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NG Events Ltd produces unique, high quality conferences, events and study tours including - now in its 6th year - NextGen 13. NG Events Ltd is directed by Marit Hendriks and Andrew Macdonald.


NextGen 11 - Speakers


Chris Holden - President Fibre To The Home Council Europe

Image Chris Holden is President of the FTTH Council Europe, appointed by the Board in April 2010. Chris continues his role as Strategic Marketing Manager Carrier EMEA, Corning Ltd. Chris has been active in the Council since 2005 as a member of the Deployment & Operations Committee, of which he became chair in 2008. In April 2009 he became a Board member, and was Board liaison with the D&O and Regulatory Committee and a member of the Business Committee.

Rohit Talwar - Futurist, Strategic Advisor, Author and Keynote Speaker

Image Rohit is a global futurist, strategy advisor and award winning speaker noted for his humour, inspirational style and provocative content. He advises global firms on how to survive, thrive and develop innovative growth strategies in the decade ahead. Rohit helps clients understand how mega trends, emerging developments, new business models, and disruptive technologies could impact society, business, industries and government. He specialises in emerging markets and sectors such as technology, science, media, aviation, travel and retail. He currently leads studies on the future science and technology landscape, human enhancement, the future of new cities and the future of the meetings industry. Rohit was profiled by the Independent Newspaper as one of the top ten global future thinkers and is considered an authority on how technology is transforming business and society.

Neelie Kroes - Vice President of the European Commission and European Digital Agenda Commissioner

Image My political career started on the Rotterdam Municipal Council, and in 1971 I was elected as a Member of the Dutch Parliament for the liberal VVD party. From 1982-1989 I served as Minister for Transport, Public Works and Telecommunication in the Netherlands. After politics I was appointed President of Nyenrode University from 1991-2000, and served on various company boards, including Lucent Technologies, Volvo, P&O Nedlloyd. Prior to serving as European Commissioner for Competition from 2004-2009, my charity work included advising the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and World Cancer Research Fund, and I have an ongoing interest in mental health issues.

Stephen Hilton - Service Director of the Bristol Futures Group - Bristol City Council

Image Stephen Hilton is Director of Bristol Futures, the City Council Division that is future proofing the city, its economy and its environment. Before this Stephen led the Connecting Bristol programme, www.connectingbristol.org, where his professional interests included:- Digital Inclusion, Smart and Future Cities, Green ICT, Open Data, Creative Industries and wireless and broadband connectivity. Stephen was a founder member of the Government-sponsored National Digital Inclusion network. He acts as an Expert Advisor to the European Commission on their Future Internet programme.

Suvi Lindén - ITU Special Envoy for the Broadband Commission for Digital Development

Image Suvi Lindén was Finland’s Minister of Communications in 2007-2011. She was previously Minister of Culture, 1999-2002. Ms Lindén is a member of the National Coalition Party and was a Member of Parliament 1995-2011. In Parliament she has been Chair of the Education and Culture Committee, and Vice Chair of the parliamentary group of the National Coalition Party. Ms Lindén has held positions of trust in a number of organisations. These include positions as Commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Digital Development, Member of the United Nations Advisory Board of the Digital Health Initiative, Chair of the Ubiquitous Information Society Advisory Board, Member of the Board of the Finnish Cultural Heritage Foundation, Chair of the Vocational Education and Training Board, Chair of the Finnish Cultural Institute for Benelux, and Member of the Oulu City Council, to mention only her more recent duties. The Intelligent Community Forum, a New York-based think tank named her as its “Visionary of the Year for 2011” for her commitment to ensuring affordable broadband access to every citizen in Finland.

Dave Carter - Head of the Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA) at Manchester City Council and Chair INCA

Image Dave Carter is Head of the Manchester Digital Development Agency (MDDA), within the Regeneration Division of Manchester City Council. MDDA is responsible for the delivery of the Manchester Digital strategy and coordinates strategic initiatives and projects across the Greater Manchester city-region, including the Manchester Living Lab. He is a founder member of the Telecities network (part of Eurocities) set up in 1993 and the first President of Telecities (1994-96) and of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL).

Kate McGavin - Head of Broadband Policy Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Kate is Head of Broadband Policy at DCMS. Her previous roles in the Department include Private Secretary to the Secretary of State and policy advisor on Public Service Broadcasting. She has also worked at Channel 4 and the Cabinet Office, and most recently led development of Jobcentre Plus’s first Digital Services Strategy.

Keith Vinning - Account Director Fujitsu

Image Keith has worked in telecommunications for 45 years starting with Post Office Telecommunications in 1966 and moving to Fujitsu following its acquisition of BT Fulcrum in 1991. A Chartered Engineer he has held senior roles in management, design & development, standards, sales and business development. Over the last 4 years he has been developing and expanding the Fujitsu Telecommunications services business with particular emphasis on local LLU, last mile and customer installation activities. Currently he is actively involved in the development of the Fujitsu FTTP product and services portfolio for both business and residential applications.

Crister Mattsson - Senior Advisor Acreo, a Broadband research Institute in Sweden and Director of the Sweden Broadband Alliance

Image Mr. Mattsson is specialising in Open Networks and strategies for city networks, including policies and business models. He is a member of OASE, an EU project focusing on next generation optical and open access. Mr. Mattsson is also undertaking research on city networks in EU and Scandinavia. Prior to Acreo, Mr. Mattsson was Senior Advisor at Ericsson, and before that, Market and Information Director at STOKAB, the city networks organisation in Stockholm, the most fibred City in Europe.

Bill Mackenzie - Business Unit Director for Carrier Solutions Fujitsu

Image 34 Year telecommunications experience with BT and Fujitsu. In 1999 Bill was responsibility for the delivery of BT′s broadband network infrastructure to over 5000 exchanges including all aspects of the LLU programme. In BT, Bill held operational and business improvement roles in Openreach and was also a Director on BT′s 21C programme. At Fujitsu, Bill is currently Business Unit Director for Carrier Solutions, where he has sales, product and engineering development responsibilities.

Bill Murphy - Managing Director NGA, BT Group

Image Bill Murphy is the Managing Director of Next Generation Access, BT Group, responsible for driving the commercial roll-out of high-speed broadband across the UK. Bill played a key part in the rollout of first generation broadband - as Managing Director, BT Regions, he set up 84 public private partnerships, and as CEO of BT′s businesses in Ireland he worked closely with DETI in Northern Ireland to roll broadband out to 99% of the population Bill lives in London with his wife and two children.

Edgar Aker - Member of the Board FTTH Council Europe

Image Edgar is responsible for global Business Development and Strategy Telecommunications in the new Prysmian Group. Previously, he was Marketing Director of Draka’s EMEA Communications division. Edgar has been involved in Draka’s business unit Broadband & FTTx from the start, strategically realigning the organization. He represents Prysmian in the FTTH Council Europe, as a Board Member. Mr. Aker has a Master of Business Science (MScBA) degree, a Bachelor (BSc) in Technical Business Science and an engineering bachelor degree (BSc) in Electro Technical.

Simon Barrett - Head of Channel and Proposition Development Avanti Communications

Image Simon Barrett began his career as an RAF Engineering Officer and has subsequently worked in the telecommunications industry for 18 years. Previous roles have included broadband product launch at BT; telecommunications consulting with AT Kearney and business case development for government led broadband enablement projects. He joined Avanti, the UK based satellite operator, in July 2008 and now manages the marketing activities of its sales channels across EMEA and the development of its markets.

Loic Flageul - Sales & Business Development Manager Magdalene

Image Loic has over 20 years experience of solution selling to both the Public and Private sectors, including 14 years in the Telecommunications industry. Since joining Magdalene in January 2011, Loic has been actively involved in a large number of Public Sector Next Generation Access, FTTx and Wireless projects. A key area of focus is working with Local Authorities and Community Groups to build the business case for the delivery of long-term, sustainable broadband access solutions.

Liz Falconer - Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning at the University of the West of England (UWE), and Director of the Education Innovation Centre

Image Liz Falconer is Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning at the University of the West of England (UWE), and Director of the Education Innovation Centre, a joint venture initiative between UWE, Hewlett Packard and their strategic partners. Liz leads developments in the use of technology to enhance learning, teaching and the student experience, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies such as virtual worlds. She has over 20 years experience of teaching and research in higher education and speaks and publishes widely in the field of technology enhanced learning.

Rebecca Maxwell - Assistant Chief Executive Stirling Council

Image Rebecca Maxwell is Assistant Chief Executive with Stirling Council with specific responsibility for helping the Council develop its strategic direction and policies in relation to Sustainability, Economy and the Environment. This includes work on Stirling's Local Development Plan, an Open Space Strategy, delivery of Stirling's Economic Strategy and embedding sustainability in everyday service planning and delivery.'

Phil Dickenson - Sales Director - SCD Group Ltd

Image Phil, a graduate engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, benefits from more than 20 years’ experience in developing large scale optical fibre, IP and LLU networks. He now acts as a catalyst for change in the FTTx marketplace where traditional engineering techniques are being challenged. Phil advises on the complex relationships between realistic installation costs, high productivity and reduced environmental impact. He is a keynote speaker and consultant to government and the fibre optics industry.

Michael Armitage - Broadway Partners

Image A lifetime in telecoms finance, 15 years as leader of Morgan Stanley's European Telecoms Research team, leading numerous IPOs, privatisations and capital raises for operators and service providers across Europe, including for BT, Telefonica, Telecom Italia, Telia, COLT, Equant, Millicom, InternetQ and others. His present preoccupation is with making broadband happen in rural areas, and in helping cities realise their fibre potential.

Navin Sankersingh - Broadband Delivery Milton Keynes Council

Image Navin has led the Broadband Delivery and Utility Infrastructure Programmes for Milton Keynes Council for the past 4 years which has seen MK become a next generation destination. His work included the Digital Infrastructure Strategy, the Joint Local Broadband Plan, the MK Broadband Survey; setting up the MK Broadband Stakeholder Group; leading the Council’s role in BT’s Fibre to the Premise trial; and developing demand stimulation schemes to drive the Take-Up of NGA. Navin lives in Milton Keynes and supports the notion of UK Local Broadband Authorities becoming pivotal in delivering next generation infrastructure.

James Enck - Corporate Development CityFibre Holdings

Image James brings 16 years of broad capital markets experience. As a sell-side analyst, he covered the European incumbent, altnet and cable space, produced the first research note on Skype, and began writing about the potential of fibre as early as 2004. He later joined a $3bn principal investing group within Merrill Lynch, covering the full TMT spectrum across the capital structure, from senior debt to private equity. James has worked as an independent advisor and consultant and is an associate with Diffraction Analysis. He now heads up Corporate Development at CityFibre.

Peter Couchman - Chief Executive Plunkett Foundation

Image The Plunkett Foundation supports rural communities to take control of the issues that matter to them, such as saving their shop, pub or supporting local food. Peter spent most of his career in the Co-operative Movement working on engaging members and marketing co-operative values. He serves on the Social Enterprise Coalition Council and DEFRA’s Civil Society Advisory Board. He writes a blog called Plunkett Perspectives (www.plunkettfoundation.blogspot.com) and tweets @PeterCouchman

Paul Sexton-Chadwick - Director of Sales The Cloud/BSkyB

Image Paul Sexton-Chadwick has been Director of Sales for Outdoor Networks at The Cloud since Sky’s acquisition in 2011. Primarily responsible for the delivery of sustainable large outdoor networks, he and his team are responsible for ensuring best in class WiFi across the UK. Paul served at Sky since 2007 spanning two key areas ...leading the Engineer Installation, and Sky Retail Operations. His career is built on achieving excellence in customer service.

Jasper Tredgold - Senior Technical Researcher in IT Services R&D University of Bristol

Image Jasper has many years experience of designing and implementing nationally-funded IT projects within the Higher Education sector. Recent work has involved developing smartphone applications for use in public engagement science projects.

Paul Appleby - Director VID

Image Paul directs VID, a media consultancy working with BBC, Bristol University etc., developing collaborations in multiplatform media, innovation and sustainable production, including R&D projects funded by TSB and the development of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. He is a BAFTA-winning Series producer of TV and multiplatform projects, focussing on the relationship between people and wildlife. He is Chair of Bristol Media CIC, on the Board of Watershed & the Encounters International Short Film Festival.

Simon Price - Acting Deputy Director R&D division University of Bristol's IT Services

Image Simon is Acting Deputy Director of the innovative, multidisciplinary R&D division of the University of Bristol's IT Services. He leads development of cutting edge research, learning and administrative applications for the University and the wider educational sector, most recently collaborating with Bristol City Council on MyMobileBristol.

Damian Steer - University of Bristol - Institute of Learning & Research Technologies

Image Damian is a senior developer specialising in web technologies. He is a member of the Apache Software Foundation, working on Jena.

Mike Jones - Senior Technical Researcher University of Bristol

Image Mike is Senior Technical Researcher in the R&D Team of IT Services at the University of Bristol, involved in projects relating to mobile technologies, data aggregation and the semantic web.

Callum Knowles - Managing Director Regional Network Solutions

Image Callum has many years of experience of constructing fibre and wireless networks across Europe for companies such as France Telecom, KPN, Orange, Fibernet and many others. Callum and his team at Regional Network Solutions (RNS) are working with Unitary Authorities and Councils to support network design and build. In addition, Callum and RNS have been assisting several County and City Councils to improve the utilisation of their networks for better public service delivery, and find solutions to deal with broadband not-spots.

Brett Wilde - Business Development Director NetAdmin Systems UK

Image Brett Wilde is a veteran of the IT, software and telecoms industries, initially managing European businesses for Hewlett-Packard, Cadence Design Systems and Sema Group Telecoms. Joining C&W in the late 90s, Brett directed ISP acquisition and integration, later moving on to be a founder of commercial peering and metro Ethernet startup XchangePoint. More recently Brett has helped develop managed hosting and cloud delivery IPTV businesses before joining NetAdmin earlier this year.

Nick Skelton - Assistant Director IT Services University of Bristol Computer Centre

Image Nick studied Chemistry at Bristol, and like many fell in love with the city. In 1998 he established the ResNet service, making Bristol the first UK university to provide broadband Internet in all its halls. Nick's other interests include mountain biking, making his own cider, and playing tag with zombies across the streets of Bristol.

Stephen Hope - Project and Business Development Manager Docobo Limited

Image Stephen is Project and Business Development Manager at Docobo Ltd who develop and deploy Telehealth and Assistive Living solutions to help improve the quality of life of patients, carers and clinician. Stephen is a Telecommunications Professional with over 30yrs experience spanning four Generations of Cellular Communications in a wide range of Application and Technology Areas in both the Commercial and Government domains that besides Health also include the Consumer, Public Safety, ITS and Construction sectors.

David Clarkson - Competition Policy Director, Competition Group Ofcom

Image David Clarkson works for the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, as a Competition Policy Director, specialising in fixed broadband and next generation access (NGA). David oversaw the deployment of first generation broadband networks and the introduction of bit-stream and local loop unbundling (LLU) access remedies in the UK. He has played a key role in shaping Ofcom’s broadband strategy and policies and has led Ofcom’s market reviews in local access and broadband, under the European Framework.

Clare Reddington - Director iShed and Pervasive Media Studio

Image Clare is director of iShed, a subsidiary of Watershed, and the Pervasive
Media Studio, Watershed¹s multi-disciplinary research lab. She works with
industry, academic and creative partners to develop talent, share knowledge
and produce collaborative research projects in the creative technology
space. Clare is a member of the advisory boards of the Arts and Humanities Research
Council, Theatre Bristol, Capsule and Hide&Seek. She has twice featured in
Wired magazine's 100 people who shape the Wired world.

Richard Jepson - Senior Business Development Manager Digital Region

Image Richard holds the position of Senior Business Development Manager at Digital Region Ltd, the Next Generation open access broadband network provider serving South Yorkshire. Richard is responsible for defining the strategic direction of the business and positioning the portfolio to both the public and private sectors. Richard also sits on a number of boards and special interest groups in order to help others understand how the network can enable transformational change throughout the region.

Glyn Paton - Broadband Manager Hampshire County Council

Image Over 25 years of experience of IT within industry, education and local government. Specialising in broadband delivery solutions and services, initially for schools. Led on making Hampshire one of the first local authorities to network all schools with fibre. As part of Hampshire’s Rural Broadband team managed a pilot project to provide superfast broadband to a cluster of rural villages previously with speeds of less than 1 Mbps.

Prof Andrew Nix - University of Bristol

Image Andrew Nix received BEng and PhD degrees from the University of Bristol in 1989 and 1993 respectively. He joined the Centre for Communications Research at the University of Bristol in 1992. He is currently Professor of Wireless Communication Systems. His research interests include broadband wireless communications, radiowave propagation modelling, cellular network optimisation and advanced digital modulation/reception techniques. He has managed numerous EU, EPSRC and DTI funded projects and published in excess of 250 papers.

Shaun Fensom - Chair Manchester Digital and Community Broadband Network (CBN)

Image Shaun is an independent consultant with particular expertise in digital infrastructure renewal for social and economic development. Shaun was an early advocate of computer networking as a positive transforming force. He co-founded Poptel, an employee cooperative famous for its pioneering work encouraging the use of on-line communications and information services by campaigning and development organisations. After becoming one of the UK's first ISPs, Poptel won the right to operate a new top level Internet domain for cooperatives - .coop

Piers Daniell - Managing Director Fluidata

Image Piers is Fluidata’s Managing Director and a young entrepreneur whose business interests started at 15 when he formed his first company. His main focus is to develop the long-term growth strategy for the company. He developed the concept of Fluidata in 2004 after it became apparent that there were market opportunities for custom-made connectivity services. Piers is currently a member of the Institute of Directors and an active member of the Young Directors forum.

Ian Clifford - Head of Business Development UK online centres

Image Ian has spent fifteen years working with community technology centres (telecentres), the last eight years with the network of 3,800 UK online centres. He has a specialist understanding of digital inclusion and its financing and business case within government and community settings. Over the last three years he has also provided strategic leadership to Telecentre Europe, a pan-European network of 30,000 telecentres. Prior UK online centres, he founded and managed a successful, rural, social enterprise telecentre for six years.

Trent T Holmes - General Manager Network Solutions Thales

Image Trent has over 30 years experience in the IT and Telecoms industry. This includes design of bespoke IT and network systems and development of a global x.400 managed services network whilst at C&W. He joined Thales to drive its telecommunication and managed services business in 2005 and has been involved with the development and implementation of the NGA network in South Yorkshire and the implementation of an overlay security programme to support PSN.

Mark Kellett - CEO Magnet Networks

Image Mark Kellett is CEO of Magnet Networks, an award winning Irish telecoms firm providing NGN services over multiple platforms, including its own FTTH network since 2005. Magnet launched its OTT TV service providing linear and event-based content in Oct ’11. Previous roles include MD of Channel 6 TV, CFO for Yahoo! Europe, Finance Director for Network Appliance. Mark sits on the Advisory Board of Dublin City University, The Sunday Times University of The Year 2010.

Clive Downing - Deputy Programme Director - Connecting North Yorkshire

Image Clive Downing worked in the UK telecommunications industry for over thirty years from an engineering background with BT to various project management roles on Global telecommunications.Since 2003 he successfully managed Deepcblue Limited, delivering Next Generation Broadband Consulting services to the Public Sector. With NYnet he has been responsible for stakeholder management, business case/strategy development and various subprojects, and advised the EC on the creation of best practice document for European NGA intervention projects.

Jonathan Freeman - Head of Wireless Broadband Arqiva

Image Jonathan is Head of Wireless Broadband for Arqiva’s Government, Mobile and Enterprise business unit. The unit focuses on delivering cellular, wireless broadband, voice and data solutions for the mobile communications, public safety, local government, and commercial markets. He has responsibility for developing innovative business models, the commercial architecture and contracts to support the company’s neutral host and network sharing propositions. Prior to joining Arqiva Jonathan worked in management consulting for leading media, broadcasting, telecoms firms and Ofcom.

Rob Hamlin - Enterprise Director Arqiva

Image Rob is responsible for Arqiva's Enterprise business, which provides wireless network coverage, managed network services and data centre facilities. He also leads Arqiva's business development activities in the broadband market, focused on providing next generation wireless networks to meet the data demands of the future. Rob was previously Strategy Director within Arqiva’s Broadcast business and a non-Executive Director on the board of YouView. He has worked for over 10 years in the telecommunications, media and technology market.

David Brunnen - Managing Editor Groupe Intellex

Image David provides editorial material for NG Events. He manages the 'Next Generation Digital Challenge Awards' programme, is co-founder of Community Study Tours and writes for the Communications Management Association (CMA). His long career in telecoms included the creation of the UK′s first email service (1981) and eBusiness Innovation Awards (1993-2001). He promotes wider market awareness of Connected Health and the development of public-sector innovation in local broadband access networks.
Website: www.groupe-intellex.com/

Lorne Mitchell - MD Objective Designers

Image Lorne Mitchell has over twenty five years experience in developing and improving effective communications channels for telecoms and media companies across their marketing, product development, sales and service functions. In 2008, Lorne founded Objective Designers: a company whose prime focus is to help its clients clarify their purpose & service-specific objectives. We then help to design a set of creative interventions that will help accelerate the benefits in achieving those objectives. Lorne is also a seasoned chairman, commentator and facilitator at industry events.

Brian Condon - Director CBN and Partner Complexity Partners LLP

Image Complexity Partners is the specialist consultancy working with complex organisations on strategy and innovation. Brian also works with the University of London on the Centre for Creative Collaboration. He has focused on the broadband scene since 2002 and is on the board of the Community Broadband Network (CBN). He has worked on a wide range of projects for CBN ranging from infrastructure, technology choice, open access business models, applications and issues on inclusion, take-up and use.

Daniel Heery - Director CBN and CEO of Cybermoor Ltd

Image Cybermoor is the first rural broadband co-op in the country. It provides affordable broadband to residents in the North Pennines using a combination of wireless and fibre technologies. Daniel is also developing e-health services, allowing patients to stay in their own homes rather than be admitted to hospital. He is on the board of the Community Broadband Network (CBN) and the Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA).

Malcolm Corbett - CEO INCA

Image Prior to setting up INCA Malcolm led the Community Broadband Network which he founded in 2003. Malcolm leads the team that is creating INCA, promoting the need for next generation broadband and the role that alternative public, private and community projects can play. Malcolm′s background is in social enterprise and technology. He was a director of Poptel, the co-operative Internet service provider where he co-invented the .coop global Internet domain.

Iain Perry - Sales Manager - Utsikt Bredband AB

Image Iain is a Glaswegian living in Sweden for nearly 20 years. He works exclusively with private and public entities in the Sormland region of Sweden increasing the penetration of high bandwidth services. This is done through different forms of connectivity, FFTx and xDSL, but mainly through our ′open′ fibre network infrastructure. Sweden has one of the most advanced networks in Europe taking pride in its technological pedigree as well as consultative approach to adoption. Creativity is at the forefront of our job description.

David Owens - Head of Network Quality for Radio Engineering Delivery, Telefonica UK

Image David has spent his last ten years at O2UK responsible for Radio Access Network Performance, and improvement of O2 customers′ experience. 32 years experience of telecoms industry David also worked for the British Army, Rockwell Collins, BT Cellnet, Vodafone, Polkomtel, France Telecom, & Panafon, graduating with an MSc in Mobile Communications & Satellite Engineering. David is also member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology and a Chartered Engineer too.