Livingstone, the global M&A advisory firm, examines the trends and topics that will take front and centre next week at the much anticipated London Tech Week (June 10-14).

• Connecting Global Markets – Some of the most important considerations when it comes to globalization and technology will be AI and its disruption across economies. Blockchain will still be a focus due to its ability to track goods more efficiently and for its disruption on global financial trading. Additionally, there will be a lot of discussion around unlocking business and technology possibilities in emerging markets such Asia and Africa.

• Cybersecurity – As digital connectivity increases, especially in legacy industries, cyber protection is one of the most important considerations businesses will need to make. A lot of the discussions will revolve around the Internet of Things (IoT) and how to improve the security of devices and information, protect intellectual property from bad actors, and improve the privacy of cloud technology.

• Digital Transformation – The UK is a world leader in business digital transformation, surpassing even countries like the United States and Germany. The biggest discussions this week will involve 5G as it begins to be rolled out in the UK and 5G’s implication for vehicles, smart cities, and mobile communication.

• Start-up Scaleup – UK tech firms secured £1.8 billion in venture funding in 2018, almost double the amount raised by German companies, which came in second place. Fintech remains London’s most attractive sector and enjoys the most investment compared to all other UK tech sectors. London Tech Week will be a major networking event for start-ups who are trying to raise capital.

• Attracting Talent – A question on many tech firms’ minds is the implications of recruiting and sponsoring non-EU skilled tech workers in a Brexit environment. Attracting and engaging the best of tech talent in order to stay competitive is a major business concern. There will also be a lot of discussion around inclusion of women and minorities as the industry ranks one of the lowest for diversity of senior leaders and board members. 

Daniel Domberger, Partner at Livingstone and technology expert, comments on the event:

“Positioning the UK at the centre of the tech spotlight is more important than ever before. London Tech Week has proven to be a valuable vehicle for sharing ideas, showcasing Britain’s brightest, and attracting international investment and talent. Whether it’s future proofing your business through digital transformation or understanding how 5G will revolutionize our everyday life, London Tech Week will be productive and insightful.”