Hull’s tech community has been given a taste of the future by an Apple director and the city’s own KCom team.
Tech Week founder Antonio Tombanane welcomed Hannah Reid, people director for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa to the city as he leads the charge towards Tech Week Humber in November. She was joined by KCom senior digital optimisation manager Lucy Sykes as the opportunties for all were made clear.
Their experiences as women in technology highlighted the importance of promoting talent in the sector - with the emerging The Edge Hub’s new initiative Girls In2 Tech aiming to bridge the gender gap.
Read more: KCom commits to £100m full fibre future with huge expansion plan unveiling
Hannah is on the advisory board for the event, and visited to discuss tech developments.
Antonio said: “We are delighted to have Hannah in Hull to meet with leaders and students from the region. Hannah’s world-class experience in tech and people management is invaluable to our board.
“The Humber is on a transformational mission which will impact many lives. Technology is at the centre of it all. We want the Humber to be a leading hub for digitally skilled communities that will attract global brands.”
Hannah praised the progressive work of Tech Week and the team's new venture in the shape of The Edge Hub - a new centre for skills and enterprise in the city centre being brought forward by Mr Tombanane and business partner Shaun Larvin.
She said: “It was an honour and privilege to experience first-hand a taste of the future of tech in Hull. Tech Week and the plans for The Edge Hub showcase the innovation coming out of Hull and the vision for an explosion of tech talent in the North of England. I’m even more excited that these plans have an intentional focus on underrepresented communities, inclusion and diversity.”
She gave a talk to Hull College students at KCom's Carr Lane headquarters, with the aim of inspiring learners into careers in STEM.
Students listened to her experiences working for Apple and how her path in life shaped her career with one of the largest tech companies in the world. She joked she did not originally plan to work in tech but “could not steer away from the opportunity when it presented itself”. Students resonated with this and linked their experiences in Hull with that of Lucy Sykes who has worked in the city for several years.
Kenneth Ross, KCom’s chief people officer, said: “It was a pleasure to host Apple’s Hannah Reid, Hull College students and our own Lucy Sykes as we promote careers in tech in the city. We strongly believe in encouraging talent in the area, helping youngsters to think big with their futures.”
Hull college vice principal, Lynette Leith, was grateful for the exposure given to the students. She said: “We’re delighted that our students have been afforded the opportunity to hear from industry experts at KCom and Apple. Our students found the talk inspiring and informative. Connecting college students with experts in the sector is both refreshing and aspirational. These opportunities are so impactful on education, and for students, particularly in broadening their horizons regarding next steps and career aspirations.
“We’re looking forward to what’s next for our students and how these encounters will influence their thinking in terms of career opportunities here in the Humber and all which the digital sector has to offer nationally.”
Tech’s growth in the city has been welcomed and supported by Hull City Council, who continue to support Tech Week Humber and the development of the digital sector.
Alex Codd, assistant director for economic development and regeneration, said: “The city’s economic strategy places the digital sector at the heart of driving growth, jobs, skills and inclusion. I welcomed the visit from Hannah, and I am keen to support the digital presence within the city which in turn could be a catalyst to driving further digital investment.”
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis added: “The digital sector has seen rapid growth in the city over the last decade with the success of C4DI, the University Technical College and Siemens Gamesa representing prime examples of the businesses attracted to the city on the back of our full fibre network.”
Read next:
KCom's co-working boost as future-proofing and decade of tech building celebrated
Wykeland Group to complete Hull tech campus with net zero building
