DATE
4th November 2025
LOCATION
UNDERWOOD LOFTS, OLD STREET, London 9:30am - 6:30pm
Join global thinkers exploring ideas that will shape tomorrow.
Bringing innovation to life
This event will spark curiosity, open up perspectives, and provide the emotional drive needed to enhance agility. We'll move beyond abstract strategy and help you integrate innovation into your daily work. Join us to shift mindsets and activate your firm around future-relevant developments.
Identifying relevant global innovation trends and their impact on the professional services sector
Creating awareness for urgency for through emerging technologies
Recognising opportunities to improve and differentiate client experience in a digitalised market.
Promoting a mindset of curiosity and innovation across all levels of the organisation
Strengthening strategic thinking for HLB's vision through leadership inspiration and dialogue
Fostering collaboration by connecting HLB staff and clients through shared future-oriented experiences
Navigating a changing world
The accounting industry is in a state of rapid change, and it's not just about technology. The transformation is also shaped by evolving client expectations, a firm-wide culture shift towards advisory services and the rise of new business models that require firms to adapt. This shift requires firms to innovate their services and develop new skills, this isn't just about small tweaks to your processes, it’s about redefining your role as an advisor and reimagining your client relationships.
This is a pivotal moment for leaders and innovators. The HLB Innovation Symposium is a catalyst for members that want to be agile, resilient, and fit for the future. It’s where forward-thinking leaders step beyond the conservative mindset to embrace creativity, collaboration, and bold new ideas. Together, we’ll explore how to build cultures that don’t just respond to change but actively shape it, ensuring we thrive in a world of constant transformation.
HLB Innovation Symposium – Agenda
Location: Lumiere Lobby & Lofts (6-14 Underwood St, London N1 7JQ)- 09:30 - 10:00 | Networking and Registration
- 10:00 - 10:15 | Welcome & introduction
Strengthening strategic thinking for HLB's vision through leadership inspiration and dialogue
- 10:15 - 10:45 | KEYNOTE – TikTok
Promoting a mindset of curiosity and innovation across all levels of the organisation
- 10:45 - 11:30 Interactive session
- 11:30 - 11:50 | Break
- 11:50 - 13.15 | HLB Innovation Showcase
- 13:15 - 14:15 | Lunch
Identifying relevant global innovation trends and their impact on the professional services sector - 14:15 – 15:00 | KEYNOTE - TrendOne
Creating awareness for urgency for through emerging technologies & recognising opportunities to improve and differentiate client experience in a digitalised market.
- 15:00 - 16:00 | AI focus ted talks – Trends in action
- 16:00 - 16:20 | Break
Fostering collaboration by connecting HLB members and innovation experts through shared future-oriented experiences
- 16:20 - 17:20 | Interactive session – Competition
- 17:20 - 17:30 | Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways
- 17:30 - 18:30 | Informal Networking Hour
10:00 - 17:30 IN PARALLEL - Future Café
Hands-On Exploration of Emerging Technologies
Engage with state-of-the-art stations featuring AI, data analytics, ESG, and future tech. Interact directly with cutting-edge tools and concepts through live demos and expert guidance. This is an opportunity to envision how these technologies can transform your business.
Interactive Stations:
- AI Helpers – Smart Devices - Presentation of modern AI-powered everyday assistants
- Red-Button AI Vision Station - Interactive experience combining art, technology & future visions
- Avatar Experience - Interactive station featuring an AI-powered avatar
- AI Discovery/Live Prompting - Boost your expertise in applying AI to your business context.
- Inspiration Wall - meaningful trends
Why you should attend
Develop a future-oriented mindset
Be inspired by engaging content and interactive sessions that activate a forward-thinking approach.
Strengthen your innovation capabilities
Gain the tools and knowledge to navigate a dynamic market
Connect with peers
Exchange ideas, share insights, and build relationships with other leaders across the HLB network
Featured activities
Fresh Perspectives
Participate in lively debates from pioneers and thought leaders sharing insights on emerging trends & proven strategies.
Keynote Speakers
Hear inspiring stories and revolutionary ideas in short, powerful talks.Future Cafe
Take part in hands-on experience stations on AI, Data Analytics, ESG, Future Tech and more.
Open Innovation
An opportunity to engage with the broader ecosystem of innovation experts from different industries.
Innovation Awards
Celebrate the forward-thinking ideas & exceptional projects that shape our network.
Connect & Collaborate
Connect with peers, partners, and future collaborators in a relaxed atmosphere.
The future starts with imagination. Our keynote speaker NILS MULLER, CEO of TrendOne will take us on a journey into the future with disruptive technologies that will fundamentally change our marketplace. A special focus will be placed on the interfaces of the technologies where true innovations are
created.
Future Cafe
The Future Cafe is a creative and practical format that invites participants to think ahead, explore new perspectives and shape future-oriented ideas together. It creates space for reflection, experimentation, and connection - with trends, technologies, and one another. Thinking about the future begins with shifting perspectives. The Future Cafe enables exactly that, it unlocks curiosity, encourages experimentation, and broadens understanding of what is possible. The result is a shared sense of direction, and renewed energy to shape what comes next.
FUTURE SPACE
Experience the future today! Touch and interactively experience the future right now. Say hello to your robot colleague or travel to distant countries with virtual reality.
AI DISCOVERY/ LIVE PROMPTING
Boost your prompting skills and learn from AI professionals how to use artificial intelligence for your business context.
EXPERT CORNER
The Expert Corners provide an opportunity to engage in joint dialogue and discuss complex future topics with experts. (e.g. Data anlystics, Impact of ESG)
BEST IN NETWORK
Share best practice and learn from each other in a structured and lively way. We create the framework for a structured exchange and optimal knowledge transfer
BUSINESS WARGAMING
Anticipate potential challenges, test strategic decisions and understand the impact of competitive actions and market changes.
PSCHYCOLOGICAL SAFETY
Create a work environment where people feel safe to speak up, share bold ideas, and take risks without fear of judgment. Exploring how psychological safety fuels innovation.
Innovation awards
Dare to Fail Award (Mindset)
Innovation isn't always a smooth journey. This award celebrates the courage to try and the wisdom to learn from "intelligent failures." If you have a story about a fantastic idea that didn't go as planned but taught valuable lessons, this award is for you. It recognises great process and a brave, experimental mindset over a perfect outcome. It's about celebrating the journey, not just the destination.
Ideator Award (Behavioural)
This award celebrates the everyday innovators who bring fresh ideas to the table, big or small. If you know someone who's always finding a better way to do things, collaborates to solve problems, or inspires others to think differently, this is their moment to shine. It's for the person who proves that innovation isn't just a process—it's a mindset.
Blueprint Award (Process)
This award is for the teams who are reimagining how we work. Have you streamlined a process, automated a task, or introduced a new system that makes your firm more efficient or improves client service? This category celebrates those internal innovations that build a stronger, smarter foundation for the future.
Trailblazer award (Outcome)
This award recognises the groundbreaking achievements that have made a tangible impact on your business. It's for teams who have introduced a new capability to clients or ventured into a new market, creating real value and proving that a single great idea can have a ripple effect.
Choose the pass that fits your journey.
Secure your spot early to enjoy exclusive access, special rates,
and unforgettable experiences alongside global innovators.
Full event access
Welcome drinks reception
Bring a colleague or friend and experience
everything together.
All standard pass features
Admission for two attendees
Shared networking benefits
Multiple pass
Ideal for multiple registrations
All standard pass features
Discounted rates
Partner with us to shape what’s next