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Vinous brings over a decade of experience of Westminster and tech policy to the Startup Coalition. Vinous joins Startup Coalition from Public First where she built the technology practice and then spearheaded the company’s US expansion. She formerly led techUK’s domestic policy work after years working at the heart of Westminster as a political adviser. Vinous sits on the Board of Trustees of the Good Things Foundation and has undertaken a fellowship at Cambridge University’s Centre for Science and Policy.
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vinous-ali
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@vinousali
How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive? Monday @ 1:45 PM
Stephen Almond, Executive Director for Regulatory Risk, leads the ICO’s teams charged with engineering information rights into the fabric of new ideas, technologies and business models as part of our dynamic digital economy, including through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum.
Prior to joining the ICO, Stephen led a World Economic Forum initiative to promote the adoption of a more agile, innovation-enabling approach to regulation with governments and tech firms worldwide. He previously worked in leadership roles across the UK Government, including creation of the White Paper on Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and roll-out of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, which invested in regulatory sandboxes and similar initiatives to unlock technological innovation.
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth? Monday @ 12:15 PM
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Economy at techUK, overseeing the Digital Economy programme, which promotes how the UK digital economy and innovation can drive sustained economic growth.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth? Monday @ 12:15 PM
Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE is the Chief Executive Officer of Salesforce UK and Ireland, the world’s number one CRM platform. She was appointed to this position in 2021 to lead the company’s activities across two key growth markets.
Zahra has over 25 years’ experience in technology and consulting, and previously held a number of senior executive roles at Accenture, where she latterly led the Technology business for the UK and Ireland. This entailed a particular focus on transformation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and platforms underpinning new applications.
Zahra has been widely recognised throughout her career as an industry leader. In 2023, she was awarded the CBE in the King’s Honours list for services to the Information Technology Sector. Other awards include: The Business Anecdote’s Top 20 Women In Tech 2023; Computer Weekly’s Most Influential People in UK Tech in 2022 & 2023; The Cranfield Female FTSE Board Report ‘100 Women to Watch 2022’ list; Woman of the Year for MENA Women In Tech Awards 2022; and Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2021.
In conversation with The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Monday @ 4:15 PM
Kate Bell is Assistant General Secretary and supports Paul Nowak in leading the TUC.
Kate works with external stakeholders on behalf of the TUC and is responsible for inter-union relations. She also leads on internal TUC matters. Kate joined the TUC in 2016 as the organisation’s head of economics, international and employment rights department. Kate played a lead role in securing the furlough scheme during the pandemic – leading vital meetings with ministers and civil servants. She has also led the TUC’s campaign for a £15 minimum wage, common ownership in the energy sector and stronger worker bargaining rights.
Before joining the TUC, Kate worked as Head of Policy and Public Affairs for a local authority. She has also worked for the Labour Party, and for the charities Child Poverty Action Group and Gingerbread. Kate was a longstanding member of the Low Pay Commission until January 2024.
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https://www.tuc.org.uk/person/kate-bell
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kate-bell-13421826
AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards? Monday @ 10:30 AM
Delivering digital for the whole of the UK: In conversation with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire Monday @ 2:30 PM
Described as a 'grandmaster strategist’ by Chambers UK and ‘a doyen of public law’ by Legal 500, Charles Brasted works at the intersection of business and government. He helps businesses engage effectively in the making and application of the laws, regulations and policies that affect them. He also helps governments, regulators and other policymakers to take robust decisions.
Charles is a seasoned litigator and a Solicitor Advocate whose practice is underpinned by his experience of acting in commercial judicial reviews and other legal challenges before UK Courts and tribunals, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights (top-ranked in Chambers and Legal 500).
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth? Monday @ 12:15 PM
Jeff Bullwinkel serves as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Corporate External & Legal Affairs, Microsoft EMEA. He is based in London and oversees the company’s legal and corporate affairs teams across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, providing support for commercial transactions and regulatory counsel on public policy issues relating among other things to cybersecurity, data privacy, artificial intelligence, digital safety, competition, and international trade.
Mr. Bullwinkel joined Microsoft in 2000 and previously held a number of senior roles with the company across the Asia Pacific region, based in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mr. Bullwinkel was with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, an international law firm based in New York. Mr. Bullwinkel also served as a federal prosecutor with the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, US Department of Justice, where he was responsible for a wide range of matters relating to international law.
Mr. Bullwinkel is originally from the New York area. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his law degree from New York University. He is a member of the New York State Bar.
Delivering digital for the whole of the UK: In conversation with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire Monday @ 2:30 PM
Sarah Cardell was appointed as Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 19 December 2022.
Sarah Cardell was previously appointed as General Counsel at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on 11 September 2013, and took up the role of Interim Chief Executive between July and December 2022.
Previous career highlights include:
Competition in the digital age - A keynote speech and fireside conversation with Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA Monday @ 11:15 AM
How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive? Monday @ 1:45 PM
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK Monday @ 3:30 PM
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.
The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there? Monday @ 9:30 AM
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK Monday @ 3:30 PM
Julian David is the CEO of techUK, the Digital Technology Trade Association.
Julian leads techUK's 60 strong team in representing over 800 member companies, comprising global and national champions and more than 500 SMEs. He is a member of the UK Government and Industry Cyber Growth Partnership, the Digital Economy Council and the Department of International Trade’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group. He is also the Vice President for National Trade Associations, on the Executive Board of DIGITALEUROPE, Vice President representing Europe on the board of WITSA the Worldwide IT Association, and a member of the board of the Health innovation Network, the South London Academic Health Science Network.
Competition in the digital age - A keynote speech and fireside conversation with Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA Monday @ 11:15 AM
Kate Davies joined Ofcom in 2016 and has been Public Policy Director since 2021, supporting Ofcom’s work across communications, media and online sectors, and engaging with policy makers across the UK. Kate also oversees Ofcom’s work in the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum. Previously Kate was Director of Strategy at Ofcom for three years.
Before joining Ofcom, Kate worked in a range of roles in HM Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions and the third sector. Kate was Head of Spending Strategy at HM Treasury, responsible for the delivery of the 2015 Spending Review.
Kate has an MSc in Development and Population from LSE, and an MA Joint Hons in History and English from the University of Edinburgh.
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth? Monday @ 12:15 PM
How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive? Monday @ 1:45 PM
I am involved with innovative organisations in the fields of technology, climate change and public policy. I work as an independent consultant and am a Governor Emeritus of the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Between 2020 and 2023 I was Executive Chair of the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick and, in association with the University of Warwick, I currently chair the West Midlands Electrification Taskforce, and the Independent Climate Change Advisory board to Coventry City Council. I also served on the advisory board to the Harrington Review of Foreign Direct Investment. During that time I also chaired Taso Advisory and had the huge pleasure of being associated with Taso from its early beginnings to its successful sale to Milltown Partners towards the end of 2023. I also served on the board of Vanquis Banking Group as a Non-Executive Director and a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Customer, Culture and Ethics Committee between 2020 and 2024.
Between 2010 and 2019 I was Member of Parliament for Stourbridge and during this time I held a number of roles in government. I served as Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries, and prior to that Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Business Department with responsibility for small business, corporate governance and consumer policy.
My first career before going in to politics was in business. I co-founded Shire Health Group and led its growth to over 100 staff, together we created a new dialogue between pharmaceutical companies and their customers including successful public health campaigns. I was voted Communicator of the Year and received a lifetime service award to the pharmaceutical marketing industry. One of my career highlights was leading the successful transition of Shire Health Group into WPP in 2000 and later into Ogilvy & Mather.
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK Monday @ 3:30 PM
Peter Kyle was appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on 5 July 2024, and is the member of parliament for Hove & Portslade.
Peter Kyle was first elected as MP for Hove and Portslade in 2015, and has twice been re-elected.
Before being appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology he was Shadow Secretary for Northern Ireland and Chair of the influential Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, where he has served on the high-profile Carillion and Thomas Cook inquiries. Peter also chaired the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Southern Rail, and on Further Education and Lifelong Learning.
Since his election Peter has led campaigns in Parliament to protect victims of domestic abuse and reform family courts, to lower the voting age to 16, and proposed the amendment for a confirmatory public vote on Brexit. Locally he has supported affordable housing, campaigned against school cuts, worked with the council to create 1,000 local apprenticeships, and spearheaded the response to the Southern Rail crisis.
He campaigned for remain during the EU membership referendum, 2016. In June 2018, he said “Brexit is a big deal but it’s not a done deal”. In March 2019, alongside fellow Labour MP Phil Wilson, Peter put forward an amendment to Theresa May’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Dubbed the “Kyle-Wilson” amendment, it aimed to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on the condition that the deal on offer would go back to the British people through a confirmatory vote.
Peter overcame difficulties with severe dyslexia to return to school aged 25 and achieve a PhD in community economic development from Sussex University. In his earlier career he worked as an aid worker in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, helping children and young people whose lives had been radically affected by war. The orphanage he set up in Romania still exists today. He then moved on to work as a policy maker in the Cabinet Office, focusing on social exclusion.
Prior to his election Peter was deputy chief exective of ACEVO, the umbrella body for the voluntary sector, and he was head of youth employment charity Working for Youth.
He has lived in Hove for over 20 years.
In conversation with The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Monday @ 4:15 PM
Alan Mak MP is Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology in the Shadow Cabinet and was first elected on 7 May 2015 as the Member of Parliament for the Havant Constituency in Hampshire. Alan was most recently re-elected in July 2024.
He served as a Government Minister prior to the General Election including as Minister at the Department for Business & Trade and Cabinet Office, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and in the Government Whips’ Office. Alan was the Founding Chairman of the APPG on the Fourth Industrial Revolution where he led the campaign in Parliament for Britian to adopt new technologies.
Before public service, Alan had a successful business and professional career, having started & run his own small business, worked on corporate business deals in the City of London with Clifford Chance LLP, and helped manage his family's small business. He also invested in and/or advised a range of businesses, from an advertising & marketing group to technology start-ups.
As Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Alan is holding the Government to account in Parliament, the media and through collaboration with industry, and shaping a long-term alternative vision for Britain as a science and technology superpower.
How do we keep our competitive edge? What steps can we take to ensure the UK's tech sector remains globally competitive? Monday @ 1:45 PM
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK Monday @ 3:30 PM
During his time as its first permanent Director he has established the Northern Powerhouse Partnership as the business led organisation which convenes the North together. From securing significant investment in key transport priorities and further devolution deals for the North, to challenging for a better deal for the most disadvantaged from the education system, his team are focused on how government, business and partners can drive the North’s ambitions. Before joining the Partnership, he worked in senior research and policy roles in policing and financial services, and as a former senior local government figure in Newcastle upon Tyne remains a commentator on the political as well as economic rationale for regional policy, including Levelling Up.
Build, build, build: Getting the infrastructure we need to drive the growth of the tech sector across the whole of the UK Monday @ 3:30 PM
Chi Onwurah MP is a British politician representing Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West in the House of Commons. She was first elected in 2010 to represent Newcastle Central. She serves as the Chair of the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
Chi is a Charted Electrical Engineer and before entering Parliament spent over twenty years working on engineering projects around the world. She has previously served as Head of Technology at Ofcom.
Born in Wallsend, Chi attended Kenton Comprehensive School in Newcastle, where she was elected the school’s ‘MP’ in mock elections aged 17.
The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there? Monday @ 9:30 AM
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.
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https://www.techuk.org/skills-talent-and-diversity-programme.html
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@nimmiptl
AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards? Monday @ 10:30 AM
Neil Sawyer is responsible for leading market strategy and managing the multibillion-dollar P&L for HP’s Northwest Europe Market, spanning commercial and consumer channel and customer segments. Neil has more than 20 years of experience in the technology industry, across corporate, public infrastructure, and consumer electronics. He is a member of the non-governmental organisation techUK.
Prior to his role as Managing Director of HP Northwest Europe, Neil served as Vice President and Managing Director for HP UK&I. Before that he led numerous operational, marketing, and strategy roles in his career spanning consumer electronics, commercial technology and telecoms sectors.
He initially joined HP in 2002 as part of the graduate program and built his career path in the IT and electronics sector. Prior to recently returning to HP, Neil has also worked for Lenovo, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone.
Neil is known for his focus on both business growth and his commitment to talent development whilst nurturing a diverse and inclusive culture. In addition to his role at HP he is a member of the non-governmental organisation techUK, which represents the broader topical issues and opportunities for the technology sector. He shares findings and opinions with the UK Government and the wider technology stakeholder groups in the UK.
Neil holds a degree in Business Studies from the University of the West of England. He lives in London with his wife and three children.
AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards? Monday @ 10:30 AM
Sam draws on his deep experience in government and the private sector to lead policy across all areas of TBI, with a focus on unlocking the transformative power of technology. He has shaped major pieces of legislation, represented the UK in international settings and spent years advocating for policy improvements.
His aim is to instil a shared vision between policymakers and technologists, helping policymakers become less intimidated by technology while encouraging technologists to be more trusting of the policy process.
Prior to joining TBI, Sam worked for many years at Apple, and as an advisor to Google and Vodafone.
The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there? Monday @ 9:30 AM
Tom is a partner at Geradin Partners, having previously been Legal Director at the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Tom led the legal team on the Digital Markets Taskforce, set up by the UK Government to advise it on the new regulatory regime for ‘digital gatekeepers’ such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. He also directed the CMA’s influential digital advertising market study, the CMA’s work on setting up the Digital Markets Unit, and its antitrust enforcement cases in the tech sector.
At Geradin Partners, he represents a wide variety of broadcasters, news publishers, app developers, gaming companies, e- commerce sellers and other companies on digital regulation in the UK, the EU and other jurisdictions. He has been involved in most of the CMA’s competition law investigations and market studies in the tech sector (and other sectors). Tom was the only private practice lawyer to be invited to give testimony to the Public Bill Committee of the UK Parliament during the passage of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.
Tom was previously Director of Mergers at the CMA, responsible for the delivery of the CMA’s phase 1 mergers portfolio and liaising with the European Commission. He also guided many of the CMA’s most high-profile phase 2 merger cases such as Sainsbury’s/Asda (groceries), Illumina/PacBio (genome sequencing) and BT/EE (telecoms). At Geradin Partners, Tom handles clients’ multi-jurisdictional deals that require clearance in many different jurisdictions worldwide. He advised Veolia on the UK merger control aspects of its €13 billion acquisition of Suez, which was cleared with remedies at Phase 2.
Tom advises companies that are involved in market studies and market investigations, or under investigation for competition law and consumer law infringements, in a variety of sectors. He has significant experience in the banking sector, having led the team that implemented the UK’s Open Banking regulations, which came out of the CMA’s retail banking market investigation. He has worked on several abuse of dominance cases in the pharmaceutical sector.
He is a regular speaker at competition law conferences and appears frequently in the print and broadcast media, including the BBC Today programme, the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg TV. Earlier in his career, Tom advised companies on UK and EU competition law at the international law firm, Hogan Lovells. He spent time on secondment to the major broadcaster, ITV plc, and the UK’s Office of Fair Trading.
Outside of work, Tom is the Chair of Citizens Advice Southwark, a charity providing free confidential advice on issues such as debt, housing, benefits and immigration.
Regulation and economic growth:How can our regulatory system help meet the Government's mission for growth? Monday @ 12:15 PM
Anna Thomas MBE is Founding Co-Director of the Institute for the Future of Work. She was formerly a barrister from Devereux Chambers, specialising in employment and equality law and was appointed a Counsel to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Anna was Head of Policy for the Labour Party’s Future of Work Commission and is a Fellow of the Institute for Policy Research, RSA and IEO. Anna has advised the UK Government, Opposition, Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, Trade Union Congress and WEF on I governance.
She is currently undertaking a DBA at Warwick Business School and has been awarded a scholarship for for Women in Leadership.
In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List Anna was awarded an MBE for her services to Research on the Future of Work.
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anna-thomas-969529138
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@FutureWorkInst
AI at work: How do we ensure workplace technologies boost productivity and living standards? Monday @ 10:30 AM
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
Introductory Remarks Monday @ 9:15 AM
The UK's AI ambition for 2030: What should our priorities be for AI technologies and how do we get there? Monday @ 9:30 AM
