Future Telecoms Conference 2026

Cristina Data

Director of Spectrum Information and Analysis, Ofcom

Cristina is the Director of Spectrum information and analysis, Spectrum Group at Ofcom and is also a NED of the Energy System Catapult. Cristina currently leads the Spectrum Mobile Data Strategy programme with a particular focus on assessing the implications of growing demand. Prior to working on 5G, Cristina led the development of a new spectrum sharing framework, and launched Ofcom open data policy. In particular Cristina was responsible for the release of the UK Interactive spectrum map and the release of information on spectrum use in open format. Prior to joining Ofcom Cristina held various marketing and strategy roles at Telefonica O2, EE (then Orange), and Ericsson (then Red Bee Media). Cristina holds a Master Degree in Management Engineering from the Politecnico di Torino university in Italy. 

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John Duncan

Connected Places Lead, GMCA

John Duncan is an experienced leader in the digital sector, with a distinguished career spanning roles in local and regional government and the telecommunications industry. Currently, he serves as the Connected Places Lead at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), where he leads on digital infrastructure policy and strategy, including the development of Digital Place Plans and the GM strategy on Data Centre’s and AI Growth Zones. His work is pivotal in advancing the Greater Manchester Strategy workstream: Connecting people and places through digital technology. 

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Matthew Howett

Founder & CEO, Assembly Research

Matthew is a well-regarded expert on regulatory and policy issues across communications markets and the wider digital economy. With nearly 20 years experience, he has an established presence in the industry and is a regular contributor to the international press and broadcast media on a range of telecoms and technology issues given his ability to distil complex topics in a clear and concise way. He has spoken at a number of high profile events in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America on issues such as the European regulatory framework, net neutrality and broadband policy.

Prior to founding Assembly in 2017, Matthew was at Ovum for over a decade where he led its regulation and policy practice. He has an MA (Hons) in Economics from The University of Edinburgh.

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Shamil Jobanputra

Senior Telecoms Regulatory Specialist, BT

Shamil is a senior telecoms regulatory specialist with experience across multiple facets of the telecoms industry, gained at BT, Virgin Media and PwC. 

At BT, Shamil leads BT’s engagement with Ofcom on overall mobile policy, exchange closure, the future of TV distribution and net neutrality. As part of this, he leads BT’s wider mobile policy work, including regular engagement with Ofcom as part of its Mobile Strategy Review and its current Mobile Connectivity programme. Prior to this, at Virgin Media, he considered the impact of regulation and government policy on Virgin Media, including regulatory decisions on gaining provider-led switching, bill capping and Roam Like At Home. And at PwC, he advised various EMEA operators and policymakers on regulatory and policy issues, on matters ranging from market reviews to spectrum awards. 

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Dritan Kaleshi

Director of Technology 5G, Digital Catapult

With 30 years experience as a technologist and researcher in communication networks, distributed system design and interoperability, Dritan is Director of 5G Technology at Digital Catapult and Co-Director of SONIC Labs. Dritan has established and leads the Future Networks 5G and Digital Infrastructure programs in Digital Catapult, delivering technology development and innovation in advanced ICT systems and their adoption in enterprise networks in the UK. He was a founder of the SONIC Labs and of UK Telecommunication Network (UKTIN).

An acknowledged thought leader in his field, Dritan has published over 75 papers, holds three patents and has edited two international standards on interoperability, and is often invited to speak on advanced digital infrastructure and communication systems. He has represented the UK in international standardisation bodies and served on/chaired international conferences and technical committees, and provided technical advice to industry and the UK government.

His focus is on national coordination and how to best support advanced digital infrastructure and connectivity technology uptake, growing UK capabilities in telecommunications R&D, as well as developing in Digital Catapult  technical advances on new 5G/6G network architectures, network and service orchestration, edge computing and IoT support.

Prior to Digital Catapult he was at University of Bristol, where he led a 15-strong research team, strategically combining network and distributed systems research with industrial collaboration, making a wide range of contributions and practical implementations in networking, interoperability, smart energy, cities and digital health.

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Mr Tony Lavender

Partner, Plum Consulting

Tony Lavender is a Partner of Plum Consulting.

He has extensive experience across a wide range of telecommunication and technology industry issues gained through working as a consultant, for the UK telecommunications regulator Oftel and for a network operator over a period of more than 30 years. Tony is particularly interested in public policy, regulation and the relationship between technology, and the economy. In recent years Tony has focused on radio spectrum issues and much of his client work at Plum has focused on the benefits of innovation in the radio spectrum field.

Website: www.plumconsulting.co.uk

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Freyja Lockwood

Digital Transformation Programme Manager, WECA

No bio provided

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Henry Parker

Head of Public Affairs, Cellnext

Henry has joined Cellnex following a number of roles focusing on telecommunications and technology regulation across the UK, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. He is a former Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy at techUK, and managed the organisation’s response to the first Digital Economy Act in 2010. Since then, he has managed public affairs for EE following its acquisition by BT Group, helping to accelerate the UK's 5G and fibre broadband deployment, managing stakeholder relations around the Emergency Services Network rollout, leading on the Universal Service Obligation delivery, and helping to launch the Shared Rural Network initiative.   

At the GSMA, he managed public policy activity across 23 Asia-Pacific markets from Hong Kong, securing significant policy reforms through collaboration with ASEAN, APEC, and other regional bodies. Prior to that, he managed Gatwick Airport’s public affairs and public policy functions on separation from BAA. Most recently, at Logically AI, he has expanded his focus to address emerging challenges in technology policy, particularly around AI governance, cybersecurity, and online content regulation.  

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Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.

Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.

Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.

He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.

If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:

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Professor Dimitra Simeonidou

Professor, University of Bristol

Dimitra Simeonidou is a Full Professor at the University of Bristol, the Co-Director of the Bristol Digital Futures Institute and the Director of Smart Internet Lab. Her research is focusing on the fields of high-performance networks, programmable networks, wireless-optical convergence, 5G/6G and smart city infrastructures. She is increasingly working with Social Sciences on topics of digital transformation for society and businesses. Dimitra has been the Technical Architect and the CTO of the smart city project Bristol Is Open. She is currently leading the Bristol City/Region 5G and Open RAN pilots. 

She is the author and co-author of over 600 publications, numerous patents and several major contributions to standards. 

She has been co-founder of two spin-out companies, the latest being the University of Bristol VC funded spin-out Zeetta Networks, delivering SDN solutions for enterprise and emergency networks. 

Dimitra is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), a Fellow of the IEEE (FIEEE), Fellow of WWRF and a Royal Society Wolfson Scholar 

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Lucie Smith

Director of Programmes, Mova

Lucie Smith is Director of Programmes at Mova, the sole joint venture of all four UK mobile operators. Lucie is responsible for engagement and communications for the Shared Rural Network, a £1bn programme to improve 4G mobile coverage in rural areas across the UK, and delivery of Restore TV, a programme providing support to viewers who experience TV interference as a result of new mobile services being launched. Lucie has over 15 years’ experience within the tech and telco industries, and has held UK, regional and global roles. 

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Dan Warren

Director of Advanced Network Research, Samsung Research UK

Dan Warren is the Director of Advanced Network Research at Samsung Research UK. He leads a team of researchers working on cutting-edge mobile telecoms technology innovation, in the fields of Beyond 5G, 6G and the application of Artificial Intelligence. Dan applies his broad experience in the industry across technical, commercial, strategic and regulatory topics to steer Research towards relevant and commercially viable solutions. Dan is currently Chair of the Steering Board of 5G-PPP, a Board member of 6G-IA, and a member of a number of External Advisory Boards for academic research projects. 

Prior to joining Samsung, Dan held senior roles at Capita, GSMA, Vodafone and Nortel. Dan is a widely respected authority on Telecoms, having been included in Global Telecoms Business Magazine ‘Top 40 Under 40’ list for three years, and in Capacity Magazine’s ’20 Innovators to Watch’ in 2018. Dan holds a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Brunel University. 

: https://www.samsung.com/uk/
: Dan Warren

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