Sponsored by
Date: Tuesday October 22nd | Time: 08:45 – 17:00 | Location: The Exchange
Digital Skills Symposium
Narrowing the digital skills gap
How will digital skills continue to re-shape the future of work? As organisations continue to grapple with the regional digital skills gap and recruitment remains fiercely competitive, the Digital Skills Symposium will inspire new thinking and action to transform our approach to attracting, retaining and developing digital skills now and for the future. If you are responsible for recruiting, developing and retaining talent in your organisation, register your interest now.
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