Geography: Global

  • Lisa Johnson

    Lisa Johnson is Starship Technologies’ Vice President of Global Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. Starship is the world leader in autonomous robot delivery, having completed more than 8 million deliveries globally. Lisa leads on all aspects of regulatory policy, with a particular focus on market entry and creating supportive regulatory environments for first-of-a-kind technology. Her team is responsible for developing industry-leading social acceptance campaigns for the introduction of embodied AI into public spaces.

    Prior to joining Starship, Lisa worked in external relations and political affairs for UK trade unions and Members of Parliament.

  • Lucie Caswell

    Lucie is a senior strategist and negotiator, specialising in connecting IP and innovation, copyright and digital music rights affairs. Lucie has negotiated international relations and commercial deals on all ‘sides’ of the stakeholder table. Lucie also leads government policy for the UK’s entertainment retail sector, representing music, video and games.

    Lucie started her music career at iconic, independent music publishers, later spending time focusing on song rights and innovation licensing, going on to bring a range of music services and rights holders into agreement, including for Deezer, Sony/SYCO, Sandbox Game, Singa and Bandcamp.

    Representing at sector level, Lucie is the former CEO of the UK’s performing artist organisation, the FAC, Chief Policy, Rights and Public Affairs Officer for the Music Publishers Association and, is currently Chief Innovation and Government Affairs Officer for the UK’s entertainment retail body, ERA.

    Lucie is a dedicated advocate of equal opportunities and ethical innovation; championing arts as catalyst for change and emancipation.

  • Maddy Steggall

    Maddy Steggall is a policy and communications professional with experience spanning government, strategic consultancy, and financial services. She is currently Policy Adviser to Kanishka Narayan MP, leading work on AI, startups, and digital economy policy. Her role includes developing initiatives such as the All Hands on Tech campaign and supporting parliamentary and industry engagement on tech and innovation.

    Previously, Maddy worked in strategic communications at Teneo and FTI Consulting, advising clients in technology, financial services, luxury fashion, and climate policy on corporate reputation, public affairs, and media strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked at Société Générale in Paris, supporting corporate communications and translation for the investment bank.

    She is also a member of the Labour Digital committee, helping shape Labour’s tech agenda, and is active in Women in Tech Policy networks.

  • Lian Najami

    Lian Najami is the Head of Trust & Safety Policy for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa at TikTok, where she leads efforts to build inclusive, safety-focused digital policy. A Rhodes Scholar and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, she brings over a decade of global experience in tech governance, public policy, and advocacy. Lian is a recognised voice on ethical tech, minority rights, and platform accountability.

  • Larissa Zutter

    Currently, I work as a consultant at McKinsey and Company. I am also a member of the Board of Directors at the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP), where I provide strategic vision and direction, write policy recommendations, and consult various stakeholders on responsible AI. I have been involved with CAIDP in various capacities such as Senior AI Policy Advisor, Research and Teaching Fellow, where I advised on matters of AI and related policy as well as helped with CAIDP’s expansion projects. Previously, I have also worked in Pharmaceuticals (Novartis), Healthcare (UNAIDS), Fintech (Unique AG) and various NGOs (e.g. Michael Dukakis Institute)

    I graduated from a dual master’s degree in International Security and International Political Economy from Sciences Po Paris and London School of Economics. With a strong foundation in business, economics, and political science, I bring a unique blend of expertise and perspective to the intersection of technology, business, and policy.

  • Laveena Iyer

    Laveena is a global technology and telecoms analyst at Economist Intelligence, this is the research and analysis business of The Economist Group. Based in the London office, she delivers industry, geopolitical and macroeconomic insights to clients in the government, corporate and academic sectors. In this role she also oversees client relations and partnerships for corporate clients in India.

    She is a seasoned industry analyst with over a decade of experience and in 2021 Onalytica named her among the industry’s top 10 technology analysts. She is a sought-after public speaker and has presented at conferences in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Her expertise lies in topics such as geopolitics of technology, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, 5G, cybersecurity, digital wallets and sustainability in technology.

    She often shares her comments on industry trends and latest developments with news media such as the BBC, Nikkei Asia, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera and CNA Singapore. Prior to this role, Laveena covered corporate strategy, start-ups and the tech industry in India as a financial correspondent for a business magazine.

  • Kira Lewis

  • Kelli Fairbrother

    Kelli Fairbrother is co-founder and CEO of xigxag, a Cornwall-based startup leading first-ever innovation across the digital audiobook ecosystem. She’s ex-McKinsey, Whitbread, Deluxe digital media, and the former Chief Operating Officer of print tech scaleup Gelato. Not content with taking on Amazon, Kelli is a leading voice in also challenging Apple and Google’s monopoly control of mobile app ecosystems in the UK.

  • Kemi Adeyanju

    Strategic leader with expertise in legal, public policy, and regulatory compliance, specialising in digital infrastructure (Subsea Cable, Data Center, Space and AI) across EMEA, North America, Asia and Australia. Experienced in managing complex projects, negotiating contracts, and leading diverse teams to secure regulatory approvals. Proven ability to develop and implement strategic partnerships and policies in challenging environments.

    My work bridges the public and private sectors—guiding connectivity projects involving submarine, terrestrial fibre, Satellite, and advocating for regulatory reforms that accelerate digital inclusion.
    I’ve led cross-border compliance efforts, advised on government engagement strategies for emerging tech platforms, and partnered with telecom ministries to align infrastructure projects with national broadband plans. My interests lie at the intersection of technology, governance, and ESG.

    Whether navigating licensing frameworks, supporting blockchain regulatory pilots, or drafting policy briefs on spectrum allocation, space debris or AI, I bring a strategic, evidence-based approach to policy challenges.

  • Kir Nuthi

    She holds over seven years of Government Affairs and Tech Policy experience in the US and UK. Kir previously headed up the regulatory portfolio at a UK advocacy group for tech startups and held various public affairs in US tech policy. All involved policy research and campaigns on competition, artificial intelligence, access to data, and pro-innovation regulation.

    Kir has an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA in both Political Science (International Relations) and Economics from the University of California San Diego.

    Outside of techUK, you are likely to find her attempting studies at art galleries, attempting an elusive headstand at yoga, mending and binding books, or chasing her dog Maya around South London’s many parks.