Speakers

Ajay Kumar, Head of AI, Salesforce

Ajay Kumar is Head of Artificial Intelligence at Salesforce, where he works at the intersection of AI, enterprise architecture, data and integration. With nearly a decade at Salesforce, his experience spans generative AI, AI and data platforms, enterprise integration and complex digital architectures.Alongside his role at Salesforce, Ajay is an AI Tutor at the University... of Oxford. His work gives him a practical perspective on the challenges organisations face as AI moves from experimentation into production—including how AI systems interact with enterprise data, applications and existing technology estates.more

Andy Powell, CISO, A.P. Moller Maersk

Andy Powell joined Maersk in June 2018 as the Chief Information Security Officer, and is accountable to the CIO and CEO for assuring all aspects of Information Security and Cybersecurity, across all brands that form part of A P Moller-Maersk. Prior to joining Maersk, Andy was head of the Cybersecurity business for Capgemini in UK, prior to that for CSC, and in both... roles, was responsible for delivering Cybersecurity solutions for clients across all sectors. Andy has spent much of his career in the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) as an Engineering Officer, and served as CIO/CISO for the RAF and was Head of Cyber Defence Operations for the UK Ministry of Defence. He is a keen runner (slow), ex-Windsurfer (too slow) and Golfer (too fast)!more

David Varney, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

David is a partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Digital team, advising clients on technology, data and cybersecurity matters. With more than 15 years’ experience, he supports businesses on complex technology transactions, digital transformation projects, IT outsourcing, software development and licensing, cloud services, digital marketing, data protection, e-privacy,... cybersecurity and emerging technologies, including AI governance and implementation.David acts for global technology providers, UK corporates, PLCs and high-growth businesses across a range of sectors, including energy and utilities, real estate, retail, financial services, healthcare and manufacturing. He is recognised by Chambers and Legal 500 for his work in information technology and data protection, and has extensive experience advising on the technology, data and intellectual property aspects of corporate transactions. He is also a member of the Society for Computers and Law and the International Technology Law Association.more

Ben Trethowan, CISO, Brit Insurance

Ben is a senior technology leader of some 18 years’ experience and is currently the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Brit Insurance. He is an accomplished hands-on Cyber Security leader, with extensive experience working in the FinTech, Entertainment, Transport and Defence sectors. Ben has led Cyber Security activities at all levels, from governance... and strategy to transformation and technical implementation, and continues to expand his skills through both academic and professional development. He also offers his Cyber Security and broader engineering skills voluntarily to a number of organisations that he supports. more

Xavier Vallée, CTO and AI Officer, Tour Partner Group

Xavier Vallée is Chief Technology and AI Officer at Tour Partner Group, one of Europe's leading specialist destination management companies, scaling fast through acquisition. Recruited as its first CTAIO, he authored the board-approved AI and automation value-creation plan and is delivering it from the front.His thesis is simple: the value is not in redesigning workflows,... it is in automating the hundreds of decisions buried inside them. He has developed a repeatable approach, Decision-Centric Transformation, for finding and capturing it, and the results are already on the P&L. Two automation pilots have generated over £1m of EBITDA from a £100k investment, one of them cutting a core sales process from three hours to three minutes. Xavier owns the operational outcome, not only the technology, and architects the AI systems himself.That combination of commercial and technical leadership is the product of 25 years creating enterprise value in PE-backed, consumer-facing businesses. At Parkdean Resorts he ran a business in all but name: a £200m P&L and 250 people across marketing, revenue management, partnerships, the contact centre and digital, moving revenue from minus eleven to plus five percent in a declining market while lowering the cost base. At APCOA Parking he built a platform serving millions across nine countries and helped create €200m of enterprise value into exit.
He leads from the front and through others: building leadership teams, changing cultures, and aligning boards and investors behind a single plan. An engineer and former strategy consultant, Xavier is an operator who has delivered transformation and carried it to exit, not a consultant who has observed it.more