Delegation TRIP
Greater Manchester 

The Ruhr Region is Germany’s largest metropolitan area, home to 5.1 million people, with a long tradition of industrial excellence and a dynamic transformation into a hub for green technologies and digital innovation.

Hydrogen
The Ruhr is emerging as one of Europe’s leading hydrogen regions. It brings together globally active technology companies, start-ups and research institutions to lay the foundations for the hydrogen economy of the future. Extensive pipeline connections are being established at an early stage to enable secure supply across North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond. Thanks to these strong connections and its high industrial density, the Ruhr Region will become a focal point for industrial hydrogen applications in the coming years. The Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr (HyMR) network brings together over 50 partners to coordinate activities, share expertise and develop joint projects with international impact, while the H2UB in Essen acts as a dedicated innovation centre linking start-ups, industry leaders and research.

Digital Health
The Ruhr Region’s healthcare economy offers ideal conditions for international innovation. Its unique combination of economic strength, scientific excellence and high-density care provision for over five million people makes it a true reference region with numerous opportunities in digital health – from cybersecurity to artificial intelligence. Leading institutions such as Universitätsmedizin Essen are pioneers in AI-driven diagnostics and smart hospital solutions. MedEcon Ruhr connects over 170 organisations, supporting collaboration and secure data exchange, while initiatives like the Digital Health Factory Ruhr accelerate the development of patient-centred digital healthcare.

Cybersecurity
One of Europe’s strongest cybersecurity clusters is based in the Ruhr Region. Bochum is home to G DATA CyberDefense (creators of the world’s first antivirus software), the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security and the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy, creating a unique ecosystem of cutting-edge research, public-private cooperation and innovative spin-offs.

Focus: Hydrogen

9:00 am
Registration & Networking

10:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks 
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Sandra Morrison, Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manchester

10:30 am
Keynote
Launch of the new Greater Manchester Hydrogen Strategy 2025-2030

11:30 am
Panel 
Enabling the new Greater Manchester Hydrogen Strategy & challenges and opportunities of the hydrogen economy

12:30 pm
Lunch

1:30 pm
Breakout sessions 
Cooperation between the Ruhr region and Greater Manchester and on policy, science, international cooperation, workforce and more

3:10 pm
Case Study 
Presentations and Best Practices

4:15 pm
Panel 
Strategic reflection and business opportunities

18:00 pm
Get-together 
with Sandra Morrison, German Honorary Consul; Landmark at St. Peter's Square

Focus: Digital Health & Cybersecurity

9:00 am
Registration & Networking

10:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Andrew Hodgson, From the Chair of Innovation Greater Manchester

10:20 am
Keynote
Innovation Greater Manchester „Innovations in Digital Health“

11:15 am
Panel
Cybersecurity: Challenges and Opportunities, International Cybersecurity Strategies, AI, and Resilience

12:15 am
Lunch

1:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
Cooperations between the Ruhr region and Greater Manchester, digital skills and on the topics of politics, science, international cooperation, workforce and much more

2:35 pm
Pitching Sessions on digital health and Cybersecurity for SMEs and start-ups

3:15 pm
Closing panel with recap of the day and outlook for Innovation Bridge

4:00 pm
Closing remarks