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In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, the importance of diversity in building high-performing teams cannot be overstated. Diverse teams bring together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and skills, building innovation and creativity. When team members come from varied backgrounds, they challenge each other’s assumptions and approach problems from different angles, leading to more robust and effective solutions.

Connect with fellow Tech Leaders over a breakfast of pastries and tea/coffee before our roundtable chaired by Arron Edwards on this very topic: ‘Building high performing teams: Why Diversity Matters’.

Event Details

• Topic: Building high performing teams: Why Diversity Matters
• Date: Wednesday 29th January
• Time: Arrival from 7:30am. Roundtable from 8:00 – 9:00.
• Location: Hotel du Vin, 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ
• Register: Complete our registration form to secure your place.

Our Chair

Arron has worked with teams across multiple continents and built teams without ever landing a foot in the country of those teams. His desire to grow high-performance teams has seen him recruit, support, and manage a diverse range of people, from non-traditional industries, nationalities and backgrounds.

Moving to Scotland from New Zealand in 2022 with his family, he has a love for golf, gin and whisky

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In today’s challenging and uncertain financial climate, many companies are tightening their budgets, often at the expense of data investment. However, with the growing importance of AI, data remains crucial for companies aiming to stay ahead of the curve.

Join us for a roundtable discussion led by Phil Simpson from Transport for Greater Manchester. This session will dive into strategies for data leaders to effectively advocate for essential data investments within their organisations. Learn from fellow data leaders about their approaches to these critical conversations and gain insights into current trends in data investment.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday 5th February
• Time: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
• Location: Dakota Hotel, 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
• Register: Complete our registration form to secure your spot.

Our Chair

The discussion will be chaired by Phil Simpson – a dynamic IT and Digital leader known for his expertise in building and managing award-winning agile teams.

Currently Head of Software Engineering at Transport for Greater Manchester, Phil has a strong track record of delivering innovative solutions on time and within budget by maximizing value from systems, data, processes, and reporting.

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As AI continues to shape our landscape, join fellow JavaScript Leaders in Manchester, as we host a breakfast roundtable discussing strategies for scaling teams in an AI world.

Connect with fellow JS Leaders over a breakfast of pastries and tea/coffee before our roundtable chaired by Csaba Nagyidai.

As AI continues to revolutionise the tech landscape, understanding how to effectively scale your team becomes crucial. Discuss with peers the strategies and best practices to navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading JavaScript teams in an AI-driven world.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday 6th February
• Time: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
• Location: Dakota Hotel, 29 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JL
• Register: Complete our registration form to confirm your spot

Our Chair

The discussion will be chaired by experienced Engineering Manager, Csaba Nagyidai. With a strong track record of scaling and leading high-performing engineering teams in the e-commerce sector, Csaba is experienced in scaling teams, having successfully led groups ranging from small multidisciplinary teams to managing 32 developers across several independent multifunctional units.

Csaba is passionate about people development by fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning and mentorship. Csaba also holds a BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics and brings over a decade of experience in empowering teams to deliver innovative, scalable solutions that support business growth.

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In a new partnership with Fresh Egg, iO Associates are excited to introduce the first event in a series of training courses designed to fuel your career growth. Whether you’re looking to learn new skills or enhance existing ones, our online workshops are tailored to meet your needs.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday 5th February
• Time: 11:00 – 12:00
• Location: Zoom (link will be shared once you have registered)
• Who: Whether you’re a developer, team lead, or tech enthusiast, this one-hour session offers actionable insights to help you stay ahead in a rapidly advancing industry.
• Register: Complete the sign-up form to secure your free spot.

The Talk

In this one-hour session, you’ll learn:

• Boost Developer Efficiency with AI: Discover how AI can streamline code generation, debugging, testing, and overall developer productivity.
• Real-World AI Use Cases: See how AI automates end-to-end testing, specifications, and documentation, saving time and optimising workflows.

The Speakers

Lee Davies: With a degree in Cybernetics and a Master’s in Computer Science, Lee has been working with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques for decades. Lee is now pleased to apply his experience to the new generation of AI technologies as Fresh Egg’s AI Engineering Director.

Ash Hitchcock: Ash is a Full Stack Developer and Head of Development at Fresh Egg. With expertise across every layer of the website development process, Ash has a deep passion for the composable web, open source, and modern development practices. His technical skillset includes HTML, CSS, and TypeScript, alongside frameworks and tools like Astro, Gatsby, React, and Node.js.

Matt Smith: In his role as Front End Development Director, Matt leads development efforts on projects, developing performant, accessible websites through creating effective design systems. As part of his role, Matt specialises in creating detailed specifications and strategic plans for web development projects, utilising AI to streamline and enhance this process efficiently.

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Spaces are limited, so make sure to register today to secure your spot!

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Connect with fellow tech professionals on Thursday 13th February from 18:00 for our special Women in Tech Meetup at Aquis Exchange.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday 13th February
• Time: Arrival from 6:00pm. Talk from 6:45pm
• Location: Aquis Exchange, Floor 2, 63 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4UA
• Who: This iO Meetup is open to all tech professionals
• Register: Complete our registration form to secure your spot.

An opportunity to network with fellow tech professionals in London before a thought-provoking talk from Dojo’s Sarah Persov.

Our Speaker

Sarah Persov is a Software Engineer at Dojo and an advocate for women in tech. Known for her authentic, no-nonsense approach, she draws from her background in software development and team management to offer genuine expertise and actionable advice.

In 2022, Sarah deepened her commitment to the Women in Tech initiative, addressing the hidden challenges women face in the industry. Through data analysis, intimate discussions with industry leaders, conference speeches, and podcasts, she works to create a tech community that values diversity.

Sarah is on a mission to reshape the tech industry by challenging biases and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is both recognised and celebrated and where women thrive.

Find out more about Sarah at sarahpersov.com and explore her portfolio here: https://sarahpersov.com/portfolio.

The Talk

In this enlightening talk, Sarah offers valuable insights drawn from her role as a technical lead and people manager, shedding light on her journey in the tech industry and her efforts to empower the next generation of engineers.

The talk will cover:

• The actual experiences of women in tech
• Why you and your business should care
• How you can help contribute towards a more inclusive and equitable culture within tech

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Connect with fellow South West tech leaders on Thursday 13th February from 16:00 at the Tech Leadership Collective of the South West, organised by iO Associates.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday 13th February
• Time: Arrival from 4pm. Talks from 4:30pm
• Location: iO Associates, St. Bartholomew’s House, Lewins Mead, BS1 2NH
• Who: This iO Meetup will suit tech leaders including: CTOs, CIOs, CEOs, Founders, Directors, Heads of and Managers
• Register: Complete our registration form to secure your spot.

Connect with tech leaders from the South West region and gain valuable insights from two thought-provoking talks:

• Rich McCloskey, Managing Director at True Digital, shares his journey and key lessons on what it takes to lead effectively in a modern organisation
• Nicole Hardiman, Director of Engineering at Flagstone, presents the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, and how to create an inclusive environment that encourages innovation and productivity.

The event will be held under Chatham House Rule, creating a trusted environment that encourages open discussion.

The Talks

Lessons in Leadership – what I learnt about how to lead in a modern organisation (Rich McCloskey)

We talk about ‘Leadership’ all the time, rarely a day goes by we don’t see a blog post, a video, a podcast – it’s so frequent it’s almost become wallpaper.
So what do we really mean when we talk about leadership? What’s the difference between leading and managing, what does good leadership look like… what does bad leadership look like?

Taking on the role of Managing Director was something that I spent my whole career building towards –  I had some 16 years or more to prepare. Even so, the reality was very different to my expectations, and I learnt more than I could imagine about leadership… and, of course, I’m still learning every day.

During this presentation I’ll discuss the biggest learnings, how to navigate leadership challenges, and leave you with my key takeaways that I hope will help you in your own leadership journey.

ADHD and Neurodiversity in the Workplace (Nicole Hardiman)

Discover the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, and learn how to create an inclusive environment that encourages innovation and productivity.

We’ll delve into the concept of neurodiversity, explore the benefits of a diverse workforce, and provide practical strategies for managing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Gain valuable insights and actionable advice for managers to support neurodivergent employees and help them thrive.

This talk will equip you with the knowledge and tools to embrace neurodiversity and unlock the full potential of your team. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your workplace more inclusive and dynamic!

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Exclusively open to South West-based tech leaders, we only have limited spaces available, so sign up today to secure yours.

We do our best to make our events accessible. Please let us know if you have any special requirements by emailing hello@iomeetups.com.

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Connect with fellow Thames Valley tech leaders on Wednesday 12th February from 17:15 at the Tech Leadership Collective of the Thames Valley, organised by iO Associates and hosted by FISCAL Technologies.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday 12th February
• Time: Arrival from 5:15pm. Talks from 5:45pm
• Location: FISCAL Technologies, 448 Basingstoke Rd, Reading RG2 0LP
• Who: This iO Meetup will suit tech leaders including: CTOs, CIOs, CEOs, Founders, Directors, Heads of and Managers
• Register: Complete our registration form to secure your spot.

An opportunity to network with fellow tech leaders in the Thames Valley area before a thought-provoking talk from AND Digital’s Stuart Munton.

The event will be held under Chatham House Rule, creating a trusted environment that encourages open discussion.

The Talk

The Convergence – how AI is changing Agile Roles, Teams, and Practices (Stuart Munton, Chief for Group Operations & Technology at AND Digital)

“The Convergence” is a future-facing interactive discussion about the profound impact of AI on Agile Product Delivery. Ushering in an era where AI Transformations become the focal point, surpassing the current realms of Agile and Digital Transformation strategic approaches. The session explores the evolution of key team roles, showcasing how currently compartmentalised roles are converging into new hybrid forms.

We will focus on specific roles, including Engineers, Product Managers, UX Designers, and Delivery Managers, providing practical examples and case studies to illustrate these AI driven changes. We will discuss how “The Convergence” of roles is changing our approach to shaping team capabilities, how it will increase in speed with which teams will need to form / reform, and how this will significantly alter the daily activity of people in these fluid AI augmented micro teams.

During the session we will touch on the wide range of AI approaches that are currently available and how you might make sense of the appropriate options in this rapidly evolving landscape. This is not a ‘one-size fits all approach’, however indecision is increasing the risk of non-AI augmented teams and organisation being left behind.

Our Speaker

Community and Curiosity are Stuart’s core values which have led him through his 20+ year digital career. Starting with pivotal Agile and Digital transformations for major players like ASDA / Walmart and the NHS, he became an agile advocate back in 2004.

Stuart joined AND Digital as a 10 person start-up in 2014 and led the set-up and evolution of their way of working as they have grown to 1500+ consultants. He has honed practices for ~50 of AND’s clients across various industries – Retail, eCommerce, Insurance, Leisure, Hospitality, Media, Publishing etc. Currently, as Chief for Group Operations & Technology, Stuart leads AND’s internal technology functions consisting of AND’s Information Technology team, AND’s Business Platform Engineering team, and AND’s Security and Quality Standards team. He is also regularly involved in AND’s complex and scaled Agile engagements.

Alongside AND, Stuart co-founded the Agile Reading meet-up, creating a space for agile enthusiasts since 2020 and has been speaking at international conferences (e.g. Agile on the Beach, Global Scrum Gathering, ACE Krakow, XP2023 Amsterdam, ScanAgile etc.) from 2021 onwards. Stuart lives with his family in Reading Berkshire where he is a coach and semi-retired player at his local rugby club and is a lifelong Leicester Tigers rugby team fan.

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Exclusively open to Thames Valley-based tech leaders, we only have limited spaces available, so sign up today to secure yours.

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The ways in which financial institutions manage risk is changing. Is your organisation ready for DORA?

Join iO Associates and our sister brands, Finitas and PRG Consulting, in partnership with WA Chump & Sons, for an online webinar, sharing the details of the DORA legislation, the changes it will bring, and how you can ensure you are compliant.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday 14th January
• Time: 8:15 – 9:00
• Location: Zoom (link will be shared once you have registered)
• Who: Financial Institution Executives, Risk Management Professionals, CISCOs, CIOs, Compliance Officers, IT Service Providers
• Register: Complete the sign-up form to secure your free spot.

The Talk

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is a critical EU regulation coming into force on 17 January 2025, designed to strengthen the resilience of financial institutions. Its aim is to ensure organisations can withstand, respond to, and recover from operational disruptions, safeguarding both the institution and the broader financial system.

Hosted by Daniel Glynn-Jones, Head of Executive and Digital Governance, with key insights from Andrew Bird, CEO at WA Chump, this online webinar will provide real-world examples and actionable advice for preparing your organisation for DORA, including:

• Establishing comprehensive ICT risk management frameworks: including identifying all ICT-supported business functions, assessing risks, and implementing robust cybersecurity measures.
• Linking ICT resilience to business strategy: ensuring that ICT risk management and resilience measures are aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives and operational priorities.
• Instigating regular digital operational resilience testing: conducting simulated cyberattacks and other assessments to ensure systems can withstand real-world threats.
• Ensuring Third-Party Risk Management: building the processes to ensure contracts meet DORA requirements and maintaining a register of information related to third-party ICT service providers
• Maintaining Operational Continuity: establishing business continuity and IT service continuity plans, including secure backup systems to ensure operations can continue during disruptions

Our Speaker

Andrew Bird has a wealth of experience in banking, risk management and regulatory compliance, having held senior positions at HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. Known for his ability to resolve complex challenges, he earned a reputation as a trusted ‘firefighter’ within the banking sector.

His career evolved from retail and wholesale banking to increasingly specialised roles in regulatory compliance and risk management, culminating in his position as Chief Risk Officer. In 2003, Andrew transitioned from banking to entrepreneurship, establishing and successfully growing his own consultancy business.

In recent years, Andrew has focused on advising organisations on complex regulatory matters, particularly in the technology and financial services sectors. His current work includes guiding multiple clients through their Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) compliance journeys, leveraging his unique blend of banking, entrepreneurial, and regulatory expertise.

Our Host

Daniel Glyn-Jones is a Director leading Executive Search and Leadership Advisory at iO Associates. He comes from the UK’s largest Executive Search firm where he led and executed C-Suite search mandates in Telecoms & Technology, Financial Services, Financial Regulator, Professional Services (Legal & Consulting) and Government.

As a deep technology specialist, he is extensively networked among Board, Chair and Non Exec leaders in Data & AI/Digital Governance (Technology Risk & Regulation, Cyber & Infosec and Digital Forensics)/Cyber & Information Security/Digital Forensics & Financial Crime.

In his earlier career Daniel founded his own search business and prior to that was a rugby player representing Bristol, Clifton and Gloucestershire in Rugby Union.

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Don’t miss out on these valuable insights! Register now to secure your spot.

In collaboration with .NET South West, we have a wonderfully festive Meetup to finish off the year, featuring pizza, drinks, games and Lightning Talks.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday 10th December
• Time: 17:30 – 20:30 (heading to Horts from 19:15)
• Location: iO Associates, St. Bartholomew’s House, Lewins Mead, BS1 2NH
• Register: RSVP on Meetup.com to confirm your spot

The Talks

• Richard Jackson – Process Mapping as Code with Mermaid JS
• Carl Sargunar – What’s new in .NET 9
• Stuart Lang – Discriminated Unions in C#
• Tony Edwards – Play your birds right

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We’re back with our next Happy Hour – the perfect opportunity for data and AI professionals in the DC area to engage in thoughtful discussions, share insights, and network in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Join us on Wednesday, November 20th at the Elephant & Castle off Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, November 20th
• Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
• Venue: Elephant & Castle, Washington DC
• Theme: Data, AI, and Networking
• Register: Complete the registration form here to secure your spot

We are excited to be growing this community in DC, making each meetup a chance for professionals, students, and anyone enthusiastic about data and AI to connect and learn.

Your hosts, Christian and Joe will be eagerly waiting to welcome you by the bar!

We are excited to be building a space for collaboration, learning, and networking for Data & AI professionals in DC. We look forward to meeting you soon!

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