2025 Speakers

Ian is a Partner at Analysys Mason, a specialist telecoms advisory firm, and is one of its leading experts in broadband with over 25 years’ experience in telecoms consulting. He has worked on telecoms projects for national and local government, regulators, operators, investors and end-user...

Rachel Arthur is the Chief Learning Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, where she is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality computing education. With a background in both education and technology, she has spent her career developing curriculum, supporting teachers, and driving...

Jason is the Global Director of In-Space Data & Security at Axiom Space, where he leads the development, strategy, and monetization of orbital data centers for commercial, civil, and defense & security applications in Earth-independent cloud computing, cyber, quantum, AI/ML, and Web4. 20+...

Professor Katie Atkinson is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research at the University of Liverpool. Katie is known internationally for her foundational and interdisciplinary research contributions on artificial intelligence over the...

Studied BSc (Hons) Genetics (Immunology), graduating in 1998, followed by a PhD in Medicine and Therapeutics at University of Aberdeen in 2001. Katriona has worked in academia, industry and the health service in the UK and globally. During this time Katriona has taken her experience in the ethical ...

Tatum is currently the Engagement Lead for the Telecommunications Team within the UK Space Agency. She is responsible for stakeholder management and strategic industry engagement for the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems and Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit programmes. Prior to that...

As an infrastructure and network engineering leader with over 26 years in the industry, Keith is an expert and trusted advisor in designing, automating and optimising large-scale networks.In his current role he is responsible for driving operational excellence and leading the company’s...

Driven to make a distinct difference, helping organisations, teams, individuals, and communities to thrive. Nicki was a technologist for over 30 years, and senior leader for almost 20 of those, including as leader of the Architecture team at the British Library, Head of IS Strategy and Digital...

Ian is CEO of Peira Consulting and brings over 30 years of experience in the telecoms, technology, and digital sectors, gained via numerous roles and engagements in global industry and consulting. His experience covers the full industry life cycle from start-ups and investor funding, through...

During 16 years as a telecoms analyst, Rosalind Craven has covered a wide range of topics including customer experience, telecoms IT, strategy and telecoms market sizing. As a senior analyst at STL, Rosalind specialises in mobile private network and manages the Private networks insights...

Ben is the Marketing Director for Praetura Ventures, an award-winning VC focused in the North of England. Praised for its early backing of northern success stories such as Peak, Modern Milkman and Culture Shift, the Manchester-based VC has now become known for its ‘more than money’ approach to...

Edward is responsible for leading techUK's work on the digital economy, as well as wider economic policy. This includes techUK's work on the industrial strategy, spending review and budget submissions, as well as other aspects of policy linked to the wider economy, such as encouraging the...

Katherine took up post as Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in June 2021.As lead advisor to the Metro Mayor her role involves strategic engagement and close working with the City Region’s six Local Authorities, national government, partners in business, civic...

Jill is a Principal Technology Advisor at Ofcom. She leads projects on technical aspects of fixed voice and broadband services. She is also a part of the Ofcom team leading a pledge with major UK communications providers to commit to improving representation for women in technology roles in the...

Jarlath Finnegan is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Fern Fibre, home to AllPoints Fibre, Cuckoo, and Brillband, leading a £1 billion investment in full-fibre connectivity. Renowned for driving innovation and transformation, Jarlath consolidated five investments under his leadership to create...

Nicola is responsible for Public Affairs, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Internal and External Communications. Nicola also works directly with the CEO and offers strategic counsel to other members of the Executive Committee.Prior to this, Nicola was appointed as a member of the...

David Halliday David was appointed by Ofcom as the Office of Telecommunications Adjudicator in April 2021, having been part of the OTA2 since 2009. Most recently David has led the OTA2 team to tackle the challenges of PIA introduction, All-IP (including proposed PSTN closure & Fibre...

Passionate about protecting businesses from cyber threats, Niomie Haynes is the Commercial Manager at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre. Her career began in Fraud Prevention, where she honed her skills in identifying and mitigating online risks for a leading UK retailer. Giving Niomie a deep...

In 2003 Daniel set up Cybermoor in the North Pennines, the first rural broadband co-op in the country and has since delivered ground breaking projects to bring fixed and mobile connectivity to some of the most challenging parts of the UK.  Recent 5G trials in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Blackpool have...

Vicky has spent 20 years across the public and private sector, leading large operational teams to meet customer needs. After 13 years at the MoD leading IT Support teams, Vicky moved to the private sector to become the Head of IT Service Operations within BT Security. Here she delivered a...

Eva has 40 years’ experience in enhancing the quality of independent living services. Her passion shines through when supporting older adults in sheltered and extra care  housing as well as the TEC service Carecall.For the last 11 years, Eva has been a pivotal figure at Stockport Homes Group as...

James Johnson has over 20 years of experience in sustainable energy and environmental policy. As Head of Regional Programme for the North West Net Zero Hub he participates in the North West of England’s journey towards the UK's net zero goals. He leads a team that provides expert...

Rosemary Kay is an innovative leader in the field of eHealth and digital connectivity. As the Director of the eHealth Cluster and Liverpool 5G, she is at the forefront of driving transformation in public services through the power of technology. With a strong background in the Health and Social...

Rachel KennedyProgramme Manager, Health and Social Care, techUK Rachel Kennedy is a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team at techUK, where she works to foster collaboration between the digital health and life sciences sectors and the relevant stakeholders, regulators and decision...

Spencer Lamb is the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Kao Data. Having held previous positions at data centre companies – Infinity SDC and Verne Global, Spencer brings over 25 years of experience in data centre colocation, artificial intelligence (AI), high performance computing (HPC), hyperscale...

Fran Lautman is Assistant Director of Customer Experience at Oldham Council. Fran has responsibility for driving customer experience improvement and embedding a resident focused approach at all levels of the organisation in addition to leading the delivery of several resident facing services.Fran...

The Manchester Digital Startegy team is working towards making Manchester a world-class digital city with a people first approach to technology and digital developments. Megan is the Senior Digital Strategy Officer for Manchester City Council. She has a keen interest in the impact of technology on ...

Jason Legget is a leading advocate for integrating Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies into the UK's critical infrastructure. As Public Sector and Enterprise Solutions Lead at Connexin, Jason drives the adoption of IoT and smart city solutions, emphasizing the transformative...

Hugo has been an investor at Mercia Ventures for over 4 years, prior to which he worked in Corporate Finance at Cavendish supporting early stage companies to raise money. His focus at Mercia Ventures is on series A stage businesses across software and consumer. He currently is on the board of four...

Michael is a Reader in the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences and leads the Networking and Distributed Systemsresearch group. Michael received a BSc (hons) in Computer Science from Lancaster University in 2000 and a PhD in IPv6 transitioning from the same institution in 2005. Since...

Hamish MacLeod has served as the Chief Executive of Mobile UK since its formation in March 2016. Prior to this, he chaired for 14 years the Mobile Broadband Group, one of the cross industry bodies that was merged into Mobile UK, working across a broad range of public policy matters, including child ...

Lizzy is the Director of Marketing at Kao Data and has considerable experience in developing and executing B2B marketing strategies for a wide range of companies within the Technology industry. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Lizzy actively promotes opportunities for Women in...

Eilidh McLaughlin is the Deputy Director for Digital Ethics, Inclusion and Assurance and is head of the Digital Citizen Division.  The Division is new within the Digital Directorate and covers the Connecting Scotland programme and the Ethical Digital Nation team.It also comprises Information...

Andrew has worked in RF and semiconductor design, product and marketing strategy and engineering leadership in wireless telecommunications product and operator companies. Currently Andrew is Chief Architect at Telet, a private network MNO, Technical Authority for Liverpool 5G and a steering group...

CEO of Independent Networks Cooperative Association since October 2024.

Rod Parker is an experienced professional with over 30 years of experience in the technology consulting industry. As the Co-Head of Technology Consulting at Analysys Mason, Rod helps drive innovation and transformation in the digital landscape. With a strong background in telecommunications, Rod...

Josie leads Virgin Media O2’s social impact strategy within the Sustainability team. Josie is a gender equity and digital citizenship advocate with over 10 years’ experience in civil society working to advance consumer, youth and women’s rights through partnerships, campaigns and programmes

15+ years’ experience across the telecommunications and IT sectors.Previously held senior positions with fibre provider Borderlink/Gofibre delivering rural broadband in Scotland and the North of England and with connectivity-led cloud services partner M247.Extensive successful delivery of wide...

Brian Potterill is Policy Director at Ofcom. Brian has worked in the telecoms sector for 35 years. He started his career at Hutchison and Orange when Orange first launched its mobile service in the UK and grew into other European markets. He then spent 15 years in PwC’s global telecoms strategy...

Steve is a dynamic leader with a passion for transforming the UK's transport landscape. As Director of New Mobility Technologies at Connected Places Catapult, he leverages 15+ years of experience to guide clients through the complexities of the mobility sector. His background includes...

Clive is a Senior Partner at Cambridge Management Consulting, working with clients to develop and grow their businesses, including accelerating growth, developing new products, entering new markets, securing investment and managing business change and transformation.Clive has extensive experience...

Colin Rae has worked in the telecommunications business for over 25 years and has spent the last 23 of them working for Virgin Media O2 currently Programme Delivery Director for the North of the UK. In his free time Colin likes to travel the world with his wife and daughters.

Tom Rigg is the friendly and highly experienced Chief Executive Officer of B4RN, a multi-award-winning community-led ISP based in Lancashire. With over 15 years of telecommunications experience, Tom has been instrumental in developing and delivering broadband services across the North. Under his...

Hannah Roden is an accomplished Innovation Officer at Leeds City Council, with a passion for driving positive change through technology and connectivity. With a keen interest in smart city initiatives and technology enabled care, Hannah is dedicated to leveraging innovation to enhance the quality...

Giles is the General Counsel and Chief Development Officer at nexfibre.  He leads on legal and regulatory policy as well as corporate development and M&A strategy.  He led nexfibre's recent acquisition of the FTTH assets of Upp in partnership with Virgin Media O2.Previously Giles worked at...

30+ years’ experience across the UK telecoms and fibre sector holding various leadership positions.Sean was most recently Managing Director at KCOM where he successfully led their fully scaled FTTP rollout and led their commercial and network operations across the UK.An industry pioneer, Sean also...

Tony Sceales is currently the Technology Director for the Borderlands and ECH 5G Innovation Regions, Director at Horseguards Consulting and Chairman at AWTG Ltd. He is also Deputy Chair of the UK Telecoms Innovations Network Health and Care Expert Working Group and an Ambassador for the TM Forum...

Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir is a distinguished Professor of Wireless Communication at the University of the West of Scotland. He is also the Director of the UWS Digital Connectivity and Innovation for Sustainable Futures. With over twenty years of experience, Prof. Shakir has successfully secured...

Alan leads a talented team developing Vision, our secure, cloud-based field service management software that streamlines workflows, automates tasks and delivers the visibility and insights in real time to drive productivity and performance. Talk to Alan at stand 66b!

Ranvir is currently and Investment Manager with GC Angels (GCA): GCA is an early-stage, agnostic investor into companies based in Greater Manchester. With its own fund (funded by GMCA) combined with access to a wide range of Angel Investors, GCA participates in pre-seed and seed rounds from £250k - ...

Gita is the Founder Director of GOS Consulting, specialising in economic regulation and commercial strategy in electronic communications. She has more than 35 years’ experience including 12 years in senior management and director roles before becoming a consultant. Gita provides consultancy and...

Chris is a Senior Advisory with Eight Advisory, an independent advisory firm specialising in transactions, restructuring and transformation in the UK & Europe. He has twenty five years' experience establishing, transforming and leading challenger broadband businesses in the UK. Experienced ...

Ian Stoddart is a seasoned Digital Connectivity Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council and Derbyshire County Council, specialising in driving digital transformation and connectivity initiatives in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire regions. With a proven track record of successfully implementing ...

Natalie Strange is a telecommunications specialist with over 10 years of experience in the industry. As Managing Director of RPS Telecom, she leads the company’s operations and growth initiatives, rivalling national providers while prioritising exceptional client care and a supportive team...

Phil leads the digital portfolio at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and is responsible for leading the next chapter in Greater Manchester’s ambition to be recognised as a world-leading digital city region, with an ongoing commitment to taking an open, innovative and connective approach and...

Richard is founder and CEO of Zen Internet, the UK’s largest B Corp certified telecommunications and technology service provider. A multi-time Which? recommended broadband provider, and PC Pro’s best provider for 20 consecutive years, Richard started Zen in 1995 with only a handful of dial-up...

As Circular Economy Manager at Virgin Media O2 Louise is on a mission to help Virgin Media O2 customers take 10 million circular actions, which could mean extending the life of devices, choosing refurbished, donating unused technology and repairing and recycling. Much of her role is about leading...

Vicky is the Director of Policy and Transformation at St Helens Council.  Committed to shaping the future of public services through innovation, strategic leadership and strong partnerships, Vicky has a wealth of experience in driving meaningful change and delivering tangible benefits for both...

 Ann Williams Liverpool 5G Programme Director.  As a Commissioning and Contract Manager in Adult Social Services at Liverpool City Council she led for Liverpool City Council in the two successful 5G test bed and trials funded by DCMS. She has led the successful EU funded STOP & GO programme.  ...

Dave Williams is the Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Reconome, where he leads initiatives that repurpose corporate technology for underprivileged communities. With over 15 years of experience scaling tech startups, Dave is passionate about driving digital inclusion and...

Rachel has recently joined Telecom Infrastructure Partners as their Chief People Officer, to develop and deliver the people strategy in a "people first" culture. Previously, Rachel was the People Director at Zzoomm where she built the company from a two-site build location to a...

Mark Yeeles is the Vice President of Schneider Electric’s Secure Power division in the UK and Ireland, and the host of the DDI Podcast – one of the UK’s leading digital infrastructure podcasts. Today he works with Schneider Electric’s partner ecosystem to deliver sustainable, resilient and energy...

Lizzy is responsible for deal origination, investment appraisal, due diligence, fundraising, investment execution, and managing follow-on funding for portfolio companies. She previously worked at ACF Investors, specialising in healthTech and deepTech investments. Lizzy holds a PhD in Medical...