Biplab Sah
Director of Enterprise Architecture, Mars
Biplab Sah is Director of Enterprise Architecture at Mars, where he leads digital transformation across global smart factories and supply chains. With over a decade of experience in IoT, cloud, and enterprise architecture, he has designed platforms that drive efficiency, resilience, and measurable business value. His career spans smart cities at Hitachi and smart homes at Honeywell, where he built connected solutions at scale. Known for bridging strategy and execution, Biplab focuses on turning complex challenges into secure, data-driven systems that make operations smarter and the world more connected.
Purvi Kay is a Chartered Aerospace Engineer and seasoned cyber security leader with over 14 years of experience across the UK Civil Service and Intelligence Community. With more than a decade in cyber security, she has held senior roles in Government and now serves as Head of Cyber Security for Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems PLC.
Her expertise spans threat intelligence, security strategy, and embedding strong security cultures within complex organisations. She is also an Advisory Board Member for Cyber London and sits on the Steering Committee for BAE Systems’ Women in Cyber Security (WiCS) Programme.
Purvi is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. A committed mentor, she champions the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in cyber and STEM. Her TEDx Talk, “How Neurodiversity Can Strengthen Cyber Security,” highlights her commitment to creating neuro-inclusive workplaces.
With a rare blend of deep technical knowledge, leadership acumen, and a drive to inspire systemic change, Purvi is a sought-after keynote speaker at cyber conferences worldwide. She brings compelling insight into the future of cyber defence, the power of inclusive innovation, and the critical role of diversity in building resilient digital ecosystems.
Carl Milbourne is the Head of Operations SASB at Sertec Group Ltd. With over 30 years of experience in automotive manufacturing and 15 years in senior leadership roles, he has built a successful career from the ground up. Starting as an operator, he progressed to Head of Operations, currently leading two production sites at Sertec and managing teams of over 500 people. Proud to be homegrown and qualified by experience, he has learned by doing, driven performance, and delivered results through hands-on experience and a real passion for continuous improvement.
Tom is Netpremacy’s Google Cloud expert, leveraging his extensive consultancy experience and deep technical knowledge to deliver high-quality solutions. He leads the Cloud Practice, guiding organisations to unlock their potential through cloud computing by overseeing the Engineering, Development, and DevOps teams. With a solid foundation in IT project design and delivery, Tom is a customer-focused leader who is passionate about sharing his technological insights and experiences.
With 14 years of experience at Rolls-Royce, Adam is a Digital Manufacturing Engineer dedicated to promoting ethical AI within the Manufacturing sector. Adam brings expertise in high-value manufacturing and a strong commitment to responsible digital transformation. A strong advocate for ethical AI, Adam highlights the significance of frameworks like the Aletheia Framework, developed by Rolls-Royce as an open-source toolkit. This framework is available for organisations worldwide to adapt, modify, or inspire their own approaches to ensure AI systems are fair, transparent, and socially responsible. By promoting the existence of the Aletheia Framework and encouraging its adoption, Adam envisions a future where digital transformation aligns with core ethical pillars: social impact, accuracy, and governance, positioning ethical AI as an essential part of digital manufacturing innovation.
London born, Suffolk and Oxford educated, now living in the South East, Emma is currently a Vice President in DHL Supply Chain leading a team of 60 Solutions Design Engineers. DHL Supply Chain is part of the DHL Group which operates in more than 220 countries and with nearly 400,000 employees. DHL Supply Chain provides specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail. The Solutions Design function which Emma leads, creates and costs concept designs for new build warehouses and existing facilities from fully automated to robotic assisted and manual operations.
Emma has strong logistics and supply chain credentials having held leadership positions in IT, Strategy design, Operations and Planning across both Third Party Logistics providers and Retailers in-house operations. In addition to her main role, Emma is also a Director for DHL Trustees Ltd.
Martyn Loukes is a Change and Communications Consultant working in the Automotive Industry, and is also a Diversity and Inclusion speaker. He is best known for work in London creating the world’s first LGBT+ transport related public awareness campaign ‘Ride with Pride’.
His Change Management career started in 2007 while at Transport for London. There he spent most of his focus on improving the overall communications within the organisation, and to customers while working as a Change and Communications Business Manager for the Managing Director of Communications, Marketing and Technology.
After leaving TfL in 2017 he worked as an independent consultant in several different industries before ending up at the largest Automotive Safety Industry based in Stockholm, Sweden. He works remotely from his home in Brighton, East Sussex.
His creative approach to communications has seen many innovations, including using AI to replace lengthy FAQs, digitalisation queries and error code resolution. This saw a huge drop in simple support queries and increased productivity for a multi-million Euro Finance Transformation Project. This was the first use of AI in this company’s 80-year history working collaboratively with the Innovations Team and Information Technology Teams.
He regularly speaks at conferences and to companies about the importance of Mainstreaming LGBT+ Diversity, and received a medal for his work from the late Queen in her 2015 Birthday Honours.
This year has seen him continuing his far-reaching influence on mainstreaming LGBT+ inclusion by contributing to Waltham Forest’s Material Witness exhibition, speaking at Auckland’s Women in STEM conference in Auckland (ICESW19) and to New Zealand’s Diversity Agenda organization.
Among his well-known campaigns are the 48 LGBT+ Traffic Lights in Trafalgar Square, the world’s first rainbow bus, train and taxi and delivered in one joined up outwardly focused communications campaign. This changed the diversity landscape for many other cities that followed London’s example.
Sven Parris is a commercial leader with a career spanning subsea and space research, development and training, manufacturing, utilities, and critical national infrastructure.
He serves as Head of Business Development & Partnerships at Primary Engineer, a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation that exists to break down barriers and inspire all learners to engage with engineering.
Through its curriculum of programmes, qualifications, and competitions, Primary Engineer creates powerful connections between industry, engineering professionals, and education. It helps partners address future skills gaps, inspire the next generation, deliver social value, and build visibility within the communities where they operate.
Sven’s background across engineering-reliant sectors gives him a clear understanding of the pressures facing industry and the opportunities that arise from early investment in engineering skills.
Liam Varndell serves as a Customer Engineering Manager for Manufacturing and Industry at Google Cloud, where he leads pre-sales and technical architecture teams focused on cloud Infrastructure, application modernisation, data and AI. Liam is a trusted technologist with over 25 years of experience in large-scale transformation projects, driving the strategy and implementation of go-to-market plans for the likes of Dell, EMC and VCE into some of the largest global businesses across multiple sectors.
As a CEO, with a degree in Physics with Electronics and over 35 years in instrumentation, Dave Oakes has been at the forefront of industrial telemetry since its earliest days. From designing pioneering radio telemetry for utilities, to leading smart digital manufacturing projects worldwide, Dave’s career has been defined by innovation and impact. Since joining PowTechnology (then Powelectrics) in 2001, he has transformed the business from a sensor distributor into a global, end-to-end IoT solutions provider. Under his leadership, PowTechnology has developed award-winning sensor gateways and a secure SaaS platform that delivers millions of real-time readings to optimise efficiency, safety, sustainability and service.
Dave’s ethos is simple: partner closely with customers, understand their processes and objectives and deliver robust, affordable, user-friendly solutions, that turn data into actionable insight. His work has enabled digital transformation in sectors including factory automation, energy, utilities, logistics, chemicals, construction, mining, agriculture, waste, environment and transport. Now celebrating PowTechnology’s 35th year, Dave continues to champion practical, scalable, and future-proof solutions that empower manufacturers to thrive in the era of Industry 4.0.
Nikesh is the Sector Head for Industrial Automation and Test and Measurement at GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK.
He is responsible for representing the sectors covering product groups for Variable Speed Drives, Controlgear, Soft Starts, PLCs, Terminals, Enclosures, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, Position Sensors, Machine Safety Components, and Electrical Testing Equipment.
Nikesh has developed a wider understanding of both the technical and commercial areas of the manufacturing industry, through both his work for GAMBICA and his previous work as a Technical Sales engineer and Account Manager within industry. His extensive on-site industry experience has allowed him to thoroughly refine his knowledge of the sectors, and his expertise as a Sector Head has allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of Market Trends and Data Analysis while building and sustaining relationships with clients, customers, and members.
He has an honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Birmingham, and has recently been working on encouraging and promoting Digitalisation within industry, alongside having a vested interest in Sustainability. He is also a STEM ambassador, hoping to encourage the younger generations to get involved in STEM subjects.
Cemil Dumlu is a Business Development Manager within Siemens Digital Industries, focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Industrial Edge technologies. With over a decade of experience in digitalisation and industrial automation, he works with customers to help them leverage data-driven solutions and advanced connectivity to improve efficiency and operational performance through a customer-centric approach.
Cemil holds an MSc degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and is dedicated to translating complex technologies into practical business outcomes that drive innovation and sustainable growth.
Becky is a Knowledge Transfer Manager for Advanced Manufacturing at Innovate UK Business Connect on the Materials and Manufacturing team. Becky supports manufacturing companies of all sizes, from student ventures to SMEs and corporations, by connecting them with collaborative partners and signposting them to relevant opportunities and funding. Becky has an EngD in Materials Science and Engineering, with previous experience in the steel galvanising industry and next-generation photovoltaics research.
Tim Burton is a marketing leader at Bizagi. Tim has 15 years of experience in enterprise technology, along with a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in advertising. In his time at Bizagi he has worked with manufacturing customers across the globe to share their stories and the impact that automation and AI have delivered for their organizations.
Chris is a highly experienced IT and telecoms professional with a career spanning over 25 years. For the past 18 years, he has been employed at Vodafone, a prominent telecommunications company. Throughout his tenure, Chris has been involved in numerous global projects of significant importance. Chris has also played a key role in marketing leading 5G projects. As the fifth generation of wireless technology, 5G brings transformative capabilities and opportunities. Chris has worked on projects to promote and implement 5G solutions, collaborating with multinational corporations to deliver strategic mobility-based solutions.
In recent years, Chris has focused on evangelizing the impact of 5G, mobile private networks and Edge Computing to customers. He has been at the forefront of explaining the benefits and possibilities offered by these technologies, emphasizing their potential for innovation and driving business growth. Chris has also been instrumental in helping customers implement innovative solutions with 5G at their core, leveraging the power and speed of this advanced network technology.
Dr Susan Lattanzio is the Deputy Director of the Made Smarter Innovation: Centre for People-Led Digitalisation (PLD). She worked extensively in business before moving into academia, which has given her an unusual set of skills and insights. This cross-sector knowledge has been invaluable in her academic successes and has made her passionate about ensuring that her academic research has industry relevance.
Claire is a Technology Adoption Specialist with Made Smarter Adoption – North West, where she has played an important part in the growth of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme since its launch in 2018. She supports manufacturing SMEs through the adoption industrial digital technologies to elevate their business practices. With an early career in the aerospace sector at GKN Aerospace and a keen focus on additive manufacturing, she shares her expertise and experience with SMEs. Beyond her day-to-day role, Claire serves on the advisory board for Made Smarter Innovation for Interact and People-Led Digitalisation projects and brings her knowledge and experience with manufacturing and Additive Manufacturing as a TCT Advisor. She is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion as a member of the Women in Manufacturing policy and research working group, a Women in 3D Printing Ambassador.
Andrew has spent over 30 years in manufacturing and supply chain. Latterly he ran the supply chain operations through Asia Pacific and Caspian for an international chemical and service provider to the energy sector.
During this time has led several projects in capital investment, manufacturing automation, process monitoring and analytics, global information communication and ERP roll outs. He believes that when traditional answers cannot deliver, “It is what it is” thinking should be challenged, and novel solutions sought.
Andrew is currently supporting businesses via his own consultancy company Rawstron Solutions Ltd, to find a way to break obstacles, avoid pitfalls, increase productivity, drive engagement and instil continual improvement. He advocates and facilitates the sharing of lessons, networking of ideas, and mutual support to help everyone drive industry forward through formal and informal collaboration.
A passionate advocate for STEM awareness, education, and equality, Andrew is working with several organisations and charities as an award-winning STEM Mentor.
Will Brown is an IIoT Solutions Architect with PowTechnology. His academic career includes a degree in Physics and Maths and a Postgrad in Process Automation, Instrumentation and Control. Will’s broad practical experience encompasses a variety of instrumentation and project engineering positions within Schneider Electric and Emerson Automation Solutions, culminating in his current role. Will joined the PowTechnology Technical Sales Team in 2021, drawn by over 30 years of specialism in intelligent automation. PowTechnology harnesses data from sensors and machines to the cloud, using edge processing, AI and anomaly detection technologies to optimise asset reliability, performance and sustainability. It benefits from a talented and growing internal development team. As a key member of PowTechnology’s Technical Sales Team, his mission is to understand our customers’ technical and commercial needs and help them navigate their digital transformation to achieve their objectives. Will helps design, manufacture, install and maintain innovative ready-to-go and bespoke digital transformation solutions, integrating PowTechnology’s own proven IIoT hardware & software with high-performance third-party technologies. Will has the academic understanding, application experience and presentation style to deliver IIoT themes to all audiences with any level of previous experience.
Halil Bedevi is a Chartered Engineer and senior manufacturing executive with a distinguished career spanning engineering, consulting, operations, international trade and business leadership. With a proven track record in C-suite and board-level roles – including General Manager, COO, and MD – he has held P&L responsibility and led transformation, growth, and profitability across a wide range of manufacturing sectors for over 30 years.
Halil is the Founder & CEO and consultant at advisory Manufacturing IQ, supporting manufacturing businesses with strategic consulting, fractional executive, board advisor and NED inputs. He is also a senior strategic advisor of the strategy consultancy 3HORIZONS. His previous responsibilities include ‘Head of Operations’ at Airbus Defence & Space and the ‘UK Head of Advanced Manufacturing Sectors’ at Santander UK plc, leading manufacturing strategy and supporting client growth.
Halil has held leadership roles in engineering, operations, consulting, and strategy working with startups, SMEs, and global corporations across multiple sub-sectors. His expertise spans manufacturing operations, supply chains, international trade, analysis, diagnostics and problems solving, as well as organisational and business development, lean, innovation, driving continuous improvement, turnarounds and performance improvement.
As a recognized thought leader, industry commentator and speaker with extensive experience in forming and developing strategic partnerships, ecosystems, and collaborations, Halil has deep industry insight and an unrivalled network of global industry connections and relationships. Halil is committed to fostering collaboration and driving positive change within the manufacturing sector. He is a keen advocate for engineering, manufacturing and skills and contribute regularly to events, media, policy forums and peer networks.
Halil was shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Contribution to UK Manufacturing Industry’ in 2025 as well as contributing the UK’s new industrial strategy via the Manufacturing Commission.
Halil is a Visiting Fellow and Advisory Board Member at Cranfield University, Industrial Associate at the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) Engage and a Fellow of the IET. He studied engineering at Oxford Brookes University, followed by an MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, and a further master’s degree level qualification in Manufacturing Management (FMM) from Cranfield University.
Nikos Nikiforos is an experienced operations and technology professional with a career spanning higher education, creative industries, and digital innovation. As a Technology Adoption Specialist for Made Smarter at London & Partners, Nikos works closely with small and medium-sized enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation, helping them adopt emerging technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness.
With a strong foundation in strategic operations, Nikos has held leadership roles including Director of Operations at New Genre and Studio Manager at University of the Arts London, where he spearheaded process improvements, enhanced service delivery, and fostered high-performing teams. His earlier tenure at Ravensbourne University London saw him rise to Head of Prototyping, managing multidisciplinary studios, the position of Head of Prototyping, where he managed multidisciplinary studios, technical facilities, and led technical facilities and leading initiatives in campus integration, industry collaboration, and resource optimisation.
Nikos holds an MSc degrees in Engineering (The Open University) and Applied Technologies: Rapid Prototyping and Digital Technologies (Ravensbourne University London), alongside professional certifications in Project Management and Systems Thinking. His work bridges the gap between innovation and implementation, making him a valuable contributor to conversations around digital adoption, operational excellence, and future-ready skills.
Dr Hadi Moztarzadeh is a technology innovation and investment specialist, with over 25 years’ experience in both academia and industry. At the APC, he oversees the knowledge base and technology portfolio, providing techno-economic insights and foresight for the UK Automotive industry. He is also responsible for the Automotive Council roadmaps, where he has led the development of the 2024 roadmaps, working closely with industry, research, funding and policy bodies. His expertise spans emerging technologies, such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, to inform funding and investment for economic growth and societal benefits.
Hadi is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and the vice-chair of the IMechE Midland region.
Katja Norman Buller is a change and transformation specialist with experience of delivering change in a variety of sectors, including aviation, financial regulation, manufacturing, and utilities. Katja supports leadership teams focus on adoption and seeing change from the recipients’ point of view. Passionate about developing change capability across all levels in organisations through building effective and happy teams that work in collaboration with business to drive results.
Katja is the UK Co-Lead for the Change Management Institute, having previously led the UK South East region for many years. The Change Management Institute is a global, independent, not-for-profit association of change professionals. It is operated by members for members and is constantly striving to push the boundaries of the change management profession.
Katja is an Accredited Change Specialist with the Change Management Institute as well as a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and Strong Suits facilitator.
Spencer Tillett is a Digital Transformation and Change Leader with over 20 years’ experience delivering people-powered transformation across critical infrastructure sectors including aviation, telecoms, and financial services.
Recently leading business change for Heathrow Airport’s £1bn Carbon Reduction and Sustainability programme, Spencer is responsible for driving the adoption of low-carbon and electric vehicle technologies across the airport community.
Previously, Spencer spent over a decade at O2 / Virgin Media, where he built and led a large cross-functional customer channels team in a £1bn digital transformation programme. His work spanned retail, service, and supply chain for 17,000 frontline colleagues. He is known for championing customer experience excellence, embedding agile and lean methodologies, and delivering measurable improvements in commercial value and service stability.
A certified PROSCI and APMG Change Practitioner, Scrum Master and Product Owner, Spencer also serves as UK Corporate Relationships Manager for the Change Management Institute.
Lucy has 8 years of manufacturing experience, most recently at GE Vernova as an Industrialisation Engineer, after leaving JCB earlier this year after starting there in 2017 as an Engineering Degree Apprentice. During her apprenticeship, she gained hands-on experience across engineering disciplines, including quality, design, electronics, and welding. She thrives in manufacturing engineering, balancing theory and practice. At JCB, she led key Industry 4.0 projects such as AGV implementation, RFID tracking, process optimization, aged equipment replacement, and automation. She actively promotes STEM through school engagement and mentoring apprentices. Additionally, she champions diversity in STEM, which culminated this year in organizing a milestone Women’s Network event with women and senior managers.
Dani El-Zein is a Senior Innovation Manager at the Aerospace Technology Institute, where he drives the acceleration of innovation across the UK aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. With over a decade of experience spanning consulting and product management, Dani has delivered transformative digital solutions powered by emerging technologies, particularly AI. His current focus includes evaluating cutting-edge R&D projects for market fit and funding potential, and convening industry leaders through the Aerospace Innovation Showcase series, developed in partnership with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Dani is also leading a forthcoming publication on practical AI applications across the aerospace value chain, aimed at demystifying AI’s role and impact in real-world manufacturing contexts. Passionate about bridging innovation with tangible problem solving, Dani brings a systems-level perspective to digital manufacturing and the future of industrial AI.
Andy Sawyer has more than 30 years’ experience in senior technical and management roles. Encompassing large enterprise, SMB and small start-ups. Primary focus has been both business to business and public sector including Telco, Finance, Retail, Higher Education, Health and Pharmaceuticals. Involvement in product development, product launch and exploring new markets. Specialising in Networking (wired & wireless), Security, management and innovation.
Stephanie Morton is an engineer in the Technology Trends team at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, where she provides strategic insights and foresight on emerging technologies, including APC’s quarterly demand forecasts. Her work spans key automotive technologies such as power electronics, batteries, and software-defined vehicles. A Chartered Mechanical Engineer with a background in battery pack and engine development, Stephanie now supports UK organisations in navigating and accelerating the transition to the future of automotive innovation through data-driven insights.
With over 30 years of experience in Digital Transformation and Process Automation, Vikki Hailey has built a career helping organisations embrace change and drive results. She has worked with leading-edge global software companies, enabling customers to significantly reduce operational costs, boost efficiency, and bridge integration gaps, all while staying agile in an ever-evolving digital landscape.