Eddie Townsend - ICT KTN

Eddie has worked with major corporate customers at all levels to negotiate and deliver high value contracts in complex environments. Eddie’s focus is on the commercial exploitation of new technology that has impact in the market place. Eddie has formed extensive collaborative networks in industry, business and academia. Forming and managing consortia involving participants from a number of European countries to win R&D funding.

Since March 2009 Eddie Townsend has acted as Collaboration Delivery Manager for the Digital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network and subsequently ICT KTN. In this role Eddie has also acted as coordinator of the UK Future Internet Strategy Group and the Smart Energy Special Interest Group.

Shaun Fensom - Digital Infrastructure Strategist

Shaun has over 25 years’ experience in computing and the internet. He co-founded Poptel, the pioneering on-line services provider that became one of the UK’s first ISPs and went on to launch the .coop top level internet domain. Shaun combines that experience with specialist expertise in: Development of digital and on-line business sector for economic and social progress, business case and implementation of digital infrastructure including “next generation” broadband, and innovation using community and mutual ownership in digital sector and infrastructure businesses. Shaun also works in and with organisations developing digital sector business and infrastructure including; Chair and consultant with CBN (Community Broadband Network), Founding director of the Manchester Digital trade association Consultant with Cooperative Networks, and Secretary of INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association)

Lisa Harding - Account Director, ITS Technology Group

With a solid background in the fibre optic WAN/LAN space, Lisa holds extensive public sector contacts. Lisa has a proven track record of over achievement in direct technology sales within the public and private sectors. She contributes to market plans to identify opportunities to build and maintain relationships in the technology sector. Lisa works closely with economic development experts to drive their digital strategy using pioneering technologies. Lisa collaborates with ITS partners to deliver world class, large scale fibre infrastructure projects and works consults with local communities to increase their digital engagement.

Mike Ryan - Digital Futurist

Mike is a highly successful entrepreneur and digital futurist. A born disruptor, he eats lives and breathes future thinking and has helped many large organisations on their future strategy. Mike is an expert in Horizon Mapping and foresight studies particularly around business planning, disruption and digital innovation. He self publishes a futures extinction map and crowdsources insight from a broad range of colleagues. As secretary of Manchester Digital and committed futurologist he frequently speaks about digital change across the globe. A technology evangelist who is an accomplished communicator able to engage non technical audiences in the most complex technology scenarios. Mike is a contributor to BBC radio and a columnist for several publications. A member of the foresight network of futurists.

Dr. Alexander Roy - Head of Research, New Economy Manchester

Alex is head of research and manages the work of New Economy’s team of economic analysts. A professional economist with over 15 years of experience, he leads New Economy’s work on the economic base, internationalisation, technology and innovation. Alex also leads New Economy’s support of the Greater Manchester Broadband Programme, which is working to improve superfast broadband across the conurbation. Prior to joining New Economy, Alex spent a decade in economic consultancy within Manchester, working for public and private sector clients across the UK and internationally, with a particular specialism in the knowledge economy, especially the digital & creative industries and broadband. Alex holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leeds, and worked as a Research Fellow on innovation in the service sector at the University of Manchester.

Sara Tomkins - Assistant Chief Executive - Communications, Customer & ICT, Manchester City Council

Prior to taking on her first role in the Council as the Director of Communications in January 2009, Sara held the position of Group Account Director with a full service marketing agency, Amaze plc in Manchester. Over the past four years Sara has expanded her responsibility beyond communications and events to include the Customer Service organisation and more recently in September 2011, the directorate for ICT. These three areas coordinate and add to the core service functions that support the Council and play a vital role in connecting residents, businesses and visitors to the city. Sara’s also working on the Manchester Digital Strategy which aims to position Manchester as one of the top 20 digital global cities in the world.