Conference Chairs
Will Garside
IT Europa
Will Garside
IT EuropaWill specialises in writing and presenting – producing a huge range of content, ranging from thought-leadership articles to white papers. He started his career as a computer engineer before becoming one of the first producers on Sky TV’s primetime technology show “The Computer Channel” – alongside also covering mainstream business and technology news. He then worked as a product reviewer and technical writer for IT Network before going to Computer Weekly to cover security, telecoms and networking. He worked for several large technology brands including Microsoft and EMC as a technical writer and media consultant and was also the editor at International Broadcast Engineer – a role that saw him deliver a huge number of detailed analysis pieces on emerging video experiences. He has also written a number of books including tech guides for Which? and several "Dummies" guides on topics including big data and storage.
Will is also a highly experienced event moderator, managing content and panels at both the IBC and NAB shows for the last 10 years.
John Chapman
IT Europa
John Chapman
IT EuropaJohn is considered one of the foremost analysts, speakers and commentators on the trends in the IT industry. After a distinguished career spanning over 47 years at the heart of the IT industry, John has advised IT companies on strategies and direction, written feature articles for major IT publications and has spoken at and chaired events around Europe.
John’s in-depth experience running IT companies, launching new technologies and helping IT organisations maximise their business potential enables him to commentate with authority on a whole range of topics as well as deliver stimulating and thought-provoking presentations.
Speakers
Jason Robinson
Jason Robinson is widely regarded as a legendary sportsman, who mastered the art of playing Rugby in both the Rugby League and the Rugby Union and was the first Black British man to Captain the England Rugby Team. Renowned for his trademark sidestep, speed and ability to defeat defenders, Jason initially began playing rugby for Wigan, before playing for Bath, Sale Sharks, Fylde, the England National Team and the British & Irish Lions. Across the course of his illustrious career, Jason played an impressive 281 games, solidifying his name in the history books of the sport with an incredible 171 tries - having also been appointed MBE and OBE. Having since retired from professional sports, Jason is now the Founder of JR Talks and JR Sports Stars, inspiring people from urban city underprivileged communities to achieve their life goals and increase their confidence.
Talent spotted whilst playing for Hunslet Boys Club, Jason’s illustrious rugby career began playing for Wigan. During his time at Wigan, Jason was a pivotal player in their victories of a Super League title, three Challenge Cup titles, three Regal Trophy wins, four Championships and four Premiership titles. Having also played as the Captain of Sale Sharks, Jason was able to help the team place third in the tables, win a European Challenge Cup, reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and win the 2005 Guinness Premiership final. Having played 159 games for Sale Sharks and achieved an impressive 248 points, Jason’s talent also earned him a spot playing for England, Great Britain and the British Lions – having played in three World Cups, scored England’s only try in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and been capped five times for the Lions. Across the course of his England career, Jason scored an impressive 28 tries in 51 caps and was also the Captain of the England National Team in 2004.
Jason is now a leading keynote speaker – having been voted one of the world’s best social mobility speakers. Having grown up in an abusive family in a poor part of Leeds, Jason was witness to horrific domestic abuse throughout his childhood, and was the first to have a job in his family at the age of 16. Jason inspires all with his personal experiences of overcoming adversity, having forged his success in an industry where private schooling is prolific with no qualifications, talent-spotted training in his older sister’s hand-me-down clothing and shoes, navigated childhood being the only Black member of his family and not meeting his father until he was 36 years old. Having struggled to find his place not only within his family, but society too, Jason reached his lowest point in life whilst securing 6 figure contracts and winning World Cups – having attempted suicide and experienced suicidal thoughts. Such experiences have inspired Jason to become a vocal advocate for mental health, racism, abuse, diversity and inclusion. In recognition of his prominence, Jason has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards.
Today, Jason shares his story with his company JR Talks, motivated to build mental resilience in all walks of life. Having navigated finding his own place in society and authored Finding My Feet, Jason is hired not only to share how he forged his inspirational success as a prolific rugby player, but his personal experiences of adversity and how he forged mental resilience to overcome such adversity.
