SSG24: The Future is You! Navigating Tomorrow's Challenges Together

Antonia embarked on her IT career in 2012, transitioning from customer service to the tech world at the University of Leeds. Over the past 12 years, she’s moved from the IT Service Desk to Application Support as IT Operational Lead and Application Support Manager then back into Front Line Services as Customer Success Manager. Beyond this, Antonia is also a member of the UCISA Support Services Group and a CMDA student. Her passions lie in enhancing people’s experiences, advocating for mental health, and championing equity and diversity.

Mike has been in the IT industry for 30 years, including 20 years in the higher education sector. Mike has undertaken IT roles ranging from application development and testing, consultancy and project management, service operations, and service ownership. Mike currently heads up an IT service performance function at UCL.

Having worked in most teams across IT since 2016 Bex made the move into leadership in 2022 and has built a number of development programs for IT staff focusing on their empowerment and mindset (IT Busters and Level Up). Completing CMI level 5 coaching & mentoring qualification in 2022 pushed Bex to pursue People focused role and was appointed Associate Operations Manager 2024. Throughout their career Bex has been using coaching to help IT staff encourage confidence, bringing creative enthusiasm to any project and now wants to share their techniques with you.

Jake has worked for the University of Southampton for over fifteen years and has been leading teams both small and large for most of that time. He has a strong track record for turning team performance around and building positive and inclusive team cultures. Jake is a popular speaker at UCISA known for his highly engaging talks that always give you practical takeaways.

Mat is (Interim) Deputy Director & Head of Digital Infrastructure/Information Security at the University of Wolverhampton, where he is responsible for shaping and planning the University’s digital architecture encompassing core infrastructure and information security. Mat is also UCISA Secretary and a Director of USL.

Stella is the Head of Core Systems Optimisation Team at the University of Birmingham. She holds a BSc Hons in Computing and IT, and an MBA in Cybersecurity. Her professional interests include AI, Automation and Digital Sustainability.