EdTech 2030 - Emerging Modalities Working Group
Our EdTech 2030 Emerging Modalities Working Group brings together techUK members to explore how emerging technologies can drive innovation in education.
We build on the UK’s strengths in pedagogy, technology and gaming to advance AI-driven, immersive and gamified learning, strengthen connections across the EdTech ecosystem, and support sector growth in the UK and internationally.
Austin EarlSenior Programme Manager - Education & EdTechtechUK
Key areas of focus:
Scaling AI-driven personalised learning – Exploring how AI can enhance adaptive learning, assessment, and career navigation, creating more responsive, individualised education pathways.
Advancing immersive and gamified learning – Building on insights from the UK’s gaming, AI, and pedagogy sectors to create high-impact, research-backed learning experiences.
Connecting organisations through the "One EdTech" campaign - Unifying the UK's fragmented education technology (EdTech) ecosystem – Unifying the UK’s fragmented EdTech ecosystem, ensuring stronger links between schools, universities, training providers, and industry.
Supporting EdTech growth in domestic and international markets - Ensuring the UK’s EdTech sector has the investment, policy support, and market access needed to scale.
Join our Education & EdTech programme
Our Education and EdTech programme seeks to address these challenges by bridging the gap between education, the tech industry, and policymakers. We help education institutions adopt technology that enhances learning that enhances learning, streamlines operations, and supports skills development.
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Council members

Dimple Khagram
Founder and CEO
Purple Beard.
Dimple is an experienced education practitioner and entrepreneur. She has worked in the vocational education sector for more than 15 years in various roles, She has led teams of delivery, business development and setting up & running two successful training companies in the U.K. Her specialisms include AI, digital technology, curriculum design to support the delivery of technology standards, preparation for quality assurance, employer engagement, team management, partnership working, designing e-learning, project management and supporting delivery teams.

Tim Cockle
Client Emerging Technology director
CGI UK
As a Digital Transformation Consultant at CGI, Dr. Tim Cockle helps organisations use technology to achieve their goals, combining experience in digital transformation, education, and strategic consulting across public and private sectors. Tim has worked with various higher education institutions and has a background in higher education as a researcher and part-time lecturer as part of his Ph.D. Working in the commercial sector Tim has experience with Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), bridging academia and industry to drive innovation. Passionate about technology’s role in shaping the future of learning and teaching, he actively contributes to discussions on AI, student experience, and cost optimisation in education. His cross-sector experience positions him to drive impactful collaboration between policymakers, education providers, and technology companies. Committed to making a difference, Tim is also a Governor at his local high school focusing on curriculum and assessment, across 6th Form as well as in specific subjects.

Anne Egede
Head of Marketing, Communications, and Proposals
Me Learning
I'm a marketing and communications expert with over a decade of experience developing and executing strategies that drive business growth and enable organisations to amplify their impact and services. As Head of Marketing, Communications, and Proposals at Me Learning – a leading learning provider in the UK, I lead our growth strategies into new sectors and position the company as a credible force in both our existing and new markets. My role blends strategy and creative execution to support our ambitious commercial goals. I’m deeply committed to helping organisations clearly communicate who they are and what they offer, so they reach the right people and achieve sustainable growth. I’m also a passionate education advocate, working to influence the investments, innovations, and policies needed to transform education systems. I believe that preparing individuals of all ages for the evolving global landscape is one of the most urgent challenges of our time.

Nilesh Patel
Tata Consultancy Services Limited
As Technology and Solution Head for Education Sector TCS UK&I, I believe that the future of Digital will be all about “trust-based experience, both internally and externally”. My experience in EdTech has focused on the opportunities created by the convergence of data, behavioural science, creativity and technology implementation, while ensuring inclusive and responsible outcomes. As an ex-CIO and Accountant Lead at a big 4 firm, I led large & complex IT project implementations for Fortune 500 clients in the UK, USA, Singapore, the Philippines, and India. This included advising clients on understanding the implications of game changing technologies such as AI on people, design, and user experiences.

Ricardo Santos
Business Development Lead
Cisco International Limited
Ricardo Santos is the Education Market Development and Partner Strategy Lead for Cisco in the UK and Europe. In this role, he supports customers and partners in advancing digital transformation initiatives that address real-world challenges across the Higher Education, Research, and Schools sectors. With over 20 years at Cisco and more than 34 years of experience in the IT and Telecom industries across the US, Latin America, and Europe, Ricardo brings a deep, multicultural perspective and a strong understanding of the evolving demands of digital transformation. His work focuses on leveraging technology to support teaching, learning, and research, while also enabling secure, smart, and sustainable campus environments that improve operational efficiency and enhance the student experience. Ricardo holds an MBA from Duke University (USA) and a postgraduate degree in Advanced Management from INSEAD (France). He is also actively engaged in international communities focused on educational technology adoption. In addition to his corporate career, Ricardo has over 25 years of experience as a Higher Education teacher and mentor in Business Schools, specializing in Marketing and Strategic Planning.

Alastair Williamson-Pound
CTO
Mercator Digital
Alastair Williamson-Pound is Chief Technology Officer at Mercator Digital, a UK-based consultancy specialising in digital transformation, AI, and public sector innovation. With over 20 years’ experience spanning government, education, and commercial sectors, Alastair has delivered high-impact programmes for HMRC, the Government Digital Service, and six UK universities. He has secured over £200M in digital delivery contracts and scaled consultancy operations by over 150%, spearheading the expansion into cloud, cyber, and AI services. Alastair is passionate about using technology to improve lives, break down barriers to access, and drive sustainable public service outcomes. A Digital MBA graduate, he combines strategic leadership with hands-on product delivery expertise. He is eager to contribute to TechUK’s mission and support innovation that enhances the quality, inclusivity, and effectiveness of UK education.

Tamara Monti
Sales director
Dassault Systemes UK Ltd
Tamara Monti is a dynamic Sales Director with a strong track record in driving SaaS adoption and forging strategic partnerships across the Education and Enterprise sectors. With over a decade of experience spanning technical consulting, sales leadership, and academia, she has led high-performing teams to exceed growth targets and deliver impactful solutions in Northern Europe.
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