Tech Leader Talks panel L-R: Laura Phillips, Philip Simpson, Alex Wolff
Manchester Digital hosted the latest Tech Leader Talks at No.1 Circle Square on Wednesday 4th June, bringing together some of Greater Manchester’s senior tech leaders to explore how digital innovation is reshaping the transport and mobility sector.
This edition of our ongoing event series was sponsored by Softwire, with support from Bruntwood SciTech and Feast & Flow.
Leading the conversation
The session was expertly chaired by Laura Phillips, Delivery Director for Transport and Public Sector at Softwire, who guided an open and thoughtful conversation with Philip Simpson, Head of Software Engineering at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Alex Wolff, Director – Public Sector, Health & Transport at Softwire.
What followed was an engaging and collaborative discussion about the role of digital in transforming transport experiences – and how innovation can deliver safer, more inclusive and better-connected systems for everyone.
Tackling legacy tech, scaling innovation
Both speakers shared candid reflections on the challenges of working with large-scale legacy systems – particularly when expectations from customers are accelerating.
Philip spoke about the complexities behind TfGM’s work, which has recently seen the launch of the new Bee Network and an update of the Bee Network app, whilst they cover a sprawling infrastructure that includes real-time data from buses and trams, CCTV feeds, APIs and integration with national systems.
Alex emphasised how what seems like a simple user journey can involve dozens of different touchpoints, and shared how Softwire had recently worked to ensure accessibility was built into the core of transport platforms – such as integrating wheelchair bookings directly into train bookings, rather than as a separate booking journey. As Alex put it, “That stops othering people – and raises the bar for everyone.”
Social impact and doing tech for good
A major theme throughout the event was the idea of tech for good – how digital innovation can, and should, serve the public. Both speakers were passionate about using tech to create safer, more sustainable transport systems.
Alex discussed Softwire’s work in exploring how AI could help predict and prevent violence against women and girls on public transport, while Philip shared ideas around anomaly detection via CCTV and data-driven predictions to reduce accidents and harm.
Crucially, both highlighted the need to prioritise the most impactful use cases – those that truly add value to our people and communities.
What makes Manchester different?
There was huge praise for Manchester’s thriving tech scene – particularly the openness, collaboration and sense of shared purpose that defines the region.
With the government creating the AI innovation campus here, and a wide ranging community full of passionate people who want to make a difference, Manchester’s ecosystem is proving fertile ground for real progress – and real community.
“People here want to see you succeed,” one audience member commented – and both Philip and Alex agreed.
Looking ahead
As the conversation turned to the future, there was cautious optimism. The pace of change is astonishing, and both speakers acknowledged the need to ensure developments – especially around AI and data – are handled with transparency, ethics, and a people-first mindset.
Key hopes for the next five years included:
- Better-integrated transport systems
- Greater democratisation of AI and tech innovation
- More openness, collaboration and inclusion across industries
- A deeper commitment to using transport to combat loneliness and isolation in an ageing population
And finally, a reminder from TfGM that with real-time data now available on buses and trams, the next ambition is clear: bring trains into the equation and make Greater Manchester’s transport truly joined-up.
Thank you to all our speakers and attendees for helping us make this such a valuable and inspiring event.
We’d like to say a huge thanks to our main event sponsor Softwire.
We’d also like to say thanks to Bruntwood SciTech and Feast and Flow for supporting the event.
