We have partnered with Digital DNA, a new tech event coming to Glasgow’s SEC on 28th September. We are delighted to join over 55 speakers as we take to the stage to host a Glasgow City Region-focused debate at the event.

Glasgow has a talent for Science and Innovation – from space and gaming to health tech. But what is needed to shape a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative ecosystem to let our ground-breaking innovation flourish?

Join us for ‘The Great Debate’ on stage 2 between 11.30am and 12.10pm as we welcome diverse voices from across the city regions tech community, who will debate the opportunities, gaps and threats in order to spark new thinking and new solutions.

Have your say during our Q&A and help us shape our innovation future for people, productivity and the planet.

Meet the panel:

Silka Patel, Founder & Chair of Scotland Women in Technology (Chair)

With over 22 years experience within the tech industry, Silka is curently the Social Value Manager at Leidos, leading the efforts on shaping the social value strategy by leveraging our CSR and ESG activities. She is a supporter of multiple Diversity & Inclusion programmes, setting up Scotland Women in Technology. Silka has a number of external roles including Non-Executive Director at the Glasgow Women’s Library and at Technology Scotland.

Margaret Totten, Managing Director, Akari Solutions Ltd

With more than twenty years in the technology industry Margaret has a unique understanding of how technology and change can facilitate business transformation and digital conversation. Akari is a Gold Microsoft Partner with a true focus on making technology accessible. She has been named one of the top 50 most influential women in the UK IT channel.

Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio

Romana is one of Scotland’s leading game academics and a producer at the multi–award-winning development studio No Code. Romana was one of the main founders, and organisers of Scottish Game Jam and has also served on the BAFTA Scotland Committee for Games. Romana was named as one of the Top 100 Women in Games in the UK by MCV and has been appointed to the board of directors of the British Film Institute.

Andrew Smith, Partner at Greenbackers Investment Capital

Andrew is the Former Head of the £103m Renewable Energy Investment Fund run for the Scottish Investment Bank and former Head of Investment for DP Energy – a renewable energy and sustainable development specialist. he now runs Deja Blue Consulting and is an Associate of Greenbackers Investment Capital specialising in raising ­finance for low-carbon, cleantech and climate change businesses.

Wider Programme

Ukrainian investor Peter Chernyshov, who relocated to Scotland over a decade ago, will be among the speakers at the event. He will be interviewed by Scottish Business Network chairman Russell Dalgleish about tech innovation from Ukraine and the part Scotland can play in the war-torn country.

Glasgow-based Chris Newlands of satellite firm Spelfie was placed fourth in the world’s top 10 space entrepreneurs, beaten only by Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. He will share his vast knowledge of space tech and reveal the business opportunities there are in relation to space, and how Scotland can best take advantage. 

Other speakers are from Ardmore Advertising, Barclays Eagle Labs, Brillbrand, Bruntwood SciTech, Codebase, Corby, Google, Made Brave, Pulsion, Tag Digital and the University of Glasgow. 

Since 2013, the Digital DNA team have been bringing together the tech ecosystem at events across Northern Ireland, including their flagship tech summit, Digital DNA which acts as a vehicle to learn from one another, make new connections and find out what the latest tech innovations are that are impacting our world.

Secure your free ticket now at https://digitaldna.org.uk/digital-dna-glasgow-2022/