Emerging Tech Leadership Committee

Sharon Backer-Holst is the CEO of The Blockhouse Technology Ltd, a company specialising in building trust through technology. Its specialist areas include blockchain technology for a digital civilisation and trusted computing to underpin digital identity solutions. Having worked in the tech industry for over 40 years, including 10 years in start-up companies, Sharon joined TBTL in 2024 to take the company to the next stage in its commercial journey.

I am currently a Senior Director of Government Affairs at Palo Alto Networks, responsible for driving the company’s public policy agenda in the UK and Ireland on a broad range of issues, including cyber security, privacy, and wider technology policy. I am also a Trustee of the UK Cyber Security Council and a member of the Scottish Government’s National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board.

Max Beverton-Palmer is Head of Public Policy for the UK at NVIDIA, where he leads government affairs and public policy initiatives, drawing on over 15 years of experience in technology policy across regulatory bodies, industry, and civil society. Before joining NVIDIA, he directed the Internet Policy Unit at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, leading a global team to develop progressive tech policy solutions and advising governments on digital transformation, AI and compute infrastructure. Max previously held senior roles at Sky, overseeing digital policy and regulatory advocacy on issues such as online safety and platform governance, and spent several years at Ofcom, the UK communications regulator. He is also a Policy Fellow at Cambridge’s Centre for Science and Policy.

Dr. Melina Beykou is a technology and product consultant with deep expertise in the semiconductor industry and a strong record in building innovation ecosystems. She has previously focused on bio-inspired technologies including CMOS sensors, high-throughput imaging, signal processing and materials. Plexal is the innovation and growth company helping to strengthen the UK’s technology capabilities through collaboration. With teams in London, Manchester and Cheltenham, we work closely with government, industry, startups and academia to drive economic growth and reinforce national security. At Plexal, Melina connects government, academia and industry to accelerate the adoption of secure and transformative technologies. Known for bridging deep technical understanding with commercial insight, Melina advises on how to translate emerging technologies into secure solutions with a focus on national security to strengthen sovereign capability and economic resilience. With these two lenses Plexal and I can help the Committee anticipate future technology inflection points, understand their policy and security implications and enable initiatives that accelerate adoption while protecting sovereign capability.

Laura Bishop is a Human Factors Cyberpsychologist. With a PhD in human vulnerabilities to cyber attacks and research in both human-robot and human-computer interaction, Laura is highly experienced on the psychological and societal impacts of technology. Laura works for the British Standards Institution supporting the development of standards around the safe, secure and reliable use of AI and cyber systems. Laura is also currently undertaking a secondment within UK Government as their Socio-technical Aspects of AI Fellow. As an Honorary Research Associate of Cardiff University, Laura advocates their continued exploration into the benefits and challenges of human-technology interaction and continues to peer review academic papers in both the cyber and robotics space.

Kostakis Bouzoukas is a Principal Solutions Architect at Amazon, leading partner-facing technical initiatives across Fire TV and other device platforms. With 20 years’ experience spanning software, cloud and AI, he drives large-scale engineering and infrastructure transformation programmes that improve performance, scalability and customer experience for global streaming and gaming partners. His work bridges product direction and solutions architecture to align emerging technology with measurable business outcomes. Before Amazon, Kostakis founded two startups. He holds an MSc in IT and Telecommunications from the Athens Information Technology (AIT) and an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Carson Bradbury is Siemens’ Director – EU Chips Act and Co-Founder of Siemens Cre8Ventures, a UK and EU Chips Act collaborative venturing initiative within Siemens Digital Industries. He leads partner-driven sovereign innovation campaigns focused on semiconductors within the big data economy, using digital twin platforms and a structured three-stage collaborative venturing model Carson works with startups, scale-ups, investors, corporates, universities, and policymakers to strengthen sovereign supply chains and advance the objectives of the EU and UK Chips Acts. His efforts are aimed at shortening time-to-value, helping to de-risk investment, and drive semiconductor knowledge-based economies across the UK and the EU. Before joining Siemens, Carson innovated and led Cre8Ventures for a leading Nasdaq-listed company, expanding the initiative from the UK into mainland Europe and India and spinning it out alongside serial entrepreneurs and senior executives. He has also founded and scaled technology ventures to organic profitability.

Jarryd Braithwaite is the Head of Innovation & Technology Partnerships at Saab UK. An engineer by background, spending over a decade working on research and technology within academia, he now leads the engagement with academia, start-up, SME, and industry within Saab UK's innovation division.

Euan is PwC's AI and emerging technology leader. He works with colleagues and clients to build understanding of frontier technologies and identify opportunities to create business value through their development and deployment. He assumed the role of AI leader at PwC in 2016 and has been part of the firm's technology leadership throughout that period. Prior to this, Euan was a strategy consulting partner in Strategy& for 10 years. He holds an MEng from University of Cambridge and an MBA from INSEAD.

Paul Ceely is responsible for the medium to long-term technology strategy for Digital Catapult, looking at future digital technology landscape and identifying priority areas to focus on. In addition he leads Emerging Technology within Digital Catapult including Quantum Technologies and Digital Security. Paul has over 25 years’ experience in technology strategy and network strategy, covering mobile, internet, security, quantum and technology evolution in general. He led network strategy in the operators BT and EE in the UK, developing the 5G strategy for BT, was instrumental in the strategy for EE’s 4G launch in 2012, as well as taking a leading role in the network strategy during the merger of BT and EE, and Orange and T-Mobile to become EE. He played a fundamental role in the set up of SONIC Labs, a DCMS funded facility and collaborative programme for testing the interoperability and integration of open, multi-vendor, software-centric networks. He graduated from Cambridge University in Physics, focusing on astrophysics and quantum.

Emilia Conlon is Communications & Planning Lead at Riverlane, the world leader in quantum error correction (QEC) — the technology that will enable quantum computers to scale from experimental machines to utility-scale systems capable of transforming industries. She leads communications and strategic planning at Riverlane, having established the company’s communications function to build its profile as a science, product, and thought leader in quantum computing. Previously, she was a consultant at Milltown Partners, a global advisory firm, where she advised technology companies on reputation, communications, and public policy challenges.

Professor Jason Crain is a Senior Research Manager at IBM and Visiting Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford. He has published over 200 papers on emerging computational technologies and their applications, with pioneering work at the intersection of quantum computing, AI, and molecular simulation. At IBM, he established and led the UK quantum research team, delivering the country’s first utility-scale quantum experiments and co-developing foundational AI tools for drug discovery. He currently serves as UK quantum lead at the Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation, shaping public-private investment to advance national capability in emerging technologies. Previously, as Director of Research at the National Physical Laboratory, he restructured the UK’s measurement science portfolio and launched enduring national programmes. His career reflects deep technical insight and strategic leadership in translating frontier science into transformative innovation.

Hannah Garratt is the UK Digital Affairs Manager for Airbus. Airbus is the UK’s largest aerospace company and its foremost exporter in aeronautics. Hannah works to monitor the UK`s digital regulatory and industrial developments & trends, whilst establishing and fostering partnerships with private and institutional stakeholders supporting strategic initiatives that promote and position Airbus’ digital ambitions. Prior to her role in Digital Affairs, Hannah was Airbus` Global Competence & Learning Manager for Analytics, AI & Quantum Technologies.

An experienced and qualified Technologist with over 35 years in the IT industry, specialising in designing and delivering enterprise-level solutions to meet business requirements and achieve tangible outcomes. Extensive expertise in the design and deployment of applications, systems, and enterprise architectures to support both cloud-based and traditional business services. Currently serving as a Distinguished Technologist collaborating with clients from C-Level executives to business sponsors and technical teams. Skilled in providing strategic guidance, industry trend analysis, and innovative solutions to enable clients' digital transformation journeys. Chartered IT Professional (CITP). Fellow of the BCS (FBCS) and a member of the BCS Fellows Technical Advisory Group (FTAG).

Robert is the Chief Research and Technology Officer for Electronics Division at Leonardo. He began his research career in 1986 at MOD in optical phase conjugation in high power solid state lasers for electro-optical sensor systems. In 1996 he initiated research into single photon counting lidar for remote sensing. In 1999 he was awarded a three-year MOD research fellowship to investigate the use of ultrashort pulse supercontinuum lasers for remote sensing with atmospheric filamentation, during which he transferred to QinetiQ. He was appointed a QinetiQ Fellow in 2006. He led the Future Systems Group in Selex SAS (now Leonardo) and was subsequently appointed CTO for EO Systems where he led applied research in novel laser techniques, lidar, photonics, computational image processing, additive manufacturing and quantum technology. He established close collaborations with academia, especially in quantum sensing, neuromorphic processing, compressive sensing and photonics, supporting several PhD students and linking academic research to Leonardo’s development programmes. In 2021 he was appointed CRTO to oversee emerging and strategic academic research across Leonardo’s Electronics Division, linking it to government strategies for semiconductors and quantum technologies. He has now initiated research into the use of quantum information processing techniques and integrated photonics for beam switching, modulation, optical data processing and optical communications. He is a Fellow and VP (Business) of the Institute of Physics, an Honorary Professor of Physics at Heriot-Watt University and he is the UK industrial representative for NATO’s Sensing Technologies Panel.

Scott Marshall is CEO & Founder of BCVR Immersive, a leader in immersive storytelling, XR production, and experiential design. An award-winning XR Creative Director and Exec Producer, he has collaborated with institutions and brands such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, Frieze Art Fair, the Commonwealth Games, Burberry, Disney, and Marvel, delivering cutting-edge AR and XR experiences that transform audience engagement. He is also the founder of EarthXR, the world’s first climate data and spatial computing platform, which turns complex carbon data into compelling immersive experiences for schools, STEM institutes, businesses, and governments. Scott is currently co-producing Gauguin & the Canal, an innovative immersive exhibition reimagining the life and art of Paul Gauguin, coming to London in 2026.

Dr Lucy Mason is a Director at Capgemini Invent leading on emerging technologies and innovation, especially in the defence, national security, and space sectors. Lucy is a member of the DSIT Regulatory Horizons Council and is leading work to advise the Government on regulating space technologies. Lucy is the founder and former Head of the Government’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) which finds and funds innovation to create novel defence and security capabilities. Her interests include the threats and opportunities posed by AI and machine learning, the internet of things, quantum technologies, futures thinking, and the implications of technologies for people and society. Lucy passionate about bringing industry, academia, and Government together in multidisciplinary teams to better solve major social challenges. She has been a Visiting Fellow and member of the Security Board at Cranfield University since 2017. She has been a Board member since 2016 and Chair (2021 – 2023) of the Governance Board for the Security of Digital Technology at the Periphery (SDTaP) programme (formerly PETRAS) and is Chair of the Advisory Board for SPRITE+. She is on the Advisory Board for the Common Mission Project and CREST Research. Lucy was a former civil servant between 2009 – 2019.

Freddie Milles is the Strategic Partnerships Lead at Enveil, the pioneering Privacy Enhancing Technology company changing the paradigm of how and where organisations can leverage data to unlock value. He spent the majority of his career in the UK National Security domain working across a range of operational and strategic roles. This included extensive engagement with major defence primes providing a valuable perspective on the public–private sector divide and the critical importance of that relationship. At Enveil, Freddie leads expansion efforts in the UK, EU, and NATO markets, with a wide remit covering national security, defence, and commercial applications. He maintains close connections with end users to help directly inform product development to ensure transformative operational capability.

Oliver Morgan is Venture Partner and Innovation Lead at Vodafone Group, where he focuses on accelerating innovation and venture engagement across the consumer and enterprise portfolio. His work bridges emerging technologies and commercial impact — developing partnerships, proof-of-concepts, and new growth models around AI, connectivity, and digital platforms. Before joining Vodafone, Oliver spent nearly a decade running Ventuure Consulting, a Microsoft spin-out that has supported over 350 high-growth tech companies across the UK, Europe, and the US. Ventuure works with cutting-edge startups to develop product maturity, build market entry strategies, and secure investment. Earlier in his career, Oliver served as Programme Director for Microsoft ScaleUp in London and Berlin, helping more than 200 B2B startups to achieve product-market fit and scale through enterprise partnerships. He also brings operational experience from the Bloodhound SSC engineering project and a 17-year career as a British Army Officer, specialising in engineering and technology delivery in complex environments.

Marc is Foresight & Innovation Lead at Kainos, where he leads the strategic identification, investment, and scaling of capabilities in emerging and exponential technologies such as AI, Quantum Computing, and Distributed Systems. He bridges futures thinking with execution by developing innovation and technology strategy, growing capability, forging cross-sector partnerships, and converting novel ideas into scalable market or societal solutions. In his career, Marc has driven innovation programmes in collaboration with government, industry, startups and academia to deliver tangible outcomes such as scaling the use of AI tools responsibly and delivering innovation initiatives in regulated transport. He has also contributed to policy and regulatory discussions on ethics, governance, and the sustainable deployment of emerging technologies, including environmentally conscious approaches to AI.

Elizabeth Patterson is a Senior Program and Policy Manager at Seagate Technology, with a strategic focus on photonics innovation and commercialisation. Elizabeth plays a pivotal role in shaping Seagate’s engagement with UK and EU photonics ecosystems, driving initiatives that bridge research and industry across quantum, AI, and semiconductor applications.

Andy is Director of Strategy for CORNERSTONE, the photonics foundry at the University of Southampton. He serves on the UK Government’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel, he chairs the Semiconductor Expert Working Group for UKTIN, and he’s an advisor to the OECD Semiconductor Exchange Network and Silicon Catalyst UK. He has given evidence to five Parliamentary committees, including the National Security and Investment Act, the Telecom Security Act and the select committee on semiconductors. Andy was the Founder of the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, securing a £54m investment from UK Government to build a high-performance organisation of over 100 professionals. He represented the Catapult during discussions with the Prime Minister and delegations to Hong Kong, India, Taiwan and the US White House. Andy holds an Executive MBA from Glasgow University, a research doctorate from Strathclyde University, he’s a Fellow of the IET and Freeman of the City of London (FCL).

Mhairi Mival is a Partner in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice at Pinsent Masons, with extensive experience advising businesses on their adoption of complex and emerging technologies. Her work focuses on large-scale digital transformation projects, IT sourcing and technology-enabled change, helping organisations deploy cloud, platforms and data-driven solutions in a way that supports innovation, resilience and regulatory compliance. She has led the negotiation of contracts for significant technology programmes, advising organisations on cloud and off-premise migrations, software development, AI-enabled services, and strategic partnerships with global technology providers. Mhairi regularly advises on the legal, commercial and risk implications of deployment, platforms and outsourced services, including innovation and long-term value creation. Her experience spans both customer and supplier perspectives, giving her a deep understanding of the technology ecosystem and the commercial dynamics shaping emerging tech markets. Alongside her advisory practice, Mhairi acts as a trusted long-term adviser to major institutions on their ongoing technology and data strategies and writes regularly on key legal issues that need to be considered when adopting new technology. She has an LL.M in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law and is passionate about legal innovation, leading the practice’s innovation initiatives. Through her work across the financial services and tech sectors, she brings a pragmatic, regulatory aware perspective on howorganisations can both foster responsible innovation and support growth while keeping within an acceptable legal and risk profile.

Duncan Chapple brings over 20 years of B2B tech industry expertise and deep knowledge of AI-powered automation, telecommunications infrastructure, and manufacturing technology through his current role with the University of Edinburgh and Elisa. His background as a former industry analyst at Ovum (now Omdia) enables him to translate complex technology developments into strategic narratives for policymakers and enterprise buyers, while his work spans critical convergence areas including AI + manufacturing, automation + telecoms, and semiconductor systems. As a Business Associate in the innovation group at the University of Edinburgh Business School, he bridges academic rigor with industry practice, particularly around technology adoption patterns and market evolution. The Innovation Group's unique value lies in understanding how emerging technologies are commercialized and evaluated at enterprise scale—essential for developing policy recommendations that unlock genuine economic value rather than just technical possibility.

Sachin is responsible for the UK business of Zoho. Prior to his current role, Sachin managed a few of Zoho’s product lines globally and led account management across all products and regions. Before Zoho, Sachin was an entrepreneur for five years and built an HR Tech SaaS business. Earlier he spent 16 years in the consulting, restructuring and enterprise technology space with companies such as IBM, A&M, Tech Mahindra & Tata Group, working in India, APAC, Middle East & Americas.