About the Ball

Rebecca Fox is a strategic technology and business leader with a global track record in transformation across AI, data, cyber, and complex technology environments. As founder of advisory and delivery company Relentica, she partners with ambitious organisations to simplify complexity, strengthen foundations, and drive measurable results. With over two decades of experience – including serving as Group CIO of a global cyber and technology business – Rebecca has led large-scale digital, cloud, and operating-model transformations where delivery, risk, and commercial outcomes matter. An accomplished speaker known for her no-fluff energy and practical insight, she delivers keynotes on leadership, technology, growth, and inclusion, and has served as a Group CIO, non-executive director, and advocate for diversity in tech.

Sandra is has over 20 years’ experience in the technology and digital recruitment industry. Alongside her commercial work, her greatest passion lies in giving back to the community and using the tech sector as a force for good. She is the founder of Leeds Digital Ball, which has helped raise over £300,000 to tackle digital exclusion and support access to digital skills across the region. Building on this success, Sandra is now helping to establish the Manchester Digital Ball, extending this impact to communities across Greater Manchester. Driven by a strong belief in inclusion, opportunity, and social mobility, Sandra works closely with the tech community to bring people together, widen access to digital skills, and create meaningful, long-term social impact.

Elliot Morris is a Manchester based entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building and scaling real world technology in highly regulated sectors including finance, healthcare, and logistics. He is the founder of Mozstro, an AI consultancy helping organisations move from AI ambition to production, and FRAI, an AI powered infrastructure platform rethinking how freight and logistics operations are connected and automated. Across both ventures, Elliot focuses on solving hard operational problems where reliability, compliance, and execution matter more than hype. Elliot regularly works with founders, boards, and leadership teams at critical moments of growth, helping them make confident technical decisions, unblock delivery, and deploy AI in ways that genuinely deliver value. He brings a hands on, practical approach shaped by years of building systems that have to work under pressure. Outside of his companies, Elliot is actively involved in the UK tech ecosystem and is passionate about using technology as a force for inclusion. He is proud to support the Manchester Digital Ball and the work it does to tackle digital exclusion across the region.

Jennifer has almost 20 years experience within the events industry spanning nationally significant historic sites, community-focused arts organisations and international brands, giving a broad perspective on how storytelling, place and experience can be used to inspire generosity and long-term support. Keeping a keen eye on emerging trends in fundraising events, supporter engagement and inclusive visitor experiences, ensuring events remain relevant, accessible and financially effective. Joining Forever Manchester in 2024, Greater Manchester’s only Community Foundation, Jennifer leads a busy and varied events program aimed at generating vital funds for Manchester communities and strengthening relationships with business and philanthropic supporters.

With over 25 years of experience, Jane Clynes Events specialises in planning and managing weddings, private parties, corporate functions, and charity events. Jane works closely with clients such as Manning Stainton, BigChange, Women in Healthcare, and UK Israel Business, and co-founded the Pride in Diversity Awards. Key events include the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards, Leeds Jewish Community Pride Awards, and Dancing Strictly – all raising between £6,000–£50,000 per event for charities. Jane offers complete event management, from concept to delivery – including venue, theming, catering, media, together with ideas and creativity to maximise opportunities. Whether it’s a formal dinner or a fun family event, Jane creates bespoke experiences that make a difference.

Jo Dionysiou is the Head of Marketing and Brand at KDR Talent Solutions. Her career in recruitment marketing spans 20 years and throughout that time she has focused on creating campaigns that put customers at the heart of the experience. She is passionate about creating positive experiences for all customers whether that’s through robust research and knowledge sharing or smooth processes and communication. Some of her main accomplishments include award winning company videos, successful execution of the Covid-19 recruitment drive for the mega labs and various rebranding exercises. When you are not aware of the problem of digital inclusion, it can seem like quite an unimportant problem, however ensuring people have access to the online world we live in, in real terms means jobs, social inclusion, financial accessibility, information and knowledge sharing. It is a cause I am very happy to be involved in.

Aishia is a Client Success Manager at Code First Girls, the UK's largest provider of free coding education for women. I work closely with clients to support and grow their digital skills programs, helping more women and underrepresented groups succeed in tech. With a strong background in tech recruitment, Aishia has gained a deep understanding of the tech landscape and has embedded herself within the tech ecosystem. Alongside all roles, Aishia has incorporated her passion for Diversity & Inclusion through delivering training and hosting events and advocating for inclusive recruitment practices and providing opportunities for people to get into tech.

Mike Thacker Cooke is an experienced AI & Data Science Recruiter and Director of Recruitment at KDR Talent Solutions, where he specialises in connecting top data, analytics, and technology professionals with leading organisations. He has built his career in the recruitment industry since 2015, progressing from a resource consultant to a leadership role, and now heads up a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering bespoke talent solutions across data engineering, data warehousing, analytics, machine learning, and AI domains. Before transitioning into recruitment, Mike trained and worked as a lawyer specialising in personal injury, managing a team of paralegals. His diverse background underpins a strong ability to understand client and candidate needs, manage complex processes, and deliver high-impact results. Mike is also an active voice in the data and technology community, sharing insights, commentary, and writing on topics including data culture, the evolving data economy, leadership, and the future of AI. He is particularly passionate about supporting digital inclusion, recognising the importance of ensuring equitable access to technology and opportunities, and advocating for initiatives that help close the digital divide across communities and organisations

Chi-chi Armstrong (née Ekweozor) is a software engineer and founder of AI-powered attendee intelligence platform Attendist. Shortlisted as the Best Pre-Seed Climate Tech Startup at the Better Futures Awards 2025 by Sustainable Ventures, and in the exclusive Manchester50 list of fast-growing startups by Entrepreneur UK, Attendist is an easy-to-use attendee intelligence platform that helps event organisers spark connections, close leads faster and run sustainable events. Designed to help businesses grow sales by automating data capture from events, the platform uses AI to facilitate attendee introductions before an event and automate the laborious task of creating and printing sustainable name badges - a real pain point for organisers. Every event delivered through Attendist restores natural habitats and supports UK veterans through the integration with Carma.Earth.

I am the Digital & AI Manager at the Charity Excellence Framework which is the largest and fastest growing charity community with over 50,000 members. It’s a free, digital and AI-powered one‑stop‑shop that helps any UK non‑profit find funding, resources, and support. With experience co-founding an AI start-up, organising a TEDx event and a background in sustainability, my work focuses on using technology and creativity to create social impact.

Michael has been involved in various human and community development projects, focused on helping individuals gain and upscale their knowledge and become employable and socially relevant. With over 17years experience, Michael has nurtured and mentored several individuals , impacting them with needed skills-set and knowledge needed to chart a career pathway of value. Michael's industry experience is widely spread, from the corporate sector of Banking to telecom, security to healthcare. As a business owner, his skills and knowledge impactation in the art of males grooming and service delivery is legendary, as many individuals have become entrepreneurs and successful craft masters in male grooming through his coaching and mentoring.