Event round-up: Cloud for Business in 2023 - Raconteur and techUK webinar
On 28 March 2023, techUK hosted a webinar in partnership with Raconteur to discuss the findings of the Cloud for Business Report published in The Sunday Times on 5 March.
The panel included:
- Luke White, Cloud Consultant, Hyve
- Greg Hudson, Chief Portfolio Officer, M247
- Nicki Watt, CEO/CTO, Opencredo
- Chloe Johnston, Campaign Director, Raconteur
- Chris Hazell, techUK (Chair)
You can watch the full webinar here, or read our summary of the key insights below:
Please note that the below is a summary of the event, and readers are encouraged to watch the webinar to understand the full details of the discussion.
The panel opened with a discussion of key trends in cloud computing and some of the issues businesses should be thinking about in 2023. Hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, security and compliance concerns, sustainability, the skills gap across the industry, investment in cloud-native applications and post-migration bill shock and cost optimisation challenges were all identified by the panel as key issues.
The discussion moved on to how businesses are adjusting to the post-pandemic increase in hybrid working by maturing cloud strategies following the “rush to cloud” seen in recent years.
Security and compliance challenges of hybrid working were explored in some detail in addition to a recent upsurge of interest in how to leverage AI/ML capabilities to unlock value from data and to automate some of the compliance and governance burdens.
An increasing number of businesses were seen as recognising the flaws of a “lift and shift” migration and are turning towards rearchitecting applications and cloud-native approaches as a means to get the best value from an investment in cloud. The panel agreed that a focus on people and process challenges is just as important as getting the right technical solution.
The panel explored cost optimisation challenges in detail and discussed how businesses find it difficult to adjust from a CapEx to an OpEx model. Some businesses are turning to hybrid cloud or dedicated private cloud to mitigate the challenges of a “public cloud first” approach.
Sustainability was seen as increasingly important, both for customers and internally for staff working in the sector, but many businesses are still primarily concerned with cost and getting the right infrastructure for their workloads. However, the panel agreed that many cost-optimisation measures also come with inherent sustainability benefits.
“You need to focus on bringing people, processes and technology together in a holistic way, because that’s what achieves the greatest gains.” - Nicki Watt
“Leverage the experts! There’s lots of people out there that live and breathe cloud every single day that can make sure you get the most out of your investments” – Greg Hudson
“Communicate. Stay in touch with your MSP. Understand your solution and investigate what more can be done” – Luke White
techUK podcast
This episode explores key issues around cloud, climate and sustainability
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Elis Thomas
Elis Thomas
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.
He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.
Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/elis-thomas-49a1aa1a1/