Joe Dignan is the Managing Director of Kintechi Ltd. With a distinguished career spanning public and private sectors, Joe is a globally recognised expert in smart cities, digital infrastructure, and government innovation.

Previously Head of Government Insights Europe at IDC and a senior leader at Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector team, Joe has advised governments and organisations across the globe on how to harness technology for societal impact. His work has included leading the Gigabit Bristol programme, contributing to the Future Cities Catapult, and serving on advisory boards such as the World Bank Smart City Expert Framework, the EU-China Smart City group, and the Global Advisory Board for Participatory Cities.

Prof. Theo Tryfonas is a leading academic in infrastructure systems and urban innovation at the University of Bristol, where he explores the intersection of digital technologies and the built environment. With a background in computer science and systems engineering, Theo’s work focuses on how emerging technologies—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and urban sensing—can transform cities into more sustainable, resilient, and intelligent environments.

Dave Happy MBE is a distinguished leader in the telecommunications and technology sectors, with over 36 years of experience driving innovation, infrastructure, and policy across the UK and internationally. He is the Managing Director of Telint Ltd and serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director at JET Connectivity, where he has played a pivotal role in pioneering 5G-enabled maritime technologies.

Recognised with an MBE in 2024 for his services to telecommunications and technology, and is also a recipient of the Digital Europe Award and the UK5G/DCMS Individual Collaboration Award, reflecting his commitment to cross-sector innovation and public-private collaboration.

Philip Wright is a leading figure in Defence Digital Innovations at UK Strategic Command (StratCom), where he plays a central role in driving the digital transformation of the UK’s defence capabilities. With a focus on emerging technologies, data exploitation, and agile delivery, Philip works at the intersection of operational need and technological opportunity to ensure the UK Armed Forces remain at the cutting edge of digital capability.

Lt Cdr Dave McInerney serves as a key figure within the Royal Navy’s Navy Digital team, where he leads on Maritime Works (MARWORKS) initiatives that are central to the Royal Navy’s digital transformation.

Dave has been instrumental in driving forward the Royal Navy’s ambitions to become a data-driven, digitally empowered force by 2030. His work focuses on integrating cutting-edge digital capabilities into naval operations, enhancing cyber resilience, and fostering collaboration across defence, industry, and academia.

Stuart Lyle is a Principal Analyst at the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), where he leads on urban operations and digital innovation within defence. With over a decade of experience, Stuart is recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts on urban warfare and is often referred to as the “British Jack Ryan”.

Stuart’s expertise lies in using data and emerging technologies to enhance operational effectiveness in complex environments.

Stuart Criddle is a Director in PwC’s Cybersecurity practice, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing the firm’s cyber capabilities. With extensive experience in cyber risk, digital resilience, and strategic security advisory, Stuart supports both public and private sector clients in navigating the evolving threat landscape.

A passionate advocate for innovation and collaboration in cybersecurity, Stuart has been a key figure in initiatives such as #TechEnableWales and Wales Week London, where he champions the growth of the cyber industry in Wales.