The secretariat has solicited suggestions from PICTFOR’s Parliamentarian, industry and stakeholder members and used the resulting priorities to form the basis of this programme of events. Topics and timings may vary to accommodate speakers’ schedules and the legislative agenda. Please note with respect to the upcoming events below that further details, including speakers and timings, will be announced at a later date, and PICTFOR plan to hold a mixture of virtual and in-person when safe to do so, in line with national restrictions and Parliamentary guidance.
THEMES
Throughout each of our events below, we will cover the following broad themes through discussion:
- Powering-Up – How can the tech sector work with parliament to ensure that access to digital sits at the heart of efforts to ‘level-up’ across the UK?
- Climate Change & Tech – How can the tech sector help the UK combat climate change and be a positive force for environmentalism?
FEBRUARY
The Evolution of Online Entertainment
What role can the sector play in helping policy makers embrace the evolution of entertainment, celebrating its positive influence and mitigating its negative impacts?
Members event – Roundtable
Date: 9th February
Theme:
- How can the sector support Parliament as it attempts to legislate for a rapidly changing entertainment environment?
- What can the sector do to advocate a global code of conduct?
- How have online streaming sites affected the nature of Public Service Broadcasting?
- How do we ensure that sensitive content is only available to those of an appropriate age?
- What are the implications of online streaming services on data and the finances of those who struggle to afford connectivity?
Speakers:
- Alex Sobel MP, PICTFOR Vice Chair.
- Dr Jo Twist, CEO of UKIE.
- Professor Catherine Johnson, Director of Research at Huddersfield University.
- Liz Kanter, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at TikTok.
- Lucy Powell MP, Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary.
MARCH
HealthTech
How can Health Tech support the Government’s public health agenda and maintain well-being?
Member’s Event – Panel
Date: 16th March – Dining Room A, the House of Commons
Co-sponsored by McKesson UK and OpenUK
Theme:
- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, how do we ensure the UK embraces cutting edge digital technology and remote services which best serves the NHS and patients?
- How can HealthTech support the Government’s upcoming sexual health strategy and contribute towards the Government’s target to eliminate HIV transmission in England by 2030?
- What are the barriers to the uptake of HealthTech by the NHS and Local Government?
- What more can the Government do to drive the use of HealthTech and the digitalisation of services, where appropriate?
Speakers:
- Baroness Neville-Rolfe, PICTFOR Co-Chair.
- Dr Tim Ferris, Director of Transformation at the NHS.
- Andrew Gwynne MP, Shadow Minister for Public Health.
- Taiwo Owatemi MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
- Toby Anderson, CEO of McKesson UK.
- Ian Green, CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust.
- Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK.
MAY
Diversity Rally – ‘Celebrating Diversity in Tech’
Equipping people from all backgrounds with the necessary skills for a career in tech.
Member’s Event – Reception in the House of Commons
Date: 17th May
Theme:
- How can the sector work with Parliament to ensure young people are adequality prepared for the future world of work?
- How can a digital skills agenda help tackle the socio-economic digital divide?
- How can targeted skills campaigns help tackle geographical disparities?
- How can PICTFOR members further collaborate to maintain momentum and best practice when looking to diversify the sector?
- How can the sector work with government to fine tune the curriculum to give young people an adaptable skill set for the future?
- How do we ensure that entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs have the adequate digital skills needed to compete in the online world?
Speakers:
- Anneliese Dodds MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
- Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Digital Minister.
- Sarah Rench, Avanade.
- Emily Atkinson, DevelopHER.
- Professor Bal Virdee, London Metropolitan University.
- Marc Goblot, Ina Cie.
- Marie-Claire Fenech, Tech London Advocates.
- Nimmi Patel, TechUK.
- Mark Martin, UKBlackTech
- Laura Norton, IET
- Arnoldis Nyamande and Maddy Kilsby-McMurray, BCS
- Michaela Neild, Google.
- Eddie Dobson, University of Huddersfield.
- Lisa Johnson, Starship Tech.
- Ian Corby, AVPA.
- Nick Dettmar, Outsource UK.
- Dawn Hewitson.
- Rosany Antonyvincent, JISC.
- Gen Ashley, OpenUK.
JUNE
Cyber Security
Maintaining security during conflict – how do current events in Ukraine impact the UK’s cyber security?
Member’s Event – Panel
Date: 8th June
Theme:
- What steps can individuals and businesses in the UK take to prevent cyber attacks?
- How can criminal charges, such as those unveiled by the US Department of Justice last week, set a precedent for accountability for future attacks?
- What can individuals and businesses do to balance cyber risk and cyber defence?
- How can the sector work with Parliament to drive awareness of cyber threats and educate civilians on preventative measures?
Speakers:
- Simon Blagden CBE, PICTFOR Industry Chair and Chair of the Telecoms Diversification Advisory Council.
- Simon Fell MP, Chair of the Cyber Security APPG.
- Paul Maddinson, the Director of National Resilience and Strategy at the National Cyber Security Centre.
- Juliette Dalitz, Head of Audit and Risk at Nominet.
JULY
Online Safety
What happens next?
Member’s Event – Roundtable
Date: 20th July
Theme:
- Is the Online Safety Bill adequate, proportionate, and realistic?
- How can attempts to curb harmful behaviour work in tandem with digital legislation to increase online safety?
- With the advancement of the metaverse, how do we ensure citizens are as safe in the virtual world as they are on the street?
- What next for tech legislation – does the Online Safety Bill lay the foundations for further regulation?
Speakers:
- Maeve Walsh, Associate at Carnegie Trust.
- Kirsty Blackman MP, Member of the Online Safety Bill Committee.
- Mark Johnson, Legal and Policy Officer at Big Brother Watch.
- Alex Davies-Jones MP, Shadow Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
- Liron Velleman, Political Organiser at Hope Not Hate.
- Catherine Allen, Member of the Digital Panel at the Institution for Engineering and Technology.
OCTOBER
The Future of Digital Regulation
How must regulation evolve at pace to match the tech sector? How to ensure regulation evolves to match the pace of the tech sector
Member’s Event – panel
Date: 18th October
Theme:
- How can the regulator work internationally to regulate the online space?
- How can regulatory collaboration in this space support the digital skills agenda?
- What role should Parliament play in overseeing the role of the regulator?
- How can we encourage further collaboration between regulators and industry?
- Is there adequate resource for regulators to oversee existing and evolving issues?
- How do we balance online safety with online privacy?
Speakers:
- Lord McNally, PICTFOR Treasurer.
- Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom.
- John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner.
NOVEMBER
Annual Dinner
Theme: Tech For Good
Member’s Event
Date: 23rd November
Speakers:
- Darren Jones MP, PICTFOR Co-Chair.
- Lord Clement-Jones, PICTFOR Vice-Chair.
- Paul Scully MP, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy.
- Alex Davies-Jones MP, Shadow Minister for Tech, Gambling and the Digital Economy.
- David Black, Senior Director at Google UK.
- Elaine Quinn, Director of Corporate Affairs at Nominet.
- Helen Milner OBE, CEO of the Good Things Foundation.
DECEMBER
Diversifying Tech Supply Chains
How can parliament support the diversification of the UK’s supply chains, driving competition and providing choice for consumers?
Member’s Event – Roundtable
Date: 6th December
Theme:
- How can diversity of supply drive the roll-out of digital in rural areas?
- How can the regulator work with the sector to create a competitive and diverse environment?
- What are the social and economic potential of diversifying our tech supply chains?
Speakers:
- Simon Blagden CBE, Chair of the Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council.
- Julia Lopez MP, Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure.
- Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation.
- Sophie James, Head of Telecoms at TechUK.
- Mark Henry, Business Strategy Director at BT.
If you would like to sponsor one of the above events or have an idea for an event you would like to sponsor, the secretariat would love to hear from you events@pictfor.org.uk.