future-pro Educate: Pathways into Tech

Hello, I’m Sophie Dakin. I’m the Head of CRM & Lifecycle Management at Bruntwood, working within our Digital & IT function. My team is responsible for building strong customer relationships through personalised, timely communication across digital channels like email and SMS. Our work enhances customer loyalty, supports broader marketing acquisition efforts, and drives additional revenue through cross-sell and upsell of relevant services.

Jason is a partner at Potter Clarkson with 15 years of experience in intellectual property.  As a Chartered and European Patent Attorney, Jason works across a wide spectrum of industrial design and engineering subject matter, using his broad technical expertise and IP consultancy skills to advise clients on all phases of their business from production to end product to commercialisation.  His clients range from start-ups seeking investment to SMEs needing a trusted IP advisor to multinationals requiring all-encompassing IP strategy and management.

Hello, I’m Ben Livingston. I’m a Business Analyst in the CRM Product team at Bruntwood, working within our Digital & IT function. My role is to collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to enhance our CRM capabilities, ensuring our systems effectively support customer engagement and business growth. By translating complex business requirements into sophisticated technical solutions, I help streamline processes and improve the way we connect with our customers. I’m looking forward to sharing my journey into tech and discussing the evolving role of business analysis in shaping digital transformation.

With 25 years of experience in digital marketing, Steven Oakes has seen the industry evolve from dial up internet to AI. He left university early to launch his own agency, cutting his teeth on websites for bands like Elbow, Stereophonics, and Underworld under Richard Branson’s V2 record label.

After a stint running a record label and working in A&R for BMG and Universal, he returned to the agency world, eventually becoming Digital Group Director across five agencies at STM Group. There, he shaped digital strategy while also leading the day to day operations of one of the group’s marketing agencies, specialising in performance marketing and web development.

Now CMO at Northcoders, Steven brings deep digital expertise and a passion for purpose-driven work to the mission of growing one of the UK’s most respected tech training providers.

Katherine is dedicated to supporting the growth of digital and tech startups, scale-ups, and established SMEs. She achieves this by delivering a programme of activities, including working with Bruntwood SciTech’s partners to facilitate conversations, introductions, and networking across tech ecosystems regionally (particularly in Leeds), sectorally, and nationally.

In 2022, Katherine successfully delivered Bruntwood SciTech’s first Female Founders Incubator cohort in Leeds, launched a second cohort, expanded it to Manchester in 2023 and Alderley Park in 2024.

Katherine’s contributions were recognised when she was awarded Facilitator of the Year at the Leeds Digital Awards 2023.

Katherine serves as a board member of the recently launched Lifted Project Regional Advisory Board in Leeds and as a committee member for One For The City. Additionally, she is a member of the LegalTech in Leeds Advisory Board.

Before joining Bruntwood SciTech, Katherine had a successful career in financial services and gained extensive experience working with SMEs and entrepreneurs, building relationships with key stakeholders and partners.

With a wealth of experience in event management, marketing and delivery, Katherine enjoys bringing a creative flair to work.  She is passionate about connecting people and championing equality, diversity and inclusion.