pleased to offer complimentary lunch to all attendees at the North East Automotive Expo 2025, kindly sponsored by Masfix. Lunch will be served from a food van located outside the main venue, provided by a fully accredited catering partner known for quality and service.
North East Local Skills Improvement Plan - What it Means for Local Businesses: Professor Matt Boyle OBE, Chairman, NEAA 13:30 - 14:00
The NEAA is proud to be appointed as the designated Employer Representative Body for the new North East Local Skills Improvement Plan (NELSIP), which will shape the region’s skills priorities and ensure training provision meets the evolving needs of employers. Join this session to hear more about how this will support local businesses over the coming years.
Drinks & Networking Reception 15:00 - 16:00
To mark the close of the North East Automotive Expo 2025, the NEAA is pleased to invite all delegates and exhibitors to a Drinks & Networking Reception, proudly sponsored by Smart Manufacturing Solutions and SMS Tech. Taking place at the end of the Expo, the reception offers a relaxed, informal setting to reflect on the day, reconnect with industry peers, and celebrate the region’s role at the forefront of the UK’s automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.
