Government and business pain points the focus for Opencast at TechNExt 2024

Opencast’s TechNExt events are free and open to join, both in person and online, with live streaming also available via Digital Leaders. See links below to register for each session. Food and refreshments will be served at all Opencast events, with networking opportunities before and after.

Welcoming this year’s Opencast TechNExt sessions, Chief Executive Tom Lawson said: “We’re excited to be supporting TechNExt as a headline sponsor for the second year running. After last year’s successful inaugural festival, this June’s TechNExt promises to be another huge week for the region.

“Opencast has been promoting the North East tech sector since we were founded back in 2012 – and we remain proud to still have our HQ in the North East even as we have grown to become a UK-wide business. We work hard to improve the lives of people living and working in the North East, as well as creating more than 300 new jobs for the region.

“We aim to make a difference to people in the North East including through the work we do with government departments like HM Revenue and Customs and the Department of Work and Pensions, which both have bases in the North East.”

Explaining the thinking behind Opencast’s 2024 TechNExt events programme, Tom said: “This year’s HQ sessions focus on the pain points faced by the organisations in government and business that we work with, as well as the challenges faced by wider society. We hope that our 2024 events will once again be among the highlights of the TechNExt programme.”

Opencast continues to demonstrate its backing for the North East economy, including through its support for Dynamo North East and the Tech Talent Engine initiative, connecting job seekers with businesses and education providers. It is also supporting pupils aged nine to 13 with mentoring through TechNExt’s new Schools Challenge.

All sessions take place in person at Opencast’s Newcastle HQ at Hoults Yard, as well as online via Zoom link. Registration required to attend both in person and online.

Monday 17 June 11am-12pm

Skills in tech for impact: strategies for people and society

Our opening TechNExt session examines the skills challenges across industries, by examining how organisations are responding and growing their in-house capabilities. Our discussion will explore how organisations can better grow the skills of their people, and the impact of growing the potential of existing teams, as well as on wider society. Our speakers for the session are Tim Fieldsend, Head of Technology Engineering at Greggs and Amanda Parry, Digital, Data and Technology People Lead at the NHS Business Services Authority. They join Cate Kalson to share how each is growing their in-house capabilities by encouraging the people that work for them to develop new digital skills. Book to join in person or online.

Monday 17 June 2-3pm

Build versus buy – how new tech impacts decisions

This tech specialist panel explores the pros and cons of buying commercial off-the-shelf solutions or building from scratch - and how new technologies like AI will affect future decisions. Karl Hoods at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Joanne Todd at St John Ambulance and Opencast’s Gordon Murray join the panel, with Opencast's John Simmons moderating. Book to join in person or online.

Tuesday 18 June 11am-12pm

Patient-centred care: making it a reality

This healthcare panel discussion sees innovators in digital health, healthcare providers and service designers discuss how a user-centred approach can make patient-centred care a reality. The panel includes Dr Murray Ellender at eConsult, Jamie Whysall, Principal and Head of Healthcare at Netcompany and Opencast’s Ute Schauberger. Andrew Besford from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust moderates. Book to join in person or online.

Tuesday 18 June 2-3pm

Unlocking the power of data: solutions to deliver value

This solutions-focused panel discussion brings together leading figures from business and the public sector to share on-the-ground experience of how to unlock the power of data in a way that’s outcome-focused, agile and delivers value for business and people alike. Our panel includes Laura Cameron, Operations Technology Programme Manager at Raptor Data Management for Yorkshire Water, Stuart Edmondson, Director at Bluesmith and Andy McMurray of Opencast. Opencast’s Lee Foster moderates. Book to attend in person or online.