Productivity Pulse Special. ReThink Forum 2026 Review

25th September 2026

In this special recap episode of The Productivity Pulse, James, Sue, and Simon reflect on the key takeaways, sessions, and strategy insights from the recent Productivity Forum at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Joined by over 160 clients, industry leaders, and partners, the team breaks down the core themes of the event—from rethinking efficiency to pragmatic technology deployment and peak capacity management.

Key Topics Covered:

• Retail & Footfall Insights: Hannah from MRI sets the stage with data on high street, retail park, and shopping center trends leading into peak trading periods.
• Rethinking Operational Efficiency: Why cost-saving is pivoting toward reinvestment, featuring Heart of England Co-op’s success in speeding up operations through stock simplification.
• Pragmatic Tech & AI Integration: Insights from Center Parcs, SSP, Simms & Associates, and Our Coop on why technology should amplify human capability—keeping humans in the loop rather than overcomplicating processes.
• Data Quality & Decision Making: The critical role of reliable data input and actionable analytics in driving operational changes.
• Managing Peak Capacity: Lessons from Greene King and hospitality leaders on handling demand surges, agile testing, and fast-failure learning mindsets.
• Fireside Chat with Sarah Willingham: Highlights from Sue’s stage interview with the investor and former Dragons’ Den panelist.

Resources & Next Steps:

Save the Date: Register now for the next Productivity Forum on September 8th, 2027, at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham!

Download the Report: Access the full Productivity Benchmarking Report