Introducing techUK’s New Education and EdTech Council

Ajay Chauhan

Sales Engineer & Higher Education - Tech Lead, CrowdStrike

Ajay Chauhan is an accomplished cybersecurity professional with a diverse background spanning customer engagement, technical solutions, and strategic leadership. He currently serves at CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, where he leverages his extensive expertise to protect organisations from cyber threats. Based in Reading, UK, Ajay has cultivated a robust network of over 500 professional connections. His career reflects a commitment to advancing cybersecurity practices and delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Alastair Williamson-Pound

Chief Technology Officer, 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.

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.

Ashley Gregory

Account Director, Telent

A ‘C’ level influencer with considerable contact portfolio in the Higher Education & Telco industry, Ashley comes from a highly trained and structured background in business development, account management, training and project management. Ashley is actively engaged with, and has good, longstanding relationships within Russell Group universities, ISP’s & technology vendors at all levels.

In the past, Ashley has had great success at systems integrator, Belgacom ICT, with global support functions, professional services, managed services & sell through solutions for the Service Provider market.

More recently he worked at Alternative Networks, an Enterprise SI. Ashley was the first candidate in the newly formed Service Provider team, driving its start up as a new division within the business. With numerous new logo wins within 3 years, the team expanded and flourished.

Ashley now works at Telent as an Account Director, where for the last six years he headed up the Higher Education vertical sector team.

Charlene McDonald

Education Account Director, Kainos

Charlene is Education Account Director with Kainos, overseeing multiple digital transformation/operations engagements, including with the Department for Education, University of Cambridge, Queen’s University (Belfast) and The Open University.

Charlene brings 20+ years of experience in leading digital and data transformation across the UK public sector, both in education and other large-scale, complex transformation programs including the NHS and several central government departments. Her expertise includes defining, shaping, and implementing organisational strategies, TOMs, and leading transformation/change programmes that deliver innovation, growth, and efficiencies.

Her work leading the NHS Digital Transformation of Screening Programme earned Charlene the ‘Women in Business’ Digital Transformation Leader of the Year award in 2023.

For the last year she has led the blended Open University/Kainos team digitally transforming the organisation and redesigning the student experience. 

She is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion through tech outreach initiatives, encouraging women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in technology.

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.

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimplekhagram/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimplekhagram/

Dr Christina Yan Zhang

Chief Executive Officer, The Metaverse Institute

Christina has 19 years’ experience working with leaders of UN, governments, universities, and corporates on education. She represented the interests of one million overseas students studying at 600 UK higher and further education institutions 2008-2012 at National Union of Students. She was China Director 2013-2020 at QS World university rankings, which evaluate 20,000+ universities in 100+ countries.

She is ITU Co-chair of Pre-standardisation for CitiVerse TaskGroup and authored 1st UN report on “People-Centered CitiVerse,” using AI to develop a people-centered, planet-friendly digital future, leading to international standards. This initiative is supported by 18 UN agencies, including World Bank, UNESCO, UNICEF etc.

Alongside the 73rd President of the UN General Assembly, she sits on Advisory Council for Centre for Science Futures of International Science Council, the world's largest science body of 250 national/international academies of sciences. She sits on The Economist Impact’s “AI Economy” Advisory Board, examining AI’s global economic implications.

Dr Michael Joseph

Brunel University of London, RIEm Programme Lead and Business Development Manager

Dr Michael Joseph is the Programme Lead for Brunel University London’s award winning Research, Innovate and Emerge (RIEm) programme to help businesses to access funding for research and innovation (R&I). He also manages partnerships for R&I in Health Care and MedTech in Brunel including with businesses such as GSK, GE Healthcare, techUK and SMEs. He worked for over 15 years in private sector, managing partnerships with Government bodies, and other funders in over 25 countries including as Head of Business Development for a large Consultancy Group.

With a PhD in Public Health, Dr Joseph has done policy analysis on SME and university engagement and is a seasoned speaker at conferences. Reuters in 2010 named him as one of the top 10 influential international programme managers. Dr Joseph works with Brunel University research experts, funders and entrepreneurs including edtech entrepreneurs as part of managing knowledge exchange, skills strengthening and trusted research priorities.

Dr. Yuliana Topazly, MBE

Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation, University of East London

Dr. Yuliana Topazly is an Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of East London, a Director of Strategic Planning Team at DOHE and an award-winning social entrepreneur.

Yuliana has been named as one of the ‘Top 100 Most Inspiring Mentors in the UK’ (2016); won the Croydon Business Awards twice (2013 and 2017) for 'Commitment to the Community' and 'Women in Business' respectively. In 2023 Yuliana was awarded an MBE for services to businesses and female entrepreneurship.

Yuliana has a unique blend of experience working in HE Institutions, developing enterprise strategies and entrepreneurship support programmes, engaging with one of the world’s largest EdTech championing groups and working closely with the wide range of a global EdTech startup community as well as running her own successful social enterprise. She has worked with more than 5,000 small businesses and across 15 different HE Institutions around the world.

Jane Dellar

Account Manager | Social Value Lead, PDMS Ltd

I am the Account Manager at PDMS for UK public sector organisations, focusing on long-term partnerships in the skills and education sector. I am dedicated to ensuring technology delivers the best outcomes for people and businesses.

I have a strategic-level understanding of economic development, having previously been MD of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Head of Isle of Man Finance at the IoM Government Treasury & Chief Executive at the IoM Chamber of Commerce.

Closest to my heart has always been helping people to be the best they can be. Education along with personal & professional development has been woven into my career for nearly 30 years since being a professional qualification tutor with BPP training.

I am keen to contribute to the efforts of the Council to help ensure that our industry continues to thrive and government & society benefit from the capabilities available in the UK.

Joel Mundy

Business Director, Executive Practice Lead: Digital, Data & Technology, Hays Technology

I’ve worked with organisations in the Education space for over a decade, first joining in Hays in 2013. In my role as Executive Practice Lead for Digital, Data and Technology, I work with organisational leadership attracting diverse and high performing digital, data, technology and change talent with a focus on impacting how education is delivered and consumed. I am passionate about challenging employers on how they look and build diverse skills for the future, ensuring organisations drive inclusive environments to allow everyone to feel empowered and that they have a voice – plus that organisations foster and nurture the development of diverse workforces.

Matt Jordan

Canva for Education - EMEA Lead, Canva

As Head of K12 Education for Canva in EMEA, I work with governments across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to support digital learning transformation and the development of innovative education programs. My collaborations span diverse regions, including Slovenia, Poland, Oman, Kazakhstan, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, ensuring technology enhances learning outcomes at scale.

With over a decade in EdTech leadership, business development, and policy engagement, I have successfully driven education technology adoption in schools and government institutions. My experience includes senior roles at Zzish, itslearning, and Smoothwall, where I spearheaded strategic initiatives to improve accessibility, online safety, student engagement, and digital assessment tools.

I am passionate about bridging the gap between policy and implementation, ensuring technology drives meaningful change in education. As a Council Member, I would bring a strategic, policy-driven perspective to support techUK’s Education & EdTech Programme.

Neil Bailey

Head of Education & Research, CDW

I have dedicated my career to the EdTech sector, supporting educational institutions in leveraging technology to enhance student outcomes, empower teachers, and assist leaders in making informed decisions about classroom technologies. Currently, I lead CDW’s global education business, providing solutions across five continents and over forty countries, positively impacting millions of students. Backed by a team of education strategists and technologists, and partnering with the world’s largest technology providers—often as their top partner—I offer a comprehensive perspective on Education Technology across Higher Education and Schools, ensuring tangible results for our customers and partners.

Nilesh Patel

Technology and Solution Head in Education Sector, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd

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

Education Market Development and Partner Strategy Lead for Cisco in the UK and Europe, Cisco Systems

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.

Robin Ghurbhurun

UK Managing Director Further Education and Skills; Executive Director - Nations, AI, Advice and Trai, Jisc

An experienced C-Suite executive serving the Further Education and Skills sector over four decades. The UK Executive lead for Jisc’s Further Education and skills policy, member engagement, artificial intelligence and advice & training services for both further and higher education. Leads on Jisc’s strategy for building the digital leadership capacity within FE, HE and Skills institutions whilst also leading on the strategic engagement for FE and Skills with UK Government funders. Robin also leads on collaboration with other relevant agencies and digital suppliers.

Robin is an experienced and former College CEO, trustee and non-executive director while also having held positions as Chair of educational establishments and technology associations. Currently a Board member and Chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee at West London College; a Director and Trustee of the awarding organisation NCFE, a Board member of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals and a Governor of Suffolk New College.

Sian Wilson

Co-Founder / Executive Director- Commercial, Day One

Sian Wilson is a distinguished leader in edtech and education, with a career spanning 25 years focused on vocational, technical, and higher education. Sian began working with large corporate businesses and national skills agencies, developing and managing extensive apprenticeship programs in the UK across financial services, tech, and retail sectors. Sian played a pivotal role in bridging government and business, leading to a position at Tech Partnership during the introduction of the Levy, collaborating with government and employers on apprenticeship system reforms and the inception of degree apprenticeships.

As a senior executive director at NCFE, Sian oversaw the introduction of T Levels, End Point Assessment, and Vocational Awards, working closely with colleges, schools, higher education institutions, and businesses, with a particular emphasis on digital education and skills. Sian also served on the regional council for CBI North East and co-chaired the Women in Skills Group, advocating for digital roles and social mobility. Sian's experience includes roles at global ed-tech companies focusing on adult education, tech skills, and digital transformation. Currently, Sian is the co-founder and director at Day One, focusing on matching early career candidates with roles that promote social mobility, and serves as director of Society Matters and vice chair of the Tech UK Skills and Inclusion Council.

Steve Clarke

Head of NCCE and CPD, STEM Learning

Steve works for STEM Learning where he leads the DfE funded National Centre for Computing Education and shapes the organisation's strategy for teacher professional development. He was a computing teacher and leader for more than a decade and spent several years as a computing curriculum consultant and online safety advisor for Babcock Education in Surrey and Devon. In this role, Steve supported many schools through the transition from ICT to computing, advising leaders on whole-school IT strategy, and helping them to adopt transformative technology.

Tamara Monti

Sales director, Dassault Systèmes

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.

At Dassault Systèmes, Tamara spearheaded initiatives that boosted SaaS adoption by 51% and forged collaborations with top universities. She combines deep technical expertise rooted in a PhD in Electromagnetics—with a passion for education innovation and industry-academic partnerships. Tamara has held roles from Assistant Lecturer to Research Fellow and actively contributes to STEM and EdTech initiatives, including serving as STEM Working Group Coordinator and panelist at leading industry events. Recognized for her leadership and communication skills, she brings a collaborative and insight-driven approach to advancing education technology on a strategic level.

Tim Cockle

Director Consulting Expert, CGI

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.

Vanessa Soames

Social Value Director – Public Sector and Health, Cognizant

Vanessa Soames is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the digital skills landscape. She has held key roles at KPMG Barclays and Cognizant, where she has been responsible for the recruitment and development of graduates, interns, and apprentices in digital skills. As Social Value Director at Cognizant, Vanessa supports public sector clients in skilling underrepresented groups and designing initiatives to match their priorities. She has championed regional skills initiatives, including the Cognizant Women’s in Technology Leadership masters programme and localised technology training bootcamps.

Vanessa has driven tangible outcomes through award-winning programmes for early talent and apprenticeships. Her work with stakeholders and industry-led projects has been recognized, and she has been shortlisted for Creating Capability in Digital Skills at the Social Value awards 2024. Vanessa's commitment to promoting accessible training and guiding the development of emerging technologies is evident in her work.