Why you can't buy a good data strategy off the shelf, with Scott Logic

Conversations around data and data strategy can often be quite technical, and they can rapidly get bogged down in questions about systems architecture, which cloud service is best, and so on. However, when it comes to shaping a successful data strategy, it has become apparent that the most important aspects often do not involve technology at all.

Whether you wish to improve operational efficiency, understand your customers better, or foster greater collaboration between your colleagues, a good strategy provides the supporting framework you need to achieve your goal.

Join ourselves and Scott Logic at The Catalyst on Thursday 4th August from 9.30 a.m. as we present Why you can't buy a good data strategy off the shelf, an eye-opening event which will uncover and demystify some of the guiding principles of a successful data strategy, and demonstrate that a good data strategy is not, in fact, a question of technology.

Scott Logic's Principal Consultant Peter Chamberlin will be giving the keynote, which will be followed by a talk delivered by two of their Lead Developers, Sioned Baker and James Wren. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives from Scott Logic, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Newcastle Strategic Solutions (NSSL).

The session will finish up with an interactive workshop on Defining Data Strategy delivered by the National Innovation Centre for Data's Technical Director, Richie Ramsden.

Refreshments including coffee and tea will be available upon arrival, and a delicious lunch will be served after the talks and workshop sessions have concluded. You really won't want to miss out!

Who are Scott Logic?

Scott Logic are a software consultancy with offices throughout the UK - including a brand new one just across the way at The Lumen in Newcastle Helix - and they currently employ about 400 people.

They provide a range of services including architecture and technical strategy, data engineering, and software development, and their clients include well-known organisations such as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), NatWest and NHS Digital.

Like us, Scott Logic are big believers in using technology to overcome challenges and discover new opportunities.

Agenda

09.30 a.m. | Registration opens + refreshments

10.00 a.m. | Welcome + Intro | Paul Watson, Director of the National Innovation Centre for Data

10.10 a.m. | Keynote Talk: Data Strategy is Not a Technology Problem | Peter Chamberlin, Principal Consultant at Scott Logic

10.45 a.m. | Talk: Harnessing the Power of the Cloud | Sioned Baker, Lead Developer at Scott Logic; James Wren, Lead Developer at Scott Logic

11.00 a.m. | Panel discussion and Q+A featuring:

Colin Eberhardt, Chief Technology Officer at Scott Logic

Matt Richards, Technical Architect at Scott Logic

Peter Chamberlin, Principal Consultant at Scott Logic

Paul Lodge, Chief Data Officer at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Mike Jolley, Cyber/IT Security Lead at Newcastle Strategic Solutions (NSSL)

11.30 a.m. | Workshop: Defining Data Strategy | Richie Ramsden, Technical Director at the National Innovation Centre for Data

11.55 a.m. | Wrap-up | Paul Watson, Director of the National Innovation Centre for Data

12.00 p.m. | Lunch + networking

Speakers + Panellists

Peter Chamberlin

Principal Consultant, Scott Logic

Peter has been a Principal Consultant at Scott Logic since March 2022 and has extensive knowledge of numerous programming languages and technologies. Prior to joining Scott Logic, he held the position of Chief Architect, Digital Identity at the Government Digital Service (GDS). He is passionate about simplicity in technology.

Sioned Baker

Lead Developer, Scott Logic

Sioned has been at Scott Logic for over five years and has been a Lead Developer since early this year. She has a strong mathematics and finance background and has recently developed a keen interest in data science and data engineering.

James Wren

Lead Developer, Scott Logic

James has been a Lead Developer at Scott Logic for just over five years and has significant experience in software development, project management, and leading teams.

Colin Eberhardt

Chief Technology Officer, Scott Logic

Colin is Chief Technology Officer at Scott Logic and has been at the company since 2006. He divides his time between leading the research and development team and providing advisory consultancy to clients. Widely recognised as a thought leader in the industry, he has a reputation in software development circles as an expert in mobile technologies. In addition to all of this, Colin also happens to be an accomplished 7-ball juggler.

Matt Richards

Technical Architect, Scott Logic

Matt has been at Scott Logic for over 11 years and has spent most of that time working as a Technical Architect. He has deep experience in software development - particularly in Java - and is also an experienced project manager.

Paul Lodge

Chief Data Officer, Department for Work and Pensions

Paul has been Chief Data Officer at the Department for Work and Pensions since 2017, having previously held a number of different positions in various government departments and the British Army. Much of Paul's work has focussed on business planning and strategy, and he is particularly passionate about data.

Mike Jolley

Cyber/IT Security Lead, Newcastle Strategic Solutions

Mike is an award-winning and experienced Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and data leader. He is currently responsible for setting the strategy and building modern cyber security capabilities in his role as Cyber/IT Security Lead at Newcastle Strategic Solutions. Prior to this, he held the position of Chief Data Officer at Lowell, and was Head of Information Security and Risk at both Yorkshire Building Society and Morrisons Supermarkets.

Registration

• Click 'Register' above and add your name and contact details into the short form.

• This event will be held in-person at The Catalyst on the Newcastle Helix site.

• The full event details and agenda will be confirmed via email the day before the event.

Venue Details

• The Catalyst is centrally located in Newcastle upon Tyne: it is a 9-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station and a 7-minute walk from St. James' Metro Station.

• There is plenty of paid-for car parking available nearby, and plenty of secure bike storage on site.

• For more information about the venue, please visit www.thecatalystnewcastle.co.uk.

Our Data Insights Programme

The Data Insights Programme is a series of events co-hosted by the National Innovation Centre for Data that explores what ‘good’ looks like in the context of innovating through data and brings together leaders in the field, as well as related knowledge and tools, to showcase the true insights which organisations can gain from their data. We want to provide additional insight to those organisations by connecting them to the companies who have the relevant data skills and experience.

The Data Insights Series features events around three themes:

• Setting the Data Strategy

• Best Practice

• Technology Choices

Latest News

You can access all the latest updates and event news via our social media channels:

Twitter: @NICDATA

LinkedIn: National Innovation Centre for Data

You can also visit us at www.nicd.org.uk.