Our first ever virtual conference, IT Pro Live, runs from June 22-26, and is packed with insightful panel sessions and keynote speakers from across the tech industry. To give attendees a preview into what they can expect from the show, we spoke to Firebrand Training CEO Rob Chapman about his background, his business, and what he’s looking forward to from the event.
What does Firebrand Training do?
We provide accelerated certification training & apprenticeships, focusing on digital and IT skills
What does an average day in your working life look like?
Not average, if it's a good day! Most of my time is spent talking to customers, staff and vendors about certifications and skills.
Why should people attend IT Pro Live?
At any time we should be learning from the wider world - in these times it's even more critical. The range of speakers and sessions will challenge and inform all participants.
What can attendees expect from your IT Pro Live session?
They’ll get candid stories from the front-line of pivoting a very in-person physical business to being 100% virtual.
What sessions are you most looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to Caroline Carruthers’ keynote on data driven digital transformation.
Is there anything you’re particularly hoping to learn from the show?
I’m interested in how and when other people's companies expect to bounce back, and what technology they see as critical to their future.
How has the COVID-19 outbreak impacted your work now and moving forward?
COVID-19 has forced us to pivot to online delivery of training, which has opened up new international markets which are now accessible to new customers. Home working, of course, has been a massive change - maybe ‘digital nomad’ companies are the new normal?
What gets you excited about IT?
My favourite element is the constant relentless change. I hate standing still and IT doesn't let you - unless you want to lose!
What do you see as the next big innovation in your field?
Productivity improvements driven by AI and machine learning will drive demand for new skills. Negatively, cyber security issues will continue and increase the need for skills as more businesses are impacted.
What are some of your IT goals through 2020 and into 2021?
I want us to be 100% un-tethered from physical offices and be more agile in rolling out new tech, as well as move to more best-of-breed applications and integrations.
Catch Rob's IT Pro Live panel discussion, 'Remote innovation', on Monday 22 June at 3.30 PM BST (10.30 AM EDT). Register for your free ticket now.
-
Cleo attack victim list grows as Hertz confirms customer data stolenNews Hertz has confirmed it suffered a data breach as a result of the Cleo zero-day vulnerability in late 2024, with the car rental giant warning that customer data was stolen.
-
Lateral moves in tech: Why leaders should support employee mobilityIn-depth Encouraging staff to switch roles can have long-term benefits for skills in the tech sector
-
CyberCX appoints Phil Mason as new UK CEONews Industry veteran will lead CyberCX’s growth efforts in the UK
-
WANdisco's CEO and CFO resign amid ongoing fraud investigationsNews The data firm is left with a heavily depleted leadership team with only one executive director remaining
-
Stop worshipping CEOs – tech is a team sportOpinion Tech leaders are showing themselves for who they are, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise
-
Checkmarx appoints Sandeep Johri as its new CEONews Experienced Silicon Valley executive will lead the applications security provider into its next phase of growth
-
Trustmarque hires NTT Data’s UK lead as its new CEONews Simon Williams will lead the IT solutions and services provider into its next phase of growth
-
Cognizant appoints former Infosys president Ravi Kumar as CEONews The executive brings more than 20 years of experience in the consulting, process, and technology transformation space
-
What tech investors can learn from three under-fire CEOsAnalysis With clear lessons to learn from the high-profile cases of Autonomy, Theranos, and Wirecard, investors should tread carefully in future
-
Another Salesforce leader departs, will replace outbound Slack CEONews Slack's CEO and co-founder Stewart Butterfield also announced the departure of two other executives, but said the timing was purely coincidental
