ExIST explores the digital skills gap at quarterly event

Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology (ExIST) will be holding their fourth event of 2016 at Sandy Park Conference Centre on the 24th November, focusing on the digital skills gap across the region.

Speakers for the event include Doniya Soni, Policy Manager at techUK; Ben Neild, Assistant Director Marchmont Observatory, University of Exeter and David Ives, Chief Technology Officer, Crowdcube.

The digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year and the challenge to rectify this is particularly acute for South West based, high growth, technology businesses, trying to secure, develop and retain digital talent. It is hoped that attendees to the ExIST event will get further insight into industry needs, policy, and education that may help to develop their own digital strategy.

Doniya will be discussing techUK’s views on the digital skills gap and its vision for the UK to be a leader in the development and use of digital technology, benefitting the economy.

Ben Neild, Assistant Director Marchmont Observatory, University of Exeter will focus on developing Exeter’s potential to become a national centre for environmental data analytics.

Ben said, “The UK Government is asking its regions to identify their key assets, to be clear about their ambitions, and to explain out how targeted investment will build regional distinctiveness enabling different geographies to become world-class in specific areas on economic activity. Building on key assets like the Met Office, university and science park, Exeter has the opportunity to become an international hub for environmental data analytics. I will be exploring the steps we need to take to realise this ambition and looking at two initiatives – The Data Analytics Skills Escalator and the Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab – that are designed to take us there.”

David Ives, Chief Technology Officer at Crowdcube will describe how it has adapted its approach to technology and acquired the necessary digital skills enabling the company, in just over 5 years, to develop its platform technology and grow the business to over 80 employees, with the majority located in its Exeter HQ.

ExIST Chair, Robert McIlwraith said, “This event shows a great line up. We are extremely pleased to be able to offer such quality speakers for our last event of 2016 and encourage anyone with a queries regarding the digital skills gap as well as an interest in the future development of Exeter to attend the event.”

For more information, visit www.existexeter.co.uk