Kevin Lee, BT, on "Understanding BT’s digital transformation"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
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Date: 5th May 2022
Time: 10:00 - 10:15

Kevin Lee, Chief Digital Officer, Consumer at BT, is responsible for the overall vision and strategy for all digital products and services across BT’s consumer brands, spanning BT, EE and Plusnet. In this role, Kevin oversees a team of product, digital strategy, design, research, and engineering creators to drive innovation and deliver great products to extend BT’s market leadership and surprise and delight millions of customers.

Kevin has a long track record of digital leadership, including roles at eBay, PayPal, Visa, Samsung, Whirlpool and GE Healthcare, in the UK, US, Italy, Korea and beyond. He’s passionate about tackling challenging business and customer problems, working with brilliant growth mindset teams, and driving impact for the customers whose lives are touched by the products and services he and his teams deliver.

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Understanding BT's digital transformation

Kevin Lee shares insights into the strategy, thinking, progress and programmes that make up the transformation BT’s Digital team is driving to accelerate the company on its journey from telecoms incumbent to technology leader. Spanning everything from a customer-obsessed approach to user experience to how data and AI and other platforms will help BT shift from purely being a seller of ‘stuff’ to a key connector between producers and consumers, Kevin shares a valuable glimpse behind the scenes at BT as it undergoes a period of incredible and accelerated change.

Prof Gerard Parr MBE, UEA, on "Setting the Scene and Vision for the EPSRC DIGIT Lab Project"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview 
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 4th May 2022
Time: 

10:15 - 10:30
11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "Research Challenges and Opportunities"

Gerard Parr holds the Full Chair in Telecommunications Engineering and is Head of School of Computing Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA). He holds a PhD in Self-Stabilising Protocols from Ulster University, aspects of which were completed with UCL and one of the founding Fathers of the Internet (Professor Jon Postel) as a Visiting Research Scientist at the DARPA/University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles. 

Within his academic career, areas of research include Wireless Sensor Clouds, Disaster Response Communications, ICT for the Rural Economy, delay-sensitive protocols and energy-aware autonomic networking and IoT-edge computing. 

He has attracted several £millions of external research and commercial funding and has advised governments on the allocation of funding to large-scale projects valued in total at approximately £3 billion. He was previously appointed as a Visiting Professor to the Science Foundation Ireland/CTVR at Trinity College Dublin and to the Emirates-BT Innovation Centre (EBTIC) at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi- UAE. 

Presently Professor Parr is working on the development of the East of England Smart Emerging Technologies Institute- SETI (one of the recommendations from the UK BEIS Science Innovation Audit) with colleagues from Essex, Cambridge, UEA and BT Adastral. SETI will look at innovations in 5G, IoT, AI-Big Data/Cloud Computing and Testbeds across a number of sectors, including Energy, Intelligent Manufacturing, AgriTech and Smart-Supply Chains. 

Gerard was awarded an MBE in Queens New Year Honours for 2018 for contributions to Telecommunications Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. During January 2020 Prof Parr was elected to the Strategic Advisory Team for the (EPSRC) ICT Programme to assist with strategic developments and identification of funding priorities. Most recently Gerard has been successful in attracting Co-I funding for a 5-year EPSRC Next Stage Digital Economy Hub called DIGIT (Digital-Innovation-Growth-Impact-Transformation) valued over £12 million which will explore methodologies and business impact of Digital Transformation in Large Organisations. During 2021 Gerard was also successful as PI to attract £1.4 million funding for the “EPSRC UK-India Future Networks Initiative” with IISc Bangalore, IIT Delhi, UCL, Surrey, Southampton and BT.

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Setting the Scene and Vision for the EPSRC DIGIT Lab Project 

Dr Sally Howes OBE, Chair of Council, UEA, on "The Importance of Digital Transformation in Government"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 4th May 2022
Time: 

10:30 - 10:45
11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "Research Challenges and Opportunities"


Dr Howes has a PhD in hydrology, an early career in international satellite programmes and has worked in aerospace, digital, cyber, government and higher education sectors, most often at the boundaries between technology, research and commercial business.

She has performed a diverse range of roles including software engineer, programme manager, entrepreneur, strategy consultant, chief executive, member of the Senior Civil Service, business mentor and visiting professor. All of this experience is now applied to support those leading major programmes in the public sector, helping them to address complex digital transformation and governance challenges.

Non-executive roles have included the Chair of the UK Space Agency, Council Member of Surrey University and Chair of Surrey University Research Park. She is currently the Chair of Council at the University of East Anglia, an Independent Director of the Copyright and Licensing Agency and an external non-executive member of Parliaments Joint Investment Board.

She was awarded an OBE for services to the UK space industry in 2004 and an Honorary Fellowship for the Institute for Project Management in 2019.

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The Importance of Digital Transformation in Government

Dr Will Venters, LSE, on "How do we research digital transformation? Thoughts on qualitative research approaches. "

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview and registration 
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 4th May 2022
Time: 

11:00 - 11:15 

11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "How to create impact in Digital Transformation

Dr Will Venters is an Associate Professor in Information Systems and Digital Innovation within the Department of Management at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). 

He speaks regularly at practitioner conferences on various digital business issues, particularly around digital ecosystems, digital innovation and cloud computing; has briefed European government policy makers and various company executives; and undertakes wide ranging consultancy in IT strategy and digital transformation. 

His research interests include digital transformation, digital platforms and ecosystems, and Agile innovation approaches. He has a first-class degree in computer science and a PhD in information systems. His research work has been published in major refereed journals including MIS Quarterly, Journal of Information Technology, the Journal of Management Studies, Government Information Quarterly and the Information Systems Journal.

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How do we research digital transformation? Thoughts on qualitative research approaches

In this wide ranging talk I will introduce the challenges and opportunities of researching digital transformation. 

• How can researchers go beyond traditional research topics? 
• How can we research digital ecosystems? 
• How can we develop new theories of digital transformation? 
• What should we researchers be thinking about? 
• How can we engage with industry better to find new insight? 
• How do we ask the right questions? 
• How do we remain critical of assumptions made by industry?

Theo Kanellos, Zoetis, on "The Opportunities for Digital Transformation in Animal Health"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 5th May 2022
Time: 10:15 - 10:30 

Theo Kanellos qualified as a veterinarian from the Aristotle University of Thessalonica in Greece and has been awarded an MSc in microbiology and PhD in molecular medicine from the University of London. He also has a business diploma from the Ecole Supérieur de Commerce de Paris (ESCP). 

During his career he worked as a clinician, an academic, a governmental official and for the last seventeen years as part of the management within the Pharmaceutical Industry where he has held several strategic roles. He has managed research laboratories, business development and M&A transactions, scientific and multi-functional alliances teams and programmes in several organisations that have led to the spinoff of biotechnology companies, the award of significant scientific grants, the founding of major strategic partnerships and the registration and licensing of successful commercial products and services. 

In his current role in Zoetis, he establishes business transactions and entrepreneurial partnerships with companies, venture capitalist groups, universities, and governmental institutions, internationally and also is leading the Intergovernmental Tender and Grant Business. He holds a visiting professorship at the School of Health and Medicine at the University of Surrey, and he is a board member in several organisations including the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines in Africa, The Global Antimicrobial Research Innovation Fund, Action Group of the One Health Platform etc. He is ad hoc advisor in several EU and national scientific and veterinary organisations. He is the author of over 40 peered reviewed papers and his articles, presentations and interviews have also featured in many trade and public media.

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The Opportunities for Digital Transformation in Animal Health

The past few years have brought an unprecedented surge in pet adoption and an awareness of food security around the world. 

Both sectors depend heavily on healthy animals where aside from the increased demand of more traditional animal health products, we have experienced an increased momentum on Digital Health. 

But what does that mean exactly and what are buzzwords like telemedicine, wearable devices, precision livestock farming, and even smart health tools in the animal health-setting and how they can be of benefit to the vets, pet owners, farmers and of course to the health of animals? 

Advances in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and biosensors have enabled a significant number of digital companies and start-ups to emerge. In addition, there are significant advances in genetics, image analytic technologies, biomarkers etcm, which could complement well some of these digital tools and contribute valuable data to help develop precision animal health solutions. The relatively quick development timelines and lack of clear regulatory guidelines have led to a number of these technologies reaching veterinarians, the carers of the animals. 

Digitalisation is therefore, helping to drive value growth in animal health products but still the adaption of some of these technologies has not reached their optimum. New business models are now being evaluated that could potentially accelerate the adaption of these novel technologies.

Yvonne Gallagher, NAO, on "Lessons from Digital Transformation in Large Government Organizations"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview 
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 5th May 2022
Time: 

10:30 - 10:45 Presentation

11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "How to create impact in Digital Transformation

Yvonne Gallagher, Director, Digital, National Audit Office has over 25 years’ experience in IT, business change, digital services and cyber and information assurance.

She has had senior roles in the private sector in large organisations such as the Prudential and Network Rail. Yvonne was CIO in two government departments, as well as Chief Digital Officer and CIO in the private sector prior to her move to the NAO. Yvonne is also a Fellow of the BCS and previous chair of their Organisation and Employer board. 

Yvonne’s role in the NAO over the past 7 years is to support the NAO’s work for Parliament evaluating how well Digital and associated business change programmes are implemented to deliver value for money.

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Lessons from Digital Transformation in Large Government Organizations

Last summer we published a major report on The challenges in implementing digital change, which looked into why digital business change programmes are very difficult to implement successfully. 

In this session we will look at the systemic areas that we said government needs to get right and how some of the more persistent challenges can be addressed, including approaches to legacy systems and data, choice of delivery method, engaging with commercial suppliers and addressing the digital skills gap.

Stephen Cassidy, BT, on "Digitisation Dynamics"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 4th May 2022
Time: 

10:45 - 11:00 Presentation

11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "How to create impact in Digital Transformation

Stephen Cassidy MA MInstP CEng FIET leads research in Behavioural, Organisation and System Science at BT, with a particular interest in the relationship between people, information technology and organisational structure and how this determines enterprise culture and effectiveness. This multi-disciplinary programme combines research into AI, data-driven decision tools, self-learning systems, human behaviour and culture.

After graduating in physics, his initial research interests were in fibre optics, during which time he published over 60 journal and conference papers, and filed a similar number of patents. He then spent a number of years in different roles around the business, including intelligent networks, platform strategy, systems evolution, and high tech sales, before returning to research to run the networks research programme. His experiences in the range of business areas developed his current interest in how organisations function, and how they could improve.

He lectures on the MBA programme at Tsinghua University, Beijing, on Information Systems at LSE, and on the Executive Education programme of the Cambridge Judge Business School. He is a member of several advisory boards, a Member of the Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering Technology. He is a winner of the Queen’s Award for Industry.
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Digitisation Dynamics - maintaining the human and business connection through time: some critical research questions  

Digitalisation is the driving force behind modern life, ever-increasing in sophistication and ubiquity. It mediates our burgeoning access to information, products & services, and even each other – co-ordinating the complex and often ephemeral delivery chains behind each transaction. Telecoms is no exception, where it helps networks and their management achieve economic scale, managing the ever-growing complexity of the technology and provider relationships.

These capabilities have even more impact when the technology is equipped to learn from its own performance and adapt processes to improve outcomes. This allows human beings to add their value at higher levels of the business, devolving the repetitive minutiae to machines. This brings into scope a new raft of critical technological and human behavioural challenges, which need deep research to help us navigate.

The talk will describe some of these research challenges, referencing one or two examples and experiences from the work here at BT, and with academic partners.

Dr Paul Gosling, Thales UK on "A Thales Perspective on Future Digital Transformation Research Opportunities"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 5th May 2022
Time: 

10:45 - 11:00 Presentation

11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "How to create impact in Digital Transformation

Dr Paul Gosling achieved his Doctorate in physics from Oxford University in 1986. He worked for 4 years in communications and radar systems before joining Thales in 1990. Working for Thales for over 30 years Dr Gosling established himself as a leading expert in sonar and naval systems for which he received an IET achievement medal in 2018. In recent years his areas of interested have expanded to to wider senior engineering and technical roles applying his knowledge to a variety of defence, security and civil sectors.

In his current role as CTO of Thales UK Dr Gosling directs the research and innovation activities required for future systems. Dr Gosling is in charge of the Thales UK Research Technology and Innovation group and works with a network of around 50 sponsored PhDs across a range of subjects including AI, Autonomy, Security and Complex Systems. Dr Gosling is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, member of the EPSRC Strategic Advisory Network SAN and supports a number of university advisory committees including the trustworthy autonomous systems hub.

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A Thales Perspective on Future Digital Transformation Research Opportunities  

Managing and securing data is a growing challenge for everyone. Thales is a designer of large systems gathering and processing data both in defence and civil systems from land, sea air and space. Over the last few decades our sensors have become far more capable, some gathering several peta-bytes of data per day. . Processing and storage capacity of modern systems combined with advanced algorithms allow us to do far more to extract very weak signals from data and help find objects of interest, detect changes or to predict when something is about to fail. This presentation gives an industrial perspective on the importance of data driven decision making and how systems we produce in Thales help our customers to make those decisions in a timely and accurate way.

Marc Geall, SAP on "Helping Businesses become intelligent Enterprises in an ever changing world"

Conference TFNetworkSpring22

Digital Transformation
➣ Conference overview  
➣ YouTube TFNetworkSummer21 Conference Playlist 

Date: 5th May 2022
Time: 

11:00 - 11:15 Presentation

11:30 - 12:15 Panel discussion "How to create impact in Digital Transformation

Marc Geall is a senior executive at SAP with the current responsibility as COO of SAP’s Data & Analytics development organisation. He is also on the Advisory and Supervisory Board of SEDNA and InMind Coud. Marc has split his career between the software industry and financial services. In software he has been Chief Strategy Officer at SAP and Autonomy, and held other leadership roles across sales, development, and corporate functions. In financial services, Marc led the Technology and TMT research practices for Citigroup and Deutsche Bank respectively, where he was the top ranked sell-side financial analyst for a number of years. Marc has a Master’s degree in Engineering from Cambridge University.

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Helping Businesses become intelligent Enterprises in an ever changing world 

Businesses have gone through unprecedented change over the last decade: business disruption has come from internal and external factors and requires business models and business systems to be flexible, adaptive, and cloud based. SAP is helping its global customer digitally transform to take advantage of this dynamic environment. In this session Marc will discuss the challenges and opportunities when having to manage change from within to support change in the market.

Prof Tim Whitley, BT MD Applied Research and Adastral Park

Opening  the TFNetworkSpring22 "Digital Transformation" conference

Date: 4th May 2022
Time: 10:00

Prof Tim Whitley is a BT Distinguished Engineer and serves as MD Applied Research for BT and MD of BT’s Technology Campus ‘Adastral Park’ in Suffolk, England. He is accountable for all aspects of BT’s Global Research activities, which includes applied research, technology and partnerships with world leading universities.

From 2007 to 2011 he was BT Group Strategy Director. Tim holds a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Optical Fibre Systems. Tim is a Board member for the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and a BT visiting Professor with the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at the University of Essex.

In December 2016, Professor Whitley was appointed as a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) by the UK Government.

In February 2018 Tim was admitted as BT's William Pitt Fellow at Pembroke College Cambridge.

Tim joined BT in 1981 as a Telephone Engineering apprentice in North Wales and has held roles in Research, Technical Architecture, Strategic Analysis and Corporate Strategy.

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