South West of England Digital Conference 2025

SW of England Digital Conference 2025: Powering Your Business Growth 

Transform Today, Thrive Tomorrow: Practical Solutions for SMEs

Brought to you by Tech South West and our Associate Partners including Microsoft, Howden, SW Institute of Technology and more

Are you ready to revolutionise your business with practical digital solutions?

Join us at the South West of England Tech Conference 2025, where industry experts and innovators help SMEs across all sectors harness the power of technology for growth.

Plus, step into the Tech Talent Zone, and learn how you can plug your digital skills and talent needs, through a host of exciting opportunities.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 18th June 2025
Venue: Exeter College Digital and Data Centre, SW Institute of Technology
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Target Audience: SMEs across all sectors seeking practical digital solutions for sales, marketing, customer service, HR, IT, operations, data, innovation and product development
Capacity: Limited to 150 delegates

Why Attend?
This one-day conference is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises looking to:

• Implement AI solutions that deliver business results
• Build high-performance digital teams
• Execute digital projects that directly impact revenue
• Transform data into a powerful growth engine
• Establish secure foundations for your digital roadmap

Conference Schedule
9:00 - 9:30 | Business Networking

• Registration and networking

• Future of Work Zone

• Expert Corner discussions

9:30 - 9:40 | Conference Launch: Powering Your Business Growth 

• Welcome from Tech South West

• 2025: The Great Digital Opportunity

• Your Roadmap: getting the most from today's conference

9:40 - 9:45 SWIOT WELCOME

9:45 - 10:00 | Keynote Speaker Don Armand, Upgraded Leadership: Staying Human in an AI-Powered World
Don is a high-performance strategist, former England international rugby player, and the founder of Identity Human — a leadership consultancy helping ambitious humans lead with clarity in a world full of chaos, change, and “urgent” Slack messages.

10:00 - 10:30 | Panel: Your Future Starts Now - The Tech Trends becoming Business Reality

Tracks

• Track 1: AI-Powered Business Growth

• Track 2: Talent and Skills

• Track 3: Digital Projects that Drive Revenue

• Track 4: Cyber Security for your Business

• Track 5: Governance & Risk: Secure Foundations for Your Digital Roadmap

Track 1: AI-Powered Business Growth 

- 10:40 - 11:30 "Your AI Masterclass: Giving you the Knowledge, Tools and Strategies to Harness AI’s Potential within your Organisation." by Rocketmakers

- 11:30 - 11:50 Break

- 11:50 - 12:40 “AI in Marketing: Best Practices for SMEs” by Program

Track 2: Talent & Skills 

- 10:40 - 11:30 AI Skills for Growth: Empowering SMEs to Compete and Thrive” by Microsoft

--11:30 - 11:50 Break

- 11:50 - 12:40 Culture: Unlocking your business's superpower by Insight HR

Track 3: Digital Transformation 

- 10:40 - 11:30 "Rapid Innovation: Solve the Right Problem, Quickly" by Ghyston

- 11:30 - 11:50 Break

- 11:50 - 12:40 "From Idea to Opportunity: A Creative & AI-Powered SME Workshop" by Elixel

Track 4: Cyber 

- 10:40 - 11:30 The art of connection by CyberFirst South West

- 11:30 - 11:50 Break

- 11:50 - 12:40 "How can you protect your business from Cyber Threats" by  Timewade

Track 5: Governance & Risk: Secure Foundations for Your Digital Roadmap Howden (Room 1.28 First Floor theatre style 40 people)

- 10:40 - 11:30 "The Risk Ready Workshop: Insurance, Governance & Cyber Response Simulation" by Howden 

- 11:30 - 11:50 Break

- 11:50 - 12:40 Staying Ahead: Risk, Compliance, and Boardroom Responsibility for Non Exec’s by Moon Exec Search & Ashford

12:40 - 1:25 Lunch & Networking 

- Future of Work Zone

- Innovation Exchange

- Gaming

1.25 - 1.30 Welcome Back 

1.30 - 1.40 Guest Speaker Chris Phippen, "The Wisdom to Know the Difference" 
Chris is a regular voice on AI ethics and impact, having given talks, written extensively, and hosted a podcast on how emerging tech is reshaping our world.

1.40 - 2.20 - Panel 2: The Great Digital Opportunity - Transform Today, Thrive Tomorrow Live Audience Vote and Panel Discussion

What Businesses need to know about Skills

Afternoon Implementation Tracks 2:30 - 3:20

Track 1: AI 

- 2:30 - 3:20: AI: The legal “need-to-knows” for businesses by Stephens Scown

Track 2: Talent 

- 2.30 - 3:20: AI in hiring – the good, the bad, and the hidden risks that could cost you top talent by ISL Talent

Track 3: Digital Transformation 

- 2.30 - 3:20: Do Diligence - practical diligence without the deal by Pragma Holis 

Track 4: Cyber Security 

- 2.30 - 3:20: Beyond Firewalls: Building Resilience in the Digital Age

Track 5: Governance, Compliance & Risk 

- 2.30 - 3:20: The Tech South West Debate : Supercharging Business Success by TSW

15:20-15.40 Refreshment & Networking Break

15:40 - 16:10 Digital Transformation Lab Live!

(main theatre)

16:10-16:25 Digital Success Action Planning & Closing Remarks, Dan Pritchard 

- Key implementation steps (main day learnings!)

- Resource activation - your playbook!

- Your Ready Made Support Network (TSW/TSW+)

16:25 - 17:00 Gaming Zone

What You'll Take Home

• Digital transformation playbook
• Access to presentations
• Support network contacts
• Exclusive offers

Register Now

Spaces are limited to 120 delegates. Secure your place today to ensure you don't miss this essential event for your business's digital future.

Please refer to our Term and Conditions here