The UK Business Tech Awards have been judged by industry leaders and experts.
Current Judges
Previous Judges include:
Judges
Louis Adamou | E-commerce & Technology Strategist | Loaf
I’m a proud generalist, who has been involved in all aspects of e-commerce. Ask my peers, and you’ll hear that I’m a leader obsessed with identifying, defining and fixing problems all across the e-commerce ecosystem. In the past year I’ve overhauled the technology stack at Loaf, introducing two new payment partners, a new 3D modelling and AR partner as well as the rebuild of our website and the optimisation of our ERP system to support the operational side of our business. Alongside my day-to-day duties, I’m also an Advisory Board member for Commerce Futures who run a popular events series focused on allowing peers in digital & technology leadership positions to share experiences and solve problems.
James Alcock | Chief Technology Officer | Freeman Clarke
James is a Freeman Clarke Consultant Chief Technology Officer, and innovation and technology strategist based in Manchester. He specialises in helping businesses adapt and grow by developing and delivering technology strategies that align with their business’ vision. James has been at the forefront of technology throughout his career and has extensive experience in IT and business leadership from founding his own software consultancy and brokering a joint venture with a PE-backed partner, to enabling technology change in fast-paced corporate environments.
Mo Aldalou | Entrepreneur Engagement Manager for North West | Tech Nation
Mo Aldalou is Entrepreneur Engagement Manager (EEM) for the North West at Tech Nation, the Government-backed growth platform for tech companies and leaders. Tech Nation fuels the growth of game-changing founders, leaders and scaling tech companies so they can positively transform societies and economies. A former business and technology journalist with more than 8 years of experience in the UK and Dubai, Mo is passionate about championing and supporting a network of ambitious tech founders and entrepreneurs across the North West region.
Dawn Anderson | MD of Bertey Agency, Lecturer in Digital and Search Marketing, Strategic & Technical SEO Consultant | Bertey | @bebertey
Past roles at Carat and Latitude, working on search marketing campaigns for major brands. International Search Marketing Conference speaker on SEO and Digital Marketing Strategy. International SEO Consultant to brands in-house teams covering ecommerce, sports, travel, food and nutrition, legal, finance and insurance. A decade in SEO. Researcher into search engine crawling and crawl efficiency.
Paul Armstrong | Technology Advisor / Strategist
Paul Armstrong is a leading strategist, author and speaker on the future of technology, disruption and innovation. Paul runs HERE/FORTH, the emerging technology advisory whose clients include PwC, Omnicom, Camelot, Coutts, O2. Coca-Cola, P&G, jkrGlobal and MEC. Paul previously worked in the US in-house at Myspace, and for top agencies before returning to London to head up the social technologies team for WPP’s Mindshare. Regularly seen on the BBC and News at Ten when industry comment is called for, Paul writes for a number of publications including Cool Hunting, Evening Standard, Courier amongst others. Paul's first book, ‘Disruptive Technologies’, offers organizations a distinct response to emerging technologies including Blockchain (Bitcoin), artificial intelligence (amongst others) and other external factors that intertwine to impact their business and consumers. 'Disruptive Technologies' became a best seller on Amazon and the TBD framework inspired the TBD Conference. Paul is a founding member of the Good Technology Collective, on the board of Global Tech Advocates, an Ambassador for Meaningful Business, the host of ‘Mouthwash’ and is currently writing his second book with Penguin due out in 2023.
Rik Barker | CIO - UK and Ireland | Flutter
Rik has been in software development in one form or another for over 20 years. Initially working as a developer, tech lead and development manager on desktop software, before moving to focus on how to develop tech teams and Web technology. Rik joined Web Agency Technophobia in Sheffield as the Head of Production and progressed to Technical Director and then CTO after a restructure and acquisition. Rik joined Sky Betting & Gaming during a period of extreme growth, as the business moved from under Sky ownership into a VC backed private ownership model. Over the next five and a half years, Rik was heavily involved in scaling the business, the teams and the technology, and investing in the culture to support the growth. Initially joining as the Head of Gaming Technology and working in several areas of the business, Rik has spent the last two years as CTO, overseeing the organisation as it transitioned back into group ownership through two acquisitions. In September, Rik moved to take on the role of CIO for UK and Ireland for the combined Flutter group, running technology across Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Betting & Gaming. In all roles, Rik focuses on building high performing teams and developing people and has always taken a people-first approach to building software.
Chris Barnicott | Chief Technology Officer | SSE
Chris is currently the Chief Technology Officer for SSE and has over 25 years of experience with technology strategy and solutions for consumers, business and industry. Chris’ career has spanned the beginnings of cable TV, internet and communications in the UK with Virgin Media and the digital evolution of the energy industry with Centrica and SSE.
Laura Bartlett | Founder | House of CoCo
Laura Bartlett is the award winning founding editor and publisher of global magazine House of Coco, sold all over the world as well as in store at Harrods and Selfridges. Having built this business in her tweeties with zero investment from the ground up, Laura is a leading voice for young female entrepreneurs and a larger than life example of failure breeding strength. Laura is a #girlboss with a passion for speaking, inspiring and motivating others to be the best possible versions of themselves. Laura is passionate about encouraging all readers, but especially millennials to live their best lives, to take risks to follow their dreams and be in control of living on their terms.
Gavin Barton | Chief Technology Officer | Booking.com
Gavin is the CTO at Booking.com Transport where he has overall accountability for the technology in the Ground Transport business unit of Booking.com and running Rentalcars.com, the world's largest online car rental service. Gavin started out as a developer in a family business over 25 years ago, since then he has worked and led in technology across Aerospace, Sports Gaming, Telecoms, Transport, Automotive, Travel and Digital sectors. Gavin joined Booking.com Transport in 2015 and has driven the technology transformation of the business to an agile product organisation whilst modernising the technology platforms guided by two key principles “cloud by default” and “you build it, run it & own it”. It isn’t all about agile engineering and transformation for Gavin, he is also an active supporter of grass root talent having shaped and launched talent initiatives such as our apprenticeship programmes and mentoring programmes and is now looking to start community outreach programmes.
Liam Bateman | CTO | Silverchip
CTO And software developer, Liam has over 15years experience in the digital industry, working with some of the UK's leading companies and brands. In 2010, with his friend and business partner, he co-founded Silverchip, an award-winning digital agency in the heart of Manchester, boasting an impressive client list and being renowned for its bespoke software development. Liam is extremely passionate about the importance of developing a ‘real-world curriculum’ within schools and colleges, working alongside students and young people to provide opportunities and routes into the sector.
Martin Bryant | Technology Consultant, Speaker, Writer and Educator
Martin Bryant is a consultant, speaker, writer, and educator in the fields of technology and media. He works to help technology companies craft a narrative around their products and business. He was previously Editor-in-Chief of international technology publication The Next Web, and Community Editor at Tech North, where he shone a light on the stories of startups and entrepreneurs in the North of England.
Mark Budd | Head of Innovation | Zurich
Mark Budd has been in insurance and banking and for over 20 years having worked at HSBC, Aviva and now Zurich. Mark currently heads up Innovation for Zurich in the UK and has a wealth of experience of working with start-ups, new technologies and testing new propositions. Mark was Insurance Post’s Digital and Insurtech “Insurance Technology Leader of Year” in 2018 and his team have won numerous awards since the Innovation Foundry was established just over 3 years ago.
Dave Cain | Head of Digital Marketing | Arriva Group
Dave started his digital journey back in 2002 originally as a web designer/developer and very quickly moved into the online marketing sector as an SEO and PPC specialist. Over the past 17+ years, he has operated in a freelance, agency and client side capacity working with some of the most respected brands across the UK, Europe and Asia. Today, Dave would classify himself as a t-shaped data driven digital professional with a wealth of experience and knowledge across many verticals and technologies. In his own words “if the internet was switched off tomorrow I’d be out of work, it’s all I know and love”.
David Chadderton | Head of Digital Marketing | Homes for Students
Following a highly successful first career as an RAF Air Combat Instructor flying Tornado fighters around the world, Dave forged a second career in digital consultancy, working freelance and later for digital and lead generation agencies before finding his home 'in-house'. His data-driven approach to ROI-based digital marketing has helped Homes for Students become one of the biggest student accommodation companies in the UK, growing by over 98% in the last 2 years and generating over £200M revenue pa. His fully integrated approach to all digital channels has been applauded by industry leaders such as SEMRush and Ahrefs, and he's constantly pushing the 'norm', preferring to lead in the sector rather than follow.
Tom Cheesewright | Applied Futurist | Book of the Future
Tom Cheesewright is the founder of applied futurism practice, Book of the Future and creator of the Applied Futurist's Toolkit, a suite of strategy tools for agile organisations. Through consulting, speaking and media work Tom helps people to see, share and respond to a coherent vision of tomorrow. Clients range from charities and government bodies to large enterprises and global brands. Tom appears frequently in the media, with over a thousand appearances across TV, radio, print and digital providing insight and analysis of the latest technology news and future trends.
David Crawford | FOUNDER | THE DIGITAL STRATEGY UNIT
David Crawford has worked for the last 25 years in marketing and digital agencies of all shapes and sizes. He was most recently Managing Director of Branded3, one of the UK’s leading search agencies, and has also held senior positions at McCann, BJL and twentysix. He has worked directly with clients such as American Airlines, UPS and Bentley as well as help a couple of tech start-ups develop and deliver their digital & marketing strategies. He now works with creative, digital and tech agencies as a Non-Exec Director, Board Advisor and Coach.
Graham Cunningham | Head of Digital | NWF Fuels
Graham has a passion for all things digital, and that really comes through in the way he approaches his work. After spending almost a decade at a blue-chip data company in the financial services sector, he moved into the construction industry, where he crafted and implemented a range of digital disruption strategies to shake up a highly traditional marketplace. Driven by a data-oriented approach and a focus on user experience, Graham has a proven track record for developing, tracking, and optimising digital marketing channels and platforms across web, email, social media, marketing automation and CRM. Following on from a successful spell in the construction sector, Graham then switched to fuel distribution and currently heads up the digital programme at NWF Fuels, the UK’s third largest distributor of commercial, domestic and agricultural fuels.
Richard Dawson | DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIST MENTOR AUDITOR AND TRAINER | The Cheshire Digital Marketing Agency
Richard is an experienced Digital Marketing Strategist Mentor Auditor and Trainer. He has nearly 20 years of experience helping clients in a wide range of sectors with a full range of online marketing activities. He is also a lover of Disruptive Technologies. He also write about Politics and Digital Campaigning.
Amy De-Balsi | Founder | Herd
Amy De-Balsi is Head of Innovation and Partnership for Bruntwood SciTech and is responsible for building a strong tech community within Platform. Amy has a long track record in championing entrepreneurial tech talent in the Leeds City Region and brings a wide network of tech business, professional services providers, investors and regional universities. Amy is the founder of the Herd which runs Leeds Digital Job Fair that brings together 50 tech companies all looking to recruit. Prior to founding Herd, Amy worked in both the private and public sector. She spent five years at Yorkshire Forward overseeing a portfolio of projects to develop the region’s digital sector and also held a number of senior positions at Sky Betting and Gaming. In her time as a consultant, Amy’s clients included the NHS Digital Delivery Centre, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Trinity University.
Lawrence Dudley | Co-founder & Director | Parallax
Lawrence co-founded Parallax with three friends back in 2010. Fast forward a decade and the Leeds-based digital transformation agency has gone from strength to strength. Now a team of 30, Parallax has an international portfolio including the likes of Amazon, NASA and British Airways. Lawrence has been instrumental to the company’s growth, with a keen eye on how to best use technology to solve key business problems. Recent projects have included the development of internet-enabled street lighting, electric vehicle charging software and more.
Chris Dymond | Director | Sheffield Digital
Chris has worked in digital technology and communications for the entirety of his 30 year career to date, having been instrumental in the growth of two successful web development firms between 1995 and 2012, and splitting his time more recently between Sheffield Digital, the association for digital industries in Sheffield, which he co-founded in 2016, and his own consultancy Unfolding, which specialises in strategic thinking and capacity building around the digital evolution of places. Chris has been closely involved in the development of Sheffield's digital technology ecosystem over the last 15 years, and has mentored and supported many startup and scale-up companies during that time. He is also a Director of the Sheffield UTC Multi-Academy Trust, which operates two secondary schools in Sheffield with specialisms in computing and creative digital media.
Dave Eaton | CFO and Fast-Growth Tech Sector Leader | Flinder
Dave Eaton is a portfolio CFO and Fast-Growth Tech Sector Leader at flinder. He helps fast-growth tech businesses to improve performance, scale their business and prepare for investment. Dave has spent most of his career working with fast-growth technology businesses leading finance teams and guiding the growth journey through supporting fundraising and exits. He finds nothing more satisfying than working as part of a management team to navigate the challenges and come out the other side with a clear proposition, strong growth and market share through to an exit. Outside of work, he is a keen sportsman, playing tennis regularly and surfing when he can. flinder is a multiple award-winning technology and data-led finance insight provider that enables better decision-making. flinder works with fast-growth businesses using technology to simplify complex data and deliver relevant insight.
Ellie England | Sales Director | Microsoft
Passionate about digital, women in technology and making a lasting impact, Ellie began her career in sales working in an inner city secondary school 'selling' the importance of modern languages to disaffected teenagers. She got in to the world of digital advertising working for Google for 6 years, before eventually relocating to Manchester and joining Microsoft. As a Sales Director for Microsoft Advertising, for the past 5 years. Ellie has been spearheading the continued investment in the North of the UK and beyond, leading a growing team of Account Managers and Directors and juggling life as a proud mother of two pre-schoolers.
Daniel Goodfellow | Head of Digital | Select Car leasing
Daniel Goodfellow has over 12 years of experience in the digital world and has a strong track record of success both within agency and in-house roles. Dan has spent the last three years working in Automotive and believes it is an industry in desperate need of transformation. Now working with Select Car Leasing he is focused on bringing not only car leasing into general awareness but also to the cutting edge of digital technology.
Richard Gregory | Founder | AgencyNXD
Richard is co-founder of AgencyNXD as well as an advisor and NXD to multiple tech firms and agencies, including Adzooma, Fluid Digitial and Ruler Analytics. Heralding from “Silicon Ramsbottom” he is an ardent supporter of the digital and tech industry in the North of England. Previously, Richard was the managing director of digital agency Latitude, director of Tech North and co-founder of SAScon.
Marcus Hadfield | Chief Strategy Officer | Apadmi
With over twenty years’ experience in digital and brand marketing, he’s delivered award-winning campaigns across every discipline and most sectors. In 2017, he jumped into the mobile world, and since then has helped clients get more out of their technology offering. He now splits his time between leading on strategy for Apadmi’s clients and working with Apadmi Ventures to identify and support the highly scalable tech start-ups they work with. Clients have included Expedia, Argos, Costa, United Utilities, American Airlines, Cross-country Trains, Which?, Homebase, Co-op, Aldi, World Vision and more.Scott Henderson | Chief Executive | ABGI-UK
Scott has had a colourful career across a range of industries in both large and small companies with exit experience from two transactions. He has a BSc in Anatomy & Biochemistry, an MBA and a post-graduate diploma in Marketing. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Scott has held senior roles in Marketing, Sales, Operations and Finance and recently led the sale of newly banded ABGI-UK to Visiativ, a French listed business. ABGI is one of the world’s leading tax incentive and innovation management advisors. With a 30+ year heritage and 200 experts & advisers we manage £600m of global tax incentives annually for an enviable client list of some of the world's best-known brands. Our aim is to help clients accelerate and fund their innovations. We operate on the entire value chain of innovation in 13 countries through our multidisciplinary international teams. Our core market is companies who are already claiming tax incentives but looking to optimise their claim, experience a better service or pay a competitive price – or all of the above of course.
Steve Hilton | CEO | Liberty Apps
Founder of an agency started in 2008 to produce life changing smart phone applications. We've grown organically to create apps for big names including Warburtons, Microsoft & IBM. Recently spoke at TedX and International Business Festival Invited by the British Computer Society to deliver talks around the UK Presented technology talks at 20+ events regarding Culture, Chatbots & Mobile Apps Recent personal recognition includes: * Winner of the NHS Hackday * Winner of the Homeless Hack * Winner of Hacking the Future of Energy * Most notable app at the Public Health England HackX Lives to improve lives across the globe using smart phone technologies
Jamie Hinton | CEO | Razor
Jamie is CEO and Co-Founder of Razor. He is first and foremost a ‘techy’, but one who can translate the complex world of software development into language that everyone else can understand. Jamie has a long history in software engineering and a proven track record in translating business opportunities into living, breathing software that delivers real value. He has architected solutions for blue chip companies and large financial institutions including, Alfa Romeo, Co-Operative Bank, HCCi and Dyson. Jamie now applies his development thinking and extensive passion for technology to fuel the growth of Razor.
Phil Hobden | Head of Digital Sales | Wolters Kluwer
With a background over 15 years in financial services & the Fintech accountancy sectors, Phil has worked for some of the largest and most innovative businesses in these industries, including Intuit, Natwest Banking Group, HSBC and now Wolters Kluwer. Phil is a contributor for Elite Business Magazine online, a serial podcast host, judge for UK Business Tech awards 2021/22 & the Global Tech awards 2022 , a public speaker (having spoken at Elite Business Live x3, Accountex x3, QuickBooks Get Connected and more) and guested on numerous industry podcasts and webinars including with industry bodies such as the ACCA. During his previous role at funding platform Capitalise as their Head of Customer Education he worked with over 1500 accountants, from Top 25 through to leading niche and boutique firms across the UK and South Africa, to help them implement funding as a service within their firms.
Petar Hristov | Senior SEO Manager | Acronis
Petar Hristov has over 7 years of experience in digital marketing and mainly SEO. He is currently Senior SEO Manager in Acronis, a world leader in cyber protection & data security. Petar has a passion about SEO and Digital Marketing as a whole. He started his SEO road in a Bulgarian agency back in 2015. Two years later, Petar created his own local based SEO agency which was tailored B2B Clients. His passion is creating in-debt SEO Content Strategies for websites, that satisfy user experience and bring in results to the client.
Kristal Ireland | Director of Digital | UK Coaching
Previously voted as one of the UK's Top 30 Women in Digital Under 30, Kristal Ireland is a specialist in digital transformation and digital brand strategy. An award winning, strategic and experienced digital marketing expert, Kristal is the Director of Digital for the national charity UK Coaching. A regular digital conference speaker and industry commentator Kristal has worked in digital for over a fifteen years developing digital solutions for some of the UK’s biggest brands.
Dr David J Hardman MBE | Managing Director | Bruntwood SciTech - Birmingham
David’s career over the last twenty-five years has been in knowledge transfer; working at the interface between applied research and commercial application and exploitation. His expertise and interests are directed at creating appropriate partnerships and infrastructures to promote the development and success of cross sectorial knowledge-based businesses. He started out as a PhD microbiologist, with research interests in the application of microbes in what is now described as ‘clean technology’. In 1992 co-founded and led a start-up biotech venture and this experience developed into a wider interest in the translation of science into good and applicable technologies. In 1998 David moved to the Babraham Institute, Cambridge to establish and lead a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Babraham Bioscience Technologies Ltd. focused on the development of the commercial aspects of the Babraham Research Campus. In 2008 he moved to Birmingham developing and implementing a new strategy to build on the legacy of Aston Science Park. The result is the Innovation Birmingham Campus; an urban focal point promoting digital innovation and adoption across all sectors. In 2018 the Campus became part of Bruntwood SciTech to create a focal point for a thriving innovation district in Birmingham. David was awarded an MBE for ‘contributions to science’ in 2009.
John Jones | Corporate Partner | Beever and Struthers
John leads Beever and Struthers' Corporate Team, having been made a Partner in 1999. Beever and Struthers is an award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in Manchester, Blackburn and London, and currently rank in the Top 50 firms nationally and Top 10 firms in the North West. John is a local council member of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and has been co-opted to the Partnership Steering Group of the Business Growth Hub. He was Chairman of Pro-Manchester from 2014 - 2015.
Abraham Joseph | Founder & Editorial Director | IOT Insights
Abraham is Founder and Editorial Director of IOT Insights. He has over 20 years’ experience in telecommunications and IT and has managed major projects for investors, regulators, telecoms and cable TV operators, equipment vendors, independent software vendors and enterprises. He founded IOT Insights in 2014 as a spin-off from Device Management Forum, which he founded in 2006. Prior to founding Device Management Forum, he was Director of Consulting at Gartner and Consulting Director at Ovum. Previously he worked for over ten years in a variety of strategy, business development, marketing and product management roles at Alcatel and Nortel, and as IT manager at a major UK health district. He has written for and been featured in a range of publications including the Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph, Total Telecom and Mobile Europe. He is a frequent chairman, speaker and moderator at international conferences on a broad range of topics. He was producer and chairman of IoT Summit at CeBIT in 2017 and 2016. He has an MBA from Strathclyde Graduate Business School and a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Polytechnic of the South Bank (South Bank University London).
Brendan Keegan | Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing | MMU
Brendan has taught digital marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School for ten years. With a short stint in agency land in digital comms and web development, his teaching and research focuses on digital marketing strategy in the services industry. Recently awarded a PhD that focused on the role of analytics in social media marketing campaigns, Brendan uses a combination of industry experience with a wide network of Manchester agencies to further understand digital which feeds into his teaching.
Mark Kuhillow | Founder | R.O.EYE
Starting his career on 1994, Marks media roots are firmly planted within the offline direct response world, moving online in 1999. Seeing the opportunity to apply a digital direct response agency model to affiliate and performance marketing campaigns, Mark founded R.O.EYE in 2004. Now seen as the largest specialist in its sector, R.O.EYE counts the likes of HMV, Best Western and Jessops amongst its clients.
Steve Kuncewicz | Partner & Head of Creative, Digital & Marketing Sector Group | BLM Law
Steve is a Partner and Head of Creative, Digital and Marketing at BLM Law in Manchester. He specialises in intellectual property, media social media and privacy law and is listed as a "recommended lawyer" in the Legal 500’s 2019 edition, and was a Co-founder if the Bulletproof Agency Network. He is a regular media spokesperson, and has given interviews to the local and national press through BBC Breakfast, Sky News, ITV, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC London. Steve is also the Manchester Publicity Association’s Honorary Solicitor and Co-Chair of Creative ProManchester.
Stefan Lewis | Head of eCommerce and Digital Marketing | Represent Clothing
In my early teen years I grew fond of digital design and media. Through school I focused on being a creative, choosing graphic design form college and graduating The University of Salford with a First Class Honors degree in Graphic Design. Throughout this course I worked with my friends on building a fashion brand heavily focused on design and marketed through the rise of facebook and instagram. This project enabled me to grow at a fast rate through self teaching alongside the brand. 5 years later I am head of Commerce and Digital Marketing at that very same brand, Represent Clo. Currently I manage 3 digital advertising and marketers and a ux software team whilst handing digital content, ecom content and working heavily on strategy with the founders, George & Michael Heaton. The brand has grown significantly since we began in 2012. With over 200 retail stores and an 8 figure turnover ecommence platform through Shopify. I’ve sat at the forefront of the digital landscape throughout this time, and have been instrumental in the business growth. We strive for high-end perfection at an affordable price point, whilst maintaining the brand’s unique look and specific market identity.
Shilpa Lindley | Head of Digital | Together
Results-driven, insightful and pragmatic Digital leader with a proven track record of success gained in senior roles in both a start-up environment as well as complex blue-chip organisations. Almost 20 years of Digital experience combined with a sharp commercial focus as a result of a background in trading and yield management. A strong leader, with the ability to inspire people and manage performance across a range of disciplines, encouraging passion, fun and commitment to achieve company goals, whilst always putting the customer at the centre. I specialise in helping organisations to get started or deliver a step change in their Digital capabilities and performance. Typically this will include Digital Strategy and Vision , Educating key stakeholders and leadership, helping to gain buy in to get investment, Organisational Design,, Digital profitability, Delivery of Change (including Transformation) and setting up of ongoing correct MI & routines. Currently working at Together Money, Responsible for all aspects of Digital across the Business from setting the Strategy, Building the team, Digital Marketing/ Trading, Website Development, Social Media, and User Experience and Product Ownership for Digital Transformation. All underpinned with robust Tracking, Insights and Analytics and the latest UX & Design techniques to create the perfect mix of Art & Science.
Davina Lines | Managing Director | Ecommerce Club & Mixing Digital
Davina Lines is Managing Director of Mixing Digital and the Ecommerce Club. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a big black book of digital contacts to ensure Mixing Digital’s event management services are of the highest standard. Davina co-founded Netimperative in 1999 and became Managing Director in 2002, stewarding the brand into new product launches and creating one of the most successful events programmes in the digital marketing industry. In the mid 90s Davina cut her digital teeth on New Media Age (now Econsultancy), forming part of the founding team and was responsible for the commercial development of the magazine and its early events from launch in May 1995 to 1999. In recent years Davina launched an ecommerce peer-to-peer community, the Ecommerce Club, which runs regular events in London and Manchester on topics relevant to the retail community.
Erica Livermore | Chief Technology Officer | TGI Fridays UK
Erica Joined Fridays UK in May 2020 as Central Services and Project Director and moved into the role of CTO in October 2020 with responsibilities for IT, Business Solutions and Central Services. A law graduate with a passion for technology Erica has successfully led large-scale transformation projects on Cloud Technology, IT Infostructure, Consumer Facing UI and UX. Erica’s experience spans across a multitude of sectors and international markets having spent 4 years with the Swedish BPO leading specialist Transcom WorldWide part of the Kinnevik Group and 7 years with De Vere Group & Starwood Capital. More recently Erica joined from Virgin Active UK where she held the position of CXI Director.
Alistair Macneil | Chief Technology Officer | Digital Boutique
Alistair began his career writing safety-critical software for the British Army’s Challenger 2 tank. It was here he honed the skills and work ethic that later led him to co-found industry-leading Witherby Publishing Group, where he singlehandedly delivered 11 software titles in 2 years. Alistair founded his second company, Cohesion Digital, in 2010 – this time focused on understanding client needs and leading the development team rather than coding himself. After a decade of success, Cohesion became one half of the ecommerce powerhouse that is Digital Boutique. As CTO, Alistair applies his deep knowledge of technical systems to deliver high-level projects for clients such as Hitachi Capital, Leicester City Football Club and Heineken. He specialises in projects that involve complex interconnected technical systems that need to deliver at scale and at pace.
Neil McKay | CEO | Endlessgain
For more than 15 years, Neil has been helping businesses here in the UK, Europe and USA grow their online profits. He started his career at publisher Media Ventures Group (MVG), helping to build and sell Global Media GmbH to private equity firm The Carlyle Group before leading the UK acquisition of Bigmouthmedia (now part of DigitasLBi). He later led Lakestar Media to success before it was acquired by McCann Worldgroup in 2012. Neil's latest venture is Endless Gain – a Conversion Optimisation Agency which launched in January 2016.
Marco Morelli | Chief Technology Officer | siHealth
Dr Marco Morelli holds a PhD in Applied Physics and has more than ten years of managerial experience in developing satellite-based technologies, particularly for digital healthcare. Since 2017, Dr Morelli has undertaken several national and international projects for satellite-based healthcare innovation at siHealth Ltd (Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK) whilst being siHealth’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Then since 2019 he is also a Board Director of siHealth Ltd as well as the CTO of the subsidiary siHealth Photonics (Livorno, Italy). Prior to the leadership role at siHealth, Dr Morelli built a career within Flyby Group (Livorno, Italy) playing a key role in developing a number of satellite-based technologies including a patented solar radiation measurement technology and being author or co-author of several scientific publications.
Paul Morris | DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR | MARSHALLS PLC
Paul has 20 years’ experience leading Marketing & Digital both Agency & Brand side. Paul was previously Head of Marketing at Tesco Bank, global Digital Director at PZ Cussons (brands including St Tropez, Imperial Leather & Original Source), led Digital marketing at the Co-op Group (Food > Funeralcare) and has through the line experience of working both client and agency side with brands including Wickes, Laterooms, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Cash Generator, Stagecoach and Silverstone.Alexandra Morris | Managing Director | MakeUrMove
Alexandra is 36-years old and has led her national PropTech company, MakeUrMove, through a series of innovative changes by adopting and embracing advances in technology. She started as the first employee of MakeUrMove in 2008, initially as customer service advisor before progressing to Operations Director and finally, Managing Director in June 2017. Alex joined the board of MakeUrMove aged just 24 and has risen through the ranks to shape the future direction of the technology platform, with only basic computer skills in the beginning she set her mind to understanding software and web development and how it can be utilised to build award winning solutions and deliver outstanding service. In February 2020 she was announced as the Tech Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 in recognition of her work at MakeUrMove and the wider industry. Alex’s experience as a woman in business, and in particular in the property and tech industries, shape her ethos today. She’s proud to have grown a business organically and to have led the growth and development on a digital first basis, something which is paying off as MakeUrMove is able to adapt quickly by offering a leading in-house built software and removing dependency on outside parties, unlike their competitors. Alex is a Member of the ARLA Propertymark (MARLA). She is passionate about giving back and mentors a number of local businesses and students in Manchester with a strong focus on promoting the industry to more women, paving the way for a stronger and more diverse future. Spare time is spent with family, embracing a life-work balance raising three children is a key priority and she enjoys long walks with them and the family dogs at the weekend. She is also studying part time with the Open University for a law degree with just one year to go and is aiming for an ambitious first class honours.
Mazen Mroue | HEAD OF GLOBAL DIGITAL MEDIA AND MARTECH | FRIESLANDCAMPINA
Mazen is the head of Global Digital Media and Martech, The Netherlands/Signapore. Leading a team working on specialized nutrition products such as baby formula and his responsibilities cover media, technology, CRM, Website/SEO, Digital transformation, and innovation. Mazen oversees media pitches, digital strategies and transformation, and design of the technology ecosystem following the JBP with key suppliers such as Facebook, Google, & Tik-tok Before moving to the Netherlands, Mazen worked at the agency side for 6+ years based in Dubai, Singapore, and Beirut. His diverse portfolio covers prominent multinationals such as BlackBerry, Samsung, Emirates, Etihad airlines, and all the Richemont Luxury brands. Besides being a member of the world federation of advertisers, Core member in programmatic taskforce at Iab Nederlands, member of the programmatic committee at iab SEA+India/GCC, member of iab GCC, and holding 100+ certifications across all digital platforms and technologies, Mazen won many prestigious digital awards targeting the MENA region and is looking to score more worldwide. Mazen is a big believer in training both the body and the mind to be strong. So next to his professional achievements, he is a world marathoner and Guinness World Record holder, with more than 60 full marathons completed and many ultras.
Rob Mukherjee | Director | EveryCloud Security
A firm believer in a people-led future fuelled by new technologies (and not vice versa), Rob is Director of Transformation at EveryCloud Security - a leading cloud security and digital workplace consultancy with clients ranging from global financial services firms to premier league football clubs. Rob also leads EveryCloud’s award-winning partnership with Workplace by Facebook, making work better for everyone by turning companies into truly connected communities through the power of employee social networks. A regular public speaker on Diversity & Inclusion and The Future Of Work, Rob has won numerous awards for his work on inclusion and is currently listed in the EMpower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Executives and the HERoes Top 50 Male Champions Of Women In Business. A Trustee on the board of GreaterSport, a charity passionate about changing lives through sport and physical activity – Rob is a lifelong Everton fan and is old enough to have been at Wembley the last time they lifted a trophy!
Tim Ng | COO | Now Healthcare Group
Tim joined the business as chief technology officer, just after it was founded in 2013 and was quickly promoted to the role of COO. He has a strong background in operations, succession planning and growing a business from an operational level, as well as first-class technical acumen. Tim’s role at Now Healthcare Group sees him leading the management team to develop and deliver company strategy. He and his team also built the NHG platform and operations from inception and drove the penetration of NHG services into the UK market Prior to his role at Now Healthcare Group Tim worked as an operations director for a leading financial organisation. Since he arrived at Now Healthcare Group, Tim has been pivotal in attracting financial investment to developing the Now Healthcare Group app products and penetrating new markets to grow the business.
Lou Nylander | Marketing Consultant | Wildflowers of London
Lou has over 15 years of experience holding down influential positions, managing global marketing teams and shaping the course of some of the world's leading digital advertising companies, including PubMatic, MediaCom, AOL/ The Huffington Post and Zenith. Before launching her marketing consultancy, Lou was the Global Marketing Director at Unruly and managed the marketing operation during the 2020 acquisition from News Corp to Tremor International. Five years ago, Lou founded 'Wildflowers of London'- Women's Circle, a social enterprise and events business focused on empowering women in South East London, where she resides. She fosters an inclusive culture across everything she does champions women, drives change, and leads from the front with a positive and inspiring attitude.
David Payne | CEO | Mediabridge Global
David has dedicated more than twenty years of his professional life working within the Media Industry, with a most of that time spent in the Out of Home sector. Early in his career, working in the UK, he was part of the start-up team that launched Outdoor Connection, one of the UK’s most successful OoH buying brands. In 2005, David joined WPP’s Kinetic and held several senior leadership positions, both as CEO EMEA and then latterly as CEO America’s based in New York. David left Kinetic to launch Mediabridge Global in 2017 , an independent OoH planning and buying practice, offering brands the independent view across a the fast moving and rapidly changing OoH sector. In early 2019, Mediabridge Global merged into Bitposter, the UK’s leading Out of Home Media technology business providing world class DSP and SSP capabilities for the OoH Market . Mediabridge now operates with three hubs in London, New York and Singapore and is active in over 25 markets worldwide David is an MBA graduate from Henley Business School, lives near London with his two daughters and is a long suffering supporter of Reading Football Club.
Jennifer Pham | Head of Digital Events | IQPC Digital
Jennifer is an experienced content specialist in the business technology space. Kicking off her career in marketing for a global fintech company, she now works with leading technology providers in the customer experience and robotics/automation space to bridge the gap between business challenges and technology solutions.
Plamen Popov | Senior SEO Lead Manager | Acronis
Plamen Popov is an experienced digital marketer & SEO Expert with history of working for internationally renowned brands. He currently is working as Senior SEO Lead in Acronis, world leader in cyber protection & data security company. Plamen joined last year from the marketing team of Management Financial Group, where he lead global marketing strategies for various fin-tech brands inside the holding. Plamen has a genuine interest in marketing and technology and that drives his experience through out consulting start up companies and leading teams in enterprise brands exploring various aspects of marketing activities including PPC, Social Media, Display, Programmatic, App Marketing and SEO. His passion for Search Marketing & SEO always drives him to learn and explore new possibilities of creating better user experiences and results.
Erin Portsmouth | Director of Corporate Affairs | Oldham Cares
Erin is a Chartered public relations practitioner who started her career in private sector marketing and communications consultancies, but for the past eleven years has worked in the National Health Service. She is currently Director of Corporate Affairs at NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group where she oversees a portfolio including communications, engagement, public affairs, equality and diversity, organisational development and governance. She has a Masters degree in public relations, and served on the Chartered Institute of Public Relations North West Group Committee as a volunteer for ten years, also holding a three year term as Chair. She was appointed to the Board of Trustees of homelessness charity Emmaus Salford in 2017.
Liam Quinn | Technical Consultant | Vervaunt
Liam Quinn heads up the technical arm of Vervaunt, the London based eCommerce & paid media consultancy. Working alongside some of the most premium and ambitious brands Internationally, within a range of verticals, to advise and give hands-on assistance in architecting and delivering the right technical solutions to achieve their business goals. With 10 years of experience in the eCommerce space, Liam has previously run several development teams within Northern based agencies, delivering apps and websites across a range of platforms. Going on to become Head of Digital at a 40-man Northern & National Digital award winning agency, running projects for International brands replatforming and scaling their eCommerce offering.
Manoj Ranaweera | Founder & CEO | Techcelerate Ventures
Manoj has been setting up, failing, growing and exiting tech product companies since 2004. In 2013, GP Bullhound acquired Northern Tech Awards from Manoj. In 2015, Accusoft, Inc acquired edocr.com from Manoj. When tech startups weren't mainstream, Manoj took it upon himself to build the first phase of Manchester's tech ecosystem from 2006 to 2013. Today, Manoj is working with founding teams of tech companies until their exits by finding ways to accelerate their growth including raising investment and M&A.
Matt Read | Director of Social Media | GSMA
Matt Read is the Director of Social Media at the GSMA. An award-winning social & content strategist with over 12 years of experience in the industry, Matt's innovative approach to social media marketing and relentless drive to stay ahead of the game has afforded him many opportunities to create forward-thinking strategies for some of the world's leading brands and organisations.
Paul Smith | Head of Digital and Technology Futures | RNLI
Paul has over 20 years’ experience in senior technology roles, leading international teams for large organisations. Paul sets future vision and direction at the RNLI, powered by technology, capability and provides the leadership to effect successful delivery of large scale end-to-end digital transformation and technology solutions.
James Toothill | Chief Technology Officer | Machine Compare
James is the CTO at Machine Compare, a leading marketplace for industrial machinery and spare parts. Combining years of hands-on industry knowledge with the very best in technology, Machine Compare is revolutionising the B2B sector thanks to its easy to use platforms that allow organisations to better preview, plan and purchase machinery and spare parts , generating huge cost savings and business efficiencies. James started as an e-commerce developer 16 years ago and will talk for hours about the three main concepts he believes are the secret tools for success in e-commerce development, speed, usability, and on-site SEO
Jo York | Co-Founder and CCO | Ricochet Technologies
Jo York is a tech entrepreneur and UX designer who's been working in the digital sector since 1998. She co-founded digital agency Ki Media, in 2007, and in 2013 Jo and her business partner Kev Price were accepted onto the Ignite Accelerator and founded the multi-award winning ReframedTV, bringing together live video and tweets. The ReframedTV video player was used by companies such as BBC, ICO and Trinity Mirror, raised half a million pounds from Angels and institutional investors, and achieved Twitter partner status. Jo's latest project is Ricochet is a technology startup that automates B2B sales prospecting to help SMEs spend less time researching leads and more time closing them. As well as being a co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Ricochet, Jo is also a trustee of the Newcastle Tech Trust, where she uses all she’s learned to support, advise and champion other tech startups and their founders.