Health boss confirmed as regional IT conference guest speaker

The Dynamo 22 conference, supported by headline sponsor Sage, will be held across two half days – a virtual event on Tuesday, June 21 and in-person at Northumbria University on Wednesday, June 22, when Sir Jim will be speaking,

The annual Dynamo conference attracts delegates from the region’s leading and growing IT and software companies, local councils, specialist professional services, universities and colleges, and other related industries.

The conference is delivered by regional tech network Dynamo and this year’s highlights will include a session and panel discussion on equality, diversity and inclusion within the region’s tech sector which will launch the findings of a survey, Think North East.

Meanwhile, a session with speakers from Sunderland Software City and Excelpoint will look at digital transformation and ask the question ‘is no-code transforming the software industry?’

An interactive session led by Newcastle College will explore collaborative learning in the metaverse, and other sessions will look at innovation in cyber security; AI and its applications; fintech and healthtech.

The full programme can be seen here https://www.dynamonortheast.co.uk/dynamo-22-programme/

Charlie Hoult, Chair of the Dynamo Advisory Board, said: “The health tech sector is a huge and growing part of the regional digital community so we’re excited that Sir Jim will be our Dynamo 22 keynote speaker.

“He’ll be discussing the innovative tech work of the Trust, with a focus on sustainability, skills, the workforce and rural challenges.

“Our new hybrid model for the conference has enabled us to pack even more in – we have about 70 speakers, 20 themes and the programme is overflowing with sessions and workshops designed to help local tech companies and the wider sector. There are so many great success stories within our industry, and Dynamo 22 will be the place to be inspired by the companies and people who keep the buzz going.”

Sir Jim returned to his role as Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT in November 2017 after a two-year national secondment as Chief Executive of NHS Improvement. He was knighted in 2018 for services to healthcare and has been at the forefront of the north east’s response to Covid, which saw the Trust set up its own factory to make PPE.

NHS England and NHS Improvement recently appointed Sir Jim as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and National Director of Elective Recovery for the Elective Programme built up during Covid to address the elective surgery backlog.

A qualified accountant, Sir Jim was born in Hebburn, South Tyneside, and joined the NHS in 1990.

To find out more about Dynamo 22, or to book tickets, go to the Dynamo website – www.dynamonortheast.co.uk The conference is supported by Event Partners Mediaworks and tombola; Event Supporter, UK Tech Cluster Group; Regional Engagement Partners, Sunderland City Council and Gateshead Council, and Exhibitor Inside Out Communications Consulting.

Dynamo North East is a business-led organisation with the core mission of ‘Growing the North East tech economy through collaboration, innovation, skills and noise.’  With more than 160 members, it is made up of IT organisations, large corporate employers in the region, consultants, technology hubs, education providers, local government and suppliers to the industry.