Stage 2
DAY 2 [7.11.24]
About the conference
Core Festival, MAIN STAGE, VICTORIA BATHS
After an overwhelming number of talk submissions we are delighted to announce that we are extending the main stage out! Join us on stage 2 for a packed agenda full of the most topical talks to be submitted!
SPEAKERS
Check out our lineup of speakers by clicking their images below!
Nicki Clegg
DEI advocate, NED, Board Advisor
Performance Coach, CTO
Kate Davies
Public Policy Director
Ofcom
Masha Zakharova
Global Head of Data and Analytics
Spark Foundry
Nik Walker
Head of Data Engineering
Co-op
Chris Monticolombi
CEO
WeShape
George Shilton
Product Owner
Lloyds Banking Group
AGENDA
Download the days agenda below or use the drop downs to explore the talk content
Nicki Clegg
DEI advocate, NED, Board Advisor, performance coach, CTO, technology leader
SESSION OVERVIEW: Data shows 9% of tech employees are from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, compared to 39% of the UK population, and organisations with focused interventions on social mobility, such as schools engagement, have higher diversity levels across protected characteristics.
Engaging with schools helps your business, your employees, and teachers:
• 90% of volunteers said it increases their satisfaction with work
• 96% of volunteers said it enhanced their ability to communicate with a range of audiences
• Over 90% reported improvements in presentation skills and relationship building and networking
• 90% of young people said engaging with volunteers increased their understanding of why STEM subjects are important particularly in the workplace
• 90% of educators said engaging with volunteers improved their own knowledge of STEM careers
• 86% said engaging had improved their enthusiasm for teaching STEM subjects
Come and learn how to build a schools engagement programme
Kate Davies
Public Policy Director
Ofcom
SESSION OVERVIEW:
This take will cover:
- Why regulation and innovation go hand in hand:
- Role of tech and innovation in our sectors
- Case studies
- What this means in terms of the kind of organisation we need to be:
- Skills and capabilities
- Diversity
- Always coming back to the user/citizen/audience
- What the future holds
George Shilton
Product Owner
Lloyds Banking Group
SESSION OVERVIEW:
George’s presentation will explore how Lloyds Banking Group transformed its appointment booking and diary management processes by embracing cloud-based technology, Agile practices, and DevOps. He will share insights on overcoming challenges with legacy systems, reducing customer wait times, and driving business-tech synergy to deliver effective change. Attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing innovative solutions that meet real business needs.
Masha Zakharova
Global Head of Data and Analytics
Spark Foundry
Nik Walker
Head of Data Engineering
Co-Op
Chris Monticolombi
CEO
WeShape
Sophie Valentine
Co-Founder
NeurotechX
SESSION OVERVIEW:
As organisations adapt to an evolving tech landscape, the metrics for success are expanding beyond just products and profits. This panel will explore how to cultivate a healthy balance among three critical components of organizational success: people, process, and performance. Join our experts as they discuss strategies to build cultures that prioritise individual growth, team resilience, and high performance without compromising on well-being.
Panelists will dive into practical methods for fostering employee empowerment, discuss the role of mentorship and continuous learning in high-functioning teams, and share insights on evolving traditional performance metrics to better align with a modern, people-centered workplace.
MTF UNCONFERENCE
You’ve heard of 99 second talks? Well now is your chance to go one step further and deliver a 15 minute on the spot talk at MTF’s unconference. A What? That’s right, an unconference!
Manchester Tech Festival’s core aim is to bring the Manchester tech community together, delivering a conference for our community. This year we want to go one step further and give our incredible community the opportunity to deliver a 15 minute talk on stage.
How does it work? That’s simple! Anytime between 9am and 11am we welcome you to notify the check in desk that you would like to deliver a talk. Give them your name, talk topic, and a contact number. Between 11am and 12pm, we’ll pick out enough talks to fill the afternoon and then contact those who are successful with a time slot. Meet us at stage 2 for your time slot and deliver your talk! No Slides, No Prep – just you, a microphone, your passion and an audience of the best techies around cheering you on!
