TLC KEYNOTES
ROB MAY
SHARON PRIOR
MARCO RYAN
AI Ethics & Governance – a critical and timely conversation as AI becomes embedded across teams, clients and decision-making
Rob explored how culture, trust, and ethics determine the success of AI adoption, and what technology leaders can do to lead responsibly.
As AI becomes central to business strategy, its success depends less on algori
AI Ethics & Governance – a critical and timely conversation as AI becomes embedded across teams, clients and decision-making
Rob explored how culture, trust, and ethics determine the success of AI adoption, and what technology leaders can do to lead responsibly.
As AI becomes central to business strategy, its success depends less on algorithms and more on people. Blending thought leadership with interactive discussion, Rob challenged the Tech Leaders Connect community to consider what’s working, what’s not, and what leadership actions can build the confidence and capability AI needs to thrive.
MARCO RYAN
SHARON PRIOR
MARCO RYAN
How AI changes what leadership looks like – and why it starts with us
A ‘Call to arms’ to help CIOs and CTOs leverage the AI advantage, and bring more impact and strategic value creation to clients. Marco's goal is to encourage and enable the C-suite to see the CIO/CTO role as a value accelerator and to explore how AI can be used to augme
How AI changes what leadership looks like – and why it starts with us
A ‘Call to arms’ to help CIOs and CTOs leverage the AI advantage, and bring more impact and strategic value creation to clients. Marco's goal is to encourage and enable the C-suite to see the CIO/CTO role as a value accelerator and to explore how AI can be used to augment, reinforce and drive this.
Marco delivered examples, stories, and tools to help CIOs/CTOs ‘rewire’ their own role and future – to leverage deep technical knowledge and move out of the shadow of ‘cost down’ IT partners, and to become key influencers in the C-suite.
OLLY REES
SHARON PRIOR
SHARON PRIOR
Navigating the future:
How tech leaders can thrive in a world of digital disruption
From acoustic drone detection in Ukraine to rapid prototyping in NHS hospitals, Olly unpacked practical strategies innovators are using to modernise systems, reduce risk, and deliver value fast – even in turbulent conditions. We heard real world examples wh
Navigating the future:
How tech leaders can thrive in a world of digital disruption
From acoustic drone detection in Ukraine to rapid prototyping in NHS hospitals, Olly unpacked practical strategies innovators are using to modernise systems, reduce risk, and deliver value fast – even in turbulent conditions. We heard real world examples where leaders have embraced digital disruption and accelerated their business in ways that wouldn’t have possible without technology.
SHARON PRIOR
SHARON PRIOR
SHARON PRIOR
Digital Transformation: From Survival to Success:
A CIO’s Journey to Business Leadership
Through powerful storytelling and real-world case studies, we mastered the Three Languages of Leadership that convert technical expertise into business relevance. We learnt to speak outcomes instead of outputs, position ourselves as an indispensable bu
Digital Transformation: From Survival to Success:
A CIO’s Journey to Business Leadership
Through powerful storytelling and real-world case studies, we mastered the Three Languages of Leadership that convert technical expertise into business relevance. We learnt to speak outcomes instead of outputs, position ourselves as an indispensable business strategist, and discovered actionable frameworks to elevate our influence within our organisations. We walked away with immediately implementable strategies to become the transformational leader our companies needs in 2025 and beyond, transforming from IT manager to Chief Possibility Officer.
MADHU BHABUTA
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
MADHU BHABUTA
An Encore in Innovation: Modernising the English National Opera
Madhu talked about the digital transformation she led at English National Opera. ENO is an organisation that will always prioritise their productions, not technology, but they knew a change was needed to shift things in a way not possible before. Not only to reduce overheads,
An Encore in Innovation: Modernising the English National Opera
Madhu talked about the digital transformation she led at English National Opera. ENO is an organisation that will always prioritise their productions, not technology, but they knew a change was needed to shift things in a way not possible before. Not only to reduce overheads, but also to support future productions and transform the customer experience. Their first bold move was to engage Madhu and Madhu is here today to explain how she then led the ENO on a path of digital transformation which has changed the organisation forever and one that is now ready and able to take advantage of digital world.
STEVE CAIRNS
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
MADHU BHABUTA
From Hard Truths to Transformational Change:
A CIO’s Role in Digital Disruption
The story began with a CEO facing mounting pressure, from shifting markets, rising customer expectations, and internal inefficiencies. With so many moving parts and no clear path forward, it was a moment of uncertainty. That’s where the CIO stepped in, not just
From Hard Truths to Transformational Change:
A CIO’s Role in Digital Disruption
The story began with a CEO facing mounting pressure, from shifting markets, rising customer expectations, and internal inefficiencies. With so many moving parts and no clear path forward, it was a moment of uncertainty. That’s where the CIO stepped in, not just as a technologist, but as a strategic partner. Steve explored how digital disruption – guided by a forward-thinking CIO – became the catalyst for clarity, alignment, and transformation, helping the CEO and the wider business not just adapt, but lead with confidence.
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Artificial Intelligence has arrived: Where does it go from here?
Artificial Intelligence has now definitively arrived – even though it doesn’t look like Hollywood predicted. The world’s richest companies are racing to roll out AI across their product suites, desperate to secure a competitive advantage in a market with trillions of dollars
Artificial Intelligence has arrived: Where does it go from here?
Artificial Intelligence has now definitively arrived – even though it doesn’t look like Hollywood predicted. The world’s richest companies are racing to roll out AI across their product suites, desperate to secure a competitive advantage in a market with trillions of dollars at stake. Where will the technology go next? What can we expect to see in the months and years ahead? How will AI affect business and society? Who will be the winners and losers? And, crucially, how will the future of AI be affected by the availability of data?
PHILIP CLAYSON
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Prof. MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE
Cyber Attack: Day Zero; what would you do? Your run book for cyber recovery
Philip Clayson offered a unique perspective and practical lessons from his experience in spearheading the technology recovery efforts following TalkTalk’s notable cyber breach in 2015. Being one of the pioneering large-scale cyber attacks in the UK, Philip divulge
Cyber Attack: Day Zero; what would you do? Your run book for cyber recovery
Philip Clayson offered a unique perspective and practical lessons from his experience in spearheading the technology recovery efforts following TalkTalk’s notable cyber breach in 2015. Being one of the pioneering large-scale cyber attacks in the UK, Philip divulged the insights gained from the developed run-book, which has since been adopted by numerous telecom operators. This knowledge remains relevant today for all CIOs and CTOs seeking valuable guidance in cybersecurity.
JAMES SMITH
ATTE MIETTINEN
MOHAN GHARIAL
Reimagining Data Platforms: Disruptive Innovation or a Dangerous Detour?
James spent his early career as a supply chain professional with extensive experience in the data-space. James talked about whether it’s time to replace outdated data platforms rather than iterate and how that’s possible with minimal disruption to the business provid
Reimagining Data Platforms: Disruptive Innovation or a Dangerous Detour?
James spent his early career as a supply chain professional with extensive experience in the data-space. James talked about whether it’s time to replace outdated data platforms rather than iterate and how that’s possible with minimal disruption to the business providing insight and viewpoints on starting again with your data platform.
MOHAN GHARIAL
ATTE MIETTINEN
MOHAN GHARIAL
Building Strategic Board-Level Engagement at Dogs Trust
Through the case study of a major technology investment, we heard how Mohan developed lasting and strong relationships to enable significant leaps forward in fundraising and dog care. Mohan gave insights into how he developed the strategy and enabled its approval. It was a fascinating
Building Strategic Board-Level Engagement at Dogs Trust
Through the case study of a major technology investment, we heard how Mohan developed lasting and strong relationships to enable significant leaps forward in fundraising and dog care. Mohan gave insights into how he developed the strategy and enabled its approval. It was a fascinating look at a tech programme with significant benefits for people and animals alike!
MARTIN SADLER
ATTE MIETTINEN
ATTE MIETTINEN
Refreshing Digital Leadership
CIO100 UK 2024 winner Martin Sadler talked about how he’s revolutionised technology teams with his simple and easily understood concepts that start to look at time as a method for measurement rather than incidents or other ‘standard’ KPIs. Using these simple concepts enables an IT leader to significantly improve engagement with the business and improve expectations.
ATTE MIETTINEN
ATTE MIETTINEN
ATTE MIETTINEN
Achieving Peak Performance
CEO Atte Miettinen delivered inspiring advice on achieving the peaks of our own careers. Atte is not only a business leader with a track record of successful startups. He’s also climbed the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each continent!
STEVE CLARKE
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
The Future of the CIO
Freeman Clarke Co-founder and Director of New Ventures Steve Clarke has built the largest and most experienced team of IT leaders. He has a deep understanding of IT leadership and where the role is headed. Steve shared his own views on what’s coming and how to lead.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
’I’m passionate about professionalising the CIO/CTO. I was lucky – when I worked in corporate, I was given a ton of training and leadership development. And yet, evolving as an IT Leader is often achieved by chance or through happy accident and the problem is, our learning always impacts our people and that learning never ends.
I also bel
’I’m passionate about professionalising the CIO/CTO. I was lucky – when I worked in corporate, I was given a ton of training and leadership development. And yet, evolving as an IT Leader is often achieved by chance or through happy accident and the problem is, our learning always impacts our people and that learning never ends.
I also believe that the CIO/CTO role has evolved and we have the opportunity to be the keystone in the exec team. Business relies on technology in almost every aspect regardless of sector or product. As a consequence, we need to be the best leaders we can be. We also need to become the consummate business professional, commercially astute and capable of engaging with the same energy and thinking as everyone else in the exec team. We need to ensure IT is core to the business, not perceived as a cost and something only good for outsourcing. To do that, we need to develop credibility, agility, energy, and confidence at board level.
Tech Leaders Connect is all about achieving those desires. The more we engage, collaborate and share, the better for us, the tech industry and all UK business.
I’d love to find out what motivated you to become a CIO or CTO and how you’re dealing with being in the hot-seat. Every month I try and meet one-to-one with a few CIOs and CTOs to find out what makes them tick.’
Steve Clarke
TLC TECH LAB SPEAKERS
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Using a War Game environment, we found out what the executive team needs from their CIO in a crisis.
Mark Rotheram, BCN
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Winning over Boards with Technology Solutions. It’s never one size fits all – different techs need different methods.
Alex Carey and David Blythe, Jungle IT
Chris Butler and Charlie Maclean-Bristol, Databarracks
Al Stephens and Mark Brennan, Darwin Tech
Cutting Through the Noise. Removing the Barriers to Innovation.
Al Stephens and Mark Brennan, Darwin Tech
Al Stephens and Mark Brennan, Darwin Tech
Al Stephens and Mark Brennan, Darwin Tech
Business transformation, not digital transformation.
Zoe Mackenzie and Sanjeev Malhotra, TSG
Al Stephens and Mark Brennan, Darwin Tech
Zoe Mackenzie and Sanjeev Malhotra, TSG
The emerging cyber landscape for SMEs.