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cONference 2025

Date
Oct 20, 2025 → Oct 21, 2025
Description

The ONLY conference in Europe that is designed for YOU: the COOs, VPs of Operations, Heads of Operations, and Operations Managers who want to connect with people who get it.

Location

London, UK

Link
https://lu.ma/onconference2025
Type
Public

cONference 2025

Building resilience in an unpredictable world

On-Demand Content coming soon

Get the recordings from the main stage

Join us for the ONLY conference in Europe that is designed for YOU: the COOs, VPs of Operations, Heads of Operations, and Operations Managers who want to connect with people who get it.

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Our theme:

How to lead in an unpredictable world by building resilience within yourself, your organisation, and the broader ecosystem

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Why ON?

Operations Nation is THE space for operations leaders to learn, connect, and grow in their careers.

We're operations leaders ourselves, so we've walked in your shoes and felt how lonely Operations can be. Not anymore though - that's what the cONference was built for.

What your ticket unlocks

Because leaders like you deserve a space to learn, connect, and feel truly understood.

Full access to the 2-day cONference experience

Step away from the day-to-day chaos to engage with top experts and thought leaders as they share actionable strategies to help you build resilience across ecosystems, organisations, teams, and within yourself.

Hands-on learning

Join interactive roundtables and fun workshops for in-depth discussions and immersive problem-solving with real-world challenges.

Powerful connections

Connect with other operations leaders, share your experiences, and get honest advice from people who really get it.

Evening social

Keep the momentum going and celebrate with us after the sessions are over!

Long-term value

Get access to session recordings and form lasting relationships to support you beyond the event.

This is more than just a conference - it’s an investment in your growth and success.

A sneak peek at the cONference experience

Day 1 - October 20

Time
Session title
Session types
Speakers

9:30 - 10:00

Registration & guided cONnection over light breakfast
BreakCommunity

10:00 - 10:30

Welcome to Day 1
Community
Aušrinė KeršanskaitėCharlene Chen

10:40 - 11:05

Opening keynote: The path to resilience
Keynote
⭐Becca Sweetman

11:10 - 11:50

Resilience of the ecosystem: AMA with the MOFMOF Podcast team
Panel
Jonathan BullockKristen ShannonRobert StevensonBre McQuade

12:00 - 12:50

Vibe coding for COOs: the end of "we can't build that”
Ignite talk
Leo Hoyos

12:00 - 12:50

When life collides with work: insights in resilience from both sides of the table
Ignite talk
Amy Walkers

12:00 - 12:50

"That's f* STUPID": resilience in a world of change (& opportunity!)
Ignite talk
Milly Tamati

12:00 - 12:50

Not Fkn OK
Ignite talk
Will Herrmann

12:00 - 12:50

Hero mode is not resilience
Ignite talk
María Pía Alais

12:00 - 12:50

How to build long-term resilience by leaning in, not opting out of purpose and values
Roundtable
Danielle ThompsonEmily Greenwood

12:00 - 12:50

Transforming UK companies through US expansion and fundraising
Roundtable
Daniel Glazer

12:00 - 12:50

FinOps tips and hacks
Roundtable
Miriam Grant

12:00 - 12:50

Don't panic: the human guide to security compliance that scales
Roundtable
Tom GellMike Pearce

12:00 - 12:50

AI 201: beyond prompting to operating
Workshop
Caitlin FergusonMichelle Johnson

12:50 - 14:00

Lunch & connect
BreakCommunity

14:00 - 14:30

Built to last: a leader's playbook for resilient scale
Fireside chat
Karen KerriganMichael Jansen

14:35 - 15:05

How to handle your first million customers without everything breaking
Fireside chat
Tom Foster-CarterCharlene Chen

15:20 - 15:30

Coffee break
BreakCommunity

15:30 - 16:20

Combating knowledge mess
Ignite talk
Paulina Szklarek

15:30 - 16:20

Pocket aces don't always win
Ignite talk
Brian Snyder

15:30 - 16:20

Regulatory resilience in the age of AI: the place of ethics when there is no regulation
Ignite talk
Raj Mahapatra

15:30 - 16:20

Nobody wants to listen to a talk about security
Ignite talk
Tom Gell

15:30 - 16:20

Trusting your numbers: going from chaos to clarity
Ignite talk
Mike Scott

15:30 - 16:20

Perception vs. reality: what’s the true value of Ops?
Roundtable
Andrew OrmerodNeda SahebelmNeda Sahebelm

15:30 - 16:20

From startup to scaleup: building operational excellence without sacrificing culture
Roundtable
Lu Borko

15:30 - 16:20

Getting lean: learning impactful ways to streamline your organisation from different business structures
Roundtable
Jasmeet ChanaSahar Khalil

15:30 - 16:20

Data breach ready: humans, hackers and AI
Roundtable
Kayleigh Logan-Cleghorn

15:30 - 16:20

Understand your financial impact as an ops leader
Roundtable
Linda Blank

15:30 - 16:20

Building AI-native financial processes
Roundtable
Sam Wilkinson

15:30 - 16:20

How to become the AI champion in your business
Workshop
Laura RosenbergerLily Fox

16:30 - 16:45

The Arrival Fallacy: what happens after you “make it”
Lightning talk
Michael Koenig

16:50 - 18:00

Closing session & connecting over nibbles
Community

18:00 - 20:00

Join us at the pub for a drink!
Community

Day 2 - October 21

Time
Session title
Session types
Speakers

9:00 - 10:00

Registration & guided cONnection over light breakfast
BreakCommunity

10:00 - 10:15

Welcome to Day 2
Community
Aušrinė KeršanskaitėCharlene Chen

10:15 - 10:45

Resilience in and as a practice: lessons from the COO’s seat
Fireside chat
Divinia Knowles FCMAAušrinė Keršanskaitė

10:50 - 11:20

Built to bounce: sharpen your strengths, master your energy
Keynote
Fiona Chorlton-Voong

11:20 - 11:40

Coffee break
BreakCommunity

11:40 - 12:30

How to keep moving when the world stops: Lessons from an ops generalist
Ignite talk
Adwoa Osei

11:40 - 12:30

AI won’t replace you… but someone using it might
Ignite talk
Penny Penati

11:40 - 12:30

The three Ps to resilience: Process, Practice & Peace
Ignite talk
Rob Liddiard

11:40 - 12:30

From ops to apps: what happens when anyone can create software?
Ignite talk
Michael Skelly

11:40 - 12:30

Creative Operations
Ignite talk
Alberto Frías Fernández

11:40 - 12:30

Between identities: embracing our different possible selves as part of career change
Roundtable
Heather Mack

11:40 - 12:30

Global resilience in Operations: building teams without borders
Roundtable
Erin Goodey

11:40 - 12:30

Rethinking the playbook: laying scalable foundations that deliver impact
Roundtable
Abi Kolade

11:40 - 12:30

Unlocking team performance: low-budget, high-impact team building
Roundtable
Leo HoyosSanida Mujakovic

11:40 - 12:30

Getting ready for due diligence (or what not to f*ck up)
Roundtable
Linda LipkovaKayleigh Logan-CleghornHelen Goldberg

11:40 - 12:30

Unlocking ideas through movement
Movement session
Michael Hubbard

12:30 - 13:30

Lunch & connect
Break

13:30 - 13:40

Annual Operations Compensation Survey Results
Community
Josephine Groom

13:40 - 14:20

Resilience by design: culture, care & people
Panel
Alex Catalán FloresCatherine YardleyNatasha MorrisonAndrew Ormerod

14:25 - 14:40

Leading with impact: how COOs drive growth in an unpredictable world
Lightning talk
Prameet (Polly) Dhaliwal

14:40 - 15:10

Coffee break
BreakCommunity

15:10 - 16:00

Operating through the storm
Ignite talk
Lorysa Rossnagel

15:10 - 16:00

Turning privacy into a competitive advantage
Ignite talk
Kayleigh Logan-Cleghorn

15:10 - 16:00

Beyond cost: the true value of global talent
Ignite talk
Elvin Aliyev

15:10 - 16:00

Resilience redefined
Ignite talk
Stephanie Melodia

15:10 - 16:00

Resilience by design: modern leadership for a less-conscientious, more-anxious era
Ignite talk
Maddie Fox

15:10 - 16:00

CEO + COO = magic (or misery?)
Roundtable
Emilie Blauwhoff

15:10 - 16:00

From bottleneck to coach: build a high-agency culture that runs faster without you
Roundtable
Catherine FenwickLir Cowman

15:10 - 16:00

Critical success: gameplay at work
Roundtable
Jess Leonard

15:10 - 16:00

When Ops meets AI: how to prepare for change without losing control
Roundtable
Michael Skelly

15:10 - 16:00

Scaling without stumbling: building financial resilience in global expansion
Roundtable
Mike ScottRyan Snape

16:00 - 17:00

Together we go: closing reflections on resilience
Community
Charlene ChenMikaila Kelly

18:00 - 20:00

Join us at the pub for an evening social with games!
Community
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Explore the topics

Expect high-impact topics designed to help you lead with clarity, strength, and confidence.

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Resilience of the Ecosystem
‣
Resilience of the Self
‣
Resilience of the Organisation
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Get the recordings from the main stage

Meet our Featured Session Speakers

Alex Catalán FloresAlex Catalán Flores
Alex Catalán Flores

Director of Operations @ Lafiya Nigeria. Formerly Director of Operations @ Charity Entrepreneurship/AIM, Head of Operations @ Suvita.

Speaker
Andrew OrmerodAndrew Ormerod
Andrew Ormerod

Operations Consultant. Formerly Director of Operations @ Hatch Enterprise UK, Operations & HR Director @ GrantTree, Director of Services @ Kendle Healthcare.

Roundtable
Aušrinė KeršanskaitėAušrinė Keršanskaitė
Aušrinė Keršanskaitė

Co-Founder of Operations Nation. Formerly Head of Ops @ Reframe, Sphere (Acquired by Twitter), DICE, Director of Ops @ Just Eat for Business, YPlan.

Moderator
Becca SweetmanBecca Sweetman
Becca Sweetman

Executive Coach, Team Coach & Advisor @ Evolution.

Speaker
Bre McQuadeBre McQuade
Bre McQuade

Director of Operations and Experience @ Operations Nation.

Moderator
Catherine YardleyCatherine Yardley
Catherine Yardley

Leadership Coach. Formerly Director of Operations @ Capital on Tap; Chief of Staff @ Capital One.

Speaker
Charlene ChenCharlene Chen
Charlene Chen

Co-Founder of Operations Nation. Executive Director @ Ezrah Charitable Trust. Formerly COO @ AZA Finance, Lantum.

Moderator
Divinia Knowles FCMADivinia Knowles FCMA
Divinia Knowles FCMA

The COO Coach. Founder @ London COO Roundtable. Formerly Director, COO & CFO @ Mind Candy.

Speaker
Fiona Chorlton-VoongFiona Chorlton-Voong
Fiona Chorlton-Voong

COO & Co-Founder @ The Portfolio Collective.

Speaker
Jonathan BullockJonathan Bullock
Jonathan Bullock

Co-Founder & COO @ Gigantec.com. Formerly the first Chief of Staff @ Google and COO @ Softbank.

Speaker
Josephine GroomJosephine Groom
Josephine Groom

Co-Founder & COO @ Compensation IQ

Speaker
Karen KerriganKaren Kerrigan
Karen Kerrigan

COO @ Moneybox. Formerly COO @ Seedrs, Director @ UK Crowdfunding Association.

Speaker
Kristen ShannonKristen Shannon
Kristen Shannon

COO @ Dexory. Founder and CEO @ Highliner Technology. Formerly COO @ Oxford Ionics, General System

Speaker
Michael JansenMichael Jansen
Michael Jansen

BizOps & Special Projects @ 9fin, Manumit Capital. Formerly Head of Operations @ Zen Educate, Creative Content Agency; GTM Lead @ Hoick, HOVE Institute.

Moderator
Michael KoenigMichael Koenig
Michael Koenig

COO @ Tucows. Formerly COO @ Time Doctor, Sweet.

Speaker
Mikaila KellyMikaila Kelly
Mikaila Kelly

Strategic business advisor, trauma-informed community organiser and group facilitator. Content Development Manager @ Operations Nation.

Speaker
Natasha MorrisonNatasha Morrison
Natasha Morrison

COO @ WeFlex. Formely COO & Co-Founder @ Paid.

Moderator
Prameet (Polly) DhaliwalPrameet (Polly) Dhaliwal
Prameet (Polly) Dhaliwal

COO @ Enterprise Nation. Founder @ Girls In Movement, Changemaker Adviser @ Sisterhood.

Speaker
Robert StevensonRobert Stevenson
Robert Stevenson

COO @ Techspace. Formerly Co-Founder @ Vala Health.

Speaker
Tom Foster-CarterTom Foster-Carter
Tom Foster-Carter

Co-Founder & CEO @ Cherrypick. Formerly COO @ Monzo Bank, Co-Founder @ Curve.

Speaker

Meet our Breakout Session Speakers and Facilitators

Abi KoladeAbi Kolade
Abi Kolade

COO at Visibly. Formerly Global Restaurants Programme Manager @ Deliveroo, Head of Finance and Customer Success @ Stashbee.

Roundtable
Adwoa OseiAdwoa Osei
Adwoa Osei

Strategic Operator | Head of UK Mayors’ Network. Formerly Strategy and Portfolio Management Lead/Chief of Staff @ PwC, Co-Founder and Operations Director @ Sankofa Care Ltd.

Ignite Talk
Alberto Frías FernándezAlberto Frías Fernández
Alberto Frías Fernández

Deputy Head of Operations @ Hexarad. Formerly Chief of Staff @ Opvia.

Ignite Talk
Amy WalkersAmy Walkers
Amy Walkers

Founder @ Start Ops. Director of Operations @ Spika Tech. Formerly Studio Director @ Kuato Studios.

Ignite Talk
Andrew OrmerodAndrew Ormerod
Andrew Ormerod

Operations Consultant. Formerly Director of Operations @ Hatch Enterprise UK, Operations & HR Director @ GrantTree, Director of Services @ Kendle Healthcare.

Roundtable
Brian SnyderBrian Snyder
Brian Snyder

Co-Founder & COO @ Aide Health. Formerly COO @ Black Swan Data, Executive Business Director @ AKQA.

Ignite Talk
Caitlin FergusonCaitlin Ferguson
Caitlin Ferguson

Founder & CEO @ COOPilots.io. Formerly Director of Client Success @ Three Five Two, Associate Director @ Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners.

Workshop
Catherine FenwickCatherine Fenwick
Catherine Fenwick

Director of Operations @ Axiom Maths

Roundtable
Danielle ThompsonDanielle Thompson
Danielle Thompson

Head of Operations @ Greenheart. Formerly Founder @ Unthread Advisory, COO @ Two IP, Head of Client Services @ Orphans Press.

Roundtable
Elvin AliyevElvin Aliyev
Elvin Aliyev

Partnerships Manager @ Oyster HR.

Ignite Talk
Emilie BlauwhoffEmilie Blauwhoff
Emilie Blauwhoff

Chief Operating & Product Officer @ Kwara. Formerly Co-Founder & CFO @ TopUp Mama.

Roundtable
Emily GreenwoodEmily Greenwood
Emily Greenwood

Head of Operations @ Greenhouse Communications. Formerly Operations Content/Data Editor @ IMDb.com.

Roundtable
Erin GoodeyErin Goodey
Erin Goodey

Director of People Services @ OysterHR.

Roundtable
Heather MackHeather Mack
Heather Mack

Director of Strategy and Operations @ the IDEA Lab at Imperial Business School. Formerly Chief of Staff @ Meta.

Roundtable
Helen GoldbergHelen Goldberg
Helen Goldberg

Co-Founder & COO @ LegalEdge.

Roundtable
Jag GillJag Gill
Jag Gill

Head of People & Founder @ HLSTK Labs. Formerly People Operations Lead @ RORA, Head of People @ Vaticle, Resourcing Lead @ Protection Group International.

Workshop
Jasmeet ChanaJasmeet Chana
Jasmeet Chana

Operations Director @ Multicultural Marketing Consultancy (MMC). Formerly Operations Lead @ WeAre8, Senior Operations Consultant @ Highliner Technology.

Roundtable
Jess LeonardJess Leonard
Jess Leonard

Director of Operations @ Gamesight.

Roundtable
Kayleigh Logan-CleghornKayleigh Logan-Cleghorn
Kayleigh Logan-Cleghorn

Lead DPO @ Trust Keith.

Roundtable
Laura RosenbergerLaura Rosenberger
Laura Rosenberger

COO @ Artanis, Operational AI Consulant, Co-Founder @ Laylo. Formerly COO @ Naked Wines.

Workshop
Leo HoyosLeo Hoyos
Leo Hoyos

COO & Co-Founder @ Campfire Company.

Ignite Talk
Lily FoxLily Fox
Lily Fox

COO @ RunYourself. Formerly Head of Operations @ Bloom Coaching, Associate Director of Operations @ Mind Gym.

Workshop
Linda BlankLinda Blank
Linda Blank

COO/CFO & FinOps Lead @ RORA.

Roundtable
Linda LipkovaLinda Lipkova
Linda Lipkova

Head of Accounting @ Onside Accounting.

Roundtable
Lir CowmanLir Cowman
Lir Cowman

Operations Consultant & Coach for startups and SMBs incl. ECA International, YLD, AKQA, Potato, and many more.

Roundtable
Lorysa RossnagelLorysa Rossnagel
Lorysa Rossnagel

Founder @ Precision & Wit. Formerly Operations Director @ code d’azur, Senior Program Director @ Ogilvy Singapore.

Ignite Talk
Lu BorkoLu Borko
Lu Borko

Chief of Staff @ Manychat. Formerly Senior Manager Business Operations @ Intercom, Global Business Operations Assistant @ Deliveroo.

Roundtable
Maddie FoxMaddie Fox
Maddie Fox

Fractional Chief People Officer @ MadFox Group. Formerly Chief People Officer @ Lantum, Interim People Director @ Trint.

Ignite Talk
María Pía AlaisMaría Pía Alais
María Pía Alais

COO @ Abatable.

Ignite Talk
Michael HubbardMichael Hubbard
Michael Hubbard

Founder and Director of Questions @ Make Your Habits. Formerly Head of Customer Success @ Dwellant.

Roundtable
Michael SkellyMichael Skelly
Michael Skelly

CEO @ Stacker.ai.

Ignite Talk
Michelle JohnsonMichelle Johnson
Michelle Johnson

Founder @ Ideal Intelligence AI. Formerly Global Head of Operations @ Littlepay, Head of UK & Ireland @ Fexco.

Workshop
Mike PearceMike Pearce
Mike Pearce

Co-Founder @ ISO Serious.

Roundtable
Mike ScottMike Scott
Mike Scott

Commercial Director @ Onside Accounting.

Ignite Talk
Milly TamatiMilly Tamati
Milly Tamati

Founder @ Generalist World.

Ignite Talk
Miriam GrantMiriam Grant
Miriam Grant

Head of FinOps @ RORA.

Roundtable
Neda SahebelmNeda Sahebelm
Neda Sahebelm

Fractional COO & Founder @ keshty, fractional COO @ MindsetShift, Wealthbrite, Scale Advisor @ DOHE

RoundtableIgnite TalkWorkshop
Paulina SzklarekPaulina Szklarek
Paulina Szklarek

Head of Operations @ Mooncup. Formerly PMO Lead @ INFARM, Founder & CEO @ Lover Beauty.

Ignite Talk
Penny PenatiPenny Penati
Penny Penati

Operations Manager @ Octopus Money. Formerly Head of Operations @ Addition, Helm (formerly The Supper Club), Chief of Staff @ Ok Mentor, Laka.

Ignite Talk
Raj MahapatraRaj Mahapatra
Raj Mahapatra

Senior Counsel & Executive Advisor @ Wilson Sonsini.

Ignite Talk
Rob Liddiard Rob Liddiard
Rob Liddiard

EOS Implementer, Founder @ Mission Group. Formerly Co-Founder and CEO @ Yapily (acquired by Sona, backed by Google).

Ignite Talk
Ryan SnapeRyan Snape
Ryan Snape

Managing Director @ Onside Tax.

Roundtable
Sahar KhalilSahar Khalil
Sahar Khalil

Associate Director, Financial Operations & Administration @ Human Rights Watch.

Roundtable
Sam WilkinsonSam Wilkinson
Sam Wilkinson

CEO, Co-Founder, and formerly COO @ RORA.

Roundtable
Sanida MujakovicSanida Mujakovic
Sanida Mujakovic
Roundtable
Stephanie MelodiaStephanie Melodia
Stephanie Melodia

Founder & CEO @ Bloom, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host @ Top 20 Business Show, Growth Consultant, Advisor, VC Scout @ Ada Ventures. Formerly Co-Founder @ BOMBA, The Hustle Awards Judge 2022 & 2023.

Ignite Talk
Tom GellTom Gell
Tom Gell

Co-Founder @ ISO Serious.

Roundtable
Will HerrmannWill Herrmann
Will Herrmann

Fractional COO/CFO, CFO @ Cubitts. Formerly Chief Strategy Officer @ Campaign Against Living Miserably

Ignite Talk

You’ll be in great company!

Operations leaders from these incredible organisations (and plenty more!) have already got their tickets to join us:

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What others have said

Meet our Sponsors and Affiliates

Gold Sponsors

Wondering how to grow your team faster across borders?

Meet Oyster: a global employment platform that enables businesses to hire compliantly, pay, and provide employee benefits world-wide. Work with great talent in 180+ countries without opening entities and navigating complex local laws.

https://www.oysterhr.com/partner-referral/operations-nation

Oyster also helps companies with global payroll in countries where they already have legal entities

Onboard, pay, manage and care for full-timers and contractors - all with accurate and deep local knowledge. This way, companies can look for talent anywhere in the world and let Oyster handle compliance, payroll, and employee benefits.

https://stackerhq.com/

Are you currently running everything on spreadsheets?

What if you created an app your business actually needs?

Meet Stacker: a flexible software platform, turning your team’s data into high-impact business apps.

Stacker works from the mission that building software should be incredibly easy. Everyone should have access to creating the software tools they need, without developers, designers or the drama. Craft bespoke software tools for your bespoke operations.

Silver Sponsors

Campfire CompanyCampfire Company

Nature-based company offsites

ISO SeriousISO Serious

ISO 27001 implementation support

Onside AccountingOnside Accounting

Accounting and tax services for startups

RORARORA

Fractional FinOps teams for startups and beyond

Trust KeithTrust Keith

Data protection experts (dedicated team backed up by software)

Wilson SonsiniWilson Sonsini

Law firm focused on U.S. launch, expansion, fundraising, partnerships, M&As, and IPOs

Bronze Sponsors

LegalEdgeLegalEdge
Mission GroupMission Group

Affiliates

CompensationIQCompensationIQ
MooncupMooncup
Nutcase NutsNutcase Nuts
PaulPaul
Startups MagazineStartups Magazine
thortfulthortful

Get your brand seen by Europe’s top operations leaders!

This is not your average business event - it’s a community-powered, no-fluff experience packed with energy, insights, and authentic connections.

🎯 Reach a targeted audience: Connect directly with operations leaders and decision-makers in startups and scaleups.

🚀 Amplify brand visibility: Showcase your brand across all event channels - before, during, and after the cONference.

🧠 Lead the conversation: Establish your brand as a thought leader and help shape the future of operations.

🤝 Drive quality leads: Get to network directly with high-potential clients and partners.

Partner with Operation Nation
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Check out our previous cONferences:

cONference 2025cONference 2025
cONference 2025
cONference 2024cONference 2024
cONference 2024
International Ops Fest 2023International Ops Fest 2023
International Ops Fest 2023
cONference 2022cONference 2022
cONference 2022
cONference 2021cONference 2021
cONference 2021

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Reach out to us at events@operationsnation.com for anything you need.

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