Skills and Inclusion Council

Kathryn is the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for Cisco UK & Ireland, leading and enabling innovative CSR initiatives across the organisation: engaging employees, benefiting the business and supporting Cisco’s not for profit partners.

James brings nearly two decades of experience in recruitment to the table, with a rich background that began within a FTSE250 recruitment business. Over the past seven years, he has honed his expertise in the dynamic realm of technology recruitment, with a particular focus on serving Government and Defence organisations across both private and public sectors. In addition to his hands-on experience, James is a long serving member of the techUK Skills and Diversity Council, a role he has embraced for four years. Through this involvement, he remains deeply committed to bridging the digital skills gap, investing significant effort into initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. James is driven by a genuine passion for advancing diversity in technology and believes strongly in focusing on tangible solutions rather than merely paying lip service to lofty ideals. With a pragmatic approach and a dedication to tackling challenges head-on, he remains steadfast in his mission to effect meaningful change within the industry.

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.

Naureen is currently part of the Data and AI practice in the UK – with a focus on responsible AI services for our clients. She has worked across Accenture from Government Relations to Technology, as well as the Health and Public sector part of the business. Prior to joining Accenture, Naureen held a number of senior roles with a UK and global policy focus both in the public and private sector, including techUK, Computacenter, Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the NSPCC. At the EHRC, she led the Commissions’ successful application to become an A status accredited National Human Rights Institution at the United Nations.

Freya Mumford is the Future of Work Strategy Manager at the EY Foundation, where she focuses on how technology can be used to support social mobility. Her work includes both using innovative technology to support employability training for young people from low-income backgrounds, as well as exploring how emerging technologies like AI could impact social mobility in the future, and what can be done to minimise risks and take advantage of opportunities. With a background in social science with a particular focus on tech, Freya is keen to contribute to techUK’s efforts to enhance diversity and skill-building in the tech sector.

Jazz is the Founder of AICA, Artificial Intelligence Coaching Alliance, comprising world leading business and executive coaches and researchers collaborating to cultivate ethically-centric adoption of AI into coaching and mentoring professions. He focuses on AI Democratisation, its Diversification through embodied DEIB practices and Decentralisation through Intercultural adoptions native to nation states. He is a qualified/experienced Executive Coach, in Business Analysis, in Civil, Commercial and Workplace Mediation as well as a British Psychological Society approved Mindfulness Instructor. He spent 7 years a Research Fellow in Technology Enhanced Learning knowledge exchange/transfer projects at Ravensbourne University London. This included facilitating traction in a €1m EU funded FP7 project by forecasting futures of European Creative Sectors. A local London project Jazz did centred on the London Mayors / Olympic Legacy initiative for the underemployed, upskilling them in Immersive Reality / Metaverse Technology production, being responsible for the 12-week Level 3 curriculum design and also delivery. The most significant projects were helping implement €1.5m EU funded project where he helped develop multimedia education apps and programs for residents in Syrian and Gaza refugee camps in Jordan. In parallel with this Jazz worked on a 3 year €2.7m Horizon 2020 funded XR/AI Workplace Performance program for enhancing Astronaut training for future International Space Station (ISS) and Manned Mars missions at the base for the ISS in Turin, Italy. In 2019, Jazz worked with the Leonardo Da Vinci Society, Victoria and Albert Museum and London Design Week to celebrate the 500 th Anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s death by contributing to creation of interactive Holographic experiences of his perpetual machine designs never built. A strong focus on mentoring women entrepreneurs globally using his own AI Coaching platform first built in 2008, operating on intercultural psychometric models of psychology to respect Diversity factors. From 1998-2003 Jazz was IT Manager for a mobile phone company and qualified as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. For his BSc. degree he studied Astrophysics at Queen Mary College at the University of London, graduating in 1992. His Birkbeck College MSc. degree was in Computer Modelling of Molecular and Biological Processes, covering Genetic Engineering, Quantum Simulations of drug behaviour relating to neuroscience processes and brain functions associated with Consciousness states affected during epilepsy as well as local and general anaesthesia.

Maggie Scott is CEO of Principle One, a specialist consultancy operating across a growing portfolio of public sector customers. Launched in 2018 with a strong focus on UK Law Enforcement, Principle One’s team has grown to over 80 consultants, offering a broad range of skillsets to its customer base from business strategy and change through systems engineering and technical architecture into software delivery. With over thirty years consulting experience, Maggie is a passionate advocate for diversity in the workplace and has championed a range of initiatives to promote skills development and diversity within Principle One over the last five years. This has included diversifying recruitment and working to create entry level roles open to applicants from a diverse backgrounds. She has led the development of a strong early careers programme, creating a supportive working environment and establishing relationships with local state schools, providing mentoring and opportunities for sixth form students to develop the skills they need as they move into further education and employment. This is supported by a strong mentorship programme, with coaching and training to enable those from more diverse backgrounds to accelerate their technology career, enabling representation at all levels.

Lisa Ventura MBE FCIIS is an award-winning cyber security specialist, published writer/author, journalist and keynote speaker. She is the Chief Executive and Founder of Unity Group Solutions Limited and of the AI and Cyber Security Association , a membership body and trade association that has been set up as the global voice of AI and cyber security and to promote the safe, secure, responsible and ethical use of AI. In addition, she is the Founder of Cyber Security Unity , Neuro Unity and AI Unity . As a consultant Lisa also provides cyber security awareness and culture change training along with neurodiversity in the workplace training, and works with cyber security leadership teams to help them collaborate more effectively. She has specialist knowledge in the intersection of AI and cyber security, the human factors of cyber security/social engineering, cyber psychology, neurodiversity and diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion (DEIB). Lisa sits on the UK Chapter of the Global Council for Responsible AI, the Advisory Board of Business Leaders Accelerate, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security and is a judge for various sets of awards including the UK Cyber Security Awards, the CSO Awards, the Women in GRC Awards, the SC Awards and the Cyber OSPA’s. More information about Lisa can be found on www.lisaventura.co.uk .

Amanda Whicher is UK&I Director of technology at Hays. With over 17 years of experience in the recruitment sector, Amanda has a wealth of insights when it comes to the challenges employers face accessing and retaining talent. She has a particular interest in encouraging more women into tech, to expand their career opportunities and create more diverse and inclusive tech teams. Amanda is passionate about matching the top technology experts to organisations, through life-long partnerships and workplace solutions, to support both clients and candidates to meet their ambitions and thrive in the ever-changing world of tech.

With over 21 years of experience in the Edtech industry, Sian joined The Skills Network in February 2022. Experienced in growth, strategic business development, strategic skills strategies, customer experience, marketing and brand, Sian works with customers, colleagues, and partners to further the reach and impact of FE and HE. As a member of numerous social cause groups, Sian advocates for inclusive skills opportunities for all, driving forward accessible learning and skills opportunities throughout the sector and beyond.

Louis Way leads strategic Resell and Service Provider partnerships across EMEA at ServiceNow, working within the Global Partnerships & Channels organisation. ServiceNow helps the world's largest organisations run better - connecting people, processes and technology through AI-powered technology and Louis sits at the heart of how that reaches organisations at scale, through partners whose customer reach creates a genuine multiplier for transformation. Louis's career began with a deliberate choice. Having secured a place to study Politics and Sociology at the University of Leicester, he chose instead to defer and enter the workforce directly - joining Softcat, one of the UK's largest technology organisations as an apprentice at 17. Over the next seven years, he progressed through four promotions, ultimately leading Softcat's Sales Development Programme at their Marlow headquarters, managing a team of 20 direct reports responsible for an early-in-career sales cohort of around 50 apprentices and graduates. That experience, of building a career without the conventional starting point, and then creating pathways for others to do the same sits at the heart of how Louis thinks about skills, access and early opportunity. Now at ServiceNow, Louis contributes to global working groups shaping how resell and service providers operate across regions and has represented the global team at flagship events globally. His daily work gives him direct visibility into the AI skills gap confronting UK and European enterprises, the growing distance between what the market demands and what organisations are currently equipped to deliver, making him a grounded, practitioner voice in national conversations about AI literacy, digital readiness, and workforce transformation. Outside of work, Louis is an active fundraiser, having completed the London, Berlin and Barcelona Marathons and raised over £10,000 for Dreams Come True, YoungMinds, Macmillan Cancer Support and Mind. For Louis, inclusion and access to opportunity are not professional positions they are personal commitments, built from experience and sustained by choice.

Jessica (she/her) is an Innovation Lead at Plexal, dovetailing innovation methodology, government and policy-led challenges with public and private sector partners. Jessica has worked on a range of innovation projects and programmes including discovery, research, accelerator programmes and international capacity building projects. She has expertise in managing complex, multi-year projects and optimising processes – both in the UK and internationally. Programmes of note include: 1. NW CyberCom: working with 6 partner universities to encourage academics to commercialise their research through commercialisation sandpits - diversifying the startup and SME ecosystem in the NW of the UK 2. UK-Gulf Women in Cybersecurity Fellowship Programme: led the programme to support female cyber security professionals across the Gulf to be more confident leaders, upskilling them in policy, new and emerging technologies and mentoring them through the delivery of innovative projects Currently, Jessica sits within the Go To Market team. In this role, she writes and manages bids and proposals – as well as leading our social value policies and processes, working closely with People & Culture and Operations. Initiatives which Jessica has delivered to ensure we are optimising diversity and inclusion within our workforce and across the breadth of our ecosystem include: - Attaining Disability Confident L1 - Becoming a Women in Defence Signatory - Delivering an EDI Toolkit to increase diverse outreach into the STEM community - Becoming a Mental Health First Aider - Managing work experience / internship feedback and experience Prior to joining Plexal, Jessica worked for HMG for 7 years, gaining deep insight into the Middle East in particular. Jessica has worked in innovation and business change roles, as well as prosperity orientated teams and training. She was also co-chair of the gender equality employee group.

Oliver Hester is a notable figure at FDM Group, a well-known consultancy recognised for its commitment and dedication to business and technology solutions. With over ten years of experience in the tech industry, Oliver plays a crucial role in driving FDM's mission of bridging the digital skills gap while fostering diversity within the sector. His journey at FDM began in 2014, where his exceptional leadership and innovative talent development strategies quickly propelled him to the position of Head of Public Sector Services. In this role, Oliver is responsible for overseeing the deployment of FDM Consultants across various government departments and public sector organisations, ensuring they are equipped with essential digital skills for success in an increasingly technology-driven landscape. Under Oliver's guidance, FDM Group has successfully placed over 3,000 consultants in the public sector, with more than 400 transitioning into permanent civil service roles. His strategic vision has been pivotal in combating the digital skills shortage that affects efficiency in these organisations. His strategic vision, committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workforce, has earned him recognition as a thought leader in his field. He believes that varied perspectives drive innovation and enhance business performance. At FDM, he has initiated numerous initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and social mobility, efforts that align with the broader objectives of the techUK Skills and Diversity Council. In addition to his professional contributions, Oliver actively engages in discussions authoring insightful articles on the digital skills gap and its implications for the public sector . His speaking engagements at conferences and participation in panels further demonstrate his commitment to these critical issues.

Joanne Gogerly is Head of Siemens Professional Education for the UK and Northwest Europe, and part of the global Siemens team supporting over 6,500 apprentices worldwide. She leads strategic efforts across early careers and lifelong learning in the UK, working closely with Siemens businesses, education partners, and government bodies to ensure programmes are aligned with national priorities and future workforce needs. Joanne played a central role in shaping Siemens’ apprenticeship strategy, leading the transition to apprenticeship standards and managing levy processes as both a main provider and large employer. Her work has helped position Siemens as a leader in skills development, with a strong focus on quality and long-term impact. As a parent of a child with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and a career that spans corporate learning, Further Education and over five years as a primary school governor, Joanne brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise. She understands the importance of inclusive, lifelong learning and is passionate about connecting policy with practice to create opportunities to ensure that everyone has a chance to thrive and succeed. At Siemens, she has led the design and implementation of “Skills for Life” initiatives, with a particular focus on digital and sustainability skills. These programmes are helping to build lifelong learning and a future-ready workforce, address talent shortages, and improving access and participation across underrepresented groups. Externally, Joanne is a Fellow of the 5% Club, Industry Skills Board member and an active contributor to national conversations on skills. She regularly collaborates with other organisations to share best practice and help develop and shape policy.

Andrea Marshall Webb is a Managing Director at Credera, part of Omnicom, where she leads AI-enabled business transformation programmes across UK government departments and public sector organisations. With more than 25 years of international consulting experience, Andrea has delivered complex change in areas spanning operating model design, digital strategy, and inclusive service transformation. She plays an active role in shaping the UK’s technology and policy landscape as a member of techUK’s AI & Data Analytics Leadership Committee and Digital Inclusion Working Group. Her recent work has focused on inclusive AI adoption, closing the AI gender gap, and ensuring that technology supports society fairly and responsibly. Andrea is also a passionate and recognised leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is Executive Sponsor of CredAbility, Credera UK’s disability employee resource group, and Global Co-Lead for Disability at Omnicom. She mentors women and under-represented groups at Credera, Omnicom, Georgetown University, and across the public sector, with a focus on supporting mid-career professionals pivoting into digital roles. As a neurodivergent woman over 50, Andrea brings lived experience of the barriers and opportunities faced by those often underrepresented in the technology sector. Her leadership combines deep expertise in digital transformation with a people-first approach, grounded in the belief that technology should empower individuals, organisations, and communities and that inclusive design is essential to achieving this vision.

Kirsti Godson is a dynamic leader with a deep commitment to social mobility and the transformative power of learning. She holds a degree in Biology and began her career in the food industry, where she worked in product development. Kirsti then transitioned into education, earning a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and teaching in the Further Education (FE) sector, where she discovered her passion for empowering individuals through learning. Kirsti later shifted into commercial training, focusing on apprenticeships and workforce development, before ultimately taking on the role of CEO at a charity dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people secure high-value career opportunities. Her work in the charity sector underscored her dedication to opening doors for marginalised groups and creating pathways for social mobility. After her successful tenure in the charity sector, Kirsti moved into the private sector, where she now serves as the Head of Social Impact at Thales UK . In this role, she continues to drive initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and the advancement of underrepresented communities. Throughout her career, Kirsti has remained deeply passionate about unlocking opportunities for young people and making a lasting impact on society through education, empowerment, and leadership. Kirsti is also the Chair of a Board of Trustees for a local Food Bank providing on-going support and advice.

Paul McKean is the Director of further education, skills and training at Jisc. Paul provides Jisc with strategic direction around its work in Further Education and Skills (FES). He works with colleagues across Jisc, funders from the four nations, sector bodies and learning providers, to ensure Jisc helps its members and their staff, utilise digital, data and technology. In addition, Paul leads the training team which supports FE and skills, HE and research members with their digital, data and technology CPD needs. While Paul has been an Association of Colleges Beacon award assessor for eleven years. Paul was a returner learner, himself digitally excluded, who retrained in multimedia and web design, as a mature student. He became a FE lecturer, then FE manager. While at Bolton College, Paul wrote the college and council’s first e-learning strategies and led on a number of digital innovation projects including the development of the Maths Everywhere adult numeracy app, an ICT for communities project which included the development of Bolton Revisited and the first use of mobile learning in FE. He also set up the first FE TeachMeet. Paul joined Jisc in 2014 and was responsible for their first FE and skills strategy and he has been leading the development of Jisc’s Digital Elevation Tool, an e-maturity self-assessment tool for FE providers.

Eva serves as a Global Director for a workforce solutions consultancy, bringing cross‑sector leadership experience to building inclusive tech talent pathways to global organisations. She is dedicated to creating opportunity, forming strong partnerships across all sectors, and delivering measurable results for employers and communities. Her leadership is grounded in a people‑first approach shaped by her first career as a social worker. That background, centred on listening, trust, and practical support, informs how she designs solutions and leads teams today: clear pathways, high standards, and dedicated support that enables people from every background to succeed in technology. A committed advocate for widening access, Eva has led initiatives and built inclusive delivery practices that translate intent into outcomes. She partners closely with employers so opportunities are real, sustained, and aligned to workforce needs. Eva also fosters collaboration across industry, third sector and the public sector, contributing to policy and social‑value initiatives, representing alternative pathways at events, and amplifying best practice so others can adopt and share what works. Her focus is consistent: practical inclusion, strong governance, and transparent impact.

Tushar Prabhu is the chair of Trustees at The Kartik Foundation and a Board member of Variety International, the Children’s Charity. Both organisations are dedicated to advancing the lives of underprivileged children and young people. At The Kartik Foundation, Tushar leads the development of gradvisor, a digital platform that uses the power of stories to inform and inspire career choices. Through it, students and graduates get access to thousands of bitesize voice-notes from early career professionals across a range of roles and sectors. Relevant, relatable, real voices describe their journeys, explaining ‘what a role is like’ or ‘where it can lead’, so that applicants from low socioeconomic backgrounds can gain invaluable insights into actual career possibilities. At Variety, Tushar founded the Disability Sports Awards in partnership with Paralympics GB, Channel 4 and Invictus Games to recognise the achievements of disabled elite and non-elite sportspeople. He also cofounded Access Interns, a mentoring initiative to introduce the world of work and build the confidence of disabled young people. Prior to these roles, Tushar has held Board, Chief Executive and Director positions in private, non-profit and government organisations around the world.

Tess Bartlett is a Business Development Manager at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), where she drives digital and technology investment into the region. A natural connector and partnerships leader, she works with scaling tech businesses and global enterprises to navigate UK market entry, providing consultative support, market insights, local introductions, and access to the right ecosystem partners. Over the past four years, Tess has guided more than 20 companies in establishing and expanding their UK presence, attracting multi-million-pound of investments into the West Midlands economy. She has collaborated with a wide range of businesses, from startups like Inicio.ai to major corporates such as Howden and Alvarez & Marsal, helping them unlock opportunities and build lasting regional footprints. Her contributions to the industry have been recognised with a place on the Innovate Finance Women in FinTech Powerlist 2024 and as a finalist in the Women in Tech Awards 2025. Beyond WMGC, Tess is committed to supporting the next generation of business developers and currently mentors early-career professionals through Tangent, a platform advancing social mobility in the tech sector.

Wayne Swiggs is a cyber training, exercising, and information security professional with over 25 years of experience in Defence and national security. He has led major cyber operations, incident response, and data governance programmes across the UK and overseas, including the delivery of the UK Government’s first cyber exercise environment. Within the UK Intelligence Community, Wayne has applied inclusive leadership in high-stakes, mission-critical settings, working with diverse teams to solve complex challenges. He has delivered impactful digital strategies across the Defence sector, ranging from cyber upskilling and behavioural change programmes to initiatives that enhanced digital literacy across a 350,000-strong workforce. In addition to his technical leadership, Wayne served for over 15 years as a trustee on the board of a major national charity, where he developed deep governance expertise and a strong commitment to public service. His career reflects a consistent focus on inclusion, innovation, and ensuring that technology serves the diverse needs of society.

Sobanan Narenthiran is a social entrepreneur, technologist, and justice reform advocate, currently serving as the CEO of Breakthrough Social Enterprise. With lived experience of the criminal justice system, Sobanan has transformed his journey into a mission: to bridge the gap between the people of today and the industries of tomorrow. Through Breakthrough, he leads programmes that empower individuals from marginalised communities with the digital, AI, and entrepreneurial skills required to thrive in the evolving economy. His work spans education, employment, and innovation, with a sharp focus on equity, second chances, and systemic change. Under his leadership, Breakthrough has delivered Future Skills Bootcamps, AI learning experiences, and tech-enabled rehabilitation pathways across both virtual and prison-based environments. With a background in AI ethics, community organising, and personal development, Sobanan is building what he calls a “solarpunk Silicocene” future – where love, liberation, and technological progress walk hand in hand.

Hollie is currently the Group Head of Partnerships at UBDS, where she leads our relationships with top tech partners like Microsoft, AWS, and other partners they team up with across the market. It’s a role that’s all about people, building trust, connecting ideas, and finding ways to work better together. She loves the mix of collaboration, creativity and purpose it brings, and always tries to lead with empathy and authenticity. Hollie has a background in psychology and a big passion for inclusion, neurodiversity, and generally helping others thrive. She has always been fascinated by people - what motivates us, how we learn, and how we interact with the world. That curiosity has guided a lot of what she does, from organising Women in Tech panels to shaping DEI programmes and creating space for honest, inclusive conversations at work.

Gita Singham-Willis was Founding Partner at Cadence Innova, aquired by Transform UK. She is a dedicated advocate for the consulting industry and social impact, demonstrated by her former roles as MCA (Management Consulting Association) Board Member, chair of the MCA Public Sector Working Group, and chair of the MCA DEI Working Group. Gita also serves as a Trustee of the Coram Group. Her commitment to fostering inclusive environments was recognised last year when she was named an Inspirational D&I Leader by D&I Leaders. She is passionate about bringing unrepresented groups into the tech industry, having started Cadence with a focus on women returners. She brings extensive experience in digital, technology, and service transformation, balancing business strategy with user-centred design and effective change alignment.

Chris currently oversees Experienced Hiring and Early Careers hiring for CGI in the UK and Australia businesses. He is a data-driven senior Talent Acquisition & Resourcing Leader with international experience of recruiting, resource management and talent planning operations in 20+ countries. Chris has held strategic and operational responsibilities in multinational organisations where he has frequently worked on major process improvements, workforce planning, resource deployment and change management programmes. Specialties include: Talent Acquisition Strategy & Operations, Talent Intelligence, HR Analytics, RPO/Outsourcing, Resource Planning & Management, Headcount/Workforce Planning, Team Leadership, Professional Services & Information Technology.

Feodisia is a Senior People Coach at UBDS Group. She has been there just over five years now, with a background at DWP and Royal Mail before that. She is also coming to the end of a Level 7 apprenticeship with CIPD as a Senior People Professional, which has been such a rewarding journey. In her role as a People Coach, her focus is on supporting and connecting with people every day and it’s the part of the job she loves most. Having been at UBDS since the early days, Feodisia is incredibly proud of how far they have come as a business, and she is always on the lookout for new ways to make the employee experience even better.

Aubree Slavik is Delivery Manager for Operations & EDI at the CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre at the University of Southampton. She supports the effective delivery of complex projects, including MeEDI, the first initiative of its kind to provide protected time and £5,000 over five years to eligible participants for career and personal skills development, while embedding inclusive practice across the UK’s silicon photonics and semiconductor innovation ecosystem. Aubree is also EDI Lead for the CANUTE Network, a UK–Canada collaboration focused on strengthen UK‑Canada collaboration on semiconductor research and innovation, advancing smarter, faster, and more energy‑efficient technologies that power everything from AI to telecoms.. Her work centres on translating strategy into delivery, strengthening operational systems, and supporting sustainable, people‑centred ways of working.