Sponsored by

Date: Tuesday October 22nd | Time: 08:45 – 17:00 | Location: The Exchange
Digital Skills Symposium
Narrowing the digital skills gap
Creating talent for a future world

Our Speakers

Richard Parker
Mayor, West Midlands

Charlie Smith
Chief Marketing Officer

Richard Bovey
Chief of Data

Claire Spiller
EMEA Leader – AWS re/Start Programme

Tom Harrison
Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Education Innovation

Sheridan Ash MBE
Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer

Vikki Bradney-Spencer
Corporate CSR Leader

Mike Lattimer
CEO

Victoria Pargetter-Garner
Director – Digital Skills & Commercial Impact

Harjinder Kundra
Project Manager

Mick Westman
Founder & CEO

Ashleigh Miles
OT Cyber Security Senior Associate

Jack Tasker
Business Engagement Partner

Pete Cripps
Design and Technology Director

Suzie Branch-Haddow
Vice Principal – External Development

Nimmi Patel
Head of Policy – Skills, Talent & Diversity

Lauren Monks
Director of Strategic Services
Agenda
08:45-09:25 - Registration, refreshments and networking
An opportunity to network and speak with other tech leaders interested in digital skills
09:25-09:40 - Opening Remarks
Opening remarks from Jack Tasker, Business Engagement Partner for BDF on behalf of the University of Birmingham
09:40-10:00 - Fireside Chat with Mayor Richard Parker
Hear from Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
10:05-10:45 - WMDSC Panel
Hear from Rich Bovey (AND Digital), Mike Lattimer (SF Technology), Lauren Monks (In4 Group), David Gaughan (WMCA) and Charlie Smith (IBM)
10:45-11:15 - Coffee Break
Grab a coffee and have a chat
11:15-11:30 - Keynote on AI for All
Hear from Vikkie Bradney-Spencer from IBM on AI for ALL
11:30-12:15 - Fireside Chat: In Conversation With...
Discussion on Digital Skills in conversation with Rich Bovey (AND Digital) and Sheridan Ash (Co-founder of BDF and Tech She Can)
12:15-13:30 - PANEL: Making Midlands the best place to nurture and grow digital talent
Learn how education providers are doing things differently to ensure the Midlands is the best place to nurture and grow digital talent
13:30-14:30 - Lunch and Networking
Opportunity to network over lunch and discuss digital skills with your peers
14:30-16:00 - Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Transition from education to employment with BDF/UoB and Digital Innovators
Track 2: Productivity gains and your workforce – upskilling and development with AND Digital
Track 3: How diversity increases innovation in the sector with Claire Spiller (AWS)
16:15-17:00 - Networking
Event ends and the floor is open to networking