Speaker panel

	Hugh Crossey is Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) in Northern Ireland. An experienced and highly-respected management consultant, Hugh has spent over 25 years as an advisor to public and private sector organisations in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA, where he planned, evaluated and executed a wide variety of major public policy studies and organisational reviews. Before becoming Managing Partner in July 2007, he was leader of PwC's advisory practice in Northern Ireland.
	Michael Harris joined NESTA in January 2005. He has led on NESTA's research work on the UK's approach to innovation policy, the creative industries and science education. Before joining NESTA, Michael worked in local government, educational technology, and he lectured in higher education.
	Charles Leadbeater is a leading authority on innovation. He has advised companies, cities and governments around the world on innovation strategy. As well as advising a wide range of organisations on innovation Charles has worked extensively as a senior adviser to the government over the past decade, advising the 10 Downing Street policy unit, the Department for Trade and Industry and the European Commission on the rise of the knowledge-driven economy. He writes regularly for the Financial Times and the Guardian and has written a number of acclaimed books. In 2005 Charles was ranked by Accenture as one of the top management thinkers in the world.
	Robert Scott is the global leader of the Technology Network at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). He has over 20 years of experience advising clients on a broad range of business and IT issues from strategy through implementation. His experience spans various industries including financial services, energy, manufacturing, retail, telecom, media and government. Robert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. He joined PwC as a partner in 2003 to launch the Technology practice in Canada but is now based in London.
	Paul Wickens has over 25 years experience in the ICT sector. He was recently appointed as Director of Shared Services in the Department of Finance & Personnel. He was previously Managing Partner at Stockbridge Associates providing specialist consultancy to companies working within the public sector. Prior to that he was Managing Director at Steria. He led the winning and delivery of a number of major projects in the reform of the public sector – specifically Europe’s largest EDRM and training project, a shared services ICT transformation project and the first phase of NI Direct.