Hélène Barnekow has 30 years of experience from the tech industry. Currently a partner of Gaia Leadership and part of the board of Directors of GN Store Nord A/S , Handelsbanken AB and the chair of Mindler AB and Storytel AB. She is also the Vice Chair of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK. Hélène has been the CEO of Microsoft Sweden, between 2018 and 2022 and prior to that she was the CEO of Telia Sweden. Before moving to Stockholm she was based in Boston USA and held the position as SVP Global Field & Partner Marketing at EMC. She has also been assigned several leadership roles at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. During her career she has been awarded several awards and recognitions for her excellent leadership and her impact across companies and society. In August 2019, Hélène launched her first book, Re:start, about values-based leadership in a ever changing world.” In November 2023, the book had its international launch as the book became available in English under the name “Power with Meaning”.

Matthew Blakemore is a prominent AI strategist with over a decade of experience inventing and delivering AI solutions. He's recognised for his innovative prowess and leadership in digital transformation. Honoured with the U.K. Business Tech Visionary Award, he significantly contributes to the AI sector, notably through his strategic role in the Innovate UK Bridge AI Program. His expertise shines in various arenas, including speaking at prestigious events and creatively merging AI with film production. His AI film creations have been selected for film festivals and won IMDb qualifying awards, they’ve also been given prominence by the European 
Broadcasting Union and VRT. His instrumental work with the International Standards Organisation (ISO), contributing to AI standards including as sub-editor of the now globally approved AI Data Lifecycle Standard (8183), underscore his commitment to ethical AI implementation. As CEO of AI Caramba!, his extensive background empowers organisations to harness AI effectively, marking him as a pivotal figure in AI innovation and application

Kelly leads the direct investment portfolio’s commercial success at the NIF, ensuring that our deep tech startups get a front row seat to proprietary pain points of the largest, most relevant global customers. As an investor and board member, she works closely with deep tech founders on strategy and commercialization, and the million other obstacles that will come up while building a successful company.

Previously, Kelly was a Partner at DCVC, a $4B AUM deep tech venture capital fund based in Silicon Valley, where she led investments and served on the board of companies building revolutionary tech in AI, robotics, manufacturing, logistics, and sustainability. Earlier, Kelly was a fixed-income derivatives trader in New York, overseeing nearly $2B, an angel investor, and had built out a new securitized trading product for a global investment bank. It was in that quantitative role that she started relentlessly focusing on the non-quantitative side of business – understanding customer needs, the sales process, and building trust. Kelly has a BS/MS from Columbia Engineering and an MBA from Wharton. Outside of work, she is most likely found in the ocean – diving, kiting, or testing the max speed on her eFoil.

Eleonor Duhs is a barrister.  She is a partner and the head of data and privacy at Bates Wells LLP in London.  She advises regulators, public sector bodies, commercial companies and third sector organisations on all aspects of data and privacy law including the privacy aspects of new technologies, international data transfers, data and human rights and the UK’s post-Brexit legal frameworks.  She was previously a senior UK government lawyer and lead lawyer in negotiations on the GDPR.  She worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, advising on EU and international law and in the Department for Exiting the European Union where she led on the core provisions of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and aspects of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the Framework for the Future EU-UK relationship. She has co-authored a well-received book on Brexit: Retained EU law: a Practical Guide, published by the Law Society. 

Eleonor is at the forefront of developments in data protection law. She continues to brief MPs and Peers and advise on, and draft amendments to, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill to strengthen individuals’ rights, including in relation to AI technologies.  She is a member of the Law Society’s working group on AI.

Sandra Barouta Elvin is the National Security Officer for Microsoft in Sweden and has 20+ years’ experience working in information and cyber security in both the private as well as the public sector. Before joining Microsoft in 2020, Sandra was heading the IT Security and digital risk management unit at the H&M Group.

Arba Kokalari is a Member of the European Parliament since 2019. She is the only Swedish MEP in the Internal Market committee. Key priorities for her are issues related to digitalization and tech. During the mandate, she has been one of the lead negotiators for the Digital Services Act (DSA), which will force online platforms to remove illegal content, desinformation and strengthen competition for smaller online platforms and e-commerce. She has also worked with the AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act and the laws for more sustainable trade and circular economy. 

Arba was born in 1986, from Stockholm and has previously worked at Electrolux, in the telecom sector and at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Charlotta is a client and market focused senior executive with more than 25 years of global and Nordic Consulting experience within the Technology, Media and Telecommunications industry. She has a proven business track record ranging from market- and business development, sales, and strategic client advisory to large and global transformation programs, and outsourcing solutions. 

Charlotta is a lifelong learner and is truly passionate about and skilled in leadership, partnerships, mentoring, entrepreneurship, and future of work. She believes a culture built on holistic thinking and continuous learning will outperform the ordinary, and by fostering an inclusive environment we facilitate diversity of thought, which spur innovative solutions and drive competitive advantage. 

Peter has  held various roles in Telecommunications over 25 years working with Operators, Suppliers , Research Bodies and Start-ups to develop their business. Working with Ericsson, he is a frequent public speaker and communicator to cross-functional business audiences about 5G use cases and products from around the world.

He regularly takes part in major speaking events and lead high profile demonstrations on leading edge technology linked to 5G and beyond. He is  regarded as a unique highly informed communicator with effective visionary skills who has developed various ecosystems centred around 5G.

Dan leads the techUK Cyber Security programme, having originally joined techUK in August 2017 as a Programme Manager working across the Cyber and Defence programmes. He is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security eco-system, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Dan also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and Governmnet conduit for supporting growth across the sector. A key focus of his work is to strengthen the public-private partnership across cyber security to support further development of UK cyber security policy.

Before joining techUK he worked as Forum Lead for the Westminster eForum. In this role he had a focus on the technology and telecoms space, on issues ranging from Broadband and Mobile Infrastructure, the Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Data and diversity in tech. Dan has a BA in History from the University of Liverpool

Dr. Yoge Patel has an expertise in responsible for business growth strategy, business plan, IP strategy, high-value propositions, client liaison and core capability management.  She has a reputation for tenacious, resourceful and dynamic leadership in fast moving environments. Proven, hands-on experience of catalysing and inculcating new practice at company and UK level. In addition to this, she is a renowned innovator and visionary in field of autonomous and AI enabled systems. She is currently a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Ex QinetiQ Fellow and ex-Fellow of Cranfield University.

Previously to this she has been the Business and Technical lead for Air Programmes (manned and unmanned) in Government Labs and QinetiQ, Led UK-EU and UK-US collaborations with a focus on Fast Jets, Unmanned Combat Air Systems, Innovation and Autonomy. Her reputation reveals a great mind for winning business and building multidisciplinary teams at pace. Dr. Yoge is an experienced member of UK Boards that define and implement strategies for Defence & Security, MOD Commercial, Innovation, Funding, Academia. 

Anna-Karin is the Managing Director of Saab UK Ltd. Before moving to London in February 2024, Anna has enjoyed a long career with Saab that included 12 years in aeronautical engineering as well as various international postings in Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Bangkok and Oslo. 

Before starting her Saab career in 1999, Anna worked briefly as a civilian in the Swedish Air Force and spent four years in Washington DC as a diplomat. At Saab Anna first worked for 12 years in the Aeronautics’ development and engineering departments, specializing in System Safety & Reliability for fighter aircraft. In 2011, Anna moved with her family to Bangkok where she held the position of Country Manager Thailand for Saab Aeronautics. This was followed in 2014 with a Marketing & Sales position as Head of Gripen sales campaigns for Market Area Middle East & Africa, based in Pretoria, South Africa. Between 2017 and 2024 Anna held various positions in the United Arab Emirates, of which the last two years were as CEO of Saab UAE, including Saab’s development and production entity Saab Ltd as well as the Joint Venture Saab Middle East LLC. 

Anna has attained university degrees in Mechanical Engineering (MSc), Business Administration (BSc) and HTO (BSc; Human, Technology, Organisation). She is married to Hans and they have three daughters.

Kanika Seth is the EY EMEIA FSO Consulting Cybersecurity Leader.

Kanika has more than 20 years of experience in delivering Cybersecurity engagements and works closely with regulators to provide thought leadership and market insights to the industry. She has significant experience in working with Boards and Executive Committees, bringing deep expertise in evolving Cybersecurity regulatory expectations. Kanika also leads the EY EMEIA FSO Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) and Outsourcing solution. Kanika works with a wide range of Financial Services clients.  

Kanika is also accountable for a number of EY’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness (DE&I) initiatives, including several Women in Technology initiatives. She is very passionate about DE&I and works with multiple local charities and non-profit organisations which target the causes of inequality and help people from diverse backgrounds develop their skills and confidence to enhance their employability.

Erik Silfversten is an assistant director of the Defence and Security group at the not-for-profit research institute RAND Europe. He is also co-director of its Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies (CFFS). His research interests include the implications of emerging technologies, emerging risks, and defence acquisition and innovation. He has led a wide range of research projects in the UK and beyond, including for the UK Ministry of Defence, European Union and NATO institutions. Prior to joining RAND, Erik held the position of manager for policy and strategic development at IMPACT, the cybersecurity partner of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He holds an M.Sci. (Hons) in international relations and global issues from the University of Nottingham.

Alex Viall is Chief Strategy Officer at Global Relay where he is responsible for running their London office. His current remit covers business development, strategy and operational management. 

He has previously worked as a supervisor for the UK regulator (FSA), and as an investment bank compliance officer. He co-founded the regulatory software business, Complinet, and was a director there until its profitable sale to Thomson Reuters. He has worked in the compliance space within finance for more than 30 years where he combines his experience as a regulator, compliance officer and software entrepreneur.  

Luca Viganò is IES Ambassador for King’s College London, supporting the Vice President (International, Engagement & Service) alongside the Global Engagement team to lead the College’s IES ambitions. He is also the Vice Dean (Enterprise & Engagement) of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, and a Professor and Head of the Cybersecurity Group at the Department of Informatics. His research focuses on formal methods and tools for the specification, verification and testing of cybersecurity and privacy.