Leading the next chapter of digital innovation

Event speakers

Ready to surround yourself with leading voices and sector innovators? Discover our latest speaker list below.

Join us on 11 February 2026 and position your institution at the forefront of change.

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Who’s speaking at Kortext LIVE

Use the speaker profiles below to learn more about who is speaking at our Kortext LIVE event.

If you’ve already secured your seat, be sure to return to this page to see the latest speakers we’ve announced.

Not registered yet? Avoid disappointment by confirming your attendance today – spaces are limited!

From the HE sector

Amanda Broderick

Professor Amanda Broderick

Vice Chancellor & President,

University of East London

The University of East London: tackling tomorrow’s challenges, yesterday
09:30-10:00

Professor Mark Simpson

Professor Mark Simpson graduated from Teesside University with a degree in politics and a PhD in Criminology. He has written and researched in the fields of youth crime, youth justice and drug use. He was a director of the British Society of Criminology for over nine years. Holding numerous roles within the University, he was previously Dean of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law.

Professor Mark Simpson

Deputy Vice-Chancellor,

Teesside University

Turning data into actionable insights
10:45-11:15

Mark Bramwell

Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO),

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Building the Al Assistant with Saïd Business School
14:15-14:45

Professor Osama Khan

Deputy Vice-Chancellor,

Aston University

Empowering educators to drive quality
13:00-13:45

Dr Miri Firth

Associate Professor,

University of Manchester

Empowering educators to drive quality
13:00-13:45

Professor Sam Grogan

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education & Student Experience

Loughborough University

Introducing the latest Wonkhe research project: Educating the AI Generation
11:15-12:15

Helen Blaikie

Chief Data & Analytics Officer,

Aston University

Leveraging data for strategic impact
10:00-10:30

Professor Janice Kay CBE

Professor Kay is co-founder of Higher Futures, supporting universities and sector organisations to deliver in challenging financial circumstances. Before this, Janice was Provost and Senior DVC at the University of Exeter.

Professor Janice Kay CBE

Partner,

Higher Futures

Introducing the latest Wonkhe research project: Educating the AI Generation
11:15-12:15

Empowering educators to drive quality
13:00-13:45

Nick Hillman

Director

HEPI

Driving learning innovation with AI: Kortext study+
13:45-14:15

Dr Debbie McVitty

Debbie is Editor of Wonkhe, a former Chief of Staff at Universities UK, Director of Policy at the University of Bedfordshire, and Head of Policy at the National Union of Students.

Dr Debbie McVitty

Editor,

Wonkhe

Introducing the latest Wonkhe research project: Academic Quality, Educator Success, and Student Outcomes
11:15-12:15

Toby Vaughn Kidd

Assistant Director of Experimentation and Innovation,

University of Exeter

Driving learning innovation with AI: Kortext study+
13:45-14:15

Representing our partners at Microsoft

We will be joined by key representatives of Microsoft’s senior leadership teams on the day.

Cornelia Schneider-Pungs

Cornelia is a Senior Industry Advisor in Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector team. She helps leadership teams in academic institutions to envision, plan and execute AI transformation.

Cornelia Schneider-Pungs

Industry Advisor HE,

Microsoft

Leveraging data for strategic impact
10:00-10:30

Jen Wyatt

Director of Education for Microsoft UK, Jen leads a team that helps learners and educators at all levels embrace technology and achieve their goals

Jen Wyatt

Director of Education,

Microsoft

The next chapter: Kortext & Microsoft working together to innovate in higher education
09:00-09:30

Summary and closing thoughts
15:15-15:30

Redd Ho

Strategic Partnerships, Marketing,

Microsoft

What can UK universities learn from Microsoft’s partnership with the English Premier League?
14:45-15:15

From the team at Kortext

James Gray

James has spent over 25 years pioneering digital content provision in HE. He founded Kortext in 2013 and now, over a decade later, Kortext is a global leader in digital learning and student engagement solutions.

James Gray

CEO & founder,

Kortext

The next chapter: Kortext & Microsoft working together to innovate in higher education
09:00-09:30

Summary and closing thoughts
15:15-15:30

Andrew Bates

Andrew is responsible for defining and delivering the Kortext product strategy, working with his team in Canada and gaining insight from Kortext’s university partners.

Andrew Bates

Chief Product Officer,

Kortext

Leveraging data for strategic impact
10:00-10:30

Robin Gibson

Robin Gibson is Director of External Affairs at Kortext, where he has been working since July 2020. At Kortext, he plays a vital role in developing the organisation’s sector relationships.

Robin Gibson

Director of External Affairs,

Kortext

Welcome and introduction
09:00-09:05

What can UK universities learn from Microsoft’s partnership with the English Premier League?
14:45-15:15

Dr Rachel Maxwell

Principal Advisor,

Kortext

Turning data into actionable insights
10:45-11:15

Raghav Sandhu

Senior Product Manager,

Kortext

Empowering educators to drive quality
13:00 – 13:45

Kevin Boulay

Senior Product Manager,

Kortext

Driving learning innovation with AI: Kortext study+
13:45-14:15

Register your place at Kortext LIVE

Secure your seat at an unmissable event, exclusively for senior HE leaders. Visit our registration page today and select our London event, hosted at Microsoft offices in Paddington.

Alternatively, use the other buttons below to access the full event agenda for our London event, or for information as to how to reach the venue.

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Event agenda

Venue information