Event programme

Graham is an influential and respected senior technology and innovation leader and Chief Architect with proven capability in identifying, developing and implementing state of the art solutions at a strategic (CXO) level within complex, multinational organisations. He is skilled at leading cross-functional teams across multiple sectors including Life Sciences, Aerospace, Energy & Utilities and Rail. Graham has an extensive knowledge in engineering, manufacturing operations, Industry 4.0, digital advances with lean and agile methodologies, and has delivered key change projects whilst leading technological advances in capability acquisition and continuous improvement.

Professor Oakland is Chair of The Oakland Group and Head of its Research and Education Division, The Oakland Institute. For over 40 years he has taught and consulted in all aspects of quality management to thousands of organisations. His research work on the quality management requirements of industry and commerce has been widely acknowledged and published in books, papers, articles and reports. John is a Fellow of the CQI and was the first winner of the CQI Outstanding Contribution to Quality Management Practice in 2017. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, Honorary Life Fellow of the Research Quality Association and Member of the American Society for Quality.

Dr Pauline Bremner, Associate Professor, lectures in Retail and Fashion Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. As part of her remit, she leads institutional projects on educational research and has presented and published on educational topics at many conferences. One of her key teaching and research areas is the embedding of the Sustainable Development Goals in her omnichannel module. This module draws on supply chain practices and environmental sustainability requirements while utilising innovative teaching practices to engage students.

Adam Leon Smith is Deputy Chair of the UK’s national AI standards committee. In ISO/IEC SC42 he is Convenor of JWG 2 (Testing of AI systems). He is active in CEN-CENELEC JTC21, where he is Project Leader for two projects - the Quality Management System for EU AI Act Regulatory Purposes, and AI System Logging. He is Chair of the BCS Fellows Technical Advisory group, and Chair of the AIQI Consortium, a global initiative to promote the use of the quality infrastructure for AI. In 2024, the University of Bath awarded Adam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work

Tim McGarr is the AI Market Development Lead in BSI responsible for investigating new AI markets and delivering new AI assessment services. Prior to this Tim was the Sector Lead for BSI with responsibility for the direction and development of key digital standards areas, including Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Tim has been working at BSI since 2009. Before joining BSI, Tim spent five years working in the strategy department for legal publisher LexisNexis. Tim has also worked as a management consultant and an internal consultant. Tim has an MBA from HEC in Paris, France.

Tim will facilitate this session.

Tina started her career in audit and assurance, later accumulating significant leadership and transformation expertise within regulated industries. Her experience spans operational excellence, risk and assurance and finance across both private and, more recently, public sectors. Holding credentials as a Chartered Quality Professional, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Tina's firm grounding has been instrumental in her achievements and greatly shapes her approach to enhancing organisational performance. Notable accomplishments include designing and implementing new operating models, spearheading cultural change and establishing and embedding continuous improvement frameworks. Presently, as the Head of Policy and Oversight at Defence Equipment and Support, Tina is leading on the development and implementation of a management operating system to underpin delivery of operational excellence within the organisation.

John Paul has 30+ years of business experience combining marketing, performance improvement, and automation across sectors, including technology, media, manufacturing, and banking internationally (UK, Australia, US, Europe, etc.), in established and early-stage companies. His Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and technology experience in improving and automating repetitive and cognitive human processes whether through AI, automation or improvement includes more than a decade between equitably.ai, AI First Trading, HSBC and NCR Corporation.

Richard Corderoy is Managing Director of The Oakland Group, a data consultancy that helps organisations find the true value in their data by bringing together analytics, process, and governance. Clients include Network Rail, Yorkshire Water, UKPN, Severn Trent, Channel 4, and Vodafone. Richard is a passionate technologist who is both a sceptic and an optimist with a strong belief in data having the potential to build a better world. Prior to The Oakland Group, Richard began his earlier career with the Royal Navy and Lloyds Banking Group in both operational and commercial roles.

Rashid Adam is Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Findlay Park, a leading London-based investment management firm known for its long-term, high-conviction approach to investing in US equities. Since joining the firm in 2011, Rashid has played a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening the firm’s operational backbone, ensuring it remains robust, scalable, and aligned with Findlay Park’s commitment to excellence and integrity.
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Rashid brings extensive experience in transforming operational infrastructures within the financial services sector. Prior to Findlay Park, he was a Senior Financial Services Consultant, where he oversaw the IT infrastructure for multiple funds in London. From 2001 to 2008, he held a range of leadership roles in support, project management, and consultancy at firms including CYIENT and IBM. His strategic insight and ability to integrate technology with operational efficiency have been instrumental in modernising Findlay Park’s internal capabilities to support its high-performing US equity fund.

Simon leads Stephenson Harwood’s international technology sector group, and his practice focuses on IT transactions and emerging technologies. He has significant experience advising on complex IT and managed services arrangements, BPO/IT outsourcings, cloud services, and system integration and digital transformation projects. Simon also advises on software licensing, data protection compliance, cybersecurity, and new disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. Simon has gained industry experience from a number of client secondments, including to the technology contracting team of a Big Four accountancy firms and the group legal team of a global telecommunications provider.

David Straker, CQP, MCIM, MSc (business), MSc (psychology) is a former quality manager, having worked in commercial and government organisations, both large and small. He has served the CQI over many years, including writing many practical articles for Quality World, working as a trustee and running workshops on psychology and quality. Since retirement he has taken a close interest in ancient and modern history including its cycles of power and politics.

Gerhard is an award-winning Strategic Portfolio Execution and Quality Assurance Specialist in multiple sectors including Construction, Mining, Finance and Healthcare. With more than 20 Years of experience on Mega Project Initiatives in England, Wales, Scotland and South Africa, he is able to leverage multiple dimensional approaches to transform business ideas into business assets. For the last 7 Years Gerhard has successfully Directed the Group’s Digitisation Strategy Execution inclusive of 118 Projects and the Implementation of CareOn, a world class bespoke Electronic Medical Records System across the entire group of hospitals. CareOn and Netcare won the Digital Innovation award at the CQI International Quality Awards 2024.

Samantha Canham CMgr FCMI is an operations and CI leader with 7 years’ experience delivering transformation across service, supply chain, and repair environments. A Lean Six Sigma MBB and Chartered Fellow in Management, she recently developed a GPT-powered CI enablement tool to simplify access to improvement methodologies and support frontline decision-making through AI. Samantha has delivered revenue in the millions through targeted initiatives and is known for a fast-paced, delivery-focused approach. Her work is grounded in practical, real-time improvement and designed to equip teams to adapt and perform in volatile, uncertain, and fast-changing operational environments.

Nigel is a dedicated and passionate leader and coach, committed to helping others adapt to an increasingly uncertain future that creates risk, but also opportunity. He collaborates with leaders to bridge the gap between current and aspirational performance at individual, team and organisational levels. With a unique blend of psychology and business process expertise, Nigel aids leaders in developing effective innovation and execution built on a foundation of human performance.

Matt Sims is a multi-award-winning global leader in leadership, transformation, and operational excellence, with over 25 years’ experience at organisations like Royal Mail and Amazon. Known for his people-first approach, he helps teams unlock their full potential, drive meaningful change, and create high-performance cultures. As the creator of the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series and Rising Stars™ programme, and host of the acclaimed Ever-So-Lean Podcast, Matt makes complex concepts accessible and actionable for audiences around the world. A dynamic speaker, coach, and author of two influential books, he brings authenticity, energy, and practical insights to every talk, workshop, and coaching session, empowering individuals and organisations to thrive.

Melanie Headon is a Senior Quality Engineer at Dematic.