GOETEC26 Conference

Welcome to GOETEC26

• Paul Butler, Chair of GOETEC Consortium and CIO at University of Greenwich

Conference Opening: Shaping Tomorrow Together

• Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura, Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Kent

Featured Panel: Data Conversations

This featured panel discussion explored the work that UCISA and Jisc are leading around sector challenges and opportunities related to data, data modelling and collaborative approaches to data.

Featured panellists included:

• Emma Woodcock, CIO, York St John University
• Natalie Lafferty, Head of Representation and Policy, UCISA
• Liam Earney, Managing Director, Jisc
• Jodie Wetherall, Associate Director, Office of the CIO, University of Greenwich
• Oliver Jawara, Director of Planning, Insights and Improvement, University of Kent

Keynote Presentation:  Digital Maturity as Strategic Imperative

• Liam Earney, Managing Director, Jisc

Liam Earney presented important work being led by Jisc on digital maturity designed to support providers as they face complex challenges from the rapid emergence of AI and entrenched technical legacy to evolving teaching and learning practices and changing student requirements.

Parallel Sessions 1 

1a. Sponsored Case Study – LapSafe and MidKent College: Beyond Borrowing: Building a Culture of Digital Responsibility

• Michael Kilby, Education Sales Leader, LapSafe
• Paul Hogben, Director of ICT, MidKent College

1b. Sponsored Case Study – Infuse, Libra and HRUC: Enabling Successful Digital Transformation During Testing Times

• Ade Odumosu, Head of Client Relations, Infuse
• Brad Marsh, Managing Partner, Libra Advisory
• Alex Denley, CTO, Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges

1c. Sponsored Talk – Cisco: AI Enabled Student Support – Your GenZ AI agent

• Joseph Pratten, Contact Centre Sales Specialist, Cisco

1d. Sponsored Talk – Maxica Consulting: From Integration Complexity to Delivery Clarity: Ulster University’s Journey

• Ope Ayileye, Executive Partner, Maxica Consulting

Parallel Sessions 2  

2a. Sponsored Case Study – Apogee: From Supplier to Strategic Partner: Scaling Services in the Public Sector

• Gary Day, Director of Public Sector Sales, Apogee
• Paul Sinnock, Director of IT Services, University of Kent
• Catriona Blair, Assistant Director of IT Services (Service Delivery), University of Kent
• Elia Giovanni, Director of Marketing and Product Management, Apogee

2b. Sponsored Case Study – Halo: Transforming Service Management: Halo ITSM at CCCU and Greenwich

• India Baker, Senior Solutions Architect, Halo
• David Thorne, Solutions Architect, Halo
• Paulina Terziyska, Head of Digital Delivery, Canterbury Christ Church University
• Jaswant Singh, Head of IT Support, University of Greenwich

2c. Sponsored Talk – Waterstons: AI: Data, People and Trust

• Kieran Fowler, Head of Cyber Consulting, Waterstons
• Naomi Hughes, Executive Business Consultant, Waterstons
• Moon Yates, Delivery Lead – Higher Education, Waterstons

2d. Sponsored Talk – Pathify: The Perfect Storm and Today’s Turning Point

• Toby Turk, Account Executive – UK&I, Pathify

Featured Panel: AI and Digital Learning Technologies

This featured panel discussion explored approaches to AI and Digital Learning Technologies in both Further and Higher Education, including decisions around selected technologies and training students and staff on effective uses to AI in teaching and learning.

Featured panellists included:

• Michele Balazs, Head of Learning Technology and Resources, North Kent College
• Josh Graham, Learning Technology Officer, North Kent College
• Oliver Perrott-Webb, AI and Education Specialist, University of Kent

Parallel Sessions 3 

3a. Sponsored Case Study – Methods Business and Digital Technology: University of Greenwich’s Migration to the Cloud, part 2 – data and reporting collaboration and AI

• Gareth Jones, CISO, Methods Business and Digital Technologies
• Dan Meineck, Cloud Domain Specialist, Methods Business and Digital Technology
• Jodie Wetherall, Associate Director, Office of the CIO, University of Greenwich

3b. Sponsored Talk – Technology1: ERP for Education and Local Government

• Emma Foy, Industry Sales Lead, Technology1

3c. Sponsored Talk – Acumen Cyber: Security Threats and Shared Service Solutions

• Cian Heasley, Principal Consultant, Acumen Cyber
• Spencer Misstear, Education Director, Acumen Cyber
• Brian Henderson, CEO, HEFESTIS

Featured Talk: Inside ransomware groups: origins, structures, and dynamics

• Jason Nurse, Reader in Cyber Security, University of Kent

Dr Jason Nurse presented on ransomware groups, their origins, structures and dynamics. Ransomware is no longer the domain of lone hackers, it’s a sophisticated, profit-driven ecosystem fuelled by organised groups operating like modern enterprises. The talk explored key players behind today’s most impactful ransomware campaigns, uncovering the structure, tactics, and motivations of threat actors ranging from ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operators to affiliates and brokers, as well as discussing how these groups collaborate, evade law enforcement, and evolve in response to defensive measures.

Prize Draw and Winner Announcements

Conference Closing: Looking to the Future Together

• -Jodie Wetherall, Associate Director, Office of the CIO, University of Greenwich