{"id":63586,"date":"2026-10-28T11:32:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T11:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.targetintegration.com\/?p=63586"},"modified":"2026-10-28T11:32:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T11:32:19","slug":"mind-the-digital-gap-is-your-business-ready-for-what-comes-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.targetintegration.com\/en_us\/mind-the-digital-gap-is-your-business-ready-for-what-comes-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind the Digital Gap: Is Your Business Ready for What Comes Next?"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI and digital transformation are changing the way businesses operate. For UK manufacturers, distributors and food & drink businesses, the question is no longer whether technology will affect the way they work, but how quickly they need to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is the focus of Horizon UK: Mind the Digital Gap<\/a><\/strong>, a new leadership forum from Target Integration taking place at Austin Court in Birmingham on Thursday 19 November 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening will bring together senior business leaders, technology experts and industry partners for an evening of insight, discussion and networking around one of the biggest questions facing growing businesses: how do you turn digital technology into a genuine competitive advantage?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why “Mind the Digital Gap”?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Businesses are not all moving at the same pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some organisations are already investing in AI, automation, connected systems and data-driven decision-making. Others are still dealing with manual processes, disconnected systems and information that is difficult to access when it is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That difference matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As technology develops faster, businesses that have built strong digital foundations can often move more quickly, while those with fragmented systems and inefficient processes may find it increasingly difficult to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horizon UK<\/a> has been created to give business leaders an opportunity to step back from their day-to-day operations, hear different perspectives and consider where their organisation sits within that changing landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Evening Built for Business Leaders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The event is aimed at senior leaders across UK manufacturing, distribution and food & drink<\/strong>, particularly Managing Directors, CEOs and Operations Directors who are responsible for growth, efficiency and the future direction of their organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than focusing on technology in isolation, the evening will explore what digital transformation actually means for businesses and how leaders can approach the opportunities and challenges in a practical way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attendees will hear from industry experts, take part in an open panel discussion and have the opportunity to continue conversations with other business leaders facing similar questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Expect at Horizon UK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The evening will begin with arrival, refreshments and networking before Rohit Thakral, CEO of Target Integration<\/strong>, welcomes attendees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme will then move into a keynote from Dyrr Ardash<\/a>, Director at Warwick Manufacturing Group<\/a><\/strong>, exploring “Turning Digital Technology into Competitive Advantage.”<\/strong> The session will look at how businesses can move beyond simply adopting technology and instead use it to create genuine commercial and operational value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, Lucy Cross<\/a>, Made Smarter West Midlands Digital Transformation<\/a> Specialist<\/strong>, will discuss the support available to manufacturers looking to progress their digital transformation journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evening will then move into an expert panel discussion and Q&A<\/strong>, bringing together perspectives from Manou Campbell<\/strong><\/a> (Head of Data & Information Systems) –<\/strong> Medik8<\/strong><\/a>, Chris Watts<\/strong><\/a> (CEO & Founder) –<\/strong> CyberQ<\/strong><\/a>, Mark Lupton<\/strong><\/a> (Regional Director, West Midlands) –<\/strong> HSBC<\/strong><\/a>, Stuart Lane<\/strong><\/a> (President) –<\/strong> MTA<\/strong><\/a>, Dyrr Ardash<\/strong><\/a> (Director) –<\/strong> Warwick Manufacturing Group<\/strong><\/a>, and Rohit Thakral<\/strong><\/a> (CEO) – \u2060<\/strong>Target Integration<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This provides an opportunity to explore digital transformation from different angles, including business growth, manufacturing, cyber security, finance, technology and operational change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the formal programme, attendees will have time to continue the conversation over drinks and food, creating an opportunity to meet other senior leaders and share experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Questions We Want to Explore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For some, the priority might be replacing an ageing ERP system. For others, it could be connecting sales and operations, improving reporting, introducing automation or understanding where AI can create genuine value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Horizon UK, we want to explore the questions behind those decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n