Carina R&D Summit 2026

R&D AI Acceleration for Teams & Leaders

Four days of hands-on AI workshops, hackathons, keynotes, and leadership immersion. Building the future of energy software — together with 70 of your peers.

21–24 July 2026Bristol, United KingdomBristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Submit travel datesQuestions? Get in touch
02Days
:
15Hours
:
26Minutes
:
10Seconds
What to expect
Learn, build, pitch, lead
A staged journey from frameworks to working prototypes. Teams will tackle real client-facing business challenges using AI, coached by R&D leaders and industry guests.
01

AI/R&D workshops

Contextual frameworks, best practices, and leadership in AI development processes. Learn the theory, then apply it.

02

Hackathon

Small, pre-assigned teams and AI R&D coaches, solving pre-selected client-facing Carina business needs. Build a working solution.

03

Pitch & present

Polish your 3–5 minute pitch. Explain the problem, the go-to-market solution, the impact. Demonstrate outcomes. Judged by leaders.

04

Keynotes & deep dives

Success stories from Carina teams, keynotes from CSI and guest speakers. AI & R&D tech deep dive tracks.

05

Leadership immersion

Carina Leadership programme runs Sunday – Tuesday, giving you the opportunity to network with other Carina teams and guests.

06

Organic growth

Friday's dedicated to workshopping AI Accelerator initiative investing. Share from existing AI Acceleration work and plan what's next.

The first two days
The Hackathon
The Accelerator opens with a two-day hackathon. The goal isn't to build a prototype — it's to prove a real customer problem exists, that a compelling solution can address it, and that the opportunity is worth investing in beyond the Summit.

Don't ask "what can we build in two days?" — ask "what can we prove in two days?"

  • Solve a real customer problem
  • Demonstrate measurable customer value
  • Show commercial potential
  • Use AI to accelerate outcomes
  • Validate key assumptions
  • Present an investment-ready opportunity

Before you arrive

Teams should select their opportunity, gather evidence, and prepare their environment ahead of the event — and everyone must attend one pre-event AI-DLC Design Lead Workshop. The full preparation guide covers team assignments, ideation guidelines, judging criteria, and the preparation checklist.

Preparation Guide
Agenda
Four days, one mission
From AI best practice to working solution to imagining what can be. Each day builds on the last.

Monday 20 July — Arrivals & welcome

R&D Accelerator participants arrive and check in. Leaders Immersion (Day 1 — Self) runs at Improv Theatre Bristol, concluding with a joint welcome evening.

R&D AI Accelerator · Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
All day

Arrivals & check-in

Check in to the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.

Arrivals
Leaders Immersion · Day 1 — Self · Improv Theatre Bristol
09:00

Welcome

Leaders Immersion
09:30

Shift from manager to leader

Leaders Immersion
11:00

Morning tea

Leaders Immersion
11:15

Our values in action

Leaders Immersion
12:15

Lunch

Leaders Immersion
13:00

Gaining self-insight for leadership impact

Leaders Immersion
14:45

Afternoon tea

Leaders Immersion
15:00

Defining your leadership impact

Leaders Immersion
16:00

Supporting each other

Leaders Immersion
16:45

Wrap up

Leaders Immersion
17:00

Finish — LI

Leaders Immersion
18:00

🎉 Welcome Event

Combined welcome evening bringing together the R&D group, Leadership Immersion, Datamine, and local Carina office teams.

📍 Ritorno Lounge, Caraboo Room

All groups

Tuesday 21 July — Learn & build

Two programmes run in parallel. R&D Accelerator at Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel; Leaders Immersion (Day 2 — Team) at Improv Theatre Bristol.

R&D AI Accelerator · Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
08:00

Registration & welcome pack

Outside Palm Court · Name badges and t-shirt collection

Arrivals
08:30

Welcome & AI/R&D Workshop: Learn & Theory

Welcome and introduction from Vela and Carina leaders Damian McKay and Dylan Webb (~15 mins), speaking to the importance of AI adoption — flowing into: leadership in AI development process, learning, tips, and best practices.

Full group
09:00

☕ Continuous Tea & Coffee

Palm Bar · Available 09:00–17:30

All day
10:00

Hackathon kick-off: Idea & Problem

Clear problem/need. Define solution/concept. Teams split across breakout rooms.

Team breakouts
10:30

Morning Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
11:00

Hackathon: Prototype & Build

AI Dev Build Plan. Clear problem/need and defined solution/concept.

Team breakouts
12:00

Lunch Buffet

Palm Bar

Break
13:30

Hackathon: AI Enabled Build

Prototype, iterate, build. Check: problem, solution, early demo or logic.

Team breakouts
15:00

Afternoon Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
16:00

Build, refine & iterate

Continue building working examples.

Team breakouts
17:00

Pitch coaching & wrap-up

Plan outline, demo prep, pitch and sell.

Full group
Leaders Immersion · Day 2 — Team · Improv Theatre Bristol
08:30

Welcome

Leaders Immersion
09:00

Performance at Carina

Leaders Immersion
09:30

Critical elements of high performing teams

Leaders Immersion
10:40

Morning tea

Leaders Immersion
10:55

Enhancing performance

Leaders Immersion
11:55

Coaching & career conversations

Leaders Immersion
12:20

Lunch

Leaders Immersion
12:50

Coaching & career conversations cont.

Leaders Immersion
14:50

Wrap up

Leaders Immersion
15:00

Group Activity

Leaders Immersion
18:00

Bristol Ale Trail

Leaders Immersion
18:00

🍺 AI / Leadership Ale Trail + Food Trucks

Bristol's independent craft ale scene meets street food. R&D and Leadership Immersion crews explore the city together — everyone split into teams, each with a designated route/circuit and an assigned team captain.

📍 Food trucks in Queens Square

Joint evening
🍺Ale Trail team assignments15 teams · find your captain and route crew
Banksy
Captain Lisa Deamer
  • Christopher Palmer
  • Vanessa Powell
  • Ian Saker
  • Shari Knight
  • Adnaan Khokhar
  • Craig Jones
  • Kevin Ward
Aardman
Captain Doran Mortimer
  • Eduardo Yamamoto
  • Fatema Dender
  • Will Slade
  • Sean Minnaar
  • Esa Immonen
  • Murray Steenkamp
  • Ellie Broad
Massive Attack
Captain Michael Smit
  • Hennie Coetzee
  • Jon Henderson
  • Jeremy Schefter
  • Reshoketswe Tati
  • Adrian Dunbar
  • Francisco Morillo
  • Cheryne Winstanley-Hayes
Brunel
Captain Andrew Saunders
  • Marc Seguin
  • Phil Marnweck
  • Lodewyk Malan
  • Andrew Burnside
  • Chris Herridge
  • Nicholas Whiting
SS Great Britain
Captain Henry Hartnoll
  • Herman Li
  • Anton Clowes
  • Steve Mundell
  • Asterios Papastergios
  • Louwrens Cronje
  • Jennifer Tse
Clifton Suspension
Captain Corey Payne
  • Jean Pick
  • gustav hawlitschek
  • Jackie Simmonds
  • Corey Payne
  • Andrea Schneider
  • Dominic Stratton
Concorde
Captain Tom Cable
  • Ved Sharma
  • Mahnoor Farhan
  • Oliver Bowden
  • Andy Lapworth
  • John Shippick
  • Dion Borg
Portishead
Captain Adrian Morada
  • Sharlene Dookun
  • Kieran McCluskey
  • Anthony Dunk
  • Lucas Ribeiro
  • John Bailey
  • Aybuke Ozdemir
Balloon Fiesta
Captain Ahmed Nadir
  • Tim Hughes
  • Lucio Lima
  • Kathleen Hansmann
  • Matt McKinley
  • Jim Skimming
  • Tyler Hagan
Blackbeard
Captain Ramkrishna Kulkami
  • Mike Hartnett
  • Chris Moket
  • Murray Hipper
  • Sheldon Mayhew
  • Harman Mohaar
  • Eduardo Martinez
Bungee
Captain Grant Passfield
  • Rob Bose
  • Carl Neethling
  • Maryan Ahmed
  • Bradley Muller
  • Kelly Wilkes
  • Brendan Edmonds
Bristol Blue
Captain Alex Howgego
  • Fiona Fardon
  • Giovanna Cazali
  • Christine Walker
  • Peta Shiels
  • Luke Voss
  • Ryan Witt
King Street
Captain Amy Freegard
  • Rebekah Pidgeon
  • Brian Bolstad
  • Edmund Jewell
  • Amy Freegard
  • Brad Donnelly
  • Jose Eduardo
  • Kleyton Miranda
Temple Meads
Captain Javier Perez
  • Daniela Llanos
  • Stephen Bucks
  • Anthony Cook
  • Fernando Zagatti Casquet
  • Scott Tidemann
  • Monique Radzilani
Cabot Tower
Captain Amee Hamilton
  • Tom Raybould
  • Jeremy Martin
  • Chris Cook
  • Eben Assan
  • Fabio Teixeira

Wednesday 22 July — Pitch day

Two programmes run in parallel. R&D Accelerator at Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel; Leaders Immersion (Day 3 — Business) at Improv Theatre Bristol.

R&D AI Accelerator · Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
08:30

Hackathon: Refine & polish

Improve clarity, validate usecase, tighten value prop.

Team breakouts
09:00

☕ Continuous Tea & Coffee

Palm Bar · Available 09:00–17:30

All day
10:30

Morning Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
11:00

Pitch Coach: Prepare your pitch

3–5 minutes: the problem, the solution, why it matters, demonstrate outcome or MVP.

Team breakouts
12:00

Lunch Buffet

Palm Bar

Break
13:30

Hackathon: Final polish

Communicate and sell. Final pitch preparation.

Team breakouts
15:00

Afternoon Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
16:00

Hackathon Pitch: Judged by Leaders

Leaders delivering feedback and practicing decision-making skills.

Full group
Leaders Immersion · Day 3 — Business · Improv Theatre Bristol
09:00

Welcome

Leaders Immersion
09:30

Championing change

Leaders Immersion
10:30

Morning tea

Leaders Immersion
10:45

Leading change

Leaders Immersion
12:45

Lunch

Leaders Immersion
13:30

Communicating change

Leaders Immersion
14:45

Afternoon tea

Leaders Immersion
15:00

So what, Now what

Leaders Immersion
16:00

Finish

Leaders Immersion
18:30–22:00

🏆 AI Awards — The Glass Boat

Celebrate the hackathon results with the AI Awards ceremony aboard the Glass Boat on Bristol Harbour. R&D group only.

📍 The Glass Boat, Bristol Harbour

R&D Group only

Thursday 23 July — Keynotes & Deep Dives

Full day in plenary. Keynote presentations, best practices, AI & R&D tech deep dive tracks, and closing panel.

08:30

The AI Journey — How We Went from Experiments to a New Way of Building Software

Kleyton & Lucas | Lyra · Presentation + Case Studies · 45 mins

Internal Presentation
09:00

☕ Continuous Tea & Coffee

Palm Bar · Available 09:00–17:30

All day
09:15

Beyond Prompting: The Real Skills Behind AI-Driven Development & Why It Doesn't Replace Engineering Judgement

Andy Lapworth · Presentation · 45 mins

Internal Presentation
10:00

Software Engineering as a Trust System in the AI Era

Fabio Teixeira · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
10:30

Morning Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
11:00

Product Specification with AI

John Shippick · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
11:30

Artifact-Driven Coding with AI Agents

Phil Marneweck · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
12:00

Guest Keynote — AWS

AWS · Keynote Presentation · 30 mins · Title & details to follow

Guest Keynote
12:00

Lunch Buffet

Palm Bar

Break
13:30

Laboratory AI Products & Features

Dion Borg & Brendan Edmonds · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
14:00

ADDO: AI Driven Development and Operations

Javier Pérez · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
14:30

Responsible AI Use, Approvals, and Working in Partnership with Legal Teams to Effectively Commercialise AI Solutions

Andrea Schnider | Carina HO Legal · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
15:00

Core Tray Image Recognition

Anthony Dunk · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
15:00

Afternoon Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
16:00

Coding whilst I sleep: AI-First SaaS Modernisation in MineMarket Material Tracking

Jeremy Martin · Presentation · 30 mins

Internal Presentation
16:30

Panel Questions, Reflections & Closing

Discussion & Questions · 30 mins

Full group
Evening

🎳 Sport Night — Lane 7

Bowling, darts, and golf simulator, plus food and drinks. R&D group evening out.

📍 Lane 7

R&D Group only

Friday 24 July — Workshop & Advanced AI Sessions

Advanced presentations, AI acceleration lessons learned, and collaborative workshop sessions focused on the Organic Growth Initiative and AI Accelerator initiatives.

08:45

QA with AI: Lightning Presentation

Ramkrishna Kulkarni · Presentation + Demo · 15 mins

Internal Presentation
09:00

☕ Continuous Tea & Coffee

Palm Bar · Available 09:00–17:30

All day
09:00

Who Says Men Can't Multitask? Operating a Business in the Agentic Era

Jim Skimming · Demo · 45 mins

Internal Presentation
09:45

Project Alpha — Agentic Interactions with Large Private Data Sets

Greatsoft Team: Lodewyk Malan, Sheldon Mayhew, Carl Neethling, Bradley Muller · Presentation · 45 mins

Internal Presentation
10:30

Morning Coffee Break

Palm Bar

Break
11:00

Organic Growth Workshop — Initiative Investing 202

Full Group · Collaborative Workshop · 90 mins

Full group
12:00

Lunch Buffet & departures

Palm Bar · Final working buffet lunch. Safe travels!

Close
Venue
Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
A grade II listed Victorian hotel on College Green, next to Bristol Cathedral and the harbourside.
Hotel exterior
Bristol Marriott Royal HotelCollege Green, Bristol — our home for the week
Palm Court
Palm CourtOur main plenary — three-storey Bath stone walls and stained-glass ceiling
Lancaster Suite
Lancaster SuiteBreakout room with high ceilings, bay windows, and chandeliers
Terrace
Palm Bar TerraceOutdoor space for breaks and evening drinks
Palm Bar
Palm BarInformal breakouts and refreshments
Bedroom
Deluxe Double BedroomYour room for the week — breakfast included

Spaces we'll be using

Palm CourtMain plenary & dinner space
Lancaster SuiteBreakout & presentations
WindsorHackathon team space
HanoverHackathon team space
YorkHackathon team space
Royal SecretHackathon team space
Palm Bar & TerraceInformal overflow & breaks

Good to know

  • Accommodation, breakfast, and all meals are covered.
  • Dedicated high-speed Wi-Fi conference network throughout.
  • Power outlets and extension cables in all rooms.
  • On-site parking available (subject to availability).
  • ~10 min taxi / ~20 min walk from Bristol Temple Meads.
  • International flights via London Heathrow, then direct train (~1h 40m).
Bristol weather
🌤️ Mainly clear
🌡️ 30°C / 86°F
💧 Humidity 25%
🌬️ Wind 6 mph
Live conditions · Bristol, UK · July avg. 19°C / 66°F
Logistics
Everything you need to know

✈ Getting there

  • International flights: Fly into London Heathrow, then direct train to Bristol Temple Meads (~1h 40m).
  • From the station: ~10 min taxi or ~20 min walk.
  • By car: On-site parking available.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Bristol.

If you require a visa to enter the UK, a letter of invitation template is available to help with your application.

Download visa invitation letter

⛩ Accommodation

  • Accommodation is covered — no need to book separately.
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM · Check-out: 12:00 PM
  • Leadership arrivals: Sat/Sun 18–19 July.
  • R&D arrivals: Sun/Mon 19–20 July.
  • Departures: Friday 24 July after lunch.

☕ Food & drink

  • All meals are covered throughout the event.
  • Breakfast each morning, lunch daily, and dinner each evening.
  • Morning and afternoon tea, coffee, and snacks.

⚡ What to bring

  • Laptop and charger (power provided in all rooms).
  • Any hackathon prep from your team's pre-work.
  • Smart casual dress code throughout.
  • Comfortable shoes — Bristol is worth exploring.

🌎 About Bristol

A vibrant harbour city known for its creative culture, food scene, and maritime heritage. The hotel sits on College Green next to Bristol Cathedral.

💬 Stay connected

  • Wi-Fi: Dedicated conference network, no extra cost.
  • Questions: Email Ellie or Scott and we'll get back to you.
  • People: Browse attendees in the directory below.
People
Attendee directory
Browse who's joining us in Bristol. To find someone's contact details, use the full attendee directory linked below.
🔍
48 attendees registered
Need someone's email?Contact details are kept in the internal attendee directory (Carina SharePoint sign-in required) rather than on this public page.
Open attendee directory
GP
Grant Passfield
Datamine
IS
Ian Saker
Mineware
SM
Steve Mundell
Ara Software Group
RK
Ramkrishna Kulkarni
WeShine
KM
Kleyton Miranda
Sodep
ST
Scott Tidemann
Carina
EB
Ellie Broad
Navarik
CC
Chris Cook
Navarik
Registration

Ready to join us in Bristol?

Submit your travel dates so we can confirm your room booking. You can also share any presentation topics you'd like to put forward via the same form.

Submit travel dates & topicsQuestions? Get in touch