Speakers
Meet the speakers for our inaugural panel debate on Friday 4 July
Join online from 9am-10.30am or in person and stay for the workshop until 11.30am
Naomi Timperley
Naomi Timperley is a trailblazing, award-winning business consultant, innovation director at Merseyway Innovation Centre and co-founder of Tech North Advocates. As UK lead for Global Tech Advocates, she champions growth across the UK tech sector. Recently named the ‘2nd Most Influential Woman in UK Tech’ by Computer Weekly, Naomi's expertise spans AI adoption, digital transformation and cross-sector collaboration. A skilled programme designer, speaker and co-author on strategic innovation, Naomi empowers businesses to thrive in a digital-first world through actionable insight and a results-driven approach to innovation.
Natalie Jameson
Natalie Jameson is a senior vice president at BNY and founder of service design and skills company The HeroWorx Institute. A best-selling author and member of We are Tech Women, Natalie sits on the advisory board for The University of Chester’s conversion MSc in AI, Data Science & Entrepreneurship aimed at women. She also volunteers with Tech Manchester and GM4Women. Her purpose is driving inclusive innovation and social change with data, diversity and design thinking for a sustainable economy. She has led transformative projects across fintech, healthtech and edtech – combining design thinking, deep tech, and structured finance.
Tim McFarlane
Tim McFarlane is a senior leader at NatWest Group with nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services, spanning global banks and investment management firms. For the past decade, he has led large operations teams supporting NatWest’s corporate and institutional customers. Having worked across several countries, Tim brings a global perspective and is an advocate of harnessing innovative technology to transform the way we work. With a deep understanding of the financial services sector and its future direction, Tim has extensive insights into the opportunities and challenges that exist.
Rebecca Ganz
Rebecca Ganz is a strategic adviser and corporate governance expert with a global career spanning technology, health, education and professional services. She is non-executive director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and chair of its Finance and Investment Committee. She is also chair of Blueskeye AI, as well as a trustee and co-chair at Leodis Multi Academy Trust. As Northern lead for Women on Boards and an entrepreneur adviser, Rebecca brings deep expertise in strategic planning, risk mitigation and innovation. She excels at helping companies drive sustainable growth through challenge, insight and inspiring leadership.
Katharina (Kat) Koall
Kat Koall is executive dean at University Academy 92, with over 20 years’ experience in higher education leadership, driving equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. A champion for closing attainment gaps, Kat pioneers inclusive curriculum design, student welfare and governance reform. Alongside her academic career, she is an active creative practitioner in documentary film, illustration and animation. She has led a UK-based design collective promoting diversity through community-focused creative work. Currently, Kat co-leads a national project on ‘unlearning whiteness’ in academia: challenging systemic norms and advocating for educational models that reflect and empower the full diversity of society.
