THE JUDGING PANEL

Joel is a multi-award-winning businessman and public speaker specialising in inclusive business growth.

Joel is the Founder & CEO of www.gfaexchange.com an award-winning FinTech portfolio risk management solution for the financial services sector.

Previously, he was the Executive for Access to Finance and Growing Business (GBSLEP) and  former National Diversity Advisor for Golf. He also advises professional service firms and public sector bodies on inclusive business support strategy.

Joel is also the President of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, a Fellow of the National Centre for Entrepreneurs and a Non-Executive Director of two organisations.

He was awarded an OBE in 2016 for Services to Business Support and Enterprise.

Jane is an experienced global CTO and CIO, having previously held senior IT positions in multiple industries, including CTO for the international businesses of The Coca-Cola Company; Barclays Bank where she was the Head of Technology Services Enterprise Architecture and Delivery. Prior to that she was the CTO for GE Capital EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Jane also worked for Accenture and JPMorgan in IT specialist architecture, enablement and operational roles across technical tiers.

She is currently a fractional CIO providing Board-level IT expertise, strategy and oversight for high-growth companies in a broad range of sectors while balancing the challenge of the last year with her young children, pets and interests.

Jen Goodison is an experienced senior technology leader with over 20 years in the Financial Services Technology sector. After many years in CRM, data and digital architecture roles Jen now leads a team responsible for the Cloud and DevOps platforms for the largest of HSBC’s global businesses, and for API engineering. 

Jen is a champion of talent development within HSBC and was instrumental in designing and delivering HSBC’s flagship IT talent programme.

Jen lives in Sheffield with her two children and their cat Goose.

Cecilia Harvey is the Chief Executive Officer of Hyve Dynamics, the pioneering sensor technology firm and the founder and chair of Tech Women Today. Having started on Wall Street, her 20-year career in banking and technology has spanned senior positions with Morgan Stanley, Barclays Capital, and IBM Consulting, as well as former COO of Citigroup Markets and Securities Services Technology. Cecilia appears in Forbes “Leading Ladies of Tech”, and has been featured in British Vogue’s 2020 “Forces for Change” campaign. 

Kathy Harvey is Associate Dean for postgraduate degree programmes at Saïd Business School, where she leads the Entrepreneurship Project for Executive MBA students, advising start-up founders and teams.  She also launched the Inspiring Women initiative at Oxford-Said the business school and leads the School’s drive for gender parity on its degree programmes.  

Kathy began her career in broadcast journalism before moving into academia.  She is passionate about the need for corporate diplomacy in an uncertain world, and the intangible benefits of open-minded conversation.  She is a trustee of the Orwell Foundation, and a Fellow of Keble College, Oxford.

Indira Kennedy is a pioneer of conscious leadership. In Australia in 2004, when the word ‘conscious’ was barely spoken of as a transformational goal, she introduced corporate development and executive coaching services based on this innovative concept. Now based in London, Indira supports organisations to apply conscious leadership strategies, enabling them to flourish – especially in challenging times. 

Indira has led a publications group in an IT company, initiated an after-school care program, and co-created a businesswomen’s network. 

She is passionate about creating a new future of energy and excellence in people development, inclusivity, and positive global impact by bringing mind and heart together.

Gavin Laybourne joined APM Terminals as Chief Information Officer (CIO) in 2019 and is a member of the Senior Management Team.  He is also responsible for Strategic Brands, and is also the CIO for the largest Vessel fleet in the world. 

Prior to joining APM Terminals, Gavin held senior technology leadership positions within various industries, including Oil & Gas, Telecoms, Retail and Supply Chain & Manufacturing.  Gavin has lived and worked in the United States, China, The Netherlands as well as other countries throughout his career.  

In addition to having earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Bournemouth University and being a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEE), Gavin has also completed several advanced leadership programs at the Geneva-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Susie Ramroop spent her career leading transformation, in both telecoms and the NHS, before shifting her focus to personal transformation.

Susie believes that brave leadership that generates a contribution is just as necessary as equality in the workplace.  Her mission is to stop you believing you can’t be what you can’t see. Her book “Be The Leader You Want To See” is the blueprint for unlocking talent so more women stop waiting for the perfect time, and take the lead now.

Susie is an exciting Coach, Author and Speaker who, with heart and humour, brings easy clarity to confidently stepping into the career you were made for.  She coaches privately, facilitates corporate masterminds and leads the utterly transformational reset retreat. 

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE is the President of techUK, President of Digital Leaders, co-chair at the Institute of Coding, as well as sitting as a non-executive Director on the boards of Rightmove, Costain and FDM Group.  

As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in all its forms, she is an adviser to the board of Accelerate-Her and to fast moving tech businesses and a business advisor mentor at Merryck. Prior to this, Jacqueline held senior executive roles at major tech companies including Sage Group, Citrix Systems, CA Technologies, Novell and McAfee International. She was previously a non-executive director at AO World and Home Retail Group. Jacqueline was awarded CBE for Services to International Trade in Technology in the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2018.

@JdR_Tech