Bristol Branch

Venue: OVO Energy Ltd. 1 Rivergate Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6ED map

Speakers: John Higgins CBE

6.45pm Refreshments
7.15pm Main Talks

Please register for this event here

This talk is supported by OVO Energy Ltd. and will explore Europe’s Digital Cities Challenge and look at what lessons can be learnt from around 40 European cities.

The talk will focus on How these cities are using digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, Internet of Things and blockchain to promote and support smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and tackle economic, environmental and social challenges.

In 1995 John Higgins was appointed CEO of the Rocket Networks, a California based dot.com that provided the world’s first online recording studios. He returned to the UK in 1998 and became Director General of the Computing Services and Software Association, one of Tech UK’s predecessors. He holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of East Anglia and then a post graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance. Early in his career he trained as a systems analyst, held senior positions with Ernst & Young and worked in Chicago with leading software company SSA. 

John was President of the European Commission’s Strategic Policy Forum (SPF) on Digital Entrepreneurship. The SPF was facilitated by DG Grow for almost three years and examined the current and future impact of new digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence on important sectors of the European economy and society such as automotive, healthcare, SMEs and social enterprise. The SPF was supported with extensive research from consultants such as PwC and EY.

John was also a Board member of the European Internet Forum. John’s other committee chair roles have included the audit committee at the University of Warwick, the cross industry association council of the CBI, a government/industry space committee and the global policy action committee of the World IT Services Association, WITSA. He was a board member of e-skills, the UK’s digital sector skills council and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He was presented with two personal awards for outstanding contributions; first to the association sector in 2004 and then to the IT industry in 2008. The Queen appointed him a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005 for his services to the UK IT industry. John lives in Bath in the UK with his wife Ailsa. They have three adult daughters.