Experience CTO Craft Con: London

The CTO Craft Con Experience

We’re not here to overwhelm you with endless tracks or pack you into an expo hall with thousands of strangers.

CTO Craft Con is designed to be focused, human, and genuinely useful.
You’ll hear from experienced tech leaders on stage – and just as importantly, you’ll have the space to talk, reflect and ask your own questions. This isn’t about passive listening all day. It’s about making sense of the challenges you’re facing with your peers.

Whether you’re here for deep thinking, tactical tips, or a chance to recharge with others who understand the pressure of your role, CTO Craft Con is designed to meet you where you are.

Beyond the Stage

Coffee Corners
Pull up a chair during the breaks and join themed chats on topics like Tech & Parenthood, Scaling Teams or Hiring Headaches
Circles Breakfast
Hear from Circles members about what to expect and what their Circle has meant for their development at this exclusive taster session
Pre-Event Mixer
We understand that walking into a conference can be daunting, so our pre-event mixer is designed to help you make connections ahead of the event. Don't miss this chance to build your network before the conference even begins!
End of Day 2 - Debrief Drinks
Our conference closes as it began – with the community. Join us for informal networking drinks at the end of day two, where speakers, sponsors and peers come together to share final reflections, swap stories, and make connections that last long after the conference doors close.

The CTO Craft Netwalk

The CTO Craft Netwalk is a relaxed, guided walk through central London, designed to help you ease into the conference experience.

Starting at around 6pm, the walk lasts approximately 30 minutes and is led by Joel Chippindale. It’s a chance to step away from the usual conference nerves, get some fresh air, and start conversations naturally. No awkward intros, no forced networking, just walking side by side with people who understand the role you’re in.

The route will be confirmed with attendees closer to the event, and the walk will finish at the pre-event mixer so you arrive already knowing a few faces and feeling part of the room.

Whether you’re attending CTO Craft Con for the first time or returning, the Netwalk is a simple, low-pressure way to connect early and arrive grounded.

CTO Craft Con: London – Pre-event Mixer

The pre-event mixer is your welcome to CTO Craft Con: London.

Hosted by Cloudflare at County Hall, one of London’s most iconic riverside buildings, this is an informal evening of drinks, food, and unhurried conversation.

This is where people settle in, make early connections, and ease into the conference without pressure. Many attendees tell us the conversations that start here shape their entire experience over the following days.

Come as you are. Stay for as long as you like. Leave knowing you won’t be walking into the main conference alone the next morning.

The After Party at Lane7

The conversations don’t stop when the conference ends. Join us at the After Party to keep the energy flowing with drinks, nibbles, and plenty of networking.

Hosted at Lane7, you’ll dive into a vibrant mix of bowling, arcade games, and social spaces – all designed to spark fun and friendly competition. It’s the ideal way to unwind, connect with fellow tech leaders, and celebrate two inspiring days of ideas and insights.

Wellness

CTO Craft Con is designed with your energy, focus, and wellbeing in mind.

Each conference day starts with gentle morning yoga. These sessions are open to everyone and are designed to be accessible, grounding, and a good way to ease into the day. No experience needed, just a chance to reset before the programme begins.

Throughout the conference, you’ll also have the option to book short CTO coaching taster sessions with experienced CTO Craft Coaches. These are practical, one-to-one conversations where you can bring a real challenge you’re facing and get focused support in the moment. A chance to step back, sense-check your thinking, and leave with something useful to take away.

Seated massage sessions are available during the conference, alongside guided meditation. These short, restorative moments are easy to drop into between sessions to help you recharge and refocus.

There will also be a quiet room available throughout the event. A calm space if you need to step away from the noise, take a breather, or simply have a moment to yourself.

These moments are part of how we create an environment where you can show up fully, connect more easily, and leave feeling better than when you arrived.

Diverse Formats for 2027

In 2026, we’re bringing back beloved formats like keynotes, panels, and lightning talks, and we’re excited to build on the success of the CTO Craft Roundtables.

These interactive group sessions put you in the mix, offering a deeper, hands-on experience that engages every participant.

Roundtables are crafted to be participatory and stimulating, fostering an environment where ideas flow freely, connections are forged, and meaningful discussions thrive.

Smarter Networking Tools

We know walking into a room full of strangers can be daunting – especially if you’re flying solo. That’s why we’re building in little ways to make connecting easier (and less awkward).

Traffic Light Stickers

Not in the mood to be pitched? Keen to chat? You’re in control. Our optional traffic light stickers let you signal your openness to sponsor conversations, so you can focus on the connections that matter most.

“Ask Me About…” Tags

We’ll also have optional badge tags with themes like AI, Hiring, Imposter Syndrome, or Career Change. It’s a subtle way to share your interests and open the door to conversations with like-minded folks.

Conversation Starter Stickers

Think of these as little icebreakers you wear. Pop a sticker on your badge to share a fun fact, a challenge you’re working through, or a topic you’d love to chat about — like:

“Ask me about scaling a team”
“Looking for a co-founder”
“Remote team wrangler”
These help spark spontaneous conversations and make networking feel a lot more natural.

And if you’re ever unsure or just want someone to chat to – come find us.
The CTO Craft team will be there throughout the event to help with introductions, point you toward people with shared interests, or simply say hello. We’re here to make sure no one’s left standing awkwardly by the coffee.

Secure your place alongside peers shaping the future of tech in finance. We’ll share real stories, solve real challenges, and send you back with ideas ready to put into practice.