# Event Details - **Event Name**: The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 08:30 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: A cross-industry panel of early & mid-career IT professionals share their experiences on skills & opportunities in a changing digital world.About this EventSpeakersDr. Pasquale Lafiosca Dr. David J. Harding Dr. Esther Solomon Edun Dr. Abdallah A. AbdallahAgenda19:00 - Event start with Opening Remarks 19:10 - Handover to Panel 20:10 - Branch AGM 20:30 - Event closeSynopsisThis panel of early and mid-career IT professionals share their experiences to discuss the phenomenon that many people with IT qualifications and experience are looking for jobs, but do not find it easy; and yet many employers struggle to wade through thousands of applications and cannot find suitable employees. The cross-industry panel shall share their experience and allow plenty of time for questions and discussion. The Branch AGM is after the talk, reporting on the work last year and electing the committee officers for the 2026-27 programme year. We are always looking for additional hands. If you can volunteer time to help the local IT community, please email us on bbnbr@bcs.co.uk for information and a chat.About the speakersDr. Pasquale LafioscaPasquale Lafiosca, PhD is a Software Engineer with experience across embedded Linux, IoT and cybersecurity. A former financial Police Inspector, he pivoted into technology through research in computer vision before stepping into software engineering roles and product development. Dr. David J. Harding Dr David J. Harding is a technology leadership adviser, researcher, and author specialising in the effectiveness of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and senior technology leaders. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in technology-enabled business transformation, David has worked with organisations across the public and private sectors, helping leaders navigate complex change, develop technology capabilities, and improve organisational performance. His research into CIO effectiveness culminated in a PhD from Cranfield University, where he developed a unique framework for understanding how technology leaders shape and redefine their roles in increasingly dynamic and digitally maturing environments. Through his writing, speaking, and advisory work, he helps technology professionals at all stages of their careers become more effective leaders and build sustainable long-term career success. Dr. Esther Solomon Edun Dr Esther Solomon Edun is a Cyber Resilience and Information Security professional with over 15 years’ experience across banking, cybersecurity, organisational resilience, academia and professional training in the UK and Nigeria. She is currently Information Security Training and Awareness Manager at the University of Warwick. Previously, at The Workshop Technologies, she developed and delivered cyber resilience and awareness programmes across five countries. She also brings over 10 years of experience in banking, giving her a broad perspective on career transitions, transferable skills and professional development. Esther holds a PhD from Cranfield University and an MBA from the University of Liverpool and is passionate about helping people navigate career growth and opportunities in a changing digital world. Dr. Abdallah A. AbdallahAbdallah A. Abdallah is an aviation technology professional, currently working as an Airline IT Systems Manager at TUI. He has experience delivering and supporting digital solutions across airport and airline ground operations. He holds a PhD in Transport Systems from Cranfield University, with research focused on semantic integration for aircraft maintenance documentation. He also holds an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of St Andrews and a BSc in Software Engineering from the University of East London. Abdallah's professional and research interests include aviation digital transformation, airline technology, seamless passenger journeys, digital process automation, and the application of emerging technologies across the aviation ecosystem. He is a member of the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). He combines academic research with practical airline technology experience, with a particular interest in translating operational challenges into effective and scalable digital solutions.Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.This meeting is conducted in accordance with the BCS Code of Conduct for Meetings.BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. If you are attending in person, please familiarise yourself with the Visitor Instructions for the BCS London Office.Please note, if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk, and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.BCS privacy notice: your data will be processed by BCS in accordance with our data privacy notice.Photography: by attending this event, you may be photographed or filmed. Please speak to a member of staff if you do not wish to be included.For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.This event is brought to you by: Beds, Bucks & Northants BranchImage credit: photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/bedford/the-career-crossroads-skills-and-opportunities-in-changing-digital-worldagm/100002002935297392 - **Event Categories**: workshops, art, meetups, fine-arts, literary-art - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes - Location: Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Bedford - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel - **lat**: 52.1338888 - **long**: -0.4657137 - **full address**: Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel, 2 Saint Mary's Street, Bedford, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/b7c8554eba55efeb93df90422f9f41165c0f5f974295b823ea15a90100e2158c-rimg-w1200-h801-dcf8f8e8-gmir.jpg?v=1791559931 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM being held? - **A:** The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM takes place on Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 08:30 pm at Mercure Bedford Centre Hotel, 2 Saint Mary's Street, Bedford, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM? - **A:** The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM is organized by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT. - **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT's events? - **A:** Attendees have given BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT a rating of 4/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** The Career Crossroads: Skills & Opportunities in Changing Digital World+AGM is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Bedford, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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