Gaming & Esports Technologies of the Future

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, techUK

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.

Today, he is techUK's Senior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies. His portfolio spans everything from robotics, metaverse and web3 to gaming and space technologies.

: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/

Imogen Glen

Senior Manager, PwC

Imogen is a strategy consultant with Strategy& (part of the PwC network) and is based in London. She has experience supporting M&A and strategy for UK and international public, corporate, and private equity clients. Imogen broadly supports clients in consumer markets, with a special focus on video games and adjacent markets, including Esports.

Paul Bugryniec

Chief Analytics Officer, Miniclip

Paul Bugryniec is CAO at Miniclip.

As CAO, he is responsible for Business Intelligence and Market Intelligence, as well as supporting the M&A team. He also oversees Miniclip's internal analytics and ad monetisation platforms. His extensive experience in these areas has helped him develop a deep understanding of the gaming industry and its trends.

Joining Miniclip 12 years ago, he started his career in the Finance department. Subsequently, he founded the Business Intelligence team and was involved in setting up the Performance Marketing team, which played a vital role in the company's growth.

Outside Miniclip, he enjoys spending time with his family, running the local trails, and cycling.

Sue Daley

Director, Technology and Innovation, techUK

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work at techUK.

This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.

India Alanis Browne

Pro Esports Athlete,

India Alanis Browne, a British esports athlete, has captivated the attention of a global audience with her inspiring story. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia and spent her early years in Anguilla, British West Indies, where she developed an interest in the digital realm. When she was 7 years old, her family moved to the UK, which laid the foundation for her remarkable journey into the gaming and esports world. Her passion and perseverance helped her excel in the field.

A significant turning point in Alanis's journey came when she was 15 years old and joined Circuitry Gaming, a US-based organisation, to compete in the Radiant Rocket League tournament. Her exceptional performance placed her among the top 10 players overall, marking the beginning of her professional gaming career. In 2022, she secured a spot-on Team England's female roster for the inaugural Esports Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Alanis not only became the youngest player to represent her country in any esports game but also made history as the first woman to win an esports gold medal in the Rocket League.

After winning the Commonwealth Games, she was signed by Team EndPoint CeX, a UK-based esports organisation, representing them in various tournaments such as DreamHack Dallas, Women Carball, Insomnia SKY Boost Championship and Radiant Star Chaser over the past year. Alanis's influence extends beyond her gaming skills. She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry, using her platform to inspire young gamers, break down barriers and challenge stereotypes.

Her collaborations with brands like Nike, Microsoft and the BBC highlight Alanis's role in shaping the esports landscape. This inclues collaborating with BS+COMPETITION and BMW for their launch event of the Rocket League BMW Decal Contest, alongside three-time RLCS World Champion Kaydop. As a keynote speaker at the BETT 2023 educational technology conference, she shared insights on the fusion of gaming and education, emphasising the broader impact of digital engagement. Alanis has also been nominated for the 2024 GamerHers Rising Star Award and Black in Tech Gaming Award and has served as a guest speaker at the 2024 Black Girl Gamers Online Summit.

Along with her gaming pursuits, Alanis has managed to balance her esports career with A-level studies in Law and Hospitality Management. She is now at university on an esports scholarship. She has also dedicated time to building computers since the age of 14 and honing her musical talents, particularly playing the piano. India Alanis Browne continues to redefine the esports narrative, illustrating that passion, dedication and a commitment to breaking barriers can pave the way to success.

Alanis is currently signed and competing with BS+COMPETITION, an esports organisation based in Germany.

Tom Dore

Vice President, British Esports Federation

Tom is recognised as a global leader in esports education, having led the development of both competitive and academic esports programmes in the UK and around the world.

He led the establishment the British Esports Student Champs which is now in its 7th year and currently sees 700+ school and FE College teams competing online each week. In partnership with Pearson, the global learning company, he also led the development of the first vocational esports qualifications of their kind in the world: BTECs in Esports. These UK Government approved qualifications for 16–18-year-olds are available around the world and have seen 13500+ student registrations over the last 5 academic years. Tom also wrote the inaugural Microsoft Esports Teacher Academy and presented it to 2500 teachers in 115 countries around the world.

Tom is a Vice President of the British Esports Federation and Vice Chair of the Education, Culture, Youth (ECY) Commission of the Global Esports Federation. Learning from traditional sport, he is currently leading the drive to create global standards for safeguarding in esports, along with a recognised framework for esports coaching.

Tom has a background in secondary education having taught across state, independent and alternative provision schools for nearly 20 years. This includes experience in different senior leadership roles covering both academic and pastoral responsibilities. He supports traditional sport in addition to esports and has coached cricket and golf as well as leading expeditions to Mongolia, Namibia and Venezuela.

: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdore808/
: @@british_esports