Member Article

Canada’s own digital security ‘Spook’ and author of The Geek Gurl Diaries confirmed for Digital 2014

Experts from some of the world’s leading Information Communication Technology (ICT) organisations have been confirmed as keynote speakers at the second annual Digital 2014 event on June 9th and June 10th.

Set to rival its successful inaugural year when it returns to the Celtic Manor in Newport, the Welsh Government’s flagship event will gather global technology companies and self-made millionaires to share their experiences and inspire others in how best to adapt and enhance their own digital businesses.

A unique education and digital skills day will kick off day one, bringing together young people, educators and employers to discuss the challenges and opportunities young people face as they progress through the education system and into the workplace.

Newly-confirmed speakers for June 9th include Carrie Anne Philbin, author of ‘Adventures in Rasberry Pi’ and creator of YouTube series The Geek Gurl Diaries, which has won a Talk Talk Digital Hero Award.

As the vice chair of the Computing at Schools initiative, Carrie Anne works to get more young girls and minority groups into computing, and has previously spearheaded an innovative hack day for teenagers entitled ‘Hack the Curric’, where academics and industry experts worked together to create inclusive learning materials for the new computing curriculum.

James Eder, who at 22 founded the country’s leading student portal Student Beans, is also set to share his experience of carving out his own successful career through digital technology. Established eight years ago, Student Beans has since attracted a community of over three million students and been named Digital Business of the Year 2013.

Additional speakers across day one include Gianni O’Connor, founder of mobile music app Mozrt, Emma Mulqueeny, Founder of Rewired State and Maggie Philbin, Co-Founder and CEO of TeenTech.

On Tuesday June 10th, the focus will switch to technology in industry, with world-leading firms including Telefonica and Logicalis demonstrating how ICT is changing the way business is done across the globe.

Newly-signed expert speakers include Michael Doucet, Executive Director of the Security Intelligence Review Committee in Canada and former Chief Technology Officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

As Canada’s own ‘Spook’ and a hugely-established name in digital security across the pond, Michael will look at the newest trends and updates in the field of intelligence technology specifically, including information-sharing and privacy.

Joining Michael will be Donovan Jones, President and CEO of CounterPath – a leading software solutions provider also based in Canada. Instrumental in leading CounterPath through its expansion into the growing mobile market, Donovan will look at the influx of ‘over the top’ technologies such as Viber and Skype and both the challenges and opportunities this offers businesses.

Also confirmed is Herb Kim, Codeworks’ Executive Officer and Founder of the ground-breaking Thinking Digital conference. A native New Yorker and pivotal figure in the UK technology scene outside of London, he has played a significant role in establishing the North East as a burgeoning digital hub and is regularly ranked in the Guardian’s Top 100 power list. Herb is also responsible for multiple TEDx independent events – and will be drawing on his experience of blending regional digital players to create strategic communities that work together.

They’ll be joining the likes of Sir Terry Matthews, CEO of Wesley Clover, Dave Coplin Chief Envisioning Architect of Microsoft, and a host of others taking to the stage this June.

Chair of the Welsh Government’s ICT Sector Panel, Tom Kelly, said: “Developments in ICT are making their mark on us all now more than ever – not only in our personal lives but in all aspects of the economy. From the importance of social media management to opportunities with cloud, businesses all over the world have woken up to the power of ICT and its crucial Wales stays ahead of the curve.

“The top speakers we’ve lined up for Digital 2014 will help ensure a digital culture is positioned at the very heartbeat of Welsh industry, not only to help secure our future but to put Wales at the forefront of this ever-changing digital revolution.”

For more information, please visit the Digital 2014 website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Digital 2014 .