The UK’s innovation accelerator for transport,
London International Shipping Week is one of the biggest global maritime events in the calendar.
Connected Places Catapult is delighted to be an active partner of the event, celebrating our contribution to accelerating innovation in the UK’s Maritime sector.
Find out more below on the events we’re taking part in, plus some of our recent reports on coastal shipping, future fuels and more.
Meeting in London on 16 September, this gathering will bring together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to discuss the importance of resilience in the maritime sector.
We’ll be discussing key topics, including the impact of GNSS interference on maritime operations, and how robust global data standards form the backbone of safe, sustainable and resilient maritime operations, as well as delving into challenges related to autonomous vessels.
Richard Holland, Head of Maritime at Connected Places Catapult, will be presenting as Maritime Forum vice-chair.
We’ll hear also hear from Royal Institute of Navigation, ITS Norway, Peel Ports, and Zulu Associates, with more to be confirmed soon.
Maritime Innovation Day 2025 is an Innovate UK flagship event to showcase the Department for Transport’s pioneering environmental work in the maritime sector.
This year, Connected Places Catapult’s Head of Maritime Mark Wray will be speaking on the Maritime Investment panel.
We are also delighted to be exhibiting at the event, so please do stop by our stand to discuss the future of maritime innovation with us.
Connected Places Catapult has created an interactive blueprint which aims to accelerate the transition to future fuel adoption by producing a pathway to 2050 for UK ports and harbours.
This report explores how shifting more goods to coastal shipping can relieve pressure on road networks, reduce emissions, and support regional economic growth.
The UK Government made a pledge in the Clydebank Declaration at COP26 to establish six green shipping corridors by 2026. This report describes in detail a pathway to deliver, what could be the first in the UK, between Liverpool and Belfast.
The National Shipbuilding Office’s Centres of Excellence Task and Finish Group has launched a Centres of Excellence (CoE) Playbook, developed in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult.
Leading voices from across Government, academia, research and industry came together at the House of Lords on 21 July to explore the transformative role of data sharing in driving regional growth, innovation and public value.
As the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth, Connected Places Catapult works at the intersection of policy and market, helping to translate national priorities into scalable innovation. At the heart of this mission is Data & Digital capability, a multidisciplinary function building the foundations for smarter, more sustainable places. From the Digital Twin Hub and CReDo, to our work on data sharing infrastructure and cyber-physical systems, we are creating the ecosystem needed to unlock the power of data.
This latest roundtable is a cornerstone of this effort, providing a neutral, curated space for decision-makers to come together, share insight, challenge assumptions and collaboratively shape the future. Hosted by Merlin Hay, The Earl of Erroll, and facilitated by the Catapult and the Digital Twin Hub, the event focused on Unlocking place-based innovation and growth through data sharing infrastructure.
The session took place just weeks after the Data Use and Access Act received Royal Assent, marking a major milestone in the UK’s data governance landscape. In this context, the session explored the practical, regulatory and cultural challenges of building a more connected, inter-operable national data ecosystem.
With a strategic focus on enabling local decision-making and economic opportunity, the roundtable examined the foundations for scalable, secure data sharing: standards, skills, governance, and infrastructure. Participants also discussed use cases across sectors, especially in energy, transport and the built environment, together with the need to build trust by demonstrating real-world value.
What emerged was a strong consensus: data sharing is no longer a technical challenge alone but a national strategic imperative.
Key insights and priorities
The roundtable findings, captured in the published working session report, identify immediate and long-term priorities. These include:
Crucially, participants emphasised that data sharing is a people and culture challenge. Overcoming barriers requires shared narratives, clear value propositions, and professional standards that give confidence to decision-makers and citizens alike.
The roundtable also highlighted the energy sector as a positive example, where regulatory support has driven real momentum. In contrast, sectors like transport and local government still face significant interoperability and infrastructure gaps. Supporting these sectors with tailored frameworks and investment will be critical in realising the full potential of data for place-based outcomes.
The working session report offers a rich set of strategic recommendations and outlines a roadmap for future collaboration. It also sets the stage for future roundtables and deeper engagement across sectors.
For Connected Places Catapult, these insights feed directly into our work to accelerate innovation that delivers public value. By convening expert dialogue, curating evidence and insight and supporting the adoption of trusted technologies, we are helping to unlock the potential of data as a shared national asset.
Whether through our ongoing development of the Digital Twin Hub, cross-sector programmes like DIATOMIC, or place-based projects that support local growth, we are committed to ensuring that data infrastructure and innovation work hand-in-hand to create fairer, more sustainable outcomes.
We invite you to read the full working session report Unlocking place-based innovation and growth through data sharing infrastructure to explore the key findings, perspectives and recommendations from this important discussion.
For further information about our Data & Digital work, visit our Data & Digital page.
“Connected digital twins provide a mechanism to view the world through the lens of how consumers experience a service,” remarked National Highways’ Chief Data Officer, Davin Crowley-Sweet in a session focused on development of a federated network of transport systems.
He spoke of big tech companies – such as Netflix – becoming “incredibly successful by pivoting their business models” to provide personalised customer experiences.
“What you will start to see from National Highways is we will become less a road operator and road builder, and more a customer service provider.”
Davin added that transport operators must also “move to a model where you are not competing with other forms of transport – like sibling rivalry – where it is us versus trains”.
He said it was “strange” that transport is often structured around operational boundaries, rather than the purpose of connecting the country and creating journeys, especially as all journeys on National Highways roads begin on local authority routes and some trips involve not just a car, but possibly a train, bus and walking too.
It is important to think collectively about how best to increase capacity – whether that is building a road or a railway, he added. “We can only do that if we are sharing data, and not viewing the success of our organisations through the immediate boundary of our organisational structures” but rather aligning with “a common set of goals we agree to, based around users of a service”.
“You might think connected digital twins are flashy tech, but they are not. It is fundamentally shifting the perspective of how we operate for the user of services, as opposed to the internal views of how do we get better at using data to design, build, manage and operate a piece of infrastructure.”Davin Crowley-Sweet, National Highways’ Chief Data Officer
Another session heard Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, a Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence, discuss AI and digital twins.
He said that AI was “the missing bit of the digital twin – it’s the digital triplet” and that the “possibilities of improvement are huge” to help with innovation.
He added: “Politicians desperately need educating that regulation is not all bad.”
Businesses tend to like “clarity, consistency and certainty when it comes to the adoption of new technology” but said the Government “seems to think that growth is being held back by regulation”. He recognises the need to “cut red tape as much as possible”, but warned against scrapping regulations built up over the last 20 years as a means to encourage professionals to innovate.
He spoke instead of the importance of encouraging the ‘animal spirits’ of entrepreneurs.
“You can have all the de-regulation you like, but you have got to create enthusiasm – and I don’t think we have enough going yet. Government has got to do more, and it isn’t about giving our regulators a hard time.”Lord Tim Clement-Jones CBE, a Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence
Lord Tim Clement-Jones was asked by Dr Alison Vincent CBE, Chair of the Digital Twin Hub Board, and a Non-Executive Director at Connected Places Catapult if the UK should own its own AI ‘supercomputer’ to make the country less reliant on others.
He replied there is “quite a lot to be said for sovereign capacity” in areas such as cloud services to reduce dependency on a handful of large tech firms in America.
“Once you are inside the system, there is no escape, and having some sovereign capacity and not being bound to a Silicon Valley company is useful. There needs to be a more competitive environment.”
Lord Tim Clement-Jones also described the sector’s start-up culture as “great” but added “where we go wrong is the growth; it is the scale-up aspect where we are really weak – and we don’t have the risk takers.”
He spoke of his support for so-called ‘sandboxing’ which allows for innovation to be tried without falling foul of regulation at the development stage, and added there could be merit in broadening public understanding of the issues around AI and data.
“The phrase ‘digital twins’ is known by the industry, but if you use the phrase to somebody out there (the public), they have no idea what you are talking about.
“But as soon as you talk about virtual reality or video games, they begin to twig.” He suggested that reducing jargon and speaking in the simplest possible forms may help to increase understanding around AI and digital twins.
To watch a wrap-up video summarising this year’s Connected Places Summit click here. To watch the full videos of the two data discussions on video on demand, see below
In conversation with The Lord Clement Jones CBE
Navigating towards a federated network of transport systems
We’re delighted to partner with the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, a forum dedicated to unlocking investment and driving regeneration and development across the UK to accelerate economic growth.
This year’s event promises to attract over 16,000 delegates, over 2,500 fringe event attendees, 1,250 speakers and 150 exhibitors from the built environment representing every core UK city and region.
Connected Places Catapult will have its own Pavilion – a dedicated platform for partners and stakeholders from UK cities, regions and freeports to network, collaborate and discuss pressing challenges and solutions in the built environment, transport, data and digital, and international partnerships.
Meet us in Pavilion Square to collaborate, discuss and extend your network.
To find out how to arrange a business meeting with us, join the discussion in the pavilion or collaborate on projects contact us at events@cp.catapult.org.uk
Last year we attracted over 1,300 visitors and 50 speakers. View 2026 pavilion’s programme:
Kick-start your visit to the Forum by learning how we help grow the UK economy by driving the commercialisation of emerging innovations and next technologies in transport and the built environment in our towns and cities.
Hear about how UK cities and place leaders understand the role of innovation – and high-quality, purposeful innovation spaces – in driving economic growth, attracting talent, and supporting sustainable development across different regional contexts.
As UK places look to the exploitation of urban challenges as drivers for local growth and innovation, carefully crafted international partnerships have the potential to derive greater impact in response to common ambitions. The Innovation Twins programme participants, Birmingham and Swansea Bay, will share their insights from different points in their collaboration journey.
Join us for a panel discussion on how innovation in the public realm can drive economic growth, improve community health and well-being, and support sustainability in real estate development.
This session will look at the growing use of digital twins in regeneration to drive economic growth in the West Midlands.
This session will explore how Innovation Districts are reshaping urban economies and driving sustainable inclusive growth through strategic clustering of research institutions, enterprise, startups, and talent. Our expert panelists will examine successful Innovation District models, how to measure their impact on local economies, and the essential elements for driving the innovation economy.
Despite the public sector spending over £400Bn on procurement in the public sector, we still have significant challenges in the built environment around affordable housing, Net Zero, creating liveable places, economic growth and much more. This panel will discuss the opportunities, challenges and recommendations on how public and private collaboration can help create new value.
Hear how the UK Freeports are leading the charge on Place Based Growth, by attracting investment into parts of the country that have historically missed out. Freeports are becoming hotbeds of innovation and building new clusters in sectors of the future, creating thousands of long-term, high quality jobs for local people, join the conversation.
Local Authorities in the UK have set ambitious Net Zero targets that require sector-wide collaboration to achieve. However, there’s still a conflict between the demand for Net Zero funding into the public sector and private investors’ risk appetite. This session explores the perspective of investors on the appeal of place-based investing, the risks it can carry and how financial institutions can overcome these risks to enable Net Zero funding at scale.
This session will explore the approaches taken by Belfast and Liverpool to drive growth through innovation and will also consider two city regions roles as major places within the Irish Sea Rim with its rich assets and talent pool.
Explore how trusted standards support credible, consistent net zero strategies in infrastructure—enabling whole-life carbon management, aligning global efforts, and empowering collaboration across the value chain to drive meaningful climate action.
Attend this session to gain practical insights into using trusted standards like PAS 2080 and the ISO Net Zero Guidelines to embed decarbonisation across infrastructure projects, align with climate targets, and future-proof your strategy.
Join us to hear from leading voices from organisations at the forefront of shaping the next chapter of digital planning in the UK. Our speakers will reflect on the successes and lessons learned from nearly a decade of digital transformation in the UK planning system, and look ahead to explore the emerging challenges and innovation opportunities in spatial planning.
We are delighted to partner with Historic England and Buttress Architects. Join the launch of Historic England’s first Heritage Investment Prospectus at UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds. Hear first-hand a curated collection of historic sites and buildings across England, many with planning permission or agreed development briefs with local authorities, which actively seeking partners or investors to help write their next chapter.
Meet place senior decision makers from investors, developers, occupiers and operators within commercial property. This is a closed event organised in our pavilion together with the UKREiiF team, express your interest to attend by contacting Kevin Smith at kevin.smith@ukreiif.com.
We know it’s the third day of UKREiiF and you may well be exhausted so we have got you! Join us light breakfast and connect with other members and those within the wider ecosystem. It will be informal but will give you the chance to catch up with all those working within or alongside Innovation Districts.
Please feel free to extend to colleagues, but please do get in touch with us at events@cp.catapult.org.uk so we know the number.
Following the launch of our recent The Art of the Possible report, this session explores why community-based finance matters, what the research reveals, and what needs to happen next to unlock local investment and drive economic growth.
Join City Science to explore the need to act quickly and efficiently to progress your net zero plans. With the need for meaningful outcomes with current budget constraints, how do we get to net zero at pace? How do we fast track local plans, economic strategies and infrastructure and create better communities? Join us to hear more.
Applications closed
Unlock the potential of AI in transforming the UK transport sector
The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of the UK’s transport system.
The Government has recently announced a consultation to allow the creation of an Integrated National Transport Strategy which will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country.
The Enhancing Passenger Experience – AI in Transport Competition will allow Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to submit a use case proposal for an AI-driven transport solution that complements government objectives.
Successful applicants will work closely with government and industry stakeholders to develop a business case and pitch deck as well as opportunities to further develop their solution.
Scope
With a focus on passenger experience, this competition seeks solutions that complement the government’s key priorities for transport.
In alignment with the government’s key priorities for transport, this competition focuses on how AI can enhance passenger experience across the UK’s transport networks.
We are seeking innovative solutions in the form of use case proposals that address the most pressing challenges faced by passengers/transport users, aiming to create more reliable, efficient, and accessible transport systems.
Use case submissions for this competition must target a critical area where AI can make a meaningful impact in transport on passenger experience.
When submitting your application, you will be asked to select up to two of the government priorities below that your AI-driven solution best complements:
Further context and background information that will assist you with completing your application can be found in our Application Guidance Document.
Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport strongly recommend you read through this guidance document before submitting to ensure you best understand the scope of the competition and how to align your solution with the priorities outlined above.
Programme Phases
This is three-phrase programme with business support, pitching guidance and networking opportunities on offer as well as funding.
If you are accepted onto Phase One, you will receive up to £2,000 to develop your use case into an early-stage business case and pitch deck.
If you are accepted onto Phase Two, you will receive professional pitch training and will then pitch your solution to a panel of government representatives from the DfT.
If you are accepted onto Phase Three, you will receive up to £13,000 to further refine and develop the maturity of your business case, you will also pitch your solution to a panel of senior transport leaders at Connected Places Catapult’s Summit event on 19 March 2025.
Funding to support the development of your business case, pitch deck and pitching opportunity
Engage with policymakers to align your innovation with government priorities
Access to professional guidance and coaching on how to best develop and pitch your use case
Applications are now closed.
If you have any questions about the competition or application process, please contact the Innovation Funding team at innovation_funding@cp.catapult.org.uk
We are delighted to once again participate in Innovation Zero, and we’re contributing to a number of sessions, including:
Andrew Chadwick, Ecosystem Director, Air Mobility & Airports, joining the Fuelling Flight: Hydrogen session on 1 May at 11:45.
Alison Young, Head of Global Investment, joining the session on Funding the Automotive Transformation, on 1 May at 12:25 in the Transport & Mobility Forum.
We are hosting a Digital Twin Hub session on Day 1, 22 April at 2pm, titled ‘Digital twins driving innovation in the North – Explore innovative projects that look to catapult the North of the UK into a bright digital future’. Join Nury Moreira, Community Manager of Digital Twin Hub, and other speakers for an inspiring conversation.
This year, we are proud to host our own Pavilion, a place designed to showcase real innovation, and provide opportunities to connect with thought leaders, and UK and global peers.
To review our full Agenda of sessions and activities taking place over the three days and plan your visit, please head to the UKREiiF website > Programme tab > Download Programme or > Click on the Connected Places Catapult Pavilion dot to browse online.
Make sure to visit our Pavilion in Pavilion Square, we look forward to connecting with you in Leeds!
Paul Wilson, our Chief Business Officer, is participating in the keynote panel titled ‘Transport as the key to people-centric, accessible, and sustainable urban spaces’ on 27 Feb, from 13:10 on the Keynote Stage.
Justin Anderson, Director of Digital Twin Hub, is delivering a presentation on connected digital twins as part of Interchange partner event Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) Live, also on 27 Feb.
Come find us on the show floor and connect!
Register using code CPC24.
We’re delighted to participate in the Open & Agile Smart Cities Conference. Make sure to visit our Connected Places Catapult stand on the show floor and to join the sessions our experts are participating in over the course of the two days.
