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Become a future subsea leader
At this one day event produced by the SubOptic Foundation, you’ll have a unique chance to join interactive discussions, see informative presentations, and hear from inspiring speakers.
Inspiring speakers
Everything you need to know about the programme of talks and activities.
8:00 – 9:00
09:00-09:10
09:10-09:45
09:45-10:05
Host sponsors:
• Ed McCormack, SubOptic Foundation
• David Cornelius, BT
Young Leaders:
• Toch Egesi, Genesis Analytics
• Quynh Nguyen, OEC
10:05-10:35
From Inception to Decommissioning, the life story of the Apollo cable
• Commercial feasibility
• Route development; permitting and business planning
• Contracting | Surveying | Manufacturing | Installation | O&M
• Repair preparedness
• Recovery and end of life
• Selling services on the cable
Moderated by Frankie Targett, Vodafone
Panel:
• Leigh Frame, XTera
• John Tibbles, SubOptic Foundation
• Isabel Triggs, Red Penguin
• Maja Summers, Vodafone
10:35-11:15
Industry leaders discuss current subsea trends, challenges and opportunities, and giver their outlook on the future
Moderated by Quynh Nguyen, OEC and Ed McCormack, SubOptic Foundation
Panel:
• Keri Gilder, Colt
• Nigel Bayliff, Google
• Colin Wallace, Microsoft
• Jim Fagan, EXA Infrastructure
• Sheela Kosaraju, Ciena
11:15-11:35
11:35-12:15
Young leaders reflect on their short career to date, and on how it influences their views on the future of the industry
Moderated by Elaine Reed, Vodafone
Panel:
• Jack Bullen, Aqua Comms
• James Francis, Alcatel Submarine Networks
• Xenia Zimmerman, BT
• Wenslaus Kajirwa Agaro, WIOCC
• Ben Plimmer, Google
12:15-12:30
The future of the industry from the Government's point of view
Moderated by Sheela Kosaraju, Ciena
- Dr Anna Butchart, Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, UK Government
12:30-13:15
13:15-14:25
Around the Industry in 10 Key Topics
What Comes First: The Cable or the Data Center
• Mike Hollands, Columbia Capital
• Colin Wallace, Microsoft
Rage Against The Machine: AI and Machine Learning in Subsea
• Neil Templeton, Console Connect
• Gayatri Gambhir, Ciena
Deep Sea Diving: A Career In The Industry
• Chloe Morris, Global Marine Group
• David Cornilius, BT
An Eye on the Future, an Eye on the Planet in Mind
• Dr Mike Clare, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
• Quynh Nguyen, OEC
Resilience and Security
• Nigel Bayliff, Google
• Dr Anna Butchart, UK Government
Undersea Mudslides – Are You Crazy? Surprises Hidden Beneath the Waves
• John Wrottesley, ICPC
• Andy Palmer-Felgate, META
To Be or Not To Be, That is the Cable Investment Question…
• Jo Conroy, Google
• Ugne Kleinauskaite, META
Submarine Cable Deployment
• Alex Overstall, Amazon
• Alistair Hall, BT
14:25-14:35
• Leader of each roundtable
• Young people
14:35-15:05
Innovation and Future Technologies
Moderated by Neil Templeton, Console Connect
Panel:
• Polina Bayvel, Optical Networks Group, UCL
• Ciaran Delaney, EXA Infrastructure
• Maja Summers, Vodafone
15:05-15:35
15:35-16:05
The Social and Economic Impact of New Cables
Moderated by Ed McCormack, SubOptic Foundation
Panel:
• Toch Egesi, Genesis Analytics
• Quynh Nguyen, OEC
• Jo Conroy, Google
• Sandra Delany, Aqua Comms
• Nikki Popoola, WIOCC
16:05-16:20
From Student at WAVE 2022 to Young Leader at WAVE 2024
Moderated by Isabelle Paradis, HOT TELECOM
- Gayatri Gambhir, Ciena
16:20-16:35
Moderated by Isabelle Paradis, HOT TELECOM
Panel:
- James Francis, Alcatel Submarine Networks
- Xenia Zimmerman, BT
- Wenslaus Kajirwa Agaro, WIOCC
16:35-16:55
• Nicole Starosielski will discuss the upcoming Berkeley 2025 Digital Infrastructure Curriculum
• Acknowledge the Champions
• Announce Financial Grant Plan for Lisobon
16:55-17:00
17:30-19:00
BT Tower | London’s iconic venue
The SubOptic Foundation
The SubOptic Association has over 100 member organizations and is dedicated to promoting the development and sustainability of global subsea cable and connectivity infrastructure.
The SubOptic Foundation focuses on education, research, and inspiring younger generations through mentoring, scholarships, and other thought-leading activities.