DIG23

Nick developed his digital HE career at the University of Bristol, where his roles included head of IT infrastructure. He is now an independent consultant, working with universities on initiatives from data centres to digital learning.

Kieran Fowler, Head of Cyber Consulting at Waterstons, is an ex-police cybercrime detective turned security consultant. His experience, having served clients as a CISO, uniquely qualifies him in fortifying organizations in the higher education sector against potential cyber threats. He has a real passion for gamification and bringing the cyber topic to life for different organisations.

Melissa Adey heads up Tribal’s company wide pre-enrolment product stream, leading the strategy and creation of all next generation solutions in areas such as marketing, recruitment and admissions. Melissa joined Tribal from the University of Hull, and spent 10 years leading the Admission professional services team for Tribal across global implementation in multiple markets.

Dr Sarah Mulroy is a PhD Astrophysicist and leads Tribal’s data science, innovation and analytics product streams. Joining Tribal from academia at Birmingham University, Sarah currently has a broad remit over all innovation products at the company and is currently focused on automation and efficiency in our next generation admissions product.

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.

Col is a technological strategy and digital transformation partner for KPMG UK. Experienced in all elements of digital and agile delivery and business growth.

Jon has over 15 years experience supporting predominately public sector clients address some of their largest change and transformation challenges. As a highly experienced technology enabled transformation consultant he specialises in designing, implementing and delivering technology enabled transformation programmes.

Tim has worked in Higher Education IT for over 20 years and is currently the Platform and Service Owner for Identity and Access Management at UCL where he manages both day-to-day operations and delivery of change to support UCL’s digital transformation.

Aaron Simmonds has been failing to stand up for 30 years; luckily he is far better at comedy than standing up. He has a unique perspective on life, usually of people's belly buttons, which gives him stories to tell, and a sore neck.

Aaron was a BBC New Comedy Award finalist, and also won Jewish Comedian Of The Year. He was an Amused Moose Comedy Award Best Show finalist, and was nominated for Best Comedy Show in the Broadway World UK Edinburgh Fringe Awards. His TV credits include The Russell Howard Hour, The Stand-Up Sketch Show, Undeniable, Guessable and BackChat.

Aaron is a professionally trained personal trainer, as well as a former international basketball player and world champion powerlifter. He is also an ambassador for Cerebra.

Jane has over ten years’ experience working in continuous improvement and transformation roles in universities across the UK, with a particular focus on data and digital projects that improve the student experience. She joined the University of Glasgow in April 2023 as Operational Excellence Lead and is supporting the development of the University's Automation Service as it moves from proof of concept to an embedded and enabling service across the institution.

Mark Temple is Assistant Director for Service Management at the University of Glasgow, having worked there in a number of areas and roles for over 30 years. Main responsibilities include Enterprise Service Management platform and adoption, IT Service Desk(s) and IT Training.

Caitroina McCusker is the PwC UK Education Consulting Lead, working at a global and local level to help higher education institutions (HEIs) to reimagine their student and staff experience. From aligning costs using our bespoke and tested PwC methodology, to running and delivering large scale student experience focused transformation programmes. Cat works with HEIs to identify and implement the right technology, people strategy and student experience

Nicola specialises in leading change projects and supporting business teams to deliver improvements. She has over eight years’ experience in engaging colleagues in the change process within Higher Education. In the University of Glasgow Automation Service, she leads business engagement and supports the adoption of automation, helping teams to transform their way of working and their service

Matthew Pounder is a Waterstons Security Operational Team Lead with over 9 years of experience in the IT sector working in various roles in schools/ universities and private companies. The last 3 years he has worked in cyber security and assisted in developing the Security Operations Centre.

Sophie Harrison is the Director of Agile Product Delivery at UCL, where she is accountable for the governance and delivery of the digital investment portfolio and leads their agile transformation. Prior to joining UCL in November 2020, Sophie worked at PA Consulting supporting large and complex organisations with their agile transformations.

Emma started working in the Higher Education sector 14 years ago at Sheffield Hallam University, she moved to York St John University in 2019 to take up the role of CIO where she has responsibility for IT Operations, Technology Enhanced Learning and for the delivery of an ambitious Digital Strategy. Emma is a Trustee and current Chair of UCISA, the professional body for IT professionals working in education. In the last four years, she has supported UCISA with the development of its Strategy and has been involved in supporting its communities of practice to grow, evolve and share their valuable expertise. She has represented the UCISA membership on several high-profile pieces of representation work with key digital suppliers and she is a member of the UUK/Jisc software negotiation strategy group.