Social entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and Microsoft Stores’ head named UK change-makers by London Tech Week
Some of the most influential names on London’s tech scene have named their people to watch for 2018, in sectors spanning from autonomous vehicles to healthtech.
The ambassadors of London Tech Week – who include Eileen Burbidge, a partner at Monzo backer Passion Capital and member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, Sarah Wood, co-founder and chief executive of video advertising marketplace Unruly, founder of business group Tech London Advocates Russ Shaw and president of industry body TechUK Jacqueline de Rojas – have shortlisted 30 change-makers who are having a particular influence on the UK tech space.
The individuals, who fit the criteria of displaying a spirit of innovation, disruption and progress, range from entrepreneurs to corporate innovators to coders to policymakers.
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“London Tech Week celebrates the companies and people driving innovation in the digital economy to shape the future of businesses, lives, and society the world over,” said Zoe Osmond, festival director of London Tech Week.
“The change-makers show the vast impact that has already been made, harnessing technology to build exceptional businesses, campaigning for change, and strengthening the capital’s position as a global tech hub.”
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Who grabbed the change-maker titles?
Change-maker
Position
What the business does
Amali de Alwis
Founder of Code First: Girls
Social enterprise working with women to develop coding skills
Anita O’Rourke
EMEA director of Microsoft Stores
The physical and online shopping presence of tech giant Microsoft
Anne-Marie Imafidon
CEO of The Stemettes
Social enterprise which encourages girls and young women to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and maths
Arfah Farooq
Founder of Muslamic Makers
Tech meetup which brings Muslim and non-Muslim makers together to share ideas
Asesh Sarkar
CEO of Salary Finance
Offers affordable employee loans, savings through salaries and financial education to employees
Becky Sage
Founder of Interactive Scientific
Education company which aims to make learning about science more tactile through both digital and analogue methods
Charlene Laidley
Founder of The Futureproof Foundation
Consultancy company which helps corporations close the gender and ethnicity pay gap
Check Warner
Founder of Diversity VC
Not-for-profit partnership promoting diversity in venture capital
Fiona Nielsen
CEO of DNAdigest and Repositive
DNAdigest promotes ethical and efficient sharing of genomic data for research. Repositive is a database to access this.
Hayley Sudbury
Founder and CEO of Werkin
Creates technology which helps companies build mentoring schemes and measure the success of employee programmes
Jake Warren
Founder of Silence and Air
Music production business which creates custom tracks for ad campaigns and has made music “proven” to help listeners sleep
James Smith
CEO of Elliptic
Identifies illicit activity on the bitcoin blockchain and provides intelligence to financial institutions and law enforcement agencies
Julie Walters
Founder of Raremark
Online community for people affected by rare diseases which keeps them updated with the latest research
Karen McCormick
Chief investment officer at Beringea
Venture and growth capital firm which has previously backed businesses including Monica Vinader and My 1st Years
Leila Zegna
Founder of Kindred Capital
Early-stage investor which has backed a number of young tech companies
Maxine Mackintosh
Co-founder of One Healthtech
Network of local communities driving change in health technology
Meri Williams
Chief technology officer, Moo
Online print and design company which aims to make affordable but high-quality printed items for businesses
Paul van Zyl
Co-founder and chief creative officer, The Conduit
Organisation set to open this year which connects thinkers, leaders and innovators in social change, business and the arts
Rioch Edwards-Brown
Founder of So You Wanna Be In TV?
Social enterprise to help at-risk, financially disadvantaged young people in London pursue a career on TV
Josh Giegel
Co-founder of Hyperloop One
The business now owned by Virgin which is developing a new mode of transport powering pods through tunnels
Samantha Payne
Co-founder and chief operating officer of Open Bionics
Startup developing low-cost bionic hands
Sharmadean Reid
Founder of Beautystack
An invitation-only networking and booking management platform for beauty professionals
Sophie Adelman
Co-founder of White Hat
Startup matching non-graduates with apprenticeship opportunities at UK companies
Sophie Deen
Founder and CEO of Bright Little Labs
Children’s education company which creates gender-neutral, ethically sourced products
Sue Black
Founder of Techmums
Runs courses to teach women IT skills and coding
Suki Fuller
Founder of Miribure
Consultancy which helps businesses “mitigate risk and build resilience” by collecting and analysing data
Tamara Rajah
Founder and CEO of Live Better With
Site which offers recommendations, tips and guides for people living with cancer
Tom Adeyoola
CEO of Metail
App which allows consumers to “try on” clothes online
Tom Fogden
Dean and chief operating officer of Ada College
College in Tottenham Hale which teaches digital skills
Yinka Makinde
Founder and CEO of Vitalfootprint
Helps food sellers comply with allergen tracking requirements and allows consumers to view more information about where they’re eating out
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