As technology becomes embedded in every aspect of business strategy, from marketing and finance to operations and product innovation, the role of the CIO is evolving from IT guardian to strategic collaborator. In this opening panel, we explore how today’s CIOs are redefining their relationships with fellow board members and C-suite peers, both technical and non-technical. This session will unpack the shifting dynamics between CIOs and roles like CFO, CMO, CDO, and CHRO, and how cross-functional alignment has become a key lever in successful digital transformation. Our panel of executive leaders will share how they are navigating tensions, building trust, influencing enterprise direction, and ensuring technology is not just an enabler—but a shared, strategic responsibility across the board. Whether you’re working to gain more influence, align priorities, or foster innovation beyond the tech function, this conversation will offer actionable insights and candid reflections on what it means to lead in a business where everything is now tech, and tech is now everybody’s business.

What happens when one of Britain’s most cherished heritage organisations takes on a bold digital transformation? In this insightful session, Jon Townsend, CIO of the National Trust, shares the remarkable journey of bringing 125 years of history into the digital age, modernising systems, unlocking data, and reshaping the visitor experience across thousands of sites, estates, and members. From restoring aging infrastructure to building digital-first strategies that preserve legacy while enabling scale and sustainability, Jon reveals how the Trust bridged the gap between past and future. Hear how they overcame cultural and operational challenges, what worked (and what didn’t), and the role of leadership in aligning innovation with mission. This is a story of digital transformation with heart, where technology doesn’t just support tradition, it helps it thrive.

In this interactive session, our event partners will take the lead in initiating and facilitating conversations centered on challenges and solutions within the industry. Attendees can expect dynamic discussions where diverse perspectives are shared, fostering collaborative problem-solving and the exploration of innovative solutions to common industry hurdles.

At a time when innovation demands diverse thinking and inclusive leadership, the representation and recognition of women in technology has never been more vital. This powerful panel brings together inspiring female leaders and a male ally to explore the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of women shaping the future of tech across industries. We’ll spotlight bold moves made by women who have carved their path to the top, what drove them, what held them back, and how they turned obstacles into leadership breakthroughs. Expect honest stories, career-defining moments, and practical takeaways that you can apply to create space, amplify voices, and build cultures where female talent thrives. Joining them, a senior male leader will offer an honest perspective on allyship, how supporting female colleagues has strengthened teams, improved decision-making, and transformed business outcomes. We’ll also explore the emotional intelligence, resilience, and diverse approaches that women bring to complex tech challenges, and how this leads to richer, more impactful leadership. Whether you’re a woman in tech, an aspiring leader, or a senior stakeholder ready to elevate others, this session is your call to action. Let’s shift the narrative, celebrate leadership in all its forms, and create a future where every voice has a seat at the table.

The process of aligning IT strategy with business goals and objectives is vital, due to the synergistic relationship between technology initiatives and organizational success. Through insightful analysis and practical strategies, attendees will gain invaluable insights into maximizing the strategic impact of IT investments to drive sustained business growth and competitive advantage.

This presentation explores the evolving landscape of customer interactions, delving into emerging technologies such as AI, chatbots, and augmented reality to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. By analysing current trends and anticipating future developments, it provides insights into how businesses can adapt their strategies to meet the evolving expectations of consumers in the digital age.

Delve into strategies for bolstering cybersecurity defences amidst the ever-evolving landscape of complex cyber threats. Through an exploration of advanced technologies and proactive methodologies, attendees will gain insights into fortifying their systems against emerging cyber risks.

In this fireside chat, we’ll dive into the debate surrounding AI’s role in enterprise evolution. Join us as we explore the intersections of innovation and pragmatism, unravelling how AI can truly empower businesses to adapt, thrive, and shape the future.

Mergers and acquisitions are among the most disruptive, and potentially transformative, events a technology organization can face. In this session, Richard Stuchfield-Nash, Director of Technology M&A at Maersk, shares lessons from the front lines of one of the world’s most ambitious business transformations: Maersk’s pivot from shipping giant to integrated logistics powerhouse, involving 27 acquisitions and divestments worth $23 billion. Drawing on over five years of leading complex tech integrations, Richard will explore the critical decisions that turned M&A from a threat into a transformation engine. You’ll hear how his team overcame fragmented systems, siloed leadership, and integration burnout, and ultimately used M&A to drive platform rationalization, reduce operating costs, and improve customer and employee outcomes. This session is a must-attend for transformation leaders, CIOs, and enterprise architects navigating M&A now or expecting to soon. You’ll leave with practical strategies, cautionary tales, and a clear takeaway: with the right approach, M&A can be your greatest lever for change , not a crisis, but a catalyst.

Take a break, engage in meetings and join a discussion roundtable! During this PM Power Break, fellow enterprise leaders will guide discussions on their favorite topic, fostering an environment of open exchange, exploration of diverse perspectives and experiences. Attendees can grab a coffee and anticipate engaging conversations through 1-2-1 meetings and roundtables. Conversations will be driven by shared challenges and interests, offering valuable insights and opportunities for collaborative learning and networking.

As IT leaders face mounting pressure to do more with less, the debate over outsourcing vs insourcing is once again front and center. Is outsourcing still the silver bullet for cost savings and scale, or are organisations regaining control through strategic insourcing to build internal capability, drive innovation, and enhance agility? In this candid closing panel, IT leaders from diverse sectors will share how they’ve navigated the trade-offs, challenges, and surprising outcomes of both models. Expect real-world insights on where outsourcing delivers ROI, when insourcing becomes a strategic advantage, and how to balance short-term savings with long-term value. We’ll dive into offshore management, skills gaps, control, security, and the business case for hybrid models, grounded in results, not assumptions. Walk away with fresh thinking and practical takeaways to inform your next big IT delivery decision.