From the way we work, to our expectations as a consumer and citizen, technology continues to play a major part in transforming the ways we live. This session looks at how work the way we connect with other people, devices, places and things continues to evolve and what we’re expecting to see over the next 5 years.

A panel session providing market insights and forecasts from businesses creating the next evolution of devices, connectivity options and solutions.

Facilitator:
Zoe Hominick, Head of Business marketing and CEX, O2

Panellists:

• Marcus Weldon - President at Bell Labs and CTO at Nokia
• Joe Walsh - Director of B2B at Samsung
• Nick Hedderman - Director, Modern Work & Security Business Group at Microsoft
• Rob Price - CTO, UK Partner Organisation at Cisco

“The only constant in life is change”- Heraclitus

Consumer/citizen attitudes are changing at an accelerated pace. Access to information, insights and opinions has never been so easy. Social platforms can amplify a voice with a few keyboard clicks. And with the top 5 global companies all technology related, the need to maintain relevance in a very crowded digital world has never been so real – for public and private organisations, both large and small. Today you not only need to be better than you were yesterday, but you need to constantly consider the world in which you operate; adapt or die.

Join this panel as we look at the challenges being met by industries from retail, finance and high street operations through to public sector and infrastructure.

Facilitator:
Darren Buttrick, Head of Enterprise Sales (private sector)

Panellists:

• Simon Reed, Head of IT Service & Operations, at Suffolk County Council
• Andy Burton, CTO, at The Very Group
• Louise Hunter, Corporate Affairs & Marketing Director, at Northumbrian Water Group
• Phill Scully, CIO, at Costa Coffee
• Karl Liriano, Head of innovation, strategy and architecture, at O2

“Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.” — Jesse Jackson

“As technology enables trust in new forms, we’re seeing a decline of trust in institutions.” – Rachel Botsman

This panel looks to explore the corporate responsibility of every organisation to not only be fair and trustworthy, but to also support the whole of every community they serve and are a part of. These shouldn’t be political motivations, but serve as the catalyst for good business.

Facilitator:
Maryam Minhas, Sales and Partner Manager-Interactive Messaging at O2

Panellists:

• David Clarke, Director of Services at Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
• Jake Dubbins, Co-Founder and Co-Chair at Conscious Advertising Network
• Paul Asare- Archer, Head of Compliance at O2

When traditional practices meet a need for agile working, how do you find the best way forward for your business?

A session that discusses the opportunities arising from the world in the midst of significant change, and what it means for the very definition of workplace and workspace. What lessons have been learnt? How are decision making practices needing to adapt? What opportunities, mind-set and culture needs to be adopted to create opportunities through disruption?

Facilitator:
Katy Liddell, Director Business Sales and Service at O2

Panellists:

• Robert Gordon, CEO at Hitachi Capital
• Victoria Higgin, CIO and Exec Director at Highways England
• Giles Perkins, Head of Future Mobility at WSP UK
• Sergio Budkin, Director of Business Products and Propositions at O2

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black." Henry Ford

In economical terms, technological change supports economic growth. It drives spending not just at the manufacturing level, but also by expanding, and making products and services more relevant. Technical innovation adoption by industry has moved us quickly in to an era of customisation and personalisation, but are we still in a period of rapid evolution, or are the easiest of technological changes now conquered and the future is preparing for less dramatic re-invention?

From industry4.0 and private networks, to robotics, data analytics and AI, this panel looks at several industry leaders and the role that connectivity and new technologies will play a part in the evolution of traditional organisations as we embrace this digitally connected era.

Facilitator:
Antony Morse, Head of digital Solutions, O2

Panellists:

• Steve Rose, Senior Partner at Bell Research Labs
• Julie Wardhaugh, Chief Architect, Strategy Execution at British Sugar
• John Roberts, CEO at AO.com
• Andrei Brasoveanu, Partner at Accel

Smart Cities aren’t just about implementing technologies, but how those technologies are used to optimise experiences and services for people and planet.

In this session we explore the topics of what makes a smart city work. What are the opportunities, and pitfalls? What does proper investment at a local and regional level mean for citizens and businesses? And what needs to happen to realise the opportunities of connected people, infrastructure and services?

Facilitator:
Geoff Wappett, Head of O2 Motion at O2.

Panellists:

• Steve Rose, Executive Partner at Bell Labs Consulting
• Robert Franks, Managing Director at West midlands 5G (WM5)
• Laila Takeh, Digital Strategy and Innovation Senior Manager at 5prinG
• Alastair McMahon, Commercial Director – Smart Cities, Health, Mobility at O2

With employees staying an average of 4.5 years in UK businesses, the concept of having a job for life has faded.

What does the current environment mean for traditional workplace and our people? From workplace culture, staff benefits and a change in the way that success, productivity and satisfaction are measured. What are the implications for recruitment, talent development, learning and development. How do you manage a workforce that covers 5 generations currently sharing the workplace and how can you ensure your workplace is ready for the future?

Join this discussion to explore the role that technology can play in attracting and keeping the right people for your future needs.

Facilitator:
Kate Mulligan-Brown, Director of SMB Marketing, O2

Panellists:

• Janine Chamberlain, Director, Enterprise Sales Talent Solutions at LinkedIn
• Jon Conn, technology Director at RFU
• Paul Jacquin, Partner, Board Member and Advisor, Taptrove Ventures and Randstad Innovation
• Catherine Leaver, Human Resources Director at O2

“An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.” - Jack Welch

It is expected that every human on the planet will be creating approximately 1.7Mb of information …. every second. And with new low powered networks and IoT devices, that information will continue to grow. But just like the kitchen draw that collects un-connected "things" how do you ensure you're connecting the right data sets to tell a story that helps you define strategic and tactical actions.

During this panel we’ll discuss what the right tools like, what true data driven insight can achieve, and the opportunity for individuals to understand the real value of their data.

Facilitator:
Dave Cornwell, Head of Solutions, O2

Panellists:

• David Jones, Senior VP of IT at AEG
• Chaminga Chandratillake, Chief Analytics Officer at Sainsbury’s
• Louise Maynard-Atem, Innovation Specialist, Data Exchange at Experian
• Davin Crowley-Sweet, Chief Data Officer at Highways England

"It's not an investment if it's destroying the planet." - Andana Shiva

As our energy demands, goods consumption and population continue to grow, organisations are looking at the conscious changes they can make to take social responsibility for their impact to planet and community. This comes as we also see a willingness of consumers to purchase from business with the same ethical concerns and focusses they have, rewarding those that do with their business, or the volunteering of their time.

This session looks to understand the importance that technology plays in supporting sustainable business models and the benefits this can deliver.

Facilitator:
Tracey Herald, Head of Partnerships and Social Impact, O2.

Panellists:

• Oliver Rosevear, Head of Environment at Costa Coffee
• Trewin Restorick, CEO and founder at Hubbub
• Jeff Knot, Operations Director Central and Eastern England at Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)