From Products to Services: Evidence and Insights for UK Industry

A 20-minute presentation of findings from our UK-wide ESRC study on servitization, followed by a 70-minute panel discussion with business and policy leaders (e.g. Make UK, Advanced Services Group) exploring practical examples of how firms are shifting from products to services. This will be followed by 45 minutes of interactive Q&A and live polling with the audience, and a 30-minute networking session with light refreshments.

The event explores how UK businesses are creating value by shifting “from products to platforms” through servitization—moving from selling products to offering outcome-based services. Drawing on findings from a large-scale ESRC study of 700 UK firms, it will address key questions such as: How does servitization improve productivity and profitability? What are its links to environmental performance and net-zero goals? What barriers (e.g. procurement, regulation, leadership) prevent firms from progressing, and how can they be overcome? Attendees will benefit from: Benchmarking their organisation against national trends; gaining insight into real-world business model shifts and their outcomes; hearing directly from industry and policy leaders on enabling conditions and practical lessons; opportunities to connect with peers, policymakers, and business support organisations during networking. The session will be interactive, evidence-based, and delivered in plain English with case examples, making it accessible and directly relevant to business and policy audiences.

Raveen Menon

The event is targeted at business decision-makers, policymakers, public sector stakeholders, business membership and support organisations. Any member of the general public with an interest in business, productivity, or sustainability may attend, the event is specifically designed for professionals and organisations navigating the challenges of industrial transformation and green growth.

This event will be of particular interest to business leaders and managers in manufacturing and engineering firms exploring new growth models, as well as policymakers focused on productivity, innovation, and net-zero goals. It will also appeal to business membership and support organisations (e.g. Make UK, LEPs, chambers of commerce) who act as intermediaries between industry and policy.

4/11/2025