Agenda

Managed Services Summit Manchester 2025

The summit features expert presentations from major industry leaders, providing insights into current trends and technologies in managed services. Delegates will enjoy dedicated networking breaks, ideal for connecting with potential business partners and expanding professional networks. Manchester’s focus on regional collaboration and growing investment in cloud, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure positions it as a critical hub for managed services.

This event combines high-level presentations, interactive discussions, and opportunities to engage with industry peers and sponsors, making it essential for senior decision-makers in the IT channel. Whether aiming to grow your business, discover innovations, or forge valuable partnerships, the Managed Services Summit – Manchester 2025 is key.

2025 Agenda

Tuesday 17th November 2026 starting at 08:00 Local Time
08:00 Registration and Welcome Refreshments
09:10 Welcome, Opening Remarks and Housekeeping
09:15 Headline Sponsor Message
09:20 KEYNOTE
09:50
10:00
10:10
10:20

The Regional MSP Landscape – Opportunities and Market Pressures

The managed services market continues to expand across the UK regions as organisations increasingly outsource IT operations and cybersecurity management. However, regional MSPs also face significant competitive pressure as national providers, cloud vendors and specialist security firms compete for the same customers. This opening panel explores how the market is evolving across the UK and what opportunities exist for MSPs operating outside the major metropolitan hubs. Panellists will discuss how regional providers can differentiate themselves through customer relationships, industry expertise and service innovation. Key challenges include rising cybersecurity threats, talent shortages and increasing expectations from customers who expect enterprise-grade services regardless of company size. At the same time, regional MSPs often benefit from stronger customer relationships and local market knowledge. The panel will explore how MSPs can leverage those advantages while modernising their service portfolios. Topics include expanding cybersecurity services, improving marketing and sales strategies, and building long-term customer partnerships. Attendees will gain insight into how MSPs across the regions are navigating market changes and positioning their businesses for continued growth.

10:30 PANEL SESSION
The Regional MSP Landscape – Opportunities and Market Pressures
The managed services market continues to expand across the UK regions as organisations increasingly outsource IT operations and cybersecurity management. However, regional MSPs also face significant competitive pressure as national providers, cloud vendors and specialist security firms compete for the same customers. This opening panel explores how the market is evolving across the UK and what opportunities exist for MSPs operating outside the major metropolitan hubs. Panellists will discuss how regional providers can differentiate themselves through customer relationships, industry expertise and service innovation. Key challenges include rising cybersecurity threats, talent shortages and increasing expectations from customers who expect enterprise-grade services regardless of company size. At the same time, regional MSPs often benefit from stronger customer relationships and local market knowledge. The panel will explore how MSPs can leverage those advantages while modernising their service portfolios. Topics include expanding cybersecurity services, improving marketing and sales strategies, and building long-term customer partnerships. Attendees will gain insight into how MSPs across the regions are navigating market changes and positioning their businesses for continued growth.
10:50 Morning Break - Refreshments and Networking Time
11:20
11:30
11:40
11:50

Operational Foundations – Designing a Profitable MSP Business

Building a profitable MSP requires careful alignment between service delivery, pricing models and internal operational processes. As customer expectations increase and technology environments become more complex, MSPs must continually refine how they structure and deliver services. This panel examines the operational decisions that have the greatest impact on MSP profitability and long-term sustainability. Panellists will discuss how successful providers structure their service offerings, manage support teams and maintain consistent service quality across multiple clients. The conversation will also explore the role of automation, documentation and process standardisation in improving operational efficiency. Many MSPs are also revisiting their service catalogues to ensure they align with modern customer requirements, particularly around cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Another key topic will be talent management and how MSPs can recruit, train and retain skilled staff in a highly competitive labour market. By sharing practical examples from their own organisations, panellists will offer attendees a clearer understanding of the operational foundations required to build a scalable and profitable MSP business.

12:00 PANEL SESSION
Operational Foundations – Designing a Profitable MSP Business
Building a profitable MSP requires careful alignment between service delivery, pricing models and internal operational processes. As customer expectations increase and technology environments become more complex, MSPs must continually refine how they structure and deliver services. This panel examines the operational decisions that have the greatest impact on MSP profitability and long-term sustainability. Panellists will discuss how successful providers structure their service offerings, manage support teams and maintain consistent service quality across multiple clients. The conversation will also explore the role of automation, documentation and process standardisation in improving operational efficiency. Many MSPs are also revisiting their service catalogues to ensure they align with modern customer requirements, particularly around cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure. Another key topic will be talent management and how MSPs can recruit, train and retain skilled staff in a highly competitive labour market. By sharing practical examples from their own organisations, panellists will offer attendees a clearer understanding of the operational foundations required to build a scalable and profitable MSP business.
12:20 Lunch Break and Networking Time

Strategic Growth – Investment, Acquisitions and Long-Term Value

For many MSPs, long-term growth increasingly involves strategic investment, acquisitions or eventual exit planning. As the market matures, investors are actively seeking service providers with strong recurring revenue, scalable operations and clear market positioning. This panel explores how MSPs can approach growth strategically while building long-term enterprise value. Panellists will discuss how acquisitions can help providers expand geographically, gain new technical capabilities or enter new vertical markets. The session will also examine how private equity and other investors evaluate MSP businesses. Key factors include predictable revenue streams, customer retention and operational maturity. Panellists will also address the challenges associated with integrating acquired companies and maintaining company culture during periods of rapid expansion. For MSP owners and executives, the discussion will provide practical insight into how businesses can prepare for investment, pursue acquisitions or position themselves for future exit opportunities while continuing to deliver strong customer outcomes.

13:40 PANEL SESSION
Strategic Growth – Investment, Acquisitions and Long-Term Value
For many MSPs, long-term growth increasingly involves strategic investment, acquisitions or eventual exit planning. As the market matures, investors are actively seeking service providers with strong recurring revenue, scalable operations and clear market positioning. This panel explores how MSPs can approach growth strategically while building long-term enterprise value. Panellists will discuss how acquisitions can help providers expand geographically, gain new technical capabilities or enter new vertical markets. The session will also examine how private equity and other investors evaluate MSP businesses. Key factors include predictable revenue streams, customer retention and operational maturity. Panellists will also address the challenges associated with integrating acquired companies and maintaining company culture during periods of rapid expansion. For MSP owners and executives, the discussion will provide practical insight into how businesses can prepare for investment, pursue acquisitions or position themselves for future exit opportunities while continuing to deliver strong customer outcomes.
14:00 KEYNOTE
14:30
14:40
14:50
15:00
15:10 Afternoon Break - Refreshments and Networking Time
15:40
15:50
16:00
16:10
16:20 Closing Remarks
16:30 Networking Drinks Reception
Presentation times and order are subject to change. This agenda was last updated on 18 Mar 2026 at 11:42am.

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