Member Article

Does IT sector need a reboot?

A MAJOR conference to showcase the strength and depth of the region’s IT and tech companies will challenge the sector’s leaders to think about what’s needed for further growth.

World-renowned speakers will give keynote addresses at Dynamo 17 which will be hosted by Durham University on Monday, July 3.

Scientist, academic and cosmologist Professor Carlos Frenk CBE will explore links between the worlds of science and technology - and how the north east can play a leading role in the further understanding of both – with conference delegates.

Professor Frenk is Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics and founding Director of the Institute for Computational Cosmology at Durham University’s world-renowned theoretical cosmology research group. Professor Frenk is also one of the originators of the “cold dark matter” theory for the formation of structure in our universe and was awarded a CBE for services to cosmology and the public dissemination of basic science in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.

“I’ll talk about some of the technological tools and innovative activities that are being used in pure science such as the highly sophisticated optical detectors and high-performance supercomputing simulations and to share some of the latest areas that are really exciting academics in basic science - that will undoubtedly lead to more technological advances in the future,” he explained.

“The links between our worlds may be subtle, but they are very real. History clearly shows that it is scientific blue-sky thinking that is the prelude to the majority of technological advances and applications that change our lives,” Prof Frenk added.

Another leading academic and an expert on the future of innovation, Professor James Woodhuysen, will explain why he thinks the region’s successful and expanding IT sector needs a reboot.

“IT professionals in the north east need to think beyond IT, because innovation embraces more than IT. If we’re to do the Internet of Things, we’d better know the world of Things, not just IT.”

Professor Woudhuysen is emphatic about the need to think big: “For example, whatever the final form Brexit takes, UK state aid for innovation, which was limited by EU law before, can now expand to benefit the north east economy.

“So what new sectors of production should the north east rally around – sectors that are high-tech, internationally competitive, yet likely to provide durable jobs? Dynamo 17 is a great forum for the region’s business leaders to debate contrasting ambitions and perspectives for its future tech landscape. It’s time for some tough talking about how the north east should move forward.”

A leading expert on the future of innovation, Prof Woudhuysen is visiting professor at London South Bank University, a former Professor of Forecasting and Innovation at De Montfort University and one of the Europe’s most respected speakers on the future of IT.

With the title ‘Tech Boom North East: Spotlight on the opportunity’ Dynamo 17 will be hosted by James Ashton, former City Editor of the Sunday Times and the London Evening Standard. Ashton has written and commentated on technology, business and the economy for 20 years. He said: “I am looking forward to hosting Dynamo 17 which has assembled a formidable line-up of speakers. Every UK region is pushing to become a future technology leader and this is the time for the North East to shine. I want to use the day to showcase its strengths and discuss ways to tackle challenges such as the skills shortage.

“The conference will also give leading figures from the region the chance to review the state of the UK tech sector, discuss Brexit: a threat and opportunity, assess regional variations – there is room for all if regions play to their strengths - as well as exploring the importance of public/private tech collaboration.”

Charlie Hoult, Chair of Dynamo, believes the conference is a must-attend event for those with strategic or planning roles within the regional tech sector: “We have a very successful, ambitious and growing IT and tech sector, and we’re seen as a region that leads in terms of innovation and software development. But we can’t stand still. We have to be constantly looking forward, identifying new technologies and opportunities. Our top international speakers at Dynamo 17 will be scanning the future and forecasting from which areas those opportunities will arise.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to land two internationally-renowned speakers who will challenge, inform and inspire, and a well-respected compere who has commentated on tech and the economy with such authority for two deacdes.

“It’ll also be a great day for sector networking!”

Dynamo 17’s headline sponsor is Sage - and Business Durham, Durham County Council, Durham University, NELEP, Accenture, Newcastle University, Newcastle College, North East Futures UTC, Forfusion and Business Durham are also sponsors.

As well as speakers and panel sessions, delegates will also get the opportunity to explore more opportunities within Dynamo’s workshops. This year’s themes include: digital construction; talent in shared service centres; advanced manufacturing, Energy: smartgrid and engineering; Government digital transformation; digital transformation and innovation; Games, apps, digital and creative; skills; cyber resilience; Big Data; diversity in tech, and AI, Bots and Voice.

Dynamo was set up in 2013 by Opencast Software Chair Charlie Hoult and Bob Paton, then Accenture MD, and is made up of IT organisations and employers, technology hubs, universities, colleges and local government. It provides a focal point for the sector, promoting it within the region and nationally.

For more information go to www.dynamonortheast.co.uk

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