techUK is excited to host this event on 3 April 2025, bringing together techUK members and thought leaders from across the industry, to explore the role of cloud-enabled digital transformation in boosting economic growth.
We know that digital technology has a key role to play in bridging the gap between the UK's historically sluggish productivity and the urgent need for stronger economic growth. In a series of panel sessions our speakers will assess barriers to growth and explore how cloud-based tools can help businesses be more efficient innovative and productive.
Agenda
13:00-13:30 Opening remarks from Sue Daley OBE, Director of Tech and Innovation, techUK and Adrian Bradley, Head of Cloud at KPMG UK and Chair of techUK's Cloud Committee.
13:30-14:30 Building smarter businesses: leveraging cloud services to drive growth and innovation
This session will consider key barriers to growth and how cloud-based tools can help UK businesses be more efficient, innovative and productive.
Speakers include:
- Glen Robinson, National Technology Officer, Microsoft UK
- Ursula Morgenstern, CEO, Littlefish
- Simon Bennett, Private Cloud CTO, Rackspace Technology
- John Abel, Managing Director Office of the CTO, Google Cloud
- Gerard Lavin, Field CTO, Cloud Software Group
- Sue Daley OBE, Director of Tech and Innovation, techUK (Chair)
14:30-14:45 Coffee Break
14:45-15:45 The data-driven workplace: unlocking the value of data through cloud-enabled solutions
This panel will explore opportunities for organisations to leverage cloud-based analytics tools, data science and AI to be more efficient and productive.
Speakers include:
- Sachin Agrawal, Managing Director, Zoho UK
- James Wolman, Head of Data Science, Braidr
- Ali Parandeh, Head of Engineering, Applied Data Science Partners
- Grace Adamson, AI Product Marketer, Snowflake
- Usman Ikhlaq, Programme Manager for AI, techUK (Chair)
15:45-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:00 Small business, big changes: cloud-enabled digital transformation for SMEs
This panel will consider how we drive digital transformation deeper into the economy and help SMEs benefit from cloud-enabled productivity gains.
Speakers include:
- Wale Adedeji, CEO, Datamellon
- Josie Rickerd, Director of Enterprise Account Management. ANS
- Carrie Tallett, Senior Product Manager, Forterro
- Ed Bevan, Head of SME Engagement, techUK (Chair)
17:00-18:00 Networking and refreshments in partnership with KPMG UK
Chris Hazell
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
