In this opening session we will hear from Samuel on:

• The story of innovation failure
• What do big brands learn about innovation from failure?
• How failure is a skill we need to learn
• How to create a safe space for experimentation

Chair: Ian Wright, chief executive, Disruptive Innovators Network

Dr Samuel West, founder, Museum of Failure

The Power of Predictive Analytics -

• How other sectors are harnessing the power of predictive analytics
• How predictive analytics can identify issues and concerns before they arise
• How housing is embracing predictive analytics to sustain tenancies
• Examples of how social landlords predictive analytics

Paul Evans, director, Mobysoft

Youth Driven Innovation

The power of youth is a phrase often used to embody the excitement and enthusiasm of what it is like to be young. But what does this look like in an innovation and problem-solving way? In this session, Raelene will share her views on youth driven innovation and her journey in South Africa establishing SpringAGE a young person’s innovation lab.

• Why work with young people to solve your biggest problems
• Best way to get the best out of young people
• The power of not holding any idea too tightly - true collaboration
• Matching individual motivators with big problems worth solving
• Trusting the process

Raelene Rorke, co-founder, SpringAGE

Chair: Philip Allen, associate director, Disruptive Innovators Network

We all know the future is going to be vastly different post-covid but where could we be heading and what can we do about it? In this session Tracey will explore:

• A decade of turbulence and transition
• The transformation of identity
• Generational and technological issues that must be addressed
• What might lie beyond?

Chair: Ian Wright, chief executive, Disruptive Innovators Network

Tracey Follows, founder and chief executive, Futuremade

In this panel session we will explore why so few women make it to leadership positions in technology and what can be done about it.

Chair: Ciara McMillian, Crimson

Merici Vinton, co-founder Ada’s List

Charlene Manning, account manager, non profit organisations, Amazon Web Services

Avril Chester, interim executive director, Data and Technology, RIBA

Julie Alexander, director of technology and innovation, Places for People

• Introducing GUARDIAN® - remote technology that ensures compliant data for social housing providers
• Legionella Compliance Support – making the system easier
• The Environmental Impact of water wastage that GUARDIAN® provides a solution to
• Operational savings and benefits for GUARDIAN® users

Ian Murray, founding director, Plexus Innovation

Leading innovation

There is no doubt this year has presented many new challenges for leaders faced with circumstances for which they have no points of reference or experience. So how do they respond and more importantly, ensure their organisation continues to move forward and innovate.

In this session we will speak with Heidi Mottram, Chief executive, Northumbrian Water, recognised as one of the most innovative companies in the UK. Which when you think they operate in a highly regulated, heavily scrutinised, low competition market is some achievement. So as a leader how has she and her team managed to achieve this.

Chair: Paul Evans, commercial director, Mobysoft

Heidi Mottram, chief executive, Northumbrian Water

Anyone who has grown up playing (or watching their children) video games can’t fail to have seen the significant advances in this sector and the innovations which have spread to other sectors such as VR.

In this session we will hear from Chris, best known for bringing the Minecraft franchise to the X Box, about his experiences of growing and scaling games businesses. We will hear about culture, failure and a never-ending desire to improve.

Chair: Colin Sales, chief executive, 3C consultants

Chris Van Der Kuyl, chair, 4J Studios

• Customer expectations are set by out-of-sector leaders like Amazon and DPD
• Localz offers customer engagement and increased visibility on the day of service appointments
• Benefits include increased first-time access, reduced inbound query calls, and improved customer experience

Paul Swannell, sales director, Localz

Ethics in AI session

For many organisations Covid-19 has accelerated plans to introduce more streams of artificial intelligence into their business and services. But the temptation to move at speed must be tempered with the need to ensure the AI algorithms that are created are as ethical as possible.

So, for anyone responsible or exploring this area then this session will be a must as Andrew explores the tricky issue of ethics in artificial intelligence. He will explain the risks associated with AI, including bias, opaqueness and naivety, and how organisations can build ethics into their algorithms from the start.

Chair: Jenny Danson, associate director, Disruptive Innovators Network

Andrew Burgess, founder and chief executive, Greenhouse Intelligence

In our closing session of day one, we will hear from Ciara on how global leaders are approaching Automation and rethinking the way they deliver services including:

• Where to start and what to know
• Some of the most ambitious Automation projects to date
• What's already happening in Housing - Rent arrears as a service?
• What's does the future of Automation look like?

Chair: Jenny Danson, associate director, Disruptive Innovators Network

Ciara MacCooey, chief operating officer and co-founder, Human+