Alex Denley, London South Bank University

Alex Denley is Director of Innovation and Transformation at London South Bank University. A multi-award winning senior IT leader and visionary, noted for his disruptive stance and approach to transforming the way his students interact with technology, Alex has overall accountability on technology modernisation spend for one of London’s top Universities, aligning strategy with benefits realisation to achieve his goals. A member of the UK Governance Board for BETT, being a Judge for the UK Business Awards and also ranking within the accredited CIO 100. With over 16 years of experience, he has led the technology teams for some of the most exciting visitor attractions in the UK, including the prestigious London Eye. Combined with experience in running technology programs for Barclays Investment Bank and delivering 5 star experiences within London’s thriving hospitality market. He has leveraged technology to modernise, transform and innovate; striving for world-class customer service with operational efficiencies at the forefront.

Baij started his career in IT at the tender age of 18, installing computerised ticketing systems in cinemas around Europe after deferring his BSc in Computer Science at City University in London. After rapid progression to Europe Support Manager, Baij moved on from the exhibitor (cinema) side of the film business, to the distributor side, and joined Twentieth Century Fox Film Company as an IT Helpdesk Analyst. 25 years on, and after TCF was purchased by Disney, Baij became IT Director for Europe at The Walt Disney Company in London. He left in 2020 and is now searching for his next challenge. Baij is an experienced infrastructure and IT helpdesk service delivery director with 25+ years of IT experience in the media sector. His passion for technology is only second to his love of all things film-related!

Henry Chen (VP, Programme Lead, Wealth Data & Analytics), Barclays

As VP of Data and Analytics for Barclays Wealth Technology Division, Henry leads a global team and oversees multiple platforms and services that provide client and reference data to applications within the Wealth ecosystem. He has partnered with the Business and Operations to deliver key integration, regulatory change, and transformation programmes with a focus on data and technology strategy and the overall governance and control. His balanced technical knowledge and business acumen, coupled with the tenacity to solve problems has served him well on both sides from the Atlantic when he relocated from NY to London, allowing him to broaden his global experience. Henry also has a keen interest in diversity and inclusion. He has co-chaired and sat on various committees (internal and industry-wide) to discuss challenges and share best practices to ensure firms are committed to employee development and supporting all D&I agendas.

Jack Hayward, Head of Information Security, The Wellcome Trust.

Jack Hayward is Head of Information Security for the medical research charity The Wellcome Trust. Jack is tasked with ensuring information security across a diverse organisation that simultaneously operates a museum and library, research funding, and a major investments team. Focusing on human-centric security and developing security services that support innovation, Jack is helping Wellcome to protect itself without losing sight of what it needs to do to improve health and help great ideas to thrive.

As HCUK’s CIO, Laura oversees the company’s technology division, incorporating a wide variety of tools, applications, software design and development, projects, services and digital technology solutions, supporting customers across the company. Laura facilitates HCUK’s security council and liaises with colleagues across NewsCorp on various initiatives. Laura also has executive oversight for Distribution and Group Production, and chairs HCUK’s environment council Formerly Senior Vice President, Technology and Operations, for Turner Broadcasting System Europe (WarnerMedia), Laura has held a variety of senior positions in her field.

Lianne is an award-winning security transformation manager, change maker, tech founder at The AnthroSecurist, cyber anthropologist and tech diversity and inclusion advocate. Lianne's passion is to ensure that the tech we use is as secure as possible while at the same time, removing barriers for those who create it, and fostering environments for innovation and growth. Lianne evangalises a cultural security transformation which begins with embedding values which never compromises or neglect the human experience. Her matra is: When you follow the cables, behind every piece of tech is a person, consumer and creator, and we should never lose sight of this. Lianne currently works at Covea Insurance as an information security transformation manager developing a vision of an intrinsic security culture that gives people the knowledge and the tools to act securely, and empowers them to make the right decisions in a secure by design manner. Lianne also serves on the board of two community enterprises, Women in Leeds Digital (WiLD) and InnovateHer, both aimed at increasing diversity in tech and is an entrepreneur creating businesses in the 'tech for good' space.

In his nearly thirty-year IT career, Mark has practiced virtually all the roles that the profession offers and in the last five years has particularly focused on transforming corporate IT delivery functions using modern software development practices. Having almost always worked with globally dispersed teams, Mark is particularly experienced in embracing cultural diversity within organisational development and as well as being an active mentor in his own organisation he is also a university mentor, continuing to help bridge the gap between academia and industry. Having started as the equivalent of a modern-day intern, Mark is passionate about using his leadership opportunities to identify and nurture early career talent, as well as to guide individuals on their learning journeys throughout their careers.

Mike has led innovation and technological change at WPA, a leading UK Health Insurer, for over 20 years. Mike strives to keep WPA at the leading edge of technology disruption and transformation, implementing agile solutions that drive the business forward and deliver competitive advantage. Mike’s team has won more than ten industry awards in the last five years for their innovative solutions His academic background includes a BSc in Business Computer Science, an MSc in International Financial Management and an MBA. Mike has a special interest in developing systems to improve automation by utilising Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, having gained relevant qualifications at MIT and Swansea University. Prior to WPA, Mike’s varied work experience across Europe has included financial institutions, technology companies, the European Space Agency and the United Nations. Mike is a frequent attendee at insurance market and technology events where he often speaks or debates as part of a panel.

Nick Rosser Head of Information Technology Saunderson House

Nick is Head of Information Technology for Saunderson House, an award-winning independent firm of wealth managers focused on private clients. Nick plays a leading role in defining and supporting the business lead technology strategies across the organisation. He has 25 years’ of experience working within financial services in roles within technology, operations and client advice at firms including Jupiter Asset Management and BDO LLP.

Phil Scully - Costa

Phil Scully is the Group CIO for Costa responsible for corporate and customer systems globally. He joined Costa Coffee in 2017 from parent company Whitbread and has been building and leading the Costa IT function through a significant period of Digital Transformation and from 2019 the successful separation of all systems and data from Whitbread following the acquisition of Costa by The Coca-Cola Company. Prior to Costa he was Group CTO for 3 years at Whitbread with responsibility for Architecture, Data and Information Security functions. He has 30 years’ experience in the IT industry working in technology and delivery leadership roles on large, complex transformation agendas for BAA, Centrica, M&S and Whitbread.

Richard has over 20 years experience in the digital product development space, from leading teams that created some ground-breaking new products at Sky, to the software engineering behind some of best known global e-commerce travel brands at The Expedia Group. He has recently taken up a new role at the Financial Times as their new Chief Technology Officer.

Sapna is a former executive at DWS Asset Management where she helped run the Technology and Operations division, working on efficiency and digital transformation, as well as bridging the gap between business requirements and technology deliverables. Prior to this, she was a senior executive working directly for the Board of Deutsche Bank Group on strategy and communications. Her passion for technology stems from a young age and she holds an MA in Computer Science from Cambridge University. Sapna is an avid supporter of diversity and has participated in and led many initiatives to encourage women and minorities to further their careers in financial services and technology.

Tom is the Site Editor for Delta, Computing’s market intelligence service, and regularly writes news and analysis pieces for Computing. He joined Incisive Media in 2017 from the display industry, trading LCDs and quantum dots for cyber-security and machine learning. As well as tech market analysis, Tom’s role consists of interviewing C-level IT leaders, organising events and complaining about improper use of the Oxford comma.