Panel revealed for Survive or Thrive digital event

Published: March 12th, 2019

Some of the region’s leading technology experts will help analyse the digital revolution sweeping business at a special Shropshire event.

Bruce Daisley, the European Vice-President for social media giant Twitter, will head the impressive panel of experts lined up for the Get Digital – Survive or Thrive event in Telford on March 20.

He will be joined by Parmjit Chima, the head of agri-tech at Harper Adams University, Virtual Reality company boss Tim Luft, Steve Garner from the University of Wolverhampton and Sara Williams from Telford-based digital manufacturer Protolabs.

The panel will discuss the impact that digital transformation is having on businesses across the region and give expert advice on how to embrace it during a special session chaired by leading business journalist Carl Jones.

The free event, at Enginuity in Ironbridge, will also feature a keynote speech from Mr Daisley, hands-on workshop sessions, an expo and networking sessions. It has been organised by the Marches Growth Hub.

Claire Critchell, manager of the Marches Growth Hub Telford & Wrekin, which is delivered by Telford & Wrekin Council, said the event had attracted huge interest.

"The response we have had from across the county has been fantastic and is testament to the quality of the speakers we have assembled.

"Bruce Daisley and the high-calibre panel of experts can not only explain the latest technology – they can give first-hand accounts of how they are using it and the benefits it is bringing their businesses."

Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: "The world of business is changing more quickly than ever and it is vital that our businesses are up to speed with all the latest developments if they are to thrive, and not just survive.

"We are delighted as a council to be playing our part in supporting this event and ensuring that businesses across both Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire are given all the help they need to succeed."

Experts making up the panel include:

• Bruce Daisley: Mr Daisley has run the European arm of Twitter for seven years and was previously UK Managing Director of YouTube. He is host of the UK’s number one business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat and author of new bestselling book The Joy of Work.

• Parmjit Chima: The Head of Engineering Department at Harper Adams University. He has many years’ experience as a manager and academic specialising in robotics, autonomous vehicles & Internet of Things technologies. Parmjit’s role is to provide strategic leadership in the development and delivery of innovative teaching programmes in engineering, developing collaborative partnerships with businesses and applied research in agricultural, automotive and mechanical engineering.

• Tim Luft: Tim is the CEO of VR Simulation Systems Limited, a Telford based VR studio that develops engaging, educational and exciting Virtual Reality applications. VRSS products function across all major VR platforms including motion simulators, Simulation Pods, Virtual Reality headsets, smartphones and smart glasses. VRSS work specifically with police forces, rail operators and manufacturing companies to support in reducing training costs, enhancing knowledge retention and enabling behavioural change.

• Steve Garner: Head of Business Engagement for the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton. Steve has worked on a number of projects, most recently a £2m KEEN programme delivering Knowledge Exchange across the West Midlands.

• Sara Williams is marketing manager for Northern Europe at Protolabs, the world’s fastest digital manufacturing source for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts.

The free event gets under way at 8am with breakfast.