Simon Cookson, co founder Northern Value Creators Probably the North’s longest established coaching service especially for technical leaders From product development in finance, launching some of the UK’s first online banking products, to account management in digital start-ups, regional agency heavy weights and enterprise IT firms. 30 yrs working in tech has taught me lots of things, most of all I’ve learnt that success in tech comes from a focus on people. For the past 9 yrs I have used all my experience, combined with studies into neuroscience and workplace psychology to help technical experts become great with people.

Christina Lovelock is an experienced tech leader and consultant, and is the author of two books: Delivering Business Analysis, and Careers in Tech, Data and Digital. She is active in the professional community, attending and regularly speaking at events and international conferences and is a contributor to ITNow magazine, BA Digest and the BA Times. She is committed to the development of the next generation of tech professionals, has introduced entry-level roles into her organisations and chaired the creation of a UK National Digital Apprenticeship standard. She has worked in a range of public sector organisations and developed and lead teams ranging in size from 5 to 120 people, is a qualified coach, apprentice examiner, a director of the UK BA Manager Forum and Director of Community at Herd Consulting.