Meet our speakers
Thought-leaders from across business and education will be sharing their views and sparking the debate. More speakers to be announced very soon!
Keynote Speakers
Chi Onwurah MP
Chi is currently Chair of the Parliamentary Science Innovation and Technology Committee.
Chi’s inspiration to become an engineer came from Newcastle's great industrial past, and she enjoyed a fulfilling career in engineering after graduating from Imperial College in 1987. She worked across various sectors, including hardware and software development, product management, market development, and strategy, for several private sector companies in different countries, including the UK, France, the US, Nigeria, and Denmark. During this time, she also pursued an MBA from Manchester Business School and earned Chartered Engineering status. Specialising in building infrastructure in new markets and standardising wholesale Ethernet access, her last role before entering parliament was as the head of Telecoms Technology at Ofcom, the Communications Regulator.
Michael Wooldridge FBCS
Michael Wooldridge is the Ashall Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford. He has over 30 years of research experience and has published over 450 scientific articles on the subject. He’s a Fellow of ACM, AAAI, and EurAI, and has served as president for the European Association for AI and the International Joint Conference on AI. He’s received multiple prestigious awards and has published two popular science introductions to AI: the Ladybird Expert Guide to AI (2018), and The Road to Conscious Machines (2020).
Conference speakers
Nadia Abouayoub
Nadia Abouayoub is a strategist and specialist in innovation for the financial sector with over 15 years of experience within fields such as Risk Management, Product Control and Technology in Trading Applications. She started her career at JP Morgan and has since held the role of Director of AI Mobilisation for BSI Regulatory Services. She is involved in various prestigious committees, such as the British Computer Society's AI Specialist Group Committee (S.G.A.I) and the IET's Expert Digital Panel. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Nadia is passionate about AI education, organizing events like the International Machine Intelligence Competition and advising the Cambridge University Library's Strategic Advisory board. She has also lectured on Data Science at the University of London. She is the founder of AIFINAI, an educational platform which aims to transform the financial sector through AI and is currently writing her first book on the impact of AI.
Julia Adamson MBE FBCS CITP
Managing Director, Education and Public Benefit at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
Julia’s mission at BCS is to give every young person the digital skills they need to succeed in life and work. Under her leadership, the Computing at School (CAS) teachers’ network has grown in influence and now has over 25,000 teacher members. BCS’ Barefoot scheme, which supports primary teachers with learning materials and lesson plans, has so far reached 3.3 million children across the UK. Julia played a lead role in establishing and managing the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), an £84 million government-funded programme to upskill teachers to deliver world-class education in computing in schools. In 2023, Julia was awarded an MBE, for Services to Education.
Julia is a Trustee of The Blackdown Education Partnership a Multi Academy Trust, in Mid Devon. Julia began her career in education 26 years ago as a teacher in Cheshire. In 2006 she joined Liverpool-based company, MGL, developing her vision for tech in schools, and how it could transform outcomes for learners. She joined Exeter-based South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) in 2009, supporting its work on online safety and education. Later joining BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT in 2017, holding a number of leadership roles, and is now Managing Director, Education and Public Benefit.
Alex Bardell
Alex has over 30 years' experience working in technology and in the role of lead architect for enterprise technology projects. He is a recognised expert in the delivery and migration to cloud computing.
Alex has delivered IT strategy, architecture, transformation and emerging technology projects across a wide range of industries including banking and finance, manufacturing, the public sector, healthcare and the MOD.
Alex has extensive knowledge of implementing many frameworks and methodologies including TOGAF and Zachman Enterprise Architecture, PMI Project Management, ITIL Service Management, Agile Development and Change Management.
He is an experienced team leader and has a track record of building the architectural and technical teams required to deliver complex, multi-regional technology projects.
Matthew Bellringer
Matthew is a neurodiversity and innovation specialist, working with neurodivergent business owners, organisations who want to get strategic benefit from their diverse perspectives, and organisations delivering digitally-enabled services to a neurodiverse audience.
Alongside their private practice, Matthew is Chair and Co-founder of NeurodiverseIT, a group for neurodivergent IT professionals within BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT and the organiser and founder of the Curious Being community. Matthew has a background in systems development, psychology, research and education, and is a late-diagnosis autistic ADHDer.
Professor Alan W. Brown
Alan W. Brown is a Professor in Digital Economy at the University of Exeter, an experienced business executive and a strategic advisor. He has spent more than thirty years in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom driving large-scale software-driven programmes with commercial high-tech companies, leading R&D teams, building state-of-the-art solutions and improving software product delivery approaches. He has written several books on enterprise software delivery and digital transformation, most recently Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI: A Handbook for Digital Leaders. He is a Fellow of the BCS, a member of FTAG, and recently completed his role as a fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI.
Mark Butcher
Mark leads Posetiv, a company dedicated to pioneering GreenOps, FinOps, and DevOps across IT, from data centres and infrastructure to end-user devices, cloud services, and software development. With a focus on helping large enterprises modernise their IT services, Mark brings extensive experience in guiding organisations toward ambitious net-zero targets and significantly reducing digital carbon emissions.
Charlene Hunter MBE
Charlene Hunter MBE is the CEO and founder of Coding Black Females, an organisation dedicated to empowering Black women in tech. With a BSc in Mathematical Sciences and an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, she has over 15 years of experience as a software developer and technical architect.
Charlene founded Coding Black Females in 2017 to address the underrepresentation of Black women in tech. The organisation offers mentorship, role models, and professional development opportunities, collaborating with major corporations and institutions.
Recognised for her contributions, Charlene was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2022. She is a sought-after speaker at tech conferences, advocating for systemic change to create inclusive environments. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion in tech is unwavering.
Joanna Masraff
Based in the Greater Edinburgh Area, Jo Masraff is a Fractional Sustainability Transformation lead, using her Agile and Sustainability Coaching skils on a mission to help individuals and small businesses through their sustainability metamorphosis. Her passion for sustainability and diversity in tech and business, combined with her belief that the power of small changes make a significant impact, Jo not only delivers value but also enables others to improve continuously in a way that benefits the people and planet, while enhancing overall happiness. She is lucky that she is able to do this within her role mix at AND Digital and as founder of PirateJo.
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments. Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She is currently taking part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme.
Gill Ringland
Gill Ringland is an internationally recognised foresight and IT strategy consultant, experienced CEO and author. She wrote Scenario Planning (used on the Harvard MBA course) based on her experience in the IT industry. She was a member of the EC’s High Level Expert Group on Foresight and served on the UK Economic and Social Research Council. She co-chaired (with Professor Ed Steinmueller) the BCS Service Resilience Working Group. Her most recent book is Resilience of Services: reducing the impact of IT failures. She is Secretary of the BCS IT Leaders Forum, a Life Fellow of the BCS, a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, Emeritus Fellow of ICL and of SAMI Consulting.
Andy Stanford-Clark
Andy Stanford-Clark is an innovation leader in IBM Research, accelerating innovative and transformative technology projects with Clients. He is an IBM Distinguished Engineer, a Master Inventor with more than 40 patents, and leads IBM’s Quantum Ambassador team in the UK. Andy is based at IBM’s Hursley Park laboratories near Winchester, and has been working in the area we now call the Internet of Things for more than 25 years. He has a BSc in Computing and Mathematics, and a PhD in Computer Science. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia, a Visiting Professor at the University of Newcastle, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southampton, and a Fellow of the British Computer Society.
Steve Sands
Steve Sands is a risk and compliance professional with expertise in information security, IT management, and data protection. Formerly the Chief Information Security Officer at Synectics Solutions Ltd., he now serves as an internal security consultant and Data Protection Officer. A Chartered IT Professional, Steve is a Fellow of BCS and a member of several security bodies, including MCIIS, ISSA, and ISACA. He has been Chair of the BCS Information Security Specialist Group since 2021 and is a qualified ISO27001 Lead Auditor. Steve also represents BCS on the BSI committee for developing information security, cybersecurity, and privacy standards.
Sathpal Singh
Sath is the Chair of the BCS Agile Methods specialist group and a passionate technology and agile leader with 25 years of experience. He has worked with a number of international clients and global brands, transitioning from engineering to leadership roles in both public and private sectors. Currently, he leads global initiatives to develop engineering capability, culture and communities in the financial services sector. Sath holds several professional credentials, including Chartered IT Practitioner (CITP), Chartered Manager (CMgr), a diploma in Digital Marketing and several Agile certifications. He is Fellow of both BCS and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Along aside his role as the Conference and Convention Planning Officer on the BCS’s Community Support Committee he is the organiser of the global online meetup, The Future of Work Scotland and an international keynote speaker.
Jo Stansfield
Jo is CEO and founder of Inclusioneering, and an inclusive innovation consultant. She holds several voluntary roles, including Trustee of BCS, co-chair of BCS Women, board member of the AI ethics charity ForHumanity, and advisory board member for TechUp Skills Bootcamp. Originally an engineer, developing enterprise software for sectors like power and aerospace, Jo transitioned to Business Psychology, earning an MSc with research focused on gender and racial diversity in technology. She leverages her deep understanding of engineering culture and her lived experience in the field to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Professor Ed Steinmueller
Ed Steinmueller is Professor Emeritus of Information and Communications Technology Policy, and of the Economics of Innovation, at SPRU (Science Policy Research Unit) in the University of Sussex Business School. He has published four books and more than eighty peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, mostly on the ICT industries as well as on science and technology policy and economic history. His books include Mobilizing the Information Society: Strategies for Growth and Opportunity; Advanced Introduction to Platform Economics, (both with R.E. Mansell); and most recently Resilience of Services:
Reducing the Impact of IT Failures, (with Gill Ringland). He was co-chair (with Gill Ringland) of the BCS Service Resilience Working Group and is a Fellow of the BCS.
Check out Ed's Linkedin profile
Advisory group
Sathpal Singh
Sath is the Chair of the BCS Agile Methods specialist group and a passionate technology and agile leader with 25 years of experience. He has worked with a number of international clients and global brands, transitioning from engineering to leadership roles in both public and private sectors. Currently, he leads global initiatives to develop engineering capability, culture and communities in the financial services sector. Sath holds several professional credentials, including Chartered IT Practitioner (CITP), Chartered Manager (CMgr), a diploma in Digital Marketing and several Agile certifications. He is Fellow of both BCS and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Along aside his role as the Conference and Convention Planning Officer on the BCS’s Community Support Committee he is the organiser of the global online meetup, The Future of Work Scotland and an international keynote speaker.
Jo Stansfield
Jo is CEO and founder of Inclusioneering, and an inclusive innovation consultant. She holds several voluntary roles, including Trustee of BCS, co-chair of BCS Women, board member of the AI ethics charity ForHumanity, and advisory board member for TechUp Skills Bootcamp. Originally an engineer, developing enterprise software for sectors like power and aerospace, Jo transitioned to Business Psychology, earning an MSc with research focused on gender and racial diversity in technology. She leverages her deep understanding of engineering culture and her lived experience in the field to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Gillian Arnold
Gillian has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, including 22 years at IBM, where she led various technical, sales, and consultancy teams. In 2010, she founded Tectre, focusing on encouraging women into STEM and promoting inclusive company cultures. Tectre provides diversity, ED&I training, and consultancy, particularly in IT. Gillian also holds voluntary and NED roles, including immediate Past President of the British Computer Society and board member of CEPIS. She has received numerous accolades, including the 'Inspiration of the Year' award at the 2012 CISCO Everywoman in Technology Awards and led the BCSWomen group to a UN award for their work in women in tech.
Nadia Abouayoub
Nadia Abouayoub is a strategist and specialist in innovation for the financial sector with over 15 years of experience within fields such as Risk Management, Product Control and Technology in Trading Applications. She started her career at JP Morgan and has since held the role of Director of AI Mobilisation for BSI Regulatory Services. She is involved in various prestigious committees, such as the British Computer Society's AI Specialist Group Committee (S.G.A.I) and the IET's Expert Digital Panel. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Nadia is passionate about AI education, organizing events like the International Machine Intelligence Competition and advising the Cambridge University Library's Strategic Advisory board. She has also lectured on Data Science at the University of London. She is the founder of AIFINAI, an educational platform which aims to transform the financial sector through AI and is currently writing her first book on the impact of AI.
Christine Ashton
Christine Ashton is the Chief Information Officer at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). She has extensive experience in the tech and business sectors, having served as Non-Executive Director at Royal Bank of Scotland International since 2020 and held leadership roles at companies like SUSE, Cogventive, SAP, and Thomson Reuters. As a Fellow of BCS, she contributes to its mission to improve IT for society. Ashton has also held global roles at BP, BG Group, Transport for London, and others, and served on various advisory boards, including Pay.UK and the Home Office.
Steve Sands
Steve Sands is a risk and compliance professional with expertise in information security, IT management, and data protection. Formerly the Chief Information Security Officer at Synectics Solutions Ltd., he now serves as an internal security consultant and Data Protection Officer. A Chartered IT Professional, Steve is a Fellow of BCS and a member of several security bodies, including MCIIS, ISSA, and ISACA. He has been Chair of the BCS Information Security Specialist Group since 2021 and is a qualified ISO27001 Lead Auditor. Steve also represents BCS on the BSI committee for developing information security, cybersecurity, and privacy standards.
