3pm – 6pm5 March 2026
London
techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
Step into some of the UK’s most dynamic and employable industries — emerging technologies.
Join techUK for an inspiring afternoon exploringfields such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, and robotics.
Taking place as part of National Careers Week and techUK's TechTogether campaign, this event will demonstrate the diverse range of early career opportunities spanning the UK’s thriving emerging tech sector.
With employers increasingly seeking talent across technical, creative, and analytical disciplines, emerging tech offers some of the most adaptable career paths available today.
Whether you're a graduate, career changer, or returning to work, you'll gain insights into how your unique perspective can contribute to this rapidly evolving field and meet other like-minded individuals with a keen interest in the technologies of tomorrow.
Why attend?
Learn what’s driving the next wave of innovation – from AI and quantum computing to robotics and semiconductors.
Discover career paths, skills and practical routes into emerging tech, with advice from employers and early-career professionals.
Network with industry leaders, university partners, and peers pursuing similar career goals.
Emerging tech is driving innovation across every sector, whether it’s healthcare, sustainability, finance or the creative industries, offering opportunities across roles in software and hardware, policy and regulation, comms and marketing, product development, and more. Meaning the skills you build are adaptable and support a sustainable long-term career.
Who should attend?
We welcome current university students, apprentices, interns, graduates, or anyone considering a career change into technology. Whether you’re already passionate about tech or simply curious about how it shapes the world, this event offers an inclusive space to explore opportunities - no technical background is required.
There will be pizza and lots of drinks to round the evening off. We welcome all employees of techUK member companies who are interested in meeting with like-minded tech professionals early in their career!
Agenda
3:00 – 3:10 | Introduction
3:10 – 4:00 |Panel 1 –Inside Emerging Tech: What It Is and Why It Matters
4:00 – 4:10 | Break
4:00 – 5:00 |Panel 2 –Breaking In: Pathways and Skills for the Next Generation of Tech Talent
5:00 – 6:00 | Networking w/ Pizza & Drinks
Speakers (More TBC):
Joshua Carney
Senior Employer Engagement Manager, The Sutton Trust
The Early Tech Career Network was established by techUK to bring together leading technology companies and enable people entering the tech industry (such as graduates, apprentices, interns, entry-level role-holders, career changers, or returners to work) the opportunity to build their knowledge and add value to the organisations for which they work.
The main purpose of the network is to connect with others who are also new to the sector and network to build up a platform for support. It’s a great community where people from different organisations can network in an informal setting and hear from fantastic speakers. Join the LinkedIn page.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace.
Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes.
He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
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 Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
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.
Ella joined techUK in July 2025 as Junior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies.
In her role, Ella supports the design and delivery of four to six-month sprint campaigns. These identify emerging technologies of interest to members and Government, share industry best practice, champion relevant sectors and industries across the UK, and work through key challenges and opportunities to drive the development, application and commercialisation of these technologies.
Before joining techUK, Ella completed an internship at Digital Catapult, supporting across public affairs, policy and the organisation's programmes. She also has experience working in an MP's Parliamentary and Constituency Office.
Ella holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol.
Programme Manager ‑ Quantum and Digital Twins, techUK
Sara Duodu
Programme Manager ‑ Quantum and Digital Twins, techUK
Sara joined techUK in October 2025 as Programme Manager for Quantum and Digital Twins.
Before joining techUK, Sara worked at Capital Enterprise as Research Lead, where she focused on policy research related to the UK’s startup ecosystem. During her time there, she co-authored a flagship report unpacking what quantum startups in the UK need to grow and stay in the UK.
Sara holds a Master of Global Affairs (Innovation Policy & Global Security) from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and an MA (History) and a BA (History & Political Science) from the University of Western Ontario.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys reading, playing rugby, and watching any and all sports.
techUK's Skills, Talent and Diversity Programme activities
techUK work with our members to signpost the opportunity of digital jobs and ensure these opportunities are open to people of diverse backgrounds. We strive to help our members attract, recruit, and retain a diverse workforce, whilst showcasing their work on workplace innovation. Visit the programme page here.
Jobs and Skills
To make sure that the UK is a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone, it is crucial that people have the digital skills needed for life and work. Rapid digitalisation is creating surging demand for digital skills across the economy and the current domestic skills pipeline cannot keep up. Digitalisation is also leading to rapid changes in the labour market that means some traditional roles are being displaced. There is an urgent need to better match the demand and supply.
The future of work is changing. Technology is powering a growth in flexible work across the economy, whilst emerging technologies such as robotics and AI are set to become common place. techUK believes the UK must consider the implications of digital transformation in the world of work now, equipping people and businesses across the country with the skills and conditions needed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the 4IR.
Diversity and inclusion sits at the heart of digital growth. The tech sector understands that innovation thrives from diversity of thought and is continually looking to attract, recruit and retain a diverse workforce. techUK is proud to support a number of initiatives that promote this, from doing outreach work to ensure that people regardless of their background are inspired into tech, to initiatives that help build more inclusive workplaces for those with different accessibility needs.
Returners programmes offer a supported bridge back to work for people who have taken a career break. Providing ways for people to ease back into work after a career break is a vital way to make sure we do not lose out on their talent and experience. The techUK returners hub was created as a one-stop-shop for people looking to return to a career in digital.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Senior Employer Engagement Manager, The Sutton Trust
Josh works at social mobility charity the Sutton Trust as Senior Employer Engagement Manager, focused on the Trust’s employability programmes and partnerships with leading employers. He previously worked in the early careers and recruitment teams at the technology company Salesforce and the pharmaceutical company GSK.
Stewart Edmondson has been the CEO of the UK Electronics Skills Foundation since 2015. He has a degree in Electronics and a wide range of engineering and training management experience in both the public and private sectors. He has been a Chartered Engineer for over 300 years and is a Fellow of the IET. As a volunteer, he has chaired their Professional Development Advisory Committee and is now on their governing Council. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor of Employability, Professionalism and Ethics at Aston University, Honorary Fellow on the University of Southampton and he is a member of the UK Government’s Semiconductor Skills Working Group.
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) was founded in 2010 as the only STEM organisation in the UK devoted exclusively to Electronics and semiconductors. It undertakes skills advocacy and consultancy work on behalf of the UK’s ‘deep tech’ sector. A key aspect of the UKESF’s work is focussed on connecting Higher and Further Education, industry and secondary education. The UKESF has partnerships with 30 leading universities right across the UK. They offer a Scholarship Scheme for undergraduates, which has benefited over 900 students, preparing them for industry and providing a valuable skills pipeline to UK organisations. The Scheme received external recognition, winning a Princess Royal Training Award in both 2022 and 2025.
Dan is Government Affairs Lead for the UK at Scale AI. In this role, he covers policy and government engagement for the UK. Founded in 2016, Scale AI has become the leading provider of high-quality data and evaluations that serve as the foundational infrastructure for AI development. The company's services include training and improving AI models and developing applications for many of the world's leading generative AI companies, government agencies, and enterprises. Scale is also the world leading in paid AI opportunities globally.
Ella joined techUK in July 2025 as Junior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies.
In her role, Ella supports the design and delivery of four to six-month sprint campaigns. These identify emerging technologies of interest to members and Government, share industry best practice, champion relevant sectors and industries across the UK, and work through key challenges and opportunities to drive the development, application and commercialisation of these technologies.
Before joining techUK, Ella completed an internship at Digital Catapult, supporting across public affairs, policy and the organisation's programmes. She also has experience working in an MP's Parliamentary and Constituency Office.
Ella holds a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol.
Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation, University East London
Yuliana is an Associate Professor, Business Mentor, and Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur.
She has been widely celebrated for her leadership, being named one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Mentors in the UK (2016), winning the Croydon Business Awards twice (2013, 2017) for Commitment to the Community and Women in Business, and featuring in the WISE 2020 List: 100 Social Enterprise Leaders Showing COVID Who is the Boss!. Most recently, Yuliana was awarded an MBE for Services to Business and Female Entrepreneurship.
Currently, she serves as Associate Professor of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of East London and Director of the Strategic Planning Team at DOHE Europe. She also contributes to the sector through her role on the techUK EdTech Council, GETN and EUropean EdTech Alliance as an advisory board member.
Passionate about education, female and social entrepreneurship, she now leads on developing Global EdTech ecosystems, working to minimise barriers and maximise opportunities for EdTech entrepreneurs around the world.
