Fabiano is the Co-founder of Hardware Pioneers Max, the UK’s largest exhibition and conference dedicated to electronics, embedded systems, and edge AI. Since co-founding the business, he has played a key role in growing the event into one of Europe’s leading platforms for hardware innovation, connecting engineers, technology leaders, startups, and global technology companies. Passionate about building communities and fostering meaningful business relationships, Fabiano works closely with industry leaders to drive innovation across the electronics ecosystem.

Dr. Sujit Bhattacharya is an electronics and signal processing engineer with more than 36 years of experience spanning space technology, robotics, FPGA systems, satellite payloads, STEM education and community innovation. He has contributed to international aerospace and space missions, including ISRO satellite programs and ESA Solar Orbiter projects, and currently works as a Principal Engineer at MDA Space & Robotics. Dr. Bhattacharya is a passionate STEM ambassador who mentors students in electronics, robotics, and machine learning. He is also the founder and director of CERC (Cambridge Electronics and Robotics Club) and actively judges national STEM competitions, inspiring future innovators.

Annette is a veteran PR professional, having worked with clients of all sizes, in many different tech sectors, and on a wide variety of campaigns throughout Europe. She founded Annette Bley PR after holding senior in-house and agency roles and her client roster has included major companies, such as ARM, Cadence and Dell, plus an extensive list of successful start-ups, government initiatives and events. Having worked with DVCon Europe (Design and Verification Conference and Exhibition Europe) since its inception 10 years’ ago, she now sits on the Steering Committee.

Dr. Awai Collins-Harrison is a distinguished Systems Engineering Consultant and Systems Architect with an illustrious career spanning over 12 years in industry. Holding a Ph.D. in Control Systems Engineering, Awai possesses a comprehensive understanding of complex systems, control theory and a remarkable aptitude for innovation. She is a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council UK.

Her expertise lies in various domains including systems requirements, architecture specification, integration, verification, and validation, all critical components in ensuring the seamless operation of systems across various industries including power, automotive, aerospace and defence. With a specialization in model-based systems engineering and digital twins, Dr Awai has been instrumental in pioneering advanced methodologies that optimize system performance and enhance operational efficiency.

Throughout her career, Awai has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, leading teams to deliver groundbreaking solutions that have reshaped the landscape of rail operations. Her leadership roles reflect his commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate multifaceted projects with finesse and precision. Her contributions extend beyond technical domains, as she actively engages in stakeholder management, ensuring that diverse perspectives are integrated into the system architecture and design.

In addition, Awai is the co-chair of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers UK (AFBE-UK) where she works with the Executive Board and Chairs to promote attraction, retention and progression of black and minority ethnic engineers within the UK. Through various initiatives such as mentoring, career progression initiatives, leadership and schools initiatives, young people of BME backgrounds are encouraged to pursue a career in engineering and are mentored throughout their journey up to getting a role in industry and beyond.

Helen Duncan is Chief Executive Officer of Blueshift Memory, a semiconductor IP startup. Following an early career as a microwave design engineer, she was marketing manager for two global semiconductor manufacturers, then editor of a leading European technical magazine for 12 years. Before joining Blueshift Memory she worked as a marketing consultant and a freelance technology writer.

A Chartered Engineer, Helen is a member of the UKTIN Semiconductor Experts Working Group and has advised on UK semiconductor and telecoms policy. She is passionate about promoting the role of women in deep tech, and has served on the IEEE UKI Women in Engineering Committee.

Calum is C&I Engineer at Drax Power Station, the largest single site generator of renewable electricity in the UK and the largest biomass power plant in the world. With extensive experience in industrial IT and OT technologies, Calum specialises in ensuring the cybersecurity of critical control systems that support the nation's power generation infrastructure. Previously, he completed an apprenticeship as an Electrical & Mechanical Engineer at Nestle UK&I where, over a decade of continuous professional and academic development, completed an HNC, HND, and MSc in Computing with Cybersecurity, to advance to the role of Process Engineering Manager for the York and Girvan factories. Calum is passionate about the latest advancements in digital automation and cybersecurity technologies within the manufacturing and energy industries, dedicating much of his time to leveraging such innovations to further enhance business performance, resilience, and security of UK power generation. Through his work, Calum aims to drive the electronics industry forward, which supports the control and automation backbone of power generation, to ensure a secure and sustainable energy future for the UK.

Richard Fletcher BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIET is the MD and founder of Ignys Ltd, a three-time Elektra Design Team of the Year winner, based in Nottingham. He has worked in a variety of industries including fibre optic communications, grant funded R&D, and fire and intruder alarm systems, in roles including Hardware Design Engineer, Competency Lead, Technical Director and Managing Director, and is passionate about making high quality engineering skills available and accessible to companies of all sizes. Richard believes in using engineering as a force for good in the world and has been involved in numerous product ideas and development projects.

Andy is Director of Strategy for CORNERSTONE, the photonics foundry at the University of Southampton. He chairs the Semiconductor Expert Working Group for UKTIN, advises the OECD Semiconductor Network, the G7 POC and serves on the UK Government’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel. Andy has over 25 years of experience driving innovation in photonics and semiconductor technology across industry, academia and government. Andy was the Founder of the Semiconductor Catapult, securing a £54m investment from UK Government to build a high-performance organisation. He has given evidence to Parliament on five occasions, led high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and delegations to Canada, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the US White House. Andy holds an Executive MBA from Glasgow University, a research doctorate from Strathclyde University, he’s a Fellow of the IET and Freeman of the City of London (FCL).

Dr. Valerie Lynch FRSA, FIoD, CDir

Valerie Lynch is the Founder and Chairman of AND Technology Research Ltd, where she pioneers innovation in manufacturable software and electronics products. Valerie is a policy advisor at the IET and recipient of the Women in Electronics Lifetime Achievement award. Her career began as a programmer/analyst for British Telecom, but she later specialised in developing digital and electronics-based embedded systems. Her work has spanned medical, consumer, industrial and telecommunications products. A believer in life-long learning, Valerie is a Chartered Director and holds a PhD from Cambridge in technology management. A director and industrial collaborator at IfM Engage (University of Cambridge) Valerie undertakes research into two issues arising from a long career in practice; Assessment of value created during innovation, and Processes that maximise efficiency when developing manufacturable solutions.

A veteran of 40 years in the Analog Integrated Circuit Design industry, Ash Madni continues to contribute to the rapidly changing world of Microelectronics. Ash has worked for a number of big companies, such as Ferranti, STL, GEC Plessey Semiconductors, Maxim Integrated, Dialog Semiconductors, to name a few. He has also worked in startups, such as Phyworks.

During his tenure at GEC Plessey Semiconductors, Ash raised over 20 patents, including Synthesis Exploiting Algebraic Design, which was used successfully in a number of products. Ash is currently running his consultancy, Madni Technologies (UK) ltd. For relaxation, Ash enjoys walking, spending time with his wife, daughters, grandchildren and friends. Ash is an active published composer in Chamber and Orchestral music. Inspired by the works of Shelley and Stoker, Ash is working on his second SciFi novel, The Jugathra Chronicles. Passionate about the Semiconductor industry, Ash is an active blogger for the Electronics Weekly website.

Margaret Schmitt is an international technology executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning semiconductors, industrial software, digital manufacturing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. She has held executive leadership positions across Silicon Valley and global technology companies, including serving as General Manager of Microelectronics Security at Amida, where she led the commercialization of trusted hardware security technologies, and as President and CEO of CGTech, where she guided the company's global growth and strategy in digital manufacturing software. Earlier in her career, she held engineering and leadership roles at Sun Microsystems, IBM, Apache Design Solutions, and Ansys.

Margaret is the President Emeritus and founding board member of Hawai'i Women in Tech, where she led the organization's growth into a respected nonprofit focused on advancing workforce development, leadership, and innovation across Hawaii's technology ecosystem. Throughout her career, she has championed technical excellence, collaborative leadership, and the development of diverse, high-performing engineering teams. Margaret holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin.

Roger Thornton is Director of Applications Engineering at Raspberry Pi, where his team helps customers take advantage of the low-cost, high-performance computing products designed by Raspberry Pi. Previously working as a hardware design engineer, he has designed several iterations of the iconic Raspberry Pi Computer, acknowledged as the UK's best-selling computer of all time.

Roger was part of the small team that took Raspberry Pi through the IPO process, placing the company onto the main market in June 2024. His work included securing the Green Economy Mark for the company and he sits on the companies sustainability committee.

James Toynton is Founder & Managing Director of Zen Semiconductor, a leading European semiconductor recruitment business trusted by many of the world’s largest organisations and start-ups to find and attract semiconductor professionals to hire full-time - from entry-level to CEO. After 12+ years, he is now one of Europe's most networked individuals in the sector and leverages this to continue helping empower and advocate for the UK and European semiconductor ecosystem. James holds a BSc in Mathematics, following his studies at one of the UK's leading grammar schools.  

In over 35 years in technology PR, Peter advised clients ranging from innovative start-ups to global technology giants such as 3M, Rohde & Schwarz, AMD and Omron. He has extensive experience of technology awards and has contributed many winning Elektra award entries. Peter founded three PR agencies and retired recently following the successful sale of his business. He has a degree in Physics and Digital Microelectronics.