Former Dyson CEO Martin McCourt to present keynote address at the PPMA Show 2026

Automate UK, which will host the UK’s biggest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham from 22-24 September, has announced that McCourt's presentation Think Big But Stay Small will take place on the final day of the show.

The PPMA Show offers valuable insight into innovative technologies, live equipment demonstrations, and networking opportunities to industry professionals from across the entire manufacturing spectrum, in addition to inspirational accounts and advice from industry experts.

McCourt's speech will focus on the importance of balancing business acumen with vision and maintaining a mindset that makes young agile businesses successful in outmanoeuvring their giant competitors. He will draw on his extensive experience to demonstrate that a business that prioritises inventiveness, creativity and quality over mutating into a corporate giant is the key to resounding success.

"We are confident that visitors are going to be staking out their seats early to hear what Martin has to say. Having spent more than four decades working at the heart of British-based manufacturing, design and marketing for leading global brands including Mars, Duracell and Toshiba," said Scott McKenna, COO at Automate UK. 

"Under his 15-year leadership at Dyson, Martin devised and implemented a strategy that transformed the company from a single product, single market producer into a worldwide brand with 60 global markets making up 80% of its business. During his time as CEO, Martin increased UK skilled jobs, grew profits to over £300m and enabled James Dyson to continue inventing while he oversaw the business’ trajectory.

"In 2010, Martin was named UK Business Leader of the Year, and one year later, Dyson’s revenue hit £1 billion for the first time. He went on to establish Dyson subsidiaries in the USA, Japan, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. I don’t think there is going to be a business leader at the NEC in September who won't want to learn from Martin’s experience and expertise," he added.

McCourt's speech is the second to be confirmed further to the keynote by acclaimed doctor and broadcaster Kevin Fong, who has held prestigious positions with NASA and NHS England. He will address the show audience on the opening day of the event.

More than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands will showcase their products and expertise at the PPMA Show 2026, introducing visitors to cutting-edge technology and solutions to optimise performance, reduce costs, and future-proof their businesses.

Now in its 39^th year, the event once again will include a live demo theatre where selected exhibitors will launch technology directly to attendees and participate in daily innovation tours to expand upon it and show them how to harness it within their own businesses.

Attendance for The PPMA Show 2026 is free. To register, visit: www.ppmashow.co.uk