Member Conference 25 Speakers | Manchester Digital

Get to know the speakers and panellists who will be joining us at Member Conference 25 at No.1 Circle Square on 4th December.

This year’s theme, Built to Last, shines a spotlight on members who are thriving through collaboration, experimentation and resilience – doing more with less, building new models of leadership and innovation, and driving sustainable growth.

Member Conference 25 is sponsored by The PMC, Traversally and Bruntwood SciTech.

Book your tickets here

The durability of the Arm CPU architecture across decades

Laura Moore

Staff Information Developer
Arm

Kevin versus John - How sticking with a carrot made Aldi the Kings of Christmas

Jamie Peate

Head of Effectiveness
McCann

Jamie got his first taste of retailing helping-out in his parent's shop near Blackpool. After university he joined Lever Brothers Sales and Marketing department and then went on to work on the Kwiksave, British Gas and ICI accounts at McCann. He formed Blue Banana, his own insight and innovation agency, in 1991 and worked with brands like Persil, Dove, Cif, Flora, Clearblue, Marks and Spencer and Kelloggs both nationally and internationally. In 2010 Blue Banana became part of McCann Manchester where became the Head of Strategy and part of the leadership team for Aldi.

Jamie is now the Global Head of Retail Strategy for McCann Worldgroup and leads the Global CPG and Retail Practice which supports promotes and shares best thinking, approaches and practice for retail globally.

He is also now the Head of Effectiveness for McCann Worldgroup UK.

The Death of the Marketing Team

Carl Phillips

Managing Director
The PMC

Carl Phillips is the Managing Director of The PMC, a Manchester-based boutique web development agency & fractional CMO team that specialises in providing strategic leadership and high-quality execution to drive tangible results for their partners.

Building something that lasts when technology is moving at the speed of light

Nicola van Gelder

Chief Operating Officer
Powdr

As the COO and Head of Partnerships (amongst other roles) at Powdr I'm dedicated to firstly providing tailored supportive experiences to our clients to help them get through the often difficult world of financial transactions.

I'm also incredibly passionate about our people, creating an amazing environment for all who do and will work here.

AI - Artificial Intelligence or Augmented Intelligence

Dr Phininder Balaghan

Founder
Traversally

Over 10 years of living AI's rapid evolution, Phininder led the entire AI division for a major multinational organization before founding Traversally. His core focus is ensuring that AI projects build confidence and successfully thrive within organizations, understanding its people, processes and technology.

Ian Makin

Founder
Traversally

25 years of large-scale data and software architecture. Ian focuses on the process and value side of AI transformation. A champion of clarity, impact, and simply doing the right things at the right time.

The Punk and the Process

Rob Lunt

Director of Quality Engineering
Planit Testing

Rob Lunt is an experienced IT and Technology leader with over 30 years in complex enterprise transformation. He challenges the notion that longevity is achieved through bureaucracy, arguing that true resilience—being 'Built to Last'—requires the fusion of two forces: 'The Punk and the Process.'

Rob advocates for the rebellious, truth-telling 'Punk QE' mindset, coupled with a human-centric leadership model. He has successfully applied this practical roadmap, establishing Group Assurance Strategy and managing the full end-to-end delivery lifecycle for major UK, European and Global organisations. Rob specialises in using Lean and DevOps to channel 'punk' passion into adaptive processes, ensuring stable core systems and resilience through empowered people.

The power of data and analytics: how digital marketers can thrive in an omnichannel media world

Ailish McDonnell

Head of PR & Communications
Buymedia

Ailish McDonnell has more than 20 years experience in Public Relations, specialising in technology, fintech, banking, corporate PR, financial services and gaming. She has extensive experience and expertise managing clients from large, global corporate agencies and brands, to niche PR agencies, in-house press office, as well as being an independent PR agency owner manager. She has successfully launched and raised profiles of numerous tech startups from pre-seed to Series B in the UK, EMEA and US.

Notable clients, past and present include Buymedia, Baillie Gifford the Edinburgh based global investment firm, Hamilton Lane American private equity, SEB and SEB Embedded, Dubai Falcon Associates, Comgest, Rimini Street, SEON fraud prevention, Weavr, Bidstack, BankiFi, Brite Payments, and Fintech Week London. Pssionate about the evolving media landscape, Ailish has guided organisations of all sizes through high-profile campaigns and specialises in reputation and crisis management.

Member Conference 25 - Speakers