Jacqueline de Rojas CBE

President of tech UK, IoC Co Chair

President of techUK | President@digileaders | Co-Chair@Institute of Coding Non-Exec: Rightmove plc | CostainGroup plc | FDM Group plc

A member of the government’s Post-18 Education Review | Business Advisor & Mentor at Merryck | Passion for diversity & Inclusion via advisory positions at Accelerate-Her and the Girlguiding Association | She is listed in the #50LeadingLights for kindness in leadership by Women of Future & acknowledged in Grant Thornton's Faces of a Vibrant Economy. Awarded the CBE in Queen's New Year Honours 2018 for services to International Trade in Technology | Happily married with three children and two dogs. Yoga is how she finds her balance.

Professor Sarah Hainsworth, FREng OBE

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), IoC Co Chair

University of Bath

A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering, Sarah Hainsworth is a Professor of Materials and Forensic Engineering. Professor Hainsworth was part of the research team that worked on the discovery of the body of Richard III at Leicester, working to characterise the weapon marks on the skeleton that allowed identification of how the King died on the battlefield – including the first use of micro-computed X-ray tomography in the analysis of tool marks in archaeological investigations. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List, for services to Engineering and Forensic Science.

Craig Walker

SVP and Strategic Customer Advisor to the Office of the CEO, Chair of the IoC's Industry Advisory Board

Salesforce

Craig graduated in Chemical Engineering in 1981 and worked for Shell IT in the UK, Colombia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the USA for 32 years. He spent five years with KPMG Consulting in the middle of his Shell career. His last role was 6 years as Global CIO for Shell’s Downstream Businesses. Craig joined Salesforce on the 1st May 2020 working as a strategic advisor to its customers, industries, sales teams and senior executives. Craig is the Chair of the IoC's Industry Advisory Board

Debbie Forster, MBE

Tech Talent Charter, Chair of the IoC's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board

CEO

A recognised figure in the areas of diversity, tech, innovation and education, first as the UK CEO of Apps for Good and now as CEO for the Tech Talent Charter. Debbie was awarded an MBE in January 2017 for “Services to Digital Technology and Tech Development” and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) named her Woman of the Year 2016. Debbie has also been named on Computer Weekly’s list of “25 Most Influential Women in UK IT” for the last 5 years, coming in at #3 for 2018.

Anthony Thomas

Principal, Chair of the IoC Finance Advisory Board

Thomas & Company

Anthony Thomas is the Chair of the Institute of Coding’s Finance Advisory Board. He is also Principal at Thomas & Company [accountants and tax advisers]. His additional experience includes: Council Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation [CIOT] (2002/17), President, CIOT (2011/12); Chairman, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (2012/17). President, Association of Taxation Technicians [ATT] (2001/02). Past Council Member, ACCA and ATT. Council Member, Tax Advisers Europe and Adviser to the Executive Board. Chairman, Governing Body, Lawrence Sheriff School (2007/17) and Governor, Rugby School (2017/19). Trustee, Coventry Medical Society. Master, Worshipful Company of Tax Adviser (2015/16) and Court Member.

Holly Brazier

Degree Apprentice

Goldman Sachs

As a Degree Apprentice studying Digital and Technology Solutions at Queen Mary's University London whilst working at Goldman Sachs, Holly is thrilled to have this opportunity with the Institute of Coding. She is hopeful that talking about her experiences as a Degree Apprentice and the benefits it has will enable us to encourage more young people into paths such as these.

Professor Nick Brook

Dean of Science

University of Bath

Nick spent sixteen years at Bristol University, including four as Head of School before moving to UCL to become Dean. He became Dean of Science at Bath in 2016. He was at the DESY laboratory, whilst on ZEUS, for 3 years. At CERN, he was computing project leader for the LHCb experiment. Nick has published in excess of 550 papers.

Josie Fraser

Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Open University

Josie joined The Open University in March 2017. Josie started her academic career as a neurobiologist with interests in animal behaviour and treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Josie's focus shifted towards teaching and making a difference to a wide range of students from varied backgrounds, developed as senior lecturer and associate dean at the University of Bradford. She has championed team-based learning as a teaching style on the national and international stage. In previous roles, and now at The Open University, Josie promotes initiatives to broaden access to STEM subjects for under-represented groups, and continues her long-standing interest in technology-enhanced learning.

Professor Andy Gibson

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Science and Engineering

Manchester Metropolitan University

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, Andy oversees everything the Faculty does towards making coding accessible to all. He is passionate about the difference technology can make to all of our lives. His research is in high power circuits for radar systems and prior to his current role, he was head of the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester.

Rachid Hourizi

IoC Director

University of Bath

Dr Rachid Hourizi is the Director of the Institute of Coding (IoC) and has been in this position since the IoC’s launch in January 2018. The IoC is a successful national collaboration of more than 200 employers, 35 universities and 20 outreach partners that are working together to transform higher education and deliver new courses to help a larger and more diverse group of learners into tech careers. Prior to his current role, Rachid worked for ten years as a financial markets and commodity trader in London, Paris, Geneva and the USA, before taking up his first post at the University of Bath.

Martin Williams

Director of Finance

University of Bath

Martin joined the University of Bath in 2007. In 2017, Martin was appointed as Director of Finance, responsible for the University’s financial strategy and operations. Martin graduated from Cardiff University in 1987 with a BSc (Econ) in Politics. He completed the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting examinations in 1990. Martin has a wide range of financial and management experience in Higher Education, manufacturing and distribution companies. As Finance Director of the Lead Institution, Martin also oversees the management and distribution of IoC funds across the Consortium.

Anthony Impey MBE

Chief Executive

Be the Business

Anthony has a track record in starting, building, and operating businesses and not-for-profit organisations. He is currently Chief Executive of Be the Business, which enables small businesses to boost their performance and productivity. Before this, he was Founder and Chief Executive of Optimity, building it into a leading wireless internet provider. He also started Touchbase Networks, worked for WellInvested in Silicon Valley and founded not-for-profit organisations TechCity Stars and Tech-Up Nation. He chairs the City & Guilds Industry Skills Board and the IoC’s Postgraduate Artificial Intelligence Governance Board. He brings start-up, entrepreneurial and small business experience to the IoC.

Kirsti Lord

Deputy Chief Executive

Association of Colleges

Kirsti Lord was appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive for Member Services of the Association of Colleges (AoC) in 2017. Kirsti had been Acting Principal at City College Coventry since having been appointed Deputy Principal in 2016. Prior to this, she also worked in senior positions at Sandwell and Leicester Colleges. Kirsti is a member of the Patrons Network of the National Centre for Diversity.

Craig Walker

SVP and Strategic Customer Advisor to the Office of the CEO, Chair of the Industry Advisory Board

Salesforce

Craig graduated in Chemical Engineering in 1981 and worked for Shell IT in the UK, Colombia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the USA for 32 years. He spent five years with KPMG Consulting in the middle of his Shell career. His last role was 6 years as Global CIO for Shell’s Downstream Businesses. Craig joined Salesforce on the 1st May 2020 working as a strategic advisor to its customers, industries, sales teams and senior executives. He has a passion for people; and seeks to help people exceed their believed potential and enjoy a life of learning and development. He is honoured to be an IoC member.

Christina Cole

International Leader for Education-to-Workforce

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Christina has 15 years of experience building programmes that connect industry to academia and has long supported the work of the IoC, with previous roles including leading Higher Education programmes for Tech Industry Gold Degrees and supporting the development of the UK’s first digital Degree Apprenticeships. Christina also sits on the AWS Global Education Inclusive, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Board, and is delighted to work with the IoC and continue to bring industry, education and governments together to build a pipeline of diverse talent, and prepare the next generation of technology leaders.

Cat Drew

Chief Design Officer

Design Council

Cat Drew is the Chief Design Officer at the Design Council where she champions Design for Planet, bringing together practitioners from across the design economy to develop new regenerative practice and create the conditions for designers to do their best work. Previously, Cat has held leadership positions at FutureGov and Uscreates, was a co-founder of the UK Government’s Policy Lab, and combines 10 years of experience in Government with an MA in Graphic Design. She speaks widely about the value of design and co-presented BBC Radio 4 The Fix. Cat is member of the RSA’s Decolonising Design Commission, on the faculty of States of Change, and advisory boards for the Institute of Coding, the Well_Lab at Work and the Design Age Institute, and a member of D&AD’s Impact Council. She is a member of The Point People and a co-founder of the Local Government Innovation Network.

Scot Gardner

Chief Executive UK & Ireland

Cisco

Scot Gardner is Chief Executive of Cisco in the UK & Ireland. In his role he leads Cisco’s engagement with customers, partners, government and industry and is an advocate for helping the UK become a more digital nation. Prior to joining Cisco in 1997, Scot spent a number of years in the oil & gas industry, consultancy and technology start-ups.

David Jones

Chief Digital Officer

Swire

David is the Chief Digital Officer of John Swire & Sons - a privately owned conglomerate with significant assets across UK, Europe, the US and Asia. His role is to lead the global technology agenda across the Swire group of companies including the digitisation of existing and new business models. He is also a Director of Swire Energy Services. David joined Swire in September 2018 having previous held a number of technology roles in BP, including Digital CIO for BP Downstream and CIO of Castrol Group.

Derek Joyce

Managing Director

J.P. Morgan

Derek has spent his career designing and building technology solutions for JPMorgan’s investment bank. His current role focuses on using that experience to shape their global technology talent strategy. JP Morgan think that great software engineering will be critical to all industries in the future and are passionate about building expertise and a great talent pipeline for it here in the UK.

Charlotte Light

Chief Technology Officer

Aztec Group

Most recently working with boards and executive teams, Charlotte's career has been spent working across multiple industries bringing clarity and direction to technology decision-making to help organisations drive growth and efficiency through the most effective use of IT. Passionate about diversity and inspiring the next generation, the Institute of Coding is a great opportunity to participate in helping educators address the needs of industry.

Julie Mercer

Principal

Nous Group

Julie works at all levels of the education system in the UK and internationally, transforming education to support young people achieve their potential, and governments and business develop and access the skills needed for the economy. Passionate about how education transforms lives, through the IoC she is particularly focused on encouraging more young women to pursue a career in the digital economy.

Hugh Milward

General Manager, Corporate External and Legal Affairs

Microsoft UK

Hugh Milward leads Corporate, External and Legal for Microsoft in the UK, sitting on the UK management board. His focus includes work to help organisations overcome legal and regulatory hurdles to their technology adoption and transformation, managing some of the complex geo-political issues relating to tech, and working to ensure no one is left behind from the onward march of technology. He advocates for Microsoft on a range of issues including privacy, cybersecurity, online safety, digital skills and sustainability among others. Hugh’s background is in politics, corporate affairs, and reputation management, working for some of the world’s highest-profile brands. Hugh is a Board Director of the New West End Company, Chairing its Public Affairs committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of BritishAmerican Business. Hugh also chairs the CBI Tech Council and sits on the Advisory Board of the Institute of Coding.

Shilpa Shah

Consulting Director

Deloitte

Shilpa is a seasoned management consultant with 21 years of experience leading and driving technology enabled transformation programmes. She also leads the Deloitte Women in Technology Network and is passionate about driving change and making the world of work truly diverse and inclusive. She is thrilled to join the IoC to help UK plc meet the growing demand for digital skills.

Stephen Warwick

Vice President - Automation and AI, Head of R&D UK

IBM

Stephen is a multinational executive with scale-up and corporate experience. He leads the development and delivery of IBM Automation, IBM Messaging, and IBM Process Mining across multiple public and private cloud platforms that are essential to the world’s banking, healthcare, automotive, retail and public sector markets. Stephen is also Site Executive at IBM Hursley, one of the corporation’s worldwide strategic software development locations, and leader for IBM’s R&D across the UK based software labs.

Jacky Wright

Chief Digital Officer and Corporate Vice President, US

Microsoft

Jacky Wright is the Chief Digital Officer and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft US, where she inspires and leads teams to help businesses leverage technology to drive innovation, adopt sustainable and accessible business models, and digitally transform. A long-time advocate of equitable access to education for all, she is proud to help drive this forward with the Institute of Coding.

Jonathan Young

Group CIO

FDM Group

Having developed an interest in coding BASIC on an Acorn Atom and ZX Spectrum whilst at school in the early 1980s, Jonathan began his career as a software developer in 1991 and has spent the subsequent 30+ years coding and managing the development of code. The bulk of Jonathan’s career has been in developing solutions in Investment Banking, for RBS, ABN AMRO, Barclays de Zoute Wedd, HSBC and others, but he has also developed solutions in the pharmaceutical industry (SmithKline Beecham) and in manufacturing (Corning Glass). Today, Jonathan is Group CIO for FDM Group and, alongside the IOC, serves on Computer Science industry advisory boards for three British Universities. Jonathan is studying for PhD at Durham University in using AI and ML to increase diversity in technology careers – coding in R and Python.

Debbie Forster, MBE

CEO

Tech Talent Charter (Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board)

A recognised figure in the areas of diversity, tech, innovation and education, first as the UK CEO of Apps for Good and now as CEO for the Tech Talent Charter. Debbie was awarded an MBE in January 2017 for “Services to Digital Technology and Tech Development” and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) named her Woman of the Year 2016. Debbie has also been named on Computer Weekly’s list of “25 Most Influential Women in UK IT” for the last 5 years, coming in at #3 for 2018.

Neil Milliken

Chief Accessibility Officer

Atos

Neil Milliken is Head of Accessibility & Inclusion at Atos. His role is to help make the world a better place by delivering better technology for customers and staff. He is the Atos representative on the Business Disability Forum Technology Task Force and is also an invited expert for the W3C Cognitive Accessibility Taskforce & member of the Atos Scientific Community. He is co-founder of AXSChat, Europe’s largest twitter chat with a focus on Accessibility & Inclusion.

Amali de Alwis

CEO

Subak UK

Amali de Alwis was previously the Managing Director at Microsoft for Startups UK. Before this she was CEO of Code First: Girls, a multi-award winning social enterprise that works with women, men, and companies to increase the number of women in tech. Outside of the day job, Amali is a Board member at ADA National College for Digital Skills, and Advisory Board member at the Founders Academy. She is a founding member at Tech Talent Charter and is a CommonwealthFirst mentor. She was recently named as “The Most influential woman in UK IT 2018”.

Steve Anderson

CEO

The Age Diversity Forum

Steve has led the Age Diversity Forum for four years, developing and designing awareness, support and services to showcase the values of age diversity in the workplace. Steve sits on DWP’s Age Action Alliance Steering Committee and is a regular speaker for the age agenda. Steve’s initial career was in international banking, where he spent over 20 years, managing operational resources and assets across the global financial centres. He also spent 10 years initiating global programmes for the protection of vulnerable people groups.

Gillian Arnold

Managing Director of Tectre

Tectre

Gillian has extensive experience in the IT industry and now runs her own training and staffing company, supporting women to find positions in STEM roles. She sits on the board of directors for the British Computer Society, and latterly on the board of directors for WISE, supporting women in STEM. Her long involvement with Women in IT includes; supporting industry and academia on diversity, chairing BCSWomen, and leading the European Taskforce for Women in IT for CEPIS. Gillian won the 2012 Cisco/Everywoman award for 'Technology Inspiration of the Year' and was entered into the Computer Weekly ‘Women in IT Hall of Fame’ in 2017.

Sheridan Ash MBE

Founder

Tech She Can Charter

Sheridan Ash founded the Tech She Can Charter in 2018. This is a commitment by organisations to work together to increase the number of women working in technology roles in the UK. The Charter aims to tackle the root cause of the problem at a societal level by inspiring and educating young girls and women to get into tech careers and sharing best practice across the organisations involved. Sheridan is the Technology and Investments Director and Women in Technology Leader at PwC UK.

Fleur Bothwick OBE

Director of Diversity and Inclusive Leadership for EMEIA

EY

Her role entails developing, driving and embedding an integrated diversity strategy across this large multi-disciplined matrix organization. A key focus is stakeholder engagement, specialist consultancy, change management and brand development in the market. Fleur is a regular conference speaker and contributor to articles and research in this field. In 2016, Fleur co-wrote the first book on Diversity and Inclusive Leadership. Prior to EY, Fleur spent most of her career in investment banking, latterly being asked to develop the Lehman Brothers diversity strategy for Europe.

Anna Brailsford

CEO

Code First: Girls

Anna is the CEO of Code First: Girls. Before joining CF:G Anna was the CEO and co-founder of Founders Factory incubated EdTech startup Frisbee. Prior to that, Anna was the Commercial Director of Lynda.com and LinkedIn. When LinkedIn acquired Lynda for $1.5 Billion in April 2015, she became part of the fourth-largest acquisition in social media history and subsequently contributed to the creation of LinkedIn Learning.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall DBE FREng FRS

Professor of Computer Science and Executive Director of the Web Science Institute

University of Southampton

Wendy was one of the very first computer scientists to conduct serious research in multimedia and hypermedia, and has remained at its forefront since then. She is involved in shaping science and engineering policy as well as education. She has held leadership roles on several national and international bodies, acting as an important role model and promoting the role of women in SET. Other notable roles include: President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM); member of the UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology; founding member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council and President of the British Computer Society.

Professor Kerensa Jennings

Director of Digital Impact

BT Group

Professor Kerensa Jennings is BT Group Director of Digital Impact. Until recently, Kerensa was CEO of the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA), an international programme aiming to help address the digital skills gap. Kerensa was previously a TV producer and the BBC's Head of Strategic Delivery. Her work on the BBC's Make it Digital strategy earned the Innovation Enterprise Chief Strategy Officer's Best Innovation Award. Kerensa is also a Professor, an Executive Coach and a bestselling author. She is passionate about helping people unlock their potential and has been selected among the most influential women in UK tech for the last three years by Computer Weekly.

Diane Lightfoot

CEO

Business Disability Forum

Diane became the CEO of Business Disability Forum in February 2017. She was previously Director of Policy and Communications for United Response. Diane works with Government to shape disability employment policy and to share best practice. She is also a member of the Department of Work and Pensions’ Disability Confident Professional Advisers Group as well as the Disability Expert Advisory Panel for the Civil Service and the Diverse Leadership Taskforce.

Kirsti Lord

Deputy Chief Executive

Association of Colleges

Kirsti Lord was appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive for Member Services of the Association of Colleges (AoC) in 2017. Kirsti had been Acting Principal at City College Coventry since having been appointed Deputy Principal in 2016.  Prior to this, she also worked in senior positions at Sandwell and Leicester Colleges. Kirsti is a member of the Patrons Network of the National Centre for Diversity.

Mark Smith

CEO

ADA National College for Digital Skills

Mark Smith was a member of the inaugural cohort of Teach First in 2003. Following this he has worked for Lloyds Banking group in the UK and South Africa, as well as helping to establish a school in Uganda. Mark graduated from Harvard in 2011 with an interdisciplinary Masters in Education before joining an education leadership charity, The Future Leaders Trust. 

Robin Spinks

Principal Manager, Digital Accessibility,

RNIB

In his role, Robin leads the development of strategic partnerships with the technology sector. In his seventeen years working in the disability sector, Robin spent four years in international development establishing a range of sustainable low cost assistive technology programmes. Robin also presents and produces the popular Access Talk podcast www.accesstalk.co.uk, is the Vice Chair of Vision 2020 UK Technology for Life Working Group and has co-authored Real Lives, Personal and Photographic Perspectives on Albinism.

Molly Watt

Molly Watt Ltd

Accessibility Consultant

Molly Watt is a keynote speaker as well as a usability and accessibility consultant, who specialises in assistive technology and design for those with sensory impairment. Molly is also the ambassador and advocate of Molly Watt Trust, a charity set up to raise awareness of Usher Syndrome and of Sense, the deafblind charity. Molly has also written and illustrated two anti-bullying books, which have been published, and is a keen blogger, writing about her experiences with Usher Syndrome.

Darren Dancey

Head of Department: Computing and Mathematics

Manchester Metropolitan University

Darren is Manchester Met’s Director for the Institute of Coding and Head of School for the School of Computing, Maths and Digital Technology. Darren has a research background in Artificial Intelligence with a PhD in Artificial Neural Networks. Darren has led several large projects funded by Innovate UK, the Digital R&D Fund for the Arts, and the European Research Council. Darren also sits on the organising committee for the Manchester Raspberry Pi Jam and on the BCS Manchester branch committee.

Sam Mills

Manager, Global People & Organisation

PwC UK

Sam is a Manager in PwC's People & Organisation practice and has been heavily involved in Social Mobility Initiatives within the firm, as well as being leading PwC's work on the City of London Socio-economic Taskforce. Sam is also an active mentor for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In his spare time, Sam is a First Responder for the Ambulance Service and sees first-hand how people can fall through the cracks of society.

Zainab Shariff

Head of Diversity & Development

Southbank Centre

Zainab is currently Head of Diversity & Development at the Southbank Centre working with teams across the organisation to centre and embed inclusion. Prior to this, Zainab worked in Graduate Recruitment and Diversity & Inclusion at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer supporting their UK offices. Her passion for equity and inclusion was sparked by her time as a secondary school maths teacher in East London as part of the Teach First Graduate scheme. Her cross-sector experience remains focused on creating workspaces that are accessible and welcoming to the talented but marginalised young people she had the privilege of meeting at the beginning of her career.

Anthony Thomas

Principal (Chair of the Finance Advisory Board)

Thomas & Company

Anthony Thomas is the Chair of the Institute of Coding’s Finance Advisory Board. He is also Principal at Thomas & Company [accountants and tax advisers]. His additional experience includes: Council Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation [CIOT] (2002/17), President, CIOT (2011/12); Chairman, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (2012/17). President, Association of Taxation Technicians [ATT] (2001/02). Past Council Member, ACCA and ATT. Council Member, Tax Advisers Europe and Adviser to the Executive Board. Chairman, Governing Body, Lawrence Sheriff School (2007/17) and Governor, Rugby School (2017/19). Trustee, Coventry Medical Society. Master, Worshipful Company of Tax Adviser (2015/16) and Court Member.

Martin Williams

Director of Finance

University of Bath

Martin joined the University of Bath in 2007. In 2017, Martin was appointed as Director of Finance, responsible for the University’s financial strategy and operations. Martin graduated from Cardiff University in 1987 with a BSc (Econ) in Politics. He completed the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting examinations in 1990. Martin has a wide range of financial and management experience in Higher Education, manufacturing and distribution companies. As Finance Director of the Lead Institution, Martin also oversees the management and distribution of IoC funds across the Consortium.

Caron Staley

Head of Operations

IoC

Caron leads a team of operational specialists in the IoC Central Team, based at the University of Bath. Caron works closely with the Director and colleagues across the Institute to effectively manage the Institute’s portfolio of relationships, ensuring the project is delivered on time and to an exemplary standard. She has extensive experience in supporting research teams, projects and networks across a range of disciplines.

Eleanor Barkham

Relationships Manager

IMAI

El is responsible for project management and leading the IMAI Programme. El develops strong working contacts, links and relationships with stakeholders, industry partners and HEIs, liaising with the Office for AI to maintain and develop relationships and project deliverables to ensure these meet IoC standards and expectations. El has previous experience in business development, project management and marketing for SMEs in the tech sector.

James Cooke

Coordinator (Administration)

IMAI

As part of James wider responsibility for the IOC, James works closely with El to provide administrative support for the IMAI. James has specialist interests in Business Process Automation and Knowledge Management in Office 365 with prior experience across HE, FE and Secondary education.