Launch of techUK SME Report

Liz Ashall-Payne

CEO, ORCHA Health

Liz Ashall-Payne is a dynamic entrepreneur and healthcare innovator renowned for her pioneering work in digital health. With a blend of visionary leadership and technical expertise, she has carved a significant niche in transforming healthcare delivery through technology.  As the founder and CEO of ORCHA (Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications), Liz has led the charge in revolutionizing the way digital health apps are evaluated and utilized within healthcare systems worldwide. Her passion for empowering both patients and healthcare professionals with reliable, safe, and effective digital tools has been the driving force behind ORCHA's success.  Liz's career trajectory has been marked by a relentless commitment to bridging the gap between traditional healthcare and cutting-edge technology. Her innovative approach has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the top 50 influential women in tech by Forbes.  Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Liz is a sought-after speaker and advocate for digital health literacy and accessibility. She actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the healthcare industry, cementing her status as a leading figure in the digital health revolution.  With a steadfast dedication to improving healthcare outcomes through innovation, Liz Ashall-Payne continues to push boundaries and inspire change in the ever-evolving landscape of digital health.

Delma Dwight

Director of Economic Intelligence, The Economic Intelligence Unit

Delma has been pioneering the development, implementation and leadership of an evidence-based approach to policy and strategy development across the Midlands for over 22 years.

Delma was educated in Ireland and holds a First-Class Honours degree (Bachelors) in Commerce from University College Galway and an Honours Masters (MA) in Economics from University College Dublin. She was awarded a Visiting Professorship to the University of Wolverhampton in 2019.

Delma established The Black Country Economic Intelligence Unit in 2002 and has been the Director of Economic Intelligence for the last 20 years.

Delma has also been the Director of the Midlands Engine Observatory since 2019.

She utilises her excellent analytical abilities to translate complex information into meaningful messages and concise reports in order to support evidence-based debate at Strategic Board Level.

Prior to setting up the Intelligence Unit Delma’s work experience included the Economist in London, Curtin University in Perth, Australia and the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin.

Phil Evans

Managing Director, Orlo

Leader of the pack, Phil has had a rich career in the tech industry and became an Orlonian in 2019. Often found by the marketing desks pitching his latest campaign idea or laughing at his own dad jokes with the sales team, Phil is at the heart of Orlo’s great culture and is key to driving the business forward.

Katharine Fuller

COO, TechWM

Katharine is COO of TechWM 'voice of west midlands tech businesses' and the not for profit cluster body supporting businesses, organisations and individuals in the West Midlands Tech sector to successfully coordinate and boost the growth potential of the regional ecosystem to be a £100bn tech economy by 2030. As COO Katharine’s role is to manage the business as it delivers against objectives in Support, Skills, Investment, Globalisation and thematic areas of AI, 5G, Women in Tech, ESG, Cyber under the leadership of CEO Yiannis Maos and working with our regional partners.

In addition Katharine provides support to businesses directly in navigating the innovation ecosystem and to organisations to maximise the potential of their initiatives through collaboration.

For over 15 years Katharine has worked in the West Midlands innovation district specialising in emerging digital tech and cleantech and has supported many businesses from start-up to sustainable profitability and exit. For 10 years, Katharine specialised in challenge-led innovation, finding tech solutions to societal and corporate challenges which led to many public-private partnerships and helix-model collabs, regionally, nationally, and internationally with multi-million budget control.

Katharine has had speaking engagements and delivered transnational innovation programmes in Europe, US and Asia focussing on challenge-led innovation best practice and business growth through partnership. Katharine is an independent expert for the EU Commission and an assessor for Innovate UK. Katharine also provides consultancy to a small portfolio of clients – in business, academic and public service.

Katharine studied Economics and has an MBA with prestigious triple accreditation “Triple Crown” from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business); AMBA (Association of MBAs) and EFMD/EQUIS (European Foundation for Management Development / European Quality Improvement System).

Paula Whitehouse

Deputy Dean Enterprise and Engagement, Aston University College of Business and Social Sciences; Director, Aston Centre for Growth, Aston University College

Paula Whitehouse is Deputy Dean Enterprise and Engagement in the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, and Director of the Aston Centre for Growth. Paula leads on the development of growth programmes and other business support initiatives at the Aston Centre for Growth which has provided targeted support to over 2,000 SMEs, and takes a strategic lead on Aston’s start-up support for students and graduates.  Paula was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal by Aston University in 2021.

Paula is Curriculum Director with the Chartered Association of Business Schools for the UK Government’s Help to Grow: Management Course delivered to business leaders throughout the UK by over 50 accredited business schools.  She was also Curriculum Director for the Small Business Leadership Programme which helped 2,800 business leaders build resilience and recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Paula chairs accreditation panels for the Small Business Charter and in 2018 gave evidence on behalf of the Small Business Charter to the House of Commons BEIS Committee Small Business and Productivity Inquiry.  In 2021 she was awarded Fellowship of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

As Section Lead and speaker for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme Paula has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs through its intensive leadership and management education since 2011.  She has also worked with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme in India supporting their curriculum development.  Paula is a board member and trustee of Ex Cathedra, a leading UK choir and early music ensemble, a Fellow of the RSA, and board facilitator for the charity Music Therapy Works.