Martin Kochman is a VP in Hitachi Vantara’s European Digital Services business.

He specializes in running major data driven programmes and was responsible for ‘Optimise Prime’, the world’s biggest commercial electric vehicle trial.

The objective of the Optimise Prime project was to test the end-to-end impacts of the rollout of commercial electric vehicles and develop innovative solutions to accelerate the EV transition. This four year innovation project came up with practical ways of overcoming the up-front costs that are currently holding back many of the country’s biggest commercial vehicle operators from making the switch to EVs.

Martin is also leading other key data driven sustainability programmes within Hitachi, including the implementation of EV charge points and the creation of sustainability analytics and reporting

Matt has worked in the water industry for over 20 years across a wide spectrum of roles in engineering, asset management, operations and customer management, and programme and change management. He is currently the Chief Data Officer for Anglian Water Services and supports the Digital Twin Hub through their strategic Board. Matt has previously served on a number of different external Boards such as the Data and Digital Board for the Government’s non-household retail Market Operator (MOSL) for England and Wales, and the National Infrastructure Digital Transformation Task Group.

Judith Phillips is Professor of Social and Environmental Gerontology within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Judith held the position of Deputy Principal for Research at Stirling from 2016 to 2024. Alongside her DP role between 2020 and 2024, Judith was Research Director for the Healthy Ageing Challenge delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Before joining the University, Judith Phillips was Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Director of the Research Institute for Applied Social Sciences at Swansea University which sought to strengthen social sciences across the University and embed a social science perspective in Engineering and Medicine. She was also Director of the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research for Wales and the School for Social Care Research in Wales.
Following a geography degree at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, she went to study at Stockholm University, Jesus College, Oxford and UEA, Norwich, where she worked as a researcher and a lecturer before joining the Centre for Social Gerontology at the University of Keele in 1993. Judith returned to Wales in 2004 to set up the Centre for Innovative Ageing at Swansea University. She holds several Fellowships in recognition of her contribution to Gerontology including a Gerontological Society of America Fellowship since 2004 in recognition of outstanding achievement and exemplary contributions to the field of Gerontology. Judith has been an active member of the British Society of Gerontology for 40 years and was its President between 2008-10. In 2021 she was awarded BSG’s highest honour the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her significant and lasting contribution to Gerontology. In 2013 Professor Phillips was awarded an OBE for services to older people Her professional standing is reflected in her election to various Councils of the Academy of Social Sciences (2019-2025); The Learned Society of Wales (2015-2018); Global Social Initiative on Ageing (Deputy Director, since 2017). She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

As Head of Adoption, Engagement and Innovation at Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Bridget’s passion lies in how to bridge the gap between people, policy and technology to revolutionise the planning system and built environment.

Her current role is focused on how to accelerate the adoption of a modern planning system including the scaling of the PropTech Innovation Fund – the largest UK Government investment into the sector to date

Rita Rinaldo has been with the European Space Agency since 2001. She is currently with the Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness Directorate. She is currently in charge of the Applications Projects and Studies Division, where she is responsible for the initiation and management of space-based applications projects in many vertical sectors, including maritime, energy, mobility and agri-food.

She has a long experience in interfacing user communities and establishing partnerships with players including corporates, industrial associations, institutions/public bodies to promote innovation in the sustainable utilisation of space. She is engaged in supporting space and non-space companies in initiatives for developing commercial space solutions based on satellite telecommunication and navigation technologies or satellite data generating high socio-economic impact.

In a period of 30 years transforming as an expert on the Energy Transition and former commercial director of a leading Dutch utility, Willem-Frederik transformed himself into a data entrepreneur. Launching and scaling several companies.

The last 3 years of his working life he deep dived into the European Mobility Transition of Cities, peri-urban and rural communities. Acting as regional director in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands for EIT Urban Mobility.

A family man, actively involved in society, supporting culture and art, with two feet firmly on the ground, he is also a volunteer at the Dutch Cyclists’ Federation (Fietsersbond). Heading for several years the bigger Rotterdam Region and scaling cycling lessons and graduate’s from tens to hundreds yearly. Recently he moved into the country and is now focusing on safe cycling in more rural areas. Also he is the proud initiator of the documentary ‘Rotterdam Cycles’; giving youth in Rotterdam a voice. Telling us why they find cycling

Ating brings solid expertise and strategic leadership to transport infrastructure and area regeneration projects. She proactively navigates complex challenges, secures vital funding and investment, and builds strong partnerships that deliver transformative outcomes. With over 17 years of experience in this dynamic field, Ating collaborates with partners to identify opportunities, ensure successful delivery and benefits realisation, and drive positive change that makes a real difference in the community.

Rob Chesworth is Head of Strategic Land at The Crown Estate, which involves a portfolio of more than 30 sites nationally with a GDV of £14bn and the potential to deliver 28,000 new homes and more than 5m sq ft of space to support innovation, employment and new businesses. Prior to this, Rob was Head of Strategy at The Crown Estate, responsible for the development of group and business unit strategies as part of a wider transformational programme.