Future Skills for Technical Leaders

Sue Daley OBE

Director, Technology and Innovation, techUK

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work at techUK.

This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.

Steve Ellis

Global Partner, Arcadia

Steve Ellis is a Global Partner, Head of the EMEA Region and Global Head of Sales and Marketing at Arcadia Consulting. He has been consulting clients on leadership, culture, mindset and sales for 20 years. He is the author of 'The Mindset Advantage' podcast series exploring the human response to transformation, challenge and change. Prior to working in consulting, Steve worked in Sales and Sales leadership roles at GlaxoSmithKline and Coca-Cola Enterprises operating with client C-Suite executives.

Steve delivers Keynote speeches, facilitation, hosting and 1:1 executive coaching for audiences of all levels and sizes from executives to graduates and specialises in leadership, leadership strategy execution, developing mindsets and cultures, and sales transformation. His passion is for creating value for businesses, customers and employees alike. He is passionately curious and a student of neuroscience, social anthropology, behavioural economics and positive psychology.

: https://arcadiaconsulting.com/

Andy Patterson

Global Partner, Arcadia

Author of the paper ‘Evolving Technical Leaders – Balancing Expertise with Human Skill’, Andy Patterson specialises in organisational change and social neuroscience. Andy started his career as a Scientist, measuring turbulent flows in internal combustion engines, and designing structural components for aerospace and automotive clients in carbon fibre technology, before moving into consulting 25 years ago.

He joined Arcadia from IBM Business Consulting Services where he led the risk reduction programme in their $1.5 billion systems integration portfolio in Southern Europe, which resulted in a significant profit improvement. Andy led the company’s SW European Practice in complex solution services. He also helped to perform IBMs largest ever M&A transformation when IBM bought PWC consulting.

Andy is an expert in Social Neuroscience and Cognitive Anthropology. He has developed Arcadia’s approach to leading change in its client. He manages Arcadia’s academic relationships with the School of Management and Department of Psychology at the University of Bath.

Andy has an MA from Oxford University, is a certified coach, a certified business consultant, and is the co-author of two world first papers, namely the first real time airflow measurements in firing production internal combustion engines and the solution algorithm for edge effect stresses in bonded anisotropic materials such as carbon fibre.

: https://arcadiaconsulting.com/

Donna Verdi

Head of Learning and Development, Kroll International

Donna is an award-winning Head of Talent Development, with over 25 years of experience of working in India, USA and the UK within the financial and professional services sector. With a proven track record in transforming learning functions to support organisational goals, managing substantial budgets, leading global teams, building learning strategies, nurturing diverse talent and navigating complex stakeholder environments.

She has a proven track record of spearheading successful global multicultural initiatives to drive organisational effectiveness, talent management, and cultural transformation. She collaborates with cross-functional teams and senior executives to align organisational objectives, build inclusive high-performance cultures, and achieve business goals.

She is a qualified Project Management Professional, Certified Coach, a Center of Army Leadership Senior Fellow supporting the UK’s Center of Excellence for Leadership Development, Research, Strategy and Engagement, committed to advancing best practices in the industry.

At Kroll, Donna is committed to building a robust talent pipeline, enhancing and maintaining technical and professional expertise, and driving a high-performance inclusive culture. She collaborates closely with senior leadership and employees to ensure that learning initiatives are strategically aligned and effectively executed.