Theme: Innovation

Our theme this year was 'Innovation', applying new ideas to create something new. Across the day our speakers explored where, how and why we innovate, as well as the impact that innovations have on business, society and the environment.

WWF Living Planet Centre
The Living Planet Centre
Brewery Road
Woking, Surrey, GU21 4LL
United Kingdom

Adam Webster

Teacher + Director of Innovation

Adam Webster is Director of Innovation at Caterham School. Over the last 6 years he has overseen a number of projects at the school, including the rollout out of iPads to every student, the introduction of an Innovation Centre for pupils to collaborate, code and build hardware off timetable, and formed the Da Vinci Society which aims to team up students of different ages and specialisms to work together on projects which have real-world value. He has co-authored a book on technology in schools, and is visited regularly by schools around the world, to discuss how to ensure innovation, teaching and learning remain the focus of any technology project.

Anne Cantelo

Managing Director + Author

Anne is the founder of Onyx, a business communications consultancy working across the UK and in the US to deliver reputation management. Onyx have researched and produced numerous white papers for clients and are the co-authors of a book that explores the practicalities and impact of agile working (with input from leading academics, experts and innovators). Anne started her career in the public sector. Her roles include the private office of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the DTI press office. She was taken to the Cabinet Office by Michael Heseltine, when he became Deputy Prime Minister. Anne left the Civil Service at the end of 1999 when she was asked to work for e-skills UK to change the image of IT among teenaged girls. Anne organised the world's biggest slumber party at the Science Museum and founded CC4G (Computer Clubs for Girls - now available in most schools across the UK).

Davide Caffi

Software Integration Principal Engineer

Davide is currently working as Principal Engineer within the Electronic System department of McLaren Automotive, supporting the development of all past, present, and future sport cars programmes of McLaren. His career’s highlight so far has been the software design for McLaren Sport Series 570S, a supercar capable of 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Having worked in the past in Aerospace system engineering on front line programmes as the US Presidential Marine 1 helicopter and on complex engineering projects involving fly by wire technology, Davide technical careers in software testing has always being pivoting around innovation and safety in high performance engineering environments. He moved to Woking in 2015 where he lives with his wife.

Edward Duffus

Head of Innovation at Plan International

Edward is the Head of Innovation at Plan International, a global development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. He started his career in the army, transitioned to IT consulting but then found his niche at Plan International, where since 2013 he has been able to use his expertise as a technologist to make a real social impact. In particular, Edward has been leading a global programme on birth registration and is pioneering the use of digital technologies to strengthen civil registration in the Global South. He is an advocate of technology and innovation for good and is currently working on a number of new ideas to tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability. Edward lives in Woking with his wife and two children.

Jason Lovell

Director of Brand Partnerships of Jaunt VR

Jason is Director of Brand Partnerships of Jaunt VR for the EMEA region, where he is engaged with a wide range of innovative brands in a variety of exciting cinematic VR projects that really utilise Jaunt’s significant knowledge and expertise. Passionate about the wonders of VR & AR and the boundless potential the technologies have to benefit businesses on all levels, Jason has over ten years’ experience in consumer electronics in a variety of senior roles, culminating in managing VR for Samsung UK. Jason then founded Captivate; an expert immersive consultancy that provided a holistic and impartial service to businesses of all sizes and sectors, enabling them to truly comprehend and embrace the incredible opportunities offered by these cutting-edge immersive technologies.

Paul Hitchens

Managing Director + Author

Paul is the author of two best selling business books on branding: ‘Brand Management – In A Week’ and ‘Create the Perfect Brand’ (published by Hodder & Stoughton). He is a founding partner and Director of Verve Brand (www.verve.co.uk) with over 25 years experience in the Creative Industries. Paul has worked in Advertising, Branding, Design and Marketing and helped organisations of all types and sizes to realise their brand’s potential through Strategic Consultancy, Creative Services, Seminars and Training Workshops. He is a Chartered Marketer and Course Director for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He presents the CIM Brand Masterclass and regularly provides industry commentary for television, radio, national and trade press. Paul has appeared on BBC, ITV and Channel 5 News.

Rob May

Managing Director

Rob May is chairman of IoD Surrey, an award-winning entrepreneur and Managing Director of ramsac limited. Rob makes complex subjects straightforward by using real life examples, humour and pragmatism. He is passionate about his work, positive about life and committed to helping people understand and grow. He lives with his wife and children in Horsell and is very much a part of the local community.

Rob McCargow

Artificial Intelligence Programme Leader

Rob is Artificial Intelligence Programme Leader at PwC where he with works with partners across academia, government, technology vendors and start-ups, and other key stakeholders, in order to drive innovation within the Firm and develop new services for clients. He is an evangelist for responsible technology and promotes awareness of the growing ethical agenda relating to AI. He is an advisory board member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI and an adviser to The IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in AI and Autonomous Systems. Rob is a member of PwC's Gender Balance Network and is an advocate for the 'Women in Tech' initiative. As an ex-recruiter, HR Consultant and humanitarian worker, Rob is particularly focused upon the issues relating to the impact of automation on the workforce, the future skills agenda, and ensuring that the benefits to be delivered by AI are equitably spread across society. Rob lives in West End with his family.

Sally Pritchett

Founder

Co founder of creative communications agency, Something Big, Sally has been helping businesses solve their problems by improving their communications for over two decades. Often known as ‘Tigger on Speed’, Sally is passion in human form. Having spent her early career client side, getting thoroughly cheesed off with agencies not understanding her briefs, she teamed up with business partner Nick, who quickly learnt to read her mind. Together they created an agency that brings that extra commercial acumen to their client’s communication strategies.