Meeting Overview

Companies will not return to business as usual post covid-19. We will discuss some of the critical changes organisations are making to ensure their long-term survival.

Significant changes to the workplace, the high street and to how we use our leisure time are expected. We will hear about what YouGov research tells us about the public’s mood and what that implies the “new normal” will look like. Companies and corporate leaders need to develop their strategy based on what they think the impact of Covid will be in their area.

Investment into the innovation economy appears to be quite resilient. However, we know there is much left to unfold and there are not many businesses close to “BAU” as yet. We will use this session to share practical advice and insights gathered
across Silicon Valley Bank innovation portfolio and broader business globally as well as market trends
that are emerging in real-time.

We will also learn about what startups are doing and how they are innovating with potentially less fundraising opportunities in a shrinking economy.

Speaker

Roger is Chairman of Oxford Metrics plc (software) and YouGov plc (data analytics). Non Executive Director Uber UK (transport).

He was Executive Chairman and co-founder of: MSQ Partners, CEO of More Group and Clear Channel International. He was Chairman of Future Publishing, Johnston Press and Shakespeare’s Globe. He was Deputy Chairman of Clear Media, iTouch and Jazz FM; a founding Director of Internet Indirect plc and a director of Aegis, New Media Spark and WCRS. He started his career as Assistant to Charles and Maurice Saatchi then was a broadcaster with BBC and ITV and a consultant at McKinsey& Co. He was an owner of the radio stations LBC and Jazz FM.

Roger was educated at the universities of Oxford (Jesus College) and Bristol; and is a Visiting Fellow of Oxford University. He was awarded a CBE for services to media. He is the author of six books including Ascent of Media and Making Cities Work.

Speaker

Erin Platts is the Head of EMEA and President of the UK Branch and is responsible for leading and developing the Bank’s business across the EMEA region.

A 15-year veteran of SVB, Platts most recently has served as Head of Relationship Banking for Europe. She has a strong background in market and product development and delivering upon banking and debt transactions for technology and life sciences companies and their investors. Having originally joined SVB’s Boston office in 2004 before she transitioned to the UK office in 2007, Platts is a well-connected and active champion of the global innovation economy.

Erin was selected by Management Today to appear on the top 35 Women Under 35 list and Innotribes Power Women in Fintech.

Erin earned a BA in Business Management and Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Speaker

Kenneth Siber is the Head Labs at WeWork, launching and scaling the WE company’s global innovation and startup growth platform.

Kenneth is a serial entrepreneur having initially started businesses within the software and eCommerce spaces Kenneth then went on to lead Unilever’s early web efforts. Following that he started another company this time in the technology hardware sector and successfully led it to a strategic exit to Fujitsu.

Kenneth then spent time investing in startups and building a small seed fund as well as helping to launch Startupbootcamp the leading european accelerator before going on to start another eCommerce business in the Health and Beauty sector.

Chair

In her role as Executive Vice Chair, Ann represents Mastercard around the world, focusing on inclusion, diversity and innovation. She plays the important role of senior ambassador and executive leader and sits as part of the company’s global management committee. Prior to her current appointment, Ann was President of International Markets responsible for the management of all Mastercard customer-related activities in over 200 countries.

Ann brings more than 20 years’ experience working in senior management positions across Europe and the U.S. Prior to joining Mastercard in 2011, Ann was head of the Financial Services Group with Alvarez & Marsal, CEO of Transaction Banking at ABN-AMRO and held senior positions at Citigroup.

Ann is currently chair of ICE Clear Europe, owned by the Fortune 500 company Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). She is also global chair of the 30% Club, the chair of the Financial Alliance for Women and serves as a member of the UK government’s AI Council and the IBDE advisory board. She has a Pure Mathematics degree and honorary doctorate from Sheffield University and a M.Sc. with research into medical statistics and honorary doctorate from Newcastle University.