Speakers and Sessions at Eastbourne DigiFest 2025

Speakers and Sessions

Join us at Eastbourne DigiFest on Wednesday 15th October 2025 for a lively day full of insightful talks and thought-provoking sessions. You’ll gain practical knowledge and strategies from industry experts to help you and your business adapt, grow, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

More speakers are still to be announced, so check back here for the latest updates.

Brian Drinkwater

Ever wondered how Hollywood movies are created?
We go behind the scenes of Eastbourne based Drop Dead Films, to discover how they work with creatives and technology, to produce successful features which are distributed across the globe from North America to Asia.
A great script, talent, lights, sound, and a camera are the basics, but there’s far more to it than that!
We’ll dissect a couple of psychological thrillers originally shot in East Sussex, and look at the work of local creative technology businesses to give you an understanding of exactly what it takes to make content look and sound great in cinema, on television, and on mobile devices.

As co-owner and consulting partner of Kyle Partnership, Brian advises and collaborates with companies of all sizes and scale. Brian has worked in the Creative Digital & Technology sectors for over 30 years, predominantly within television and production as a senior leader in content management and operations, and as a board director.

Raffaele Di Meo

Creating successful products requires more than just intuition. It demands a deep understanding of customer needs and challenges. By adopting a research-led approach, you can uncover the root causes of problems and develop solutions that truly meet customer expectations. But how do you get your organisation to prioritise research and customer insights?
This presentation will explore the essential elements of customer-centric product development, why it matters, and offer strategies for integrating research into your workflow and securing business buy-in. Raff will share examples from his work with clients such as Amazon, Vietnam Post, and Australia Post to show how customer insights can drive business success.

Raff Di Meo is an experienced design leader with over a decade of experience. He has led the design team at Doddle, a tech startup in the e-commerce returns sector, and successfully guided the team through its acquisition by Blue Yonder, where he currently holds the position of Senior Principal UX Designer.
Raff has a proven track record of driving growth and enhancing user experiences, having developed B2B software utilised by prominent brands such as Amazon, Australia Post, and Yamato. He has also worked with numerous charities in the UK, including Dog Trust, PDSA, Marie Curie, and Crisis.
Beyond his professional work, Raff is passionate about fostering community within the design industry. He mentors emerging designers and shares insights through his newsletter, "Some Designers," where he champions inclusivity and lifelong learning.

Jay Scott-Nicholls

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, virtual technology emerged as a lifeline when physical gatherings ceased, bridging the gap during a time when traditional interactions were disrupted. As conditions normalised, virtual tech evolved from a status symbol into a strategic asset. Brands discovered its true value in solving tangible business challenges. Today, virtual experiences are integral across all areas - from training thousands of engineers and driving car sales to reducing tradeshow costs, expanding B2C reach, sharing brand stories, and motivating employees. Enquiries are coming in fast.
In this session, Jay will explore how virtual technology has moved beyond the hype to become a critical tool for addressing real-world brand challenges. Together, we'll trace its journey from a pandemic emergency solution to its current role in transforming industries - accessible via VR headsets, WEBXR, and mobile platforms - and highlight what this means for businesses and marketing teams today.

Circus is an award-winning immersive-tech agency, on a mission to inspire the world's most exciting brands to do things virtually.
Circus helps brands and agencies to create stunning interactive content using the latest immersive tech, specialising in 360 Virtual Tours, 360 Video, Interactive 3D, VR, AR and Virtual Worlds. Their clients include the likes of the United Nations, UK Parliament, BBC, Spotify, Hilton, Redbull, English Heritage, Dior, Goldman Sachs, London Zoo, Merck, and University of Oxford.
Their virtual experiences have been used in experiential marketing campaigns, as event tools, for HR and onboarding purposes, to create PR stunts, educate masses, train engineers, recruit international students, support sales teams, reduce venue costs and so much more.

Kai Zammit

In this session, Smokescreen Visuals will educate businesses on the advantages and implementation of targeted TV advertising and showcase how it can enhance marketing effectiveness and return on investment. Kai will also be joined on stage by Rob Reaks, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightning Fibre, who'll be part of a 'live' case study demonstrating the impact of TV advertising.

Smokescreen Visuals are a video production company with over 20 years of experience, crafting films for agencies, brands and corporate companies. Their goal is to create stunning visuals that connect to the audience and leave a lasting impact.
They offer the chance to put any business on TV, creating bespoke and original TV ads, targeted at the right audiences alongside some of the biggest TV shows, documentaries and movies.

Heidi Carroll

In the constantly changing world of media, technology is both enhancing and partitioning the audience experience. This gives experienced advertising agencies, like MEERKATworks, ever more control and choice when planning campaigns.
The evolving landscape provides opportunities for media experts to access the best channels, programmes, devices, and times to engage a relevant audience. Media experts, like the MEERKATs, are also able to plan highly targeted campaigns that are often considerably more affordable than you might imagine.
From traditional TV to current alternatives of CTV, Streaming, Pause Ads and VoD; from ‘old school’ FM radio to the shiny new options of podcasts and digital audio; from static billboards to Programmatic Out of Home - the marketplace is always on the move.

Heidi has worked in Media since 1994 and founded MEERKATworks in 2005 as an independent media planning and buying agency.
The MEERKATs are an agile, alert and creative team with experience right across the marketing landscape. Their expertise extends from traditional media planning and buying, to cutting-edge digital channels and programmatic.
The team at MEERKATworks excels across many sectors including Food and Drink, Education, Events, Charity and Travel. They plan, buy and create high impact advertising campaigns across digital channels, such as Out of Home (inc. PrOOH), Digital Audio (inc. Podcasts, Radio, & Streaming), TV (VoD, Pause Ads, CTV, & Streaming), Programmatic (YouTube, Pre-Roll Video & Display), Press (Digital Sponsorships & Integrated Partnerships).
As a fully independent media agency, the MEERKATs relish running free in the wild and being completely objective, open and fair in all they do. They carefully scan the whole marketing landscape and burrow deep, to sniff out the choicest campaigns and most innovative, bespoke solutions for their clients.

Alice Dewar-Mills

Bring your business questions to this drop-in session with the Fractional on Demand team and they’ll provide comprehensive, multi-faceted answers to help you on your way.
Meet the team:
- Alice Dewar-Mills, Fractional Commercial Director
- Andy Cottle, Fractional Finance Director
- Jan-Aage Frydenbo-Bruvoll, Fractional CTO
- Michelle Peel, Fractional COO
- Ian Trevett, Fractional Marketing Director

Alice is the Founder and Fractional Commercial Director at Fractional on Demand.
Fractional on Demand is a support network of fractional directors with a dual purpose aim of providing support to each other and also the local business community - increasing awareness of how fractional directors can support SMEs by providing senior level support at a fraction of the cost of a full time role. Part of this mission is taking their expertise to the business community at events.

Russ Miles

When you need speed, creativity and control, few things beat AI Agents. Through carefully harnessing the dynamism of Large Language Models like Open AI and Claude, while securely accessing your unique context, AI agents can autonomously work on a multitude of out-of-the-box and custom tasks.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to engineer AI agents that reason, adapt, and execute tasks using cutting-edge tools like GitHub Copilot, Embabel, and the latest LLM features from OpenAI and Anthropic.

You’ll learn:
- What makes AI agents so powerful and why they’re changing how we build software.
- The core design patterns and architecture behind every agent.
- How to build your own agents using prompts, embeddings, and code—no hype, just real engineering.

This workshop is primarily for software developers but can also be exciting and informative for the curious. Whether you want to observe or dive in and code, you’ll leave with working examples and the inspiration to launch your own AI-driven tools.

Optional preparation: If you want to get stuck in and run the examples and do your own coding for the exercises it is recommended that you sign up to GitHub and a Copilot license prior to the workshop.

Russ Miles is on a mission, as an Author, Listener, Speaker and Developer to help people thrive in one of the harshest, and potentially impactful, working environments: software system engineering. As an expert in software development, Russ helps people navigate the complicated and complex to succeed through his books, mentorship, open source contributions, talks, courses and his daily work.

Glenn Chilcott

Highly relevant in today's world and ever-growing interest in AI, Glenn will explore what responsible AI means, delving into ethics, governance, and regulation. Through an engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible presentation (involving penguins, planes and fraudsters), he'll present findings from his Doctor of Business Administration thesis on the topic to help spark meaningful thought and discussion.

Glenn's career encompasses 27 years in corporate IT and change. He has a MBA, MSc, and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Business Administration where his thesis explores responsible AI - involving ethics, governance, and regulation.

Tyler Mortimer-Wise

Ever wondered what the metaverse really is and how your business can step into this rapidly expanding digital world? Ellie Hale asks Tyler and Ben from TeamTBM all the questions you could ever need to ask! Join them as they explain the metaverse, drawing from their experience creating on platforms like Roblox.
This session will explore:
- What is the Metaverse? Moving beyond the buzzwords to understand its core concepts and potential.
- Our Roblox Journey: Insights from TeamTBM's experiences in creating engaging metaverse experiences.
- Brands in the Metaverse: Discover how businesses, big and small, can establish a presence and connect with new audiences.
If you're curious about the next evolution of online interaction and how it could benefit your brand or business, this session is your gateway. You'll come away with actionable insights and real-world perspectives to help you navigate your first steps into the metaverse.

Tyler Mortimer-Wise is the co-founder of TeamTBM, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and community-focused experience gained across the creative and digital sectors.
Currently, Tyler is actively involved with TechResort CIC, working hands-on to tackle digital inclusion through device repurposing and providing vital ICT support to the community. Alongside this role, Tyler hosts events, and develops games on the widely-known platform, Roblox.
Their passion for combining technology with people-centred work extends to their role as a Senior Camp Counsellor at USA Summer Camp, having been responsible for photography and videography during the 2024 & 2025 summer season.

Paul Hetherington

In an era where AI is no longer a sci-fi fantasy but a daily reality, leaders face a unique challenge: how to effectively guide their teams through this technological revolution. Paul’s talk tackles this very topic, offering insights, strategies, and a dash of humour to help you navigate the brave new world of work. Picture this: you're in a meeting, and your team is discussing the latest project. Suddenly, your AI-powered virtual assistant chimes in with a brilliant idea. Do you a) thank the AI and move on, b) panic because you're worried the robots are taking over, or c) embrace the opportunity to collaborate with your new silicon-based team member? The answer, of course, is c - unless you're still clinging to the hope that the Terminator movies were just a warning). As we dive into the world of AI leadership, let's take a moment to appreciate the wisdom of those who came before.

Paul Hetherington is a distinguished growth strategist, executive coach, and business advisor specialising in transforming companies and empowering leaders. As a Vistage Group Chair in Sussex and London, he facilitates monthly meetings for CEOs, MDs, and business owners, offering confidential environments to discuss challenges, learn from expert speakers, and receive personalised coaching. With a proven track record as former CEO of Marshall Tufflex - where he transformed financial performance through environmental leadership - Paul brings exceptional strategic vision and innovation to both SMEs and Plc leaders. His extensive experience in non-executive roles, including positions with the Department for Trade, Offshore Solar, and The BRE Group, further reinforces his credibility. A thought leader with more than 16,000 LinkedIn followers, Paul is renowned for his actionable advice and mentorship.

Glenn Davidson

Small businesses often feel they can’t compete with industry giants, but their agility, flexibility and focus give them a powerful edge. Fast, Focused, and Fearless explores how SMEs can outmanoeuvre bigger brands by getting their brand positioning right, developing clever targeted marketing strategies, and responding quickly to feedback and market changes.
Through real-world examples and actionable insights, this session will show you how to leverage speed, messaging, and personalisation to stand out and win market share. Whether you’re a startup or an established SME, you’ll leave with practical strategies to compete smarter, move faster, and win your ideal customers.

Glenn Davidson helps businesses grow by refining their online presence and shaping smart digital strategies. His career started in content and copywriting a decade ago and over the years, he’s worked across the full marketing mix with brands like Tesco, Accor, Holiday Inn, and Netflix.

Andrew Williams

Drawing on his experience as co-host of the Kids Media Club podcast, Andy will show how podcasts are a great way to start industry conversations, build your brand and network.

Andy Williams is a seasoned creative producer, writer, and director with over 20 years' experience in family entertainment across TV, Theatre, and animation. He held executive positions at Disney and Nickelodeon before setting up his own company, Vamonos. Andy developed the series Brush Head for Disney, for which he won a BAFTA, and collected a Writers Guild Award in 2010 for his work on Shaun the Sheep for Aardman. Recently, Andy completed production on a new animated series for a major global streaming platform. He also co-hosts the Kids Media Club Podcast.

Ben McCormick

Ever wondered what the metaverse really is and how your business can step into this rapidly expanding digital world? Ellie Hale asks Tyler and Ben from TeamTBM all the questions you could ever need to ask! Join them as they explain the metaverse, drawing from their experience creating on platforms like Roblox.
This session will explore:
- What is the Metaverse? Moving beyond the buzzwords to understand its core concepts and potential.
- Our Roblox Journey: Insights from TeamTBM's experiences in creating engaging metaverse experiences.
- Brands in the Metaverse: Discover how businesses, big and small, can establish a presence and connect with new audiences.
If you're curious about the next evolution of online interaction and how it could benefit your brand or business, this session is your gateway. You'll come away with actionable insights and real-world perspectives to help you navigate your first steps into the metaverse.

Ben McCormick is the co-founder and technical lead for TeamTBM. In this role, he directs all technical elements for the company, which specialises in game development within the Roblox metaverse alongside undertaking website development projects. Ben draws upon six years of dedicated experience in server-side programming to deliver these technical solutions

Louise Bloom

Details coming soon

Louise has been working at the coal face where technology meets users with a focus on digital accessibility and wellbeing for over 25 years, helping clients around the globe to identify and resolve usability and access needs.
Her parallel role as a neurological physiotherapist add deep insights of the lived experiences of people with complex and diverse disabilities. Taking a holistic approach to accessibility, her work includes testing with end users, expert reviews, and training practitioners.
Louise is an active member of the digital community, speaking at international conferences including UX Brighton and EUROIA, and co-organiser of the UX Camp Brighton conference.

Ellie Hale

Details coming soon

Ellie has an experienced background in sales and business development, having been a pioneering account manager for Groupon's expansion into Australia and New Zealand. In her subsequent role within E-Learning, she distinguished herself by spearheading webinars and cultivating a robust client community.
For the past seven years, Ellie has leveraged her expertise to advise and support over 1,000 independent agencies, enhancing their network and fostering a vibrant community. Currently, as Partnerships Director at Reflect Digital, she is at the forefront of integrating advanced digital marketing strategies with insights into human behavior.
Ellie's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility in networking and events is evident in her recent initiative, AgencyLand. Launched last year, this platform aims to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry, reflecting her commitment to creating a more equitable professional landscape.

Andy Cottle

Bring your business questions to this lunchtime drop-in session with the Fractional on Demand team and they’ll provide comprehensive, multi-faceted answers to help you on your way.

Andy is an accomplished fractional CFO with extensive experience in high-growth tech businesses, particularly online marketplaces. He has worked across industries such as lifestyle, education, and health, helping companies fundraise, build financial models, and implement systems to support growth. He has also co-founded two successful businesses in the mental-health space.
Andy has a wealth of experience supporting businesses as they scale in countries such as the US, UAE, France, and China. He has also led numerous funding rounds - from seed through to Series B - and been involved in a number of acquisitions and exits.

Jan-Aage
Frydenbo-Bruvoll

Bring your business questions to this lunchtime drop-in session with the Fractional on Demand team and they’ll provide comprehensive, multi-faceted answers to help you on your way.

Jan-Aage is a fractional CTO who helps businesses use technology to grow. With almost 30 years of experience, he's worked with both small and large companies across Europe. At Skipa, he focuses on due diligence, improving IT teams, and post-acquisition projects to make sure my clients get the most from their technology.
Jan-Aage has built digital systems used by millions, helping both tech-focused and traditional businesses use technology to boost growth and efficiency. Whether it's updating systems or strengthening teams, he tailors his approach to fit each business's needs.
He aims to help clients not just see the future, but shape it. By finding hidden value, he helps businesses reach their goals. Through practical solutions and ongoing support Jan-Aage aims to be a trusted advisor. He is committed to helping businesses succeed with technology, keeping them competitive and innovative while controlling risk and operational consistency.

Michelle Peel

Bring your business questions to this lunchtime drop-in session with the Fractional on Demand team and they’ll provide comprehensive, multi-faceted answers to help you on your way.

Michelle Peel is a commercially focused fractional COO with over 20 years’ experience delivering strategic growth, operational transformation, and financial turnaround across healthcare, professional services, and the not-for-profit sector. Having begun her career at Morgan Stanley, rising to Vice President in Prime Brokerage and leading EMEA non-market risk, she then co-founded and was COO of a national domiciliary opticians’ business, growing the company to £2.5m turnover with no debt before leading its successful sale.
Michelle is currently a Fractional COO at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, leading strategic planning, commercial development, and operational delivery. She has launched new revenue-generating services, introduced a bespoke CRM and membership model, and turned around multiple loss-making divisions into sustainable ventures.

Ian Trevett

Bring your business questions to this lunchtime drop-in session with the Fractional on Demand team and they’ll provide comprehensive, multi-faceted answers to help you on your way.

Ian helps growing businesses with smart, scalable marketing help, finding them the right Marketing Mix. He has led marketing teams, run his own business, and collaborated with ambitious SMEs for decades. Every business has different needs, and he believes there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all strategy.
As a Fractional Marketing director, Ian brings senior-level marketing experience to small businesses who need expert input but can’t justify a full-time hire. Whether you need help shaping a strategy, mentoring an in-house team, or just a fresh pair of eyes, he can tailor his involvement to suit your needs.