23 August 2024
This event will be held in partnership with British Red Cross who have been helping millions of people in the UK and around the world for the last 150 years, to get the support they need when crisis strikes.
We are delighted that they have offered to host this event, as they have a strong focus on digitally enabled technology and a talented leadership team, represented well by both genders, and I look forward to hearing them share a little about their digital and data journey – a big thank you to Sapna Babbar, Graham Kent and Cat Harwood-Smith.
Below are the full event details, agenda and speaker bios.
This event is now full; however, if you would to be added to the waiting list if a space becomes available, please email nicole.nadler@andersonquigley.com.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday 18 September
Time: 2.00-5.00pm
Location: Moorgate – British Red Cross Centre
Agenda:
2.00pm: Guests arrive & networking
2.30pm: Welcome: Grace Tattersall, Founder of AQ WiT and Partner at Anderson Quigley
2.35pm: Using data and insight to advance our humanitarian purpose: Cat Harwood-Smith, Director of Insight & Improvement – UK Operations at British Red Cross
3.05pm: Panel Discussion: Resilience, discovering the skills, techniques and mindsets to help overcome obstacles and build self-confidence.
Resilience was chosen as the next panel discussion topic as this was the top area the AQ WiT group voted they would like to hear more about and discuss during the recent group survey. We look forward to hearing insights from the panel, and look forward to an open discussion and questions between the panel and floor around this important subject.
Panel members include:
4:05pm: Wellbeing and allyship and the next generation from a male perspective: Graham Kent, Director of Technology and Digital at British Red Cross
4.15pm: Networking
5.00pm: Close
Speaker & Panel Bios:
Grace Tattersall
Partner, Anderson Quigley
With over twenty years’ recruitment experience Grace specialises in executive search and selection for C-level and senior technology leadership appointments within the public and Not for Profit sectors. Actively supporting clients to reduce barriers to recruitment and to promote diversity in the workplace, Grace brings tailored solutions for both permanent and interim leadership roles.
Grace joined the AQ team in 2022 to further expand our work in technology & digital and data appointments; prior to joining the team she built an impressive track record recruiting mid to senior level roles for global charities, UK membership bodies, central and local government and leadership teams within the higher education sector. Grace works with personal integrity, vision, energy, and passion to support her clients and candidates through the recruitment process and beyond.
Grace’s recent appointments include Interim Director of IT Projects – City University, Head of Applications & Development – St Marys University, Director of IT – Arts/Heritage Organisation, CIO – Arts/Heritage Organisation, Interim CTO – Private Education Group, Director and Assistant Director of IT – Government Body, Assistant Director of IT – University, Assistant Director of Infrastructure – University, Interim Director of Technology Operations- University and Head of IT – National Charity.
Graham Kent
Director of Technology and Digital at British Red Cross
Graham is an experienced Director of Technology / CTO. He has over 12 years senior leadership experience and extensive experience creating and leading technology strategies, building and leading large globally distributed teams up to 250 staff plus external partners, and recruiting, developing and retaining top talent, with a coach and mentor mentality. He currently leads the technology and digital function at British Red Cross, comprised of 120 staff across the disciplines of Platforms, Digital, Service Delivery, Portfolio Management, Programme Delivery, Cyber Security and Architecture.
Cat Harwood-Smith
Director of Insight & Improvement – UK Operations at British Red Cross
Cat joined British Red Cross as UK Director in 2019 and is strategic lead for Insight & Improvement.
Before joining the Red Cross, Cat worked in local government in various roles in Health, Care and Housing settings. She is passionate about collaboration and integration and has led initiatives around ‘whole systems’ reporting to identify opportunities to improve outcomes across the whole patient journey.
Cat has reshaped BRC’S approach to data and insight and pioneered various tools to identify hidden needs, target the British Red Cross response, and provide essential support to those who might otherwise have fallen through the gaps. She also leads BRC’s work on the safe and meaningful involvement of people with relevant lived experience in shaping our work.
Cat is a Trustee of Wave Active, a charity encouraging active lifestyles and promoting wellbeing in her local area.
Femi Otitoju
Founder of EW Group
Femi pioneered Unconscious Bias training in the UK and continues to design and deliver a range of training that meets the specific needs of our clients on all aspects of equality diversity and inclusion. She delivers training on topics including racial equity, inclusive leadership, cultural awareness, dignity at work and also provides coaching, mediation, and senior management team development services.
She founded Challenge Consultancy in 1985 to provide high quality training and consulting services initially to the public and the not-for-profit, sectors. In 2021, Challenge Consultancy joined forces with the EW Group to form the leading full-service diversity consultancy in the UK.
Femi has trained and consulted on issues of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Challenge uses the term ‘Dignity at Work’ for such work. A charismatic and inspirational leader, Femi is a diversity and inclusion specialist with a career spanning 35 years. She combines a scientific background with persuasive and engaging training skills. Femi is regularly described as a “gifted presenter”.
Sapna Babbar
Head of Portfolio Management at British Red Cross
Sapna has been in Programme and Project delivery for over 25 years working across the private & third sector. Started out as project manager in asset management sales, progressing to leading a PMO across a central government nationwide programme, telecomms and then moving into the third sector where I progressed to programme management and now strategic portfolio lead. Adept at building technical and business delivery teams and focussing on strategic delivery, with all the challenges it brings in this sector.
Judy Howarth
Head of Data Product at Funding Circle UK
Judy Howarth is the Head of Data products and Analytics Excellence at Funding Circle, a FinTech supporting businesses across the UK.
Judy has over 30 years of work experience working in Data analytics, Data management, Marketing analytics, Business information, Product management, Data Governance, and data strategy. She has introduced Data functions within companies, implemented Data strategy, systems and tools and has influenced and established data driven cultures within organisations. Her experience covers many different industry sectors including; Fashion, Hospitality, Travel, social media, Publishing and Financial services.
Judy is also an experienced data analyst, data visualiser, business information officer as well as a strategic leader of teams and Data & Insight departments at a senior management level. Judy’s last role was the Global Director of Data and Insight at CDP and where she led the Data organisation for the global Environmental charity.
Judy holds a Bachelor degree in History.
Sarah Oyet
Head of Infrastructure and Applications Support at London South Bank University
Sarah Oyet is the Head of Infrastructure and Application Support at London South Bank University (LSBU), where she leads critical IT functions that underpin the university’s digital ecosystem. With a strong background in network engineering, Sarah brings a wealth of experience to her role, ensuring that LSBU’s IT infrastructure and business applications are robust, secure, and aligned with institutional goals.
Before her current role at LSBU, Sarah served as a Network Engineer at Xchanging, where she provided dedicated support as the Resident Network Engineer for LSBU. Her expertise in managed services and network management was instrumental in maintaining the university’s network stability and performance.
Sarah’s journey at LSBU began as an Interim Infrastructure and Network Team Lead, where she quickly demonstrated her leadership and technical acumen. She later assumed responsibility for managing both the Infrastructure and Network Team; and the Business Applications Team, delivering on several key infrastructure and network migration projects. Notably, she led her team through a major cyber incident, navigating complex challenges to restore and enhance the university’s IT environment.
In her current capacity, Sarah oversees the Server Infrastructure, DBAs, Network Infrastructure, and Core Business Applications Teams which are responsible for the management, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of LSBU’s IT infrastructure and business applications.
