Transforming education through technology

Manchester

Event speakers

Join us in Manchester on February 6th 2025 for a day of insight, innovation and networking. Read on to discover who is speaking at Kortext LIVE in Manchester, or secure your spot using the button below.

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Who’s speaking at Kortext LIVE – Manchester

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

From the HE sector

PJ Hemmaway

CIO, The University of Manchester

PJ is a senior information technology professional with over two decades of international achievement across banking, academic and government sectors.

PJ Hemmaway

CIO, The University of Manchester

Real experiences from the frontline: current challenges and sector needs
10:00-10:30

Panel discussion – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

Professor Helen O’Sullivan

Provost & DVC, University of Chester

As Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor O' Sullivan is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the academic function of the University, including leadership of the Faculty and cross-functional Deans and the Directorate of Learning and Information Services.

Professor Helen O’Sullivan

Provost & DVC, University of Chester

Panel discussion – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

The digital university: a vision for the future of higher education
14:00-14:30

Professor Janice Kay CBE

Partner, Higher Futures

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

The digital university: a vision for the future of higher education
14:00-14:30

Dr Miri Firth

Senior Lecturer in Management & Leadership in the Manchester Institute of Education and Academic Lead for Assessment in Flexible Learning, UoM

Miri leads in scholarship for vocational education, employability education, and flexible assessment at The University of Manchester.

Dr Miri Firth

Senior Lecturer in Management & Leadership in the Manchester Institute of Education and Academic Lead for Assessment in Flexible Learning, UoM

Panel discussion – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

Dr Debbie McVitty

Editor, Wonkhe

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

Research insights: fusing technology and pedagogy for cross-institutional success
10:30-11:00

Panel discussion (host) – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

Representing our partners at Microsoft

Justin Walton

Senior Account Executive – Higher Education, Microsoft UK

Justin works with a team that supports universities to navigate the ever-changing opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Prior to joining Microsoft, Justin led teams across education, IT and telco sectors including Star Technology, Vodafone and MCI WorldCom.

Justin Walton

Senior Account Executive – Higher Education, Microsoft UK

Welcome and introduction – Everything is changing, fast!
09:30-10:00

Panel discussion – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

Summary and closing thoughts
14:30-15:00

Harshad Keskar

Azure Data & AI Lead - Higher Education, Microsoft UK

Harshad is a data and AI evangelist, with over 17 years of consulting experience in data analytics and integration.

Harshad Keskar

Azure Data & AI Lead – Higher Education, Microsoft UK

How Kortext and Microsoft are meeting the sector’s needs
11:30-12:15

These esteemed speakers will also be supported by other representatives of Microsoft’s senior leadership teams on the day.

From the team at Kortext

James Gray

CEO & founder, Kortext

James has spent over 25 years pioneering digital content provision in higher education. 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

Welcome and introduction – Everything is changing, fast!
09:30-10:00

Panel discussion – How will tech deliver a smarter tomorrow?
12:15-13:00

Summary and closing thoughts
14:30-15:00

Andrew Bates

Chief Product Officer, Kortext

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

How Kortext and Microsoft are meeting the sector’s needs
11:30-12:15

Robin Gibson

Director of External Affairs, Kortext

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

All day – supporting event hosting

Register your place at Kortext LIVE – Manchester

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

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

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Event agenda
Venue information

London

29th January 2025

Edinburgh

4th February 2025

Manchester

6th February 2025