/Workshop: Building your Confidence
Join the IoC for a workshop at London Tech Week that will help you grow your soft skills, like communicating and presenting, so that your core confidence grows.
The Institute of Coding (IoC) is one of the largest national collaborations of industry, government, educators and outreach providers working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap. As part of that work, we have been looking at the factors that may influence whether a person pursues education and a career in technology.
Through our partners’ research, we have seen that a common barrier for people working or considering working in technology is a lack of confidence.
Many people identify confidence (or lack of) as a significant barrier to entering tech education programmes and careers. Whether it’s putting your hand up in class or putting yourself forward for a career opportunity, self-confidence plays a large role.
Louisa Preston, a BBC presenter, and Luisa Baldini, a former BBC News correspondent, have joined together to form Composure Media and will deliver this workshop, which is hosted by our partner Amazon Web Services.
Together they bring a combined 40 years of experience broadcasting live to millions of people on the BBC and ITN before that, and will draw on this experience to teach you the strategies and tips that will enable you to communicate well and “own” your moments in front of an audience.
From body language, to crafting the perfect elevator pitch, and understanding the importance of communicating with impact, our hands-on interactive workshop will build confidence and inspire people to be the best version of themselves.
Speakers
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of techUK and IoC Co-Chair
Jacqueline holds many positions, including President of techUK and Co-Chair of the Institute of Coding’s Governance Board. She is also a member of the government’s Post-18 Education Review and a Business Advisor & Mentor at Merryck.
She has a strong passion for diversity & inclusion, and supports this via advisory positions at Accelerate-Her and Girlguiding. She is listed in the 50LeadingLights for kindness in leadership by Women of the Future and acknowledged in Grant Thornton’s Faces of a Vibrant Economy. Jacqueline was awarded the CBE in Queen’s New Year Honours 2018 for services to International Trade in Technology.
Louisa Preston, Composure Media
Louisa has been a recognisable face on British TV screens for nearly 20 years and continues to appear on BBC London News as a freelance presenter/ reporter. She’s had the privilege of being part of the presenting team on BBC1 for major national events, including the 2017 General Election, London 2012 Olympics and Royal Wedding in 2011.
Louisa joined the BBC after working for ITN’s ITV and Channel 5 News, where she became the youngest national newsreader aged 22.
Alongside her work at the BBC, Louisa has always taken on projects in the corporate sector where her experience includes facilitating a number of large-scale industry events including conferences, award ceremonies and Q&A sessions with CEOs as well as high-profile public figures.
In launching Composure Media with Luisa Baldini, Louisa has coupled this corporate experience and her extensive broadcast abilities to help others become confident communicators.
Luisa Baldini, Composure Media
As a BBC network TV correspondent for 12 years, Luisa covered everything from the Amanda Knox trials in Italy, to the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague and major Papal events from the Vatican City. In her later years at the BBC, she was Deputy Royal Correspondent.
After a move to New York with her family in 2014, Luisa decided to use her core skills honed at the top level of broadcast journalism in a new context; to help others find the confidence to present with composure and communicate effectively. Thus, Composure Media was launched with Louisa Preston.
Luisa continues to work remotely with clients in New York including ‘Vermilion Talent’ for whom she coaches female career returnees.
Before working at the BBC, Luisa worked at ITN for ITV and Channel 5 News and Euronews in Lyon, France.
Luisa is half-British, half-Italian. She was born and brought up in Tanzania and speaks Italian and French.
Jacqui Chin,
Amazon Director for UK Baby and EU Consumables Programmes
Prior to this she was Technical Adviser (Chief of Staff) for the Amazon UK Country Manager, after joining Amazon in 2012 as the European Head of Payment Products.
Jacqui founded and leads the UK Women@Amazon affinity network, and leads a range of UK wide diversity initiatives (e.g. mentoring, flexible working).
Previously Jacqui was Vice President International Partnerships at American Express where she developed partnerships with companies such as Amazon, Apple and Ticketmaster.
Before joining American Express Jacqui was with Shell International. Her last role at Shell was Global Marketing and Strategy Manager for Shell Card and prior to this she was the Global CEO Shell Credit Cards.
Jacqui hails from Singapore and Australia and lives in London with her husband.
Our partner Amazon Web Services are kindly hosting this event on our behalf.
Thanks to our media partner WeAreTechWomen for their support.