FORMER Dyson CEO Martin McCourt has been announced as a keynote speaker at the PPMA Show 2026.
Automate UK, organiser of the event at Birmingham’s NEC from September 22-24, announced that Martin’s presentation, Think Big But Stay Small, will take place on the final day of the show.
His 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 experience to demonstrate that a business that prioritises inventiveness, creativity and quality over mutating into a corporate giant is the key to resounding success.
Scott McKenna, chief operating officer at Automate UK, said, “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.
“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.”
Martin’s speech is the second to be confirmed further to the keynote by doctor and broadcaster Dr Kevin Fong, who has held positions with NASA and NHS England. He will address the show audience on the opening day of the event.
Attendance for The PPMA Show 2026 is free. To register, click here.
