Health and Care Innovation Expo 2014, taking place at Manchester Central on 3 and 4 March, has announced the schedule of speakers for the event.

The two-day event features a packed programme of presentations, interviews and live Q&A sessions with high profile leadership and innovators from around the healthcare world. This year’s conference builds on the success of previous events, and, with around 10,000 people from across the health and care community expected to attend, Expo will be a turning point in every delegate’s career.

On the eve of his retirement NHS England CEO Sir David Nicholson is among the main speakers. During a Question and Answer session with David Brindle of The Guardian on Tuesday at 10.30am, Sir David will set out the transformational changes needed to improve care in the coming years. Commenting ahead of his appearance, Sir David Nicholson said:

“For the past eight years I have had the privilege of leading the NHS, one of this country’s greatest institutions. In that time we have successfully fought some major battles, not least against unacceptable waits for treatment and the scourge of healthcare-associated infections. Now I believe the NHS needs to embark on a programme of transformational change to frontline care, arguably the most significant since its creation.”

Bryan Sivak, Chief Technology Officer, US Department of Health and Human Services, will also be speaking at the event on Tuesday 4 March at 3.15pm. Bryan is a worldwide leader on helping organisations to harness the power of data, technology, and innovation to improve the health and welfare of the nation and delegates can attend his session to discover more on the Technology that makes a difference in Healthcare.

Roy Lilley, writer, broadcaster, commentator, independent health policy analyst and editor of nhsManagers.net, will be opening the living room stage at 9.30am on Monday 3 March, hosting a session with Tim Kelsey, Director for Patients and Information at NHS England, and Niall Dickson Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, on how we can ensure our health and care system is safe and sustainable.

Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, closes the event with a keynote speech at 4pm on Tuesday.

Other high profile speakers at the event include: Lord Ara Darzi, Lord Victor Adebowale, Ciaran Devane, Don Redding, Sire Bruce Keogh, Sir Muir Gray, Jane Cummings and Professor Sir Michael Grant.

Due to high interest, additional speakers are still being added to the programme. Keep up to date with all the latest speaker announcements and news and views from Expo on Twitter @NHSExpo or through #Expo14NHS.

With the variety of exciting and high profile speakers Health and Care Innovation Expo 2014 won’t disappoint. Book your place now at www.england.nhs.uk/expo/.