The Premier Gathering of UK's IT Leaders
The CxO Institute event in Oxford convenes over 100 senior C-Suite and IT executives from across the region for a day of strategic collaboration, networking, and candid discussions. This exclusive, peer-driven forum empowers leaders with the insights and strategies needed to accelerate innovation and drive productivity.
The program explores vital themes including digital transformation, advanced cybersecurity strategies, and leveraging data for business impact. Through a dynamic format of Keynotes, Panel Discussions, and Interactive Boardrooms, you’ll gain practical takeaways and invaluable connections to shape the future of IT leadership.
Agenda
08:00 - 08:45
Registration & Networking Breakfast
08:45 - 09:35
Opening Panel
CxO
Redefining IT Leadership for the Autonomous Enterprise
- Explore how technology leadership is evolving from operational oversight to shaping intelligent, self-directed digital ecosystems
- Gain clarity on the strategic frameworks needed to govern AI, automation and decision intelligence at scale
- Understand how autonomous data security strengthens the trust, integrity and safety required for AI-enabled decision-making
- Learn how organisations can adapt their strategy, structure and capabilities to thrive as continuously adaptive digital enterprises
Sarah Leteney
Group CIO
Urenco Global
Simon Price
Director of Insight, AI & Innovation
HMRC
Omer Moghraby
Chief Digital Information Officer
West London NHS Trust
Simone Steel
CIO, Data & AI
Deutsche Bank
Stephen Miller
CIO
International Personal Finance
09:40 - 10:20
Strategy
The Rise of the Super-Agent: Humans and AI in Perfect Balance
We are entering a new era of customer engagement - one defined not by automation alone, but by augmentation. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday operations, the organisations that stand apart will be those that use technology to elevate human potential, not diminish it. This presentation explores the rise of the Super-Agent: a future-ready professional empowered by AI to deliver richer, more intelligent, and more human interactions. The session will give delegates clear guidance on how to decide which interactions should be automated versus handled by Super-Agents, not just why the balance matters.
Grant Counsell
Client Acquisition Director,
Maintel
Jason Chapman
Head of Commercial, UK & IE
Zoom Communications
10:25 - 11:05
Strategy
Harnessing Agentic AI for Enterprise Impact
Agentic AI is redefining enterprise operations by automating complex workflows, improving decision-making, and driving innovation. To realize its full potential, organizations must deploy it securely and responsibly across multi-cloud environments. Success depends on building the right infrastructure, governance, and culture to move beyond pilots and achieve enterprise-scale outcomes. Join us to explore practical strategies and actionable insights for making agentic AI a catalyst for measurable business impact.
Alexander Michael
Senior Strategy Consultant
Rackspace
Security
The Next Billion Users Will NOT Be Human: How Browser Security Secures Humans and Agents
AI agents are rapidly becoming autonomous digital workers inside the enterprise—planning tasks, accessing data, and executing actions across SaaS apps, APIs, and browsers. While adoption is accelerating, most organisations lack the security controls to manage agents as privileged non-human identities. This keynote examines the drivers and growth of enterprise AI agents, the new attack surface they create—especially through browser and web-based interactions—and real-world risks and offers a practical approach to security ai agents today and into the future to maintain productivity and automation, safely.
Tom McVey
Senior Sales Engineer EMEA,
Menlo Security
11:10 - 11:50
Data
The Agentic Advantage: Bridging the Divide Between AI Potential and P&L Reality
The "GenAI Gold Rush" has evolved. In 2026, the competitive divide is no longer between those using AI and those who aren’t, it is between those stuck in "Pilot Purgatory" and those who have industrialised AI and Agentic Workflows. While McKinsey projects up to $25 trillion in global economic impact, only 1% of organizations have reached true AI maturity. The rest are struggling with data silos, “Project thinking" traps, and fragmented governance. Keepler Data Tech will share the operating and technical blueprints used by the world’s most AI mature enterprises to bridge this gap and deliver ROI at scale.
Sean Poulley
COO
Keepler Data Tech
Strategy
Beyond the Pilot: Scaling AI Literacy to Drive Frontline Productivity and Performance
With executive leadership now firmly committed to the AI agenda, the focus for forward-thinking organisations has shifted from securing buy-in to achieving enterprise-wide scale. The challenge is no longer visionary; it is operational. This 40-minute boardroom briefing explores how to bridge the "implementation gap" by transforming the workforce from passive users into active AI and Automation Practitioners. We will discuss a practical framework for scaling AI agency, underpinned by the latest in data & AI training. This session moves beyond high-level theory to examine the mechanics of embedding AI into the daily workflows of those closest to your customers and core processes. Attendees will learn how to move from top-down mandates to a self-sustaining culture of frontline innovation that delivers measurable business value. Key themes for discussion include:
- The Shift to Agency: Moving beyond basic AI literacy to develop a new class of "Internal Practitioners" capable of identifying and implementing real-world automations.
- Standardising Excellence: Leveraging the AI Workforce Specialist framework to create a consistent, high-quality blueprint for AI and automation roles across the business.
- The "Last Mile" of Implementation: Overcoming the friction of legacy processes and ensuring AI tools move from pilot phases into core operational workflows.
- Measuring Value at Scale: Shifting the focus from strategic ROI to "Proof of Value" metrics—tracking productivity gains, cost savings, and workforce efficiency in real-time.
George Anthony
Commercial Director
Cambridge Spark
11:55 - 12:35
Security
Agentic AI in the Enterprise: Identity, Trust and Risk Management
- How agentic AI can drive enterprise transformation while maintaining organizational trust and accountability
- Strategic approaches to managing risk and security in autonomous AI decision-making at scale
- Unlocking competitive advantage through responsible adoption of AI that acts on behalf of the business
Andrew Potter
Senior Principal Sales Engineer
Ping Identity
Security
The Next Era of AI Networking
As enterprises embrace hybrid work, cloud-first strategies and heightened security demands, AI-native networking is becoming a cornerstone of agility and resilience. Intelligent automation, secure architectures and real-time insights are transforming networks into strategic assets for growth.
- Predict performance issues, resolve them instantly and deliver consistent connectivity for all users
- Build adaptable, zero-trust networks ready for hybrid and multi-cloud environments
- Use real-time telemetry and AI to anticipate risks, optimise operations and cut complexity
Elliot Townsend
Sr Director Product Management
HPE
12:35 - 13:25
Networking Lunch
13:25 - 14:05
CxO
Governing AI and Data at Scale: Delivering Trust, Value and Enterprise Impact
- Why governance, data quality, and trust are critical to scaling AI beyond pilots
- Embedding AI and automation into real workflows to boost adoption, productivity and measurable business outcomes
- Aligning strategy, governance, and investment to accelerate responsible innovation without slowing execution
Sarah Leteney
Group CIO
Urenco Global
Gurpreet Singh
Vice President, Managing Director Integrated Safety
IQVIA
Gillian Tomlinson
Group Chief Data & Digital Officer
The Weir Group
Stuart McIntyre
Executive Director, Digital Strategy & Operations
Standard Chartered
14:10 - 14:50
Security
Connecting and securing hybrid networks for business agility
- How SASE and SD-WAN enable secure, resilient, and high-performing networks
- Turning network transformation into strategic advantage, operational efficiency and measurable business outcomes
- Aligning connectivity and security with enterprise priorities to support innovation, growth and hybrid work
Richard Jones
Regional Sales Director
Versa Networks
Strategy
Unlocking Digital Value: Aligning Skills, Talent and Adoption
- Explore how aligning workforce skills with strategic priorities can turn digital investments into measurable business results
- Identify where to build internal expertise versus leverage external support to accelerate transformation and reduce risk
- Learn practical approaches to ensure technology is embraced across the organisation, translating deployment into real business outcomes
Claire Talbot
Global VP of IT
Smartest Energy
14:55 - 15:35
Strategy
Driving Enterprise Innovation: From Strategy to Impact
- Using AI, automation and data platforms to deliver measurable productivity and efficiency gains
- Balancing bold experimentation with fiscal discipline and operational realities
- Aligning incentives and operating models to scale innovation that improves performance, not just experimentation
Warren Price
CIO
Venterra Group
Strategy
Cloud Infrastructure as a Strategic Engine: Enabling Scale, Resilience and AI-Driven Growth
- How cloud infrastructure is evolving from a cost centre into a strategic platform for innovation, agility and enterprise-wide transformation
- Aligning cloud strategy with AI, data and business priorities to deliver scalable performance, resilience and measurable value
- Balancing cost optimisation, security and flexibility to build cloud environments that support long-term growth and operational stability
15:40 - 16:15
Closing Session
CxO
Empowering Strategic Growth Through Talent, Skills and Digital Capability
- Designing workforce capability as enterprise digital infrastructure to accelerate technology adoption, support continuous learning and maximise return on digital investment
- Embedding resilience and performance into the digital operating model through ongoing capability uplift, culture change and leadership enablement
- Leveraging data, AI and intelligent platforms to measure impact, forecast skills risk, and enable enterprise-wide innovation through adaptive learning strategies
Richard Michel
Chief Information & Digital Officer
University of London
16:15 - 17:15
Closing Drinks Reception
Event Chair
Sarah Leteney
Group CIO
Urenco
Since 2021 Sarah has been working with Urenco, a supplier of enriched uranium within the global nuclear fuel cycle, as their Group CIO. She has three decades of expertise in leading IT delivery teams for Blue Chip, Central Government and Secure organisations and was recently ranked 20th in the 2024 UK Top 100 CIO Awards having demonstrated her expertise in Digital Transformation, Business Change, Consultancy, Service Delivery, Programme, Project, and Organisational Management. Sarah lives in the North West of England on the edge of the beautiful Pennines with her family and dog!
Event Speakers
Why Attend?
UNRIVALLED CONNECTIONS
Engage directly with IT leaders and industry experts who can provide valuable insights and solutions to your strategic challenges.
CUSTOMISED LEARNING PATHS
Choose the sessions, panels, and discussions that best align with your unique goals, enabling targeted and impactful networking.
TANGIBLE VALUE
Gain actionable insights and connections that translate directly into strategic initiatives and measurable progress for your organisation.
Featured Attendees
Location
Oxford City Council, Town Hall
Located in the heart of the city, Oxford Town Hall offers a grand and historic setting for CxO Institute Oxford. With its striking architecture and civic heritage, the venue provides a distinguished backdrop for thought leadership, executive networking, and meaningful conversation among the UK’s top IT leaders.
Engage with Top IT Decision Makers
The CxO Institute provides an exclusive platform for sponsors to connect with senior IT decision-makers actively seeking solutions to their most pressing challenges. Our events bring together CIOs, senior IT and other key technology leaders, offering a unique opportunity to engage, build relationships, and position your brand as a trusted partner.
Official Partners
ADVISORY PARTNER
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ADVISORY PARTNER
INSIGHT PARTNER
INSIGHT PARTNER
INSIGHT PARTNER
INSIGHT PARTNER
SR. ENGAGEMENT PARTNER
SR. ENGAGEMENT PARTNER
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ENGAGEMENT PARTNER
ENGAGEMENT PARTNER
Why Sponsor?
LEAD GENERATION
Connect with Top IT and Senior Executives in a curated environment designed for meaningful conversations and long-term partnerships.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Showcase Thought Leadership through panel discussions, round tables, and tailored engagements that demonstrate your brand's expertise.
REPORTS & INSIGHTS
Gain valuable market insights by understanding the key challenges and priorities shaping IT investments and decision-making.
BRAND AWARENESS
Accelerate business growth by positioning your brand, solutions, and services in front of decision-makers and budget-holders with active projects and procurement needs.
Sponsorship Packages
Oxford Town Hall
Nestled in the heart of the city, Oxford Town Hall stands as a symbol of the city’s rich history and architectural grandeur. This iconic venue, with its impressive Victorian Gothic design and deep civic heritage, offers an inspiring and distinguished environment for the CxO Institute in Oxford.
More than just a backdrop, Oxford Town Hall sets the tone for a day of insightful dialogue, strategic collaboration, and high-level networking. Its historic chambers and elegant spaces provide the perfect atmosphere for the UK’s leading IT executives to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and shape the future of digital leadership.
Whether welcoming a keynote speaker or hosting peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, the venue adds a sense of prestige and purpose to every moment of the event—reinforcing the CxO Institute’s commitment to delivering impactful, executive-focused experiences
An Exclusive Venue for the Top Leaders in IT
Carefully selected to match the prestige of its attendees, this venue offers a refined and high-impact environment designed for IT leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.
Seamless Accessibility with VIP Transport
Enjoy a hassle-free arrival with private car transfers, valet services, and priority access, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience from start to finish.
A Sophisticated Setting for Strategic Discussions
With dedicated spaces for networking and discussions, the venue fosters valuable connections and strategic conversations in an exclusive setting.
VIP Car Service
Arrive in style with our chauffeured executive transport, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey. With priority access and reserved drop-off, you’ll experience the ultimate convenience from door to venue.
Luxury Hospitality & Dining
Indulge in chef-curated meals, premium refreshments, and exquisite catering throughout the event. Our carefully selected menu ensures a world-class dining experience, perfect for refined networking in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere.
Dedicated Concierge & Support
Enjoy a personalised service experience, with our dedicated concierge team assisting with event details, special requests, and VIP accommodations to ensure a smooth and productive visit.
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