Andrew Grill
CEO, Kred
Andrew Grill is an internationally renowned thought leader in the field of digital and social media networks, and is CEO of Kred, the largest influencer platform in the world.
He is also passionate about explaining to large corporates how digital disruption will impact current thinking and strategy, with a focus on moving from social media to social business. He firmly believes that in order to “get digital you need to be digital”.
Most recently Andrew was head of International Client Strategy and Business Development for Visible Technologies where he grew Visible from a standing start to become a $MM company in under 18 months in the UK.
Andrew’s commercial experience comes as a result of running Australia’s largest mobile property website, PropertyLook, as well as holding senior marketing and business development roles with Australian companies Telstra and Optus.
A former resident of Sydney, since 2005 he has been active in the UK, EU and US markets, and such he has a deep understanding of the digital, social networking and advertising space and is well connected to leading advertising agencies and brands in London, New York and around the world.
Mike Bracken
Director of Digital, UK Government
Mike is the Executive Director of Digital in the Cabinet Office, which sits at the centre of Government and has the overarching purpose of making Government work better. He joined in July 2011, and spent the first several months in Government creating the Government Digital Service (GDS). The GDS includes several parts of the Government’s digital estate: DirectGov, BusinessLink, Innovations, Digital Policy, the beta of GOV.UK and Digital Engagement. In addition, the GDS is developing the wider Government digital strategy, leading on developing transactional improvements and creating a performance framework for all Government services online.
Prior to joining the Cabinet Office, he worked as the Director of Digital Development at Guardian News & Media.
Mike joined GNM for the second time in February 2008 to lead its digital transformation. The digital development team delivered the core digital platforms, created dozens of innovative new products, co-devised the digital strategy for the organisation and opened up the Guardian’s content and data to developers and third parties.
Tony Wang
General Manager, Twitter UK
Tony joined Twitter in January 2010 and is currently the general manager of Twitter UK. Before moving to London, he worked in the San Francisco headquarters on the revenue, business development, product and international teams. Previously, Tony was managing counsel at Google where he supported its international expansion. Tony started his career in the legal field where he focused on venture capital, M&A, and capital markets.
Eze Vidra
Head of Campus, Google
Eze Vidra (MBA2009) is the Head of Campus, Google’s dedicated space for startups in East London. Campus provides tech startups with work and event space, mentorship and educational programs as well as access to its vibrant startup community. Before Campus, Eze spearheaded Google’s commerce strategic partnerships in EMEA, launching Google Shopping in Spain and Local Shopping in the UK. In the years before joining Google, Eze held product management leadership roles at Shopping.com in Israel, Gerson Lehrman Group in New York, Ask.com in Silicon Valley and AOL Europe in London, where was the Principal Product Manager for Search in EMEA. In 2003, Eze co-founded a mobile startup in Israel, developing text-input technology for mobiles.
Eze dedicates his spare time to blogging at VC Cafe and organizing Techbikers – a collaboration of the startup community to support education in emerging markets through cycling. He is an experienced startup mentor and a frequent speaker on innovation and entrepreneurship. He holds a BA from IDC Israel with distinction, and an MBA from London Business School.
Divinia Knowles
COO/CFO, Mind Candy
Divinia is Mind Candy’s meticulously organised COO/CFO whipping everyone at Mind Candy into shape (the whip’s a hangover from her Archaeology degree from the University of Wales at Lampeter) where she had a love of digging, dinosaurs and (we assume) Indiana Jones.Post university Divinia’s passion for amazing old stuff led her into the antiques and high end bespoke goods industry for a number of years, until the need to look for new pastures (and jellybeans) got the better of her.
Divinia has been at Mind Candy since 2006 and lovingly looks after Operations, Finance and HR for the company.While she’s a fully qualified chartered management accountant, don’t let that fool you: underneath that love of numbers and all things ledger-like, you’re likely to meet up with her sooner or later if you too spend your (well scheduled) time gig-going, scuba diving, snowboarding, DIY-ing, cycling, running, reading, painting or puzzling.
Caspar de Bono
Managing Director, B2B, Financial Times
In his role as Managing Director, B2B, Caspar de Bono is responsible for the business to business activities of the Financial Times Ltd. He is a board director responsible for the licensing of rights to access or syndicate Financial Times content. He is also responsible for the FT’s relationship with corporate subscribers, news aggregators and syndication customers.
He became a board member of the Financial Times Ltd in January 2007, following the merger of FT Business with the newspaper. He was previously managing director of FTB since March 2004.
Caspar joined the FT in 1995 as a graduate trainee. He has worked across the FT group in a variety of roles including product development, marketing, strategy and publishing. He has an MBA from London Business School and a degree in Psychology from Oxford University.
Niccolo Rigo
Digital Strategist, Working Club
Niccolo has been leading the strategy for the Ballantine’s tshirtOS, Loud Blue and LAI activities – among the key drivers of Work Club being appointed Campaign’s Digital Agency Of The Year and being selected for Creativity A-list.
He has recently spoken on stage at LeWeb in Paris about the Internet of things and brands and has been mentioned as one of the “10 digital strategists to watch in 2013” by the Guardian Media Network blog.
With a previous track record in online communication both on agency (R/GA) and client/startup side (INQ Mobile), he is specialised in leveraging the power of digital technologies to generate value for consumers and competitive advantage for brands.
James Harris
Head of Digital for EMEA, Universal McCann
James has over 18 years’ experience in media spanning both digital and offline channels. After gaining a degree in maths and economics, he started his career at CIA Media Solutions, Manchester before leaving to help start up the Media Business North (now Mediacom North).
In 2000 he headed south, joining Aegis Media as the Planning Director for Carat Interactive.
In 2005 he co-founded Diffiniti, which quickly became the UKs leading digital independent with clients such as Sky and Aviva.
More recently in mid 2009 he founded a new company, Aegis Media Labs for Aegis before agreeing to join UM/Mediabrands as Head of Digital for G14/EMEA.
Richard Hicks
Co-founder, CBrands Limited
Richard’s background originates from planning/buying media moving into sales after 3 years in the agency circle. Moving to blue chip sales organistations like Express Newspapers Group, launching Bauer’s first ever London Inserts division and various magazine sales for News Int/Magazines. Then moving into the digital world starting in performance networks then launching the first UK CPE model, winning and taking to the UK market various publishing clients and content like VideoEgg ( now SayMedia ), Mochi Media and Tremor Media.
Richard was responsible and contributed to ITV’s mobile, tablet, iCTV multi-platform apps and content. Was heavy influencer on great products such as the ITV Player across iOS, Android, Smart TV’s. UK’s first ever dual screen programme related app for the likes of XFactor, Britain’s Got Talent, Fifa World Cup 2010, Dancing On Ice and many more solutions. UK’s first ever live digital second screen tablet format – “AdSync”. Linking the broadcast spot and second screen device. All “responsive web design” monetisation included.
Richard has recently launched a joint venture with his brother ( Robert Hicks, also ex ITV ) – CBrands Limited. An exciting 360 digital media network with it’s own multi-platform. Very excited to show brands a simple way of streaming content, monetising content to all multiple digital touch-points integrating this with traditional forms of media for best results. In his spare time likes going gym, boxing, loves his family, loves making friends and involved with property development.
Volker Hirsch
Director and Global Head of Business Development – Games, Research In Motion/Blackberry
Volker is a mobile veteran with more than 12 years in the space as investor, entrepreneur, executive, mentor, blogger and speaker.
He is currently the Director, Business Development for Reseach In Motion where he arrived via the acquisition of mobile social gaming platform Scoreloop where was Chief Strategy Officer. He is also a co-founder of Blue Beck, a game and app development studio. Prior to this, he co-founded Connect2Media, where he was instrumental to securing funding and shape the company’s face through acquisitions.
Volker has been at the forefront of mobile and digital media for a decade. From helping conceive the world’s first mobile artist services for the likes of Britney Spears, Eve and Duran Duran, working with radio stations to use mobile as an audience activation tool to mobile games (with leading publishers Hands-On Mobile and Connect2Media where he oversaw licenses with Marvel, Hasbro, Activision, LEGO, BMW, Konami, WPT, etc.) he has been fortunate in playing a part in industry firsts.
Volker is a regular speaker at top mobile and technology conferences around the world (incl. Mobile World Congress, CTIA, Oxford University, SXSW, etc) and a speaker at and co-organiser of TEDx Youth @ Manchester.
Imran Razzaq
Cloud Lead for Central East Europe, Microsoft
Imran is the Cloud Lead for Central East Europe and is responsible for selling Microsoft’s innovative private and public cloud based solutions to its customers. Imran has worked at Microsoft for over eight years and has worked in both Consumer and Business segments. In his first role, as the Global lead for the BT relationship he was responsible for taking joint BT/Microsoft Consumer Entertainment, Enterprise and Small Business propositions to market. Prior to his current role he lead Microsoft’s Consumer business for Emerging Markets and was responsible for the launch of Microsoft’s Cloud entertainment platform Xbox Live and the revolutionary Kinect product in 8 markets covering CEE & MEA regions. Imran read Economics at Manchester University is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds an MBA from London Business School. Prior to Microsoft he worked in a number of roles at PwC, Reuters, Accenture and tech start up AAT. Imran is married with two daughters, is a keen Manchester United Supporter and a black belt in Fruit Ninja.
Frédéric Court
General Partner, Advent Venture Partners
Frederic has worked has worked in the technology industry for the past 16 years, most recently as an investor with Advent Venture Partners since 2001. Previously he was an Internet entrepreneur in France, and a technology banker in London and New-York (Lazard).
At Advent, Frederic invests in fast-growing technology-driven businesses, at various stages (seed, early-stage, and growth stage). He looks at both consumer and enterprise investments (including e-commerce, digital media, SaaS, and mobile), and is very focused on opportunities in the “Digital Commerce” value chain where he has made most of his investments.
Advent seeks to identify and partner with some of Europe’s best entrepreneurs, in markets where technology drives significant business and value creation opportunities, and where the Advent team has both strong expertise and conviction. With 5 Tech exits over the past 2 years generating an average return close to 5x, Advent’s current fund is one of the best performers of its vintage globally.
Frederic currently sits on the boards of Farfetch.com (online marketplace for fashion) and Ever Team (enterprise software). He led/co-led Advent’s investments in companies were successfully sold recently: Zong (mobile payments, bought by eBay), Fizzback (customer feedback SaaS, bought by Nice Systems), Vitrue (Social Marketing SaaS, bought by Oracle), Dailymotion (Online video, bought by Orange), Qype (local search, bought by Yelp). Past investments at Advent include Cartesis (sold to Business Objects for $300m), Snell & Wilcox (merged with Probel).
Frederic was named “Investor of the Year” in Europe by its peers at the 2012 Investor All Stars event.
A graduate of ESSEC and Bocconi University in Milan, Frédéric is fluent in French, Italian and Spanish. He lives in London with his fashion entrepreneur wife and two daughters.
Kashif Chaudhry
Head of Service Evolution & Gaming, Orange
Kashif Chaudhry has worked in innovation and product development for over a decade, having an intimate knowledge of the technology and mobile industry coupled with a strong strategic vision. His work is constantly at the forefront of mobile innovation, receiving a letter of commendation from the UK prime minister and winning several awards for the products delivered to market, such as the Guardian award for Digital Innovation and the Mobile News Award for Most Original Mobile Service. Kashif is constantly pushing the barriers of technology through ground-breaking research, innovation and development strategies, focusing his efforts on building products that make a difference.
Lisa Rousseau
Head of UK, Ireland and Pan European Television, BBC Worldwide
Lisa Rousseau is Head of UK, Ireland and Pan European Television for Sales & Distribution, and is responsible for all television sales across both traditional channels and media platforms in the UK, Ireland and Pan – EMEA as well as managing worldwide non theatric sales. Lisa leads the relationships with digital syndication partners in the UK including Netflix, and LOVEFiLM and Virgin Media, as well as managing our BBC Worldwide channels on You Tube. In addition to her core role Lisa is a member of the Senior Digital Strategy Team. Lisa has lead initiatives across BBC Worldwide, including helping to develop the strategy for BBC Worldwide’s games business, and more recently looking at how to approach mobile development and the strategy around connected devices. Lisa joined BBC Worldwide in 2003 as Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Independents and Children’s, where she supported the development of new deal structures and fostered relationships with Indies.
Before working at BBC Worldwide Lisa had previously been Legal and Business Affairs Manager at BBC Drama and BBC Films, and Assistant Solicitor in the media team at Olswang, London. Lisa has also co-founded a blog and social media resource for mums, which she runs in her spare time.
Andy Way
Director of Digital, Publicis Entertainment
Andy is Director of Digital for Publicis Entertainment, the branded content division of Publicis London. Publicis Entertainment manage the Renault TV, the largest brand TV channel in Europe.
Andy has worked in digital marketing for the past 13 years, originally in the music industry as digital media manager at EMI Records and EMI Catalogue, handling release campaigns by the likes of David Bowie, Robbie Williams, Doves and The Beach Boys amongst many others.
Since 2006 Andy has worked in digital creative agencies with clients including Sony Playstation, the BBC, Freesat and Disney.
Fabien Rossini
Group Strategic Planning Director, Square Enix
Nick Blunden (Moderator)
Global Digital Publisher, The Economist
Nick is managing director and publisher of The Economist online, and has responsibility for all commercial aspects of the website across the world. This includes the on-going development of The Economist online as the premier online destination for intelligent discussion and debate.
Before joining The Economist Group, Nick was UK CEO of Profero, the award-winning, full-service global digital communications agency. In his seven year tenure at Profero, Nick oversaw the rapid expansion of the UK business, successfully launching its media business Profero Performance and its technology business Profero Connect.
Earlier in his career Nick enjoyed a successful stint as a management consultant with IBM Consulting and as a client side marketer with communications firm Energis. Nick holds a law degree from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the Australian School of Business.
Amy Thomson (Moderator)
European Technology Reporter, Bloomberg News
Amy Thomson has been a reporter on Bloomberg’s technology team since 2006, writing for Bloomberg and Businessweek, and is currently in charge of technology and telecom coverage in London. Until 2010, she covered the telecommunications industry from New York, following companies such as Verizon Communications and AT&T.
Daniel Toole (Moderator)
Managing Director, Agon Consulting Limited
Daniel is the Managing Director of Agon Consulting Limited and has over 20 years of experience advising some of the world’s largest technology, media and communications companies and private equity institutions on strategy, investments, technology and transformation.
Daniel worked on BT’s vision for the future of information, media and communication services in the early ‘90s and was author of the 1994 FT Management Report “Home Entertainment: The Battle for the Living Room”. Since then, Daniel’s work on the future of media and technology has included Intelligent Transport Systems, Unified Communications, Grid Computing, 3D, IPTV, Optimising Online Operations and several investments ranging from £5m to £10B+.
Daniel has formerly held senior roles as Head of Media and Entertainment at Accenture; Board Director of Amey Technology Services; Head of Strategy and Investment at BBC Technology and at GEC, Fujitsu, British Telecom and LEK.
Daniel holds a Masters in Finance with Distinction from London Business School and a Masters in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. Daniel is President of the London Business School Media, Technology and Communications Alumni Club.
Sir Andrew Likierman
Dean of London Business School
Professor Sir Andrew Likierman is Dean of the London Business School. He is also non-executive Chairman of the National Audit Office and a non-executive Director of Barclays Bank Plc.
Andrew was Founding Director of the Executive MBA programme and has been a Professor at the School for many years, lecturing on all the major executive and degree programmes. His research interests are in the field of the measurement of performance.
Andrew’s career has spanned work in the public and private sectors, as well as in professional life. Andrew has run a textile plant in Germany, been Head of the Government Accountancy Service and was a Managing Director of the UK Treasury. Previous non-executive posts include Chairman of the Economists’ Bookshop Group and of the market research firm MORI. He has also been a non-executive Director of the Bank of England and is a Past President of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.