IDC & IBM Accelerate UK 2025
Accelerate , Unlock Innovation Through Trusted AI and Hybrid Cloud
REGISTER NOW
We live in an era where digital transformation is no longer an option, but a necessity for the survival and evolution of any organization. However, what was once seen as a linear path to the cloud has now become a much more complex, dynamic, and uncertain landscape. In this context of accelerated change, digital infrastructure takes on a leading role: it’s not simply a matter of migrating to new technological platforms, but of adopting the right solutions that allow us to address both the opportunities and challenges posed by the unstoppable advance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the constant increase in cyberattacks.
Overview
One of the greatest catalysts for this new thinking about digital infrastructure is artificial intelligence. Today, AI—and especially generative AI—is moving from a futuristic promise to a concrete tool for generating value. But this technological revolution does not come without its own challenges. AI-based applications require massive computing power, a flexible architecture, and, above all, the ability to scale quickly based on potentially highly unpredictable demand.
During the meeting, we will explore relevant aspects such as:
How can organizations successfully address complexity and regulatory challenges when deploying advanced AI solutions in hybrid environments?
How can scalability, security, and performance be guaranteed in an AI-driven technology architecture?
What role will revolutionary technologies like quantum computing play in digital transformation, and how can organizations prepare for these new paradigms?
Beyond ideas and trends, what truly transforms an organization are decisions based on concrete experiences. Therefore, at this event, we will share case studies from leading companies that are already using hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence to successfully advance their digital transformation.
Why Attend
This event was born in response to that urgent need for guidance, inspiration, and connection. It’s an essential meeting point for technology and business leaders seeking to understand how their digital infrastructures must evolve to remain competitive, resilient, and prepared for what’s next. Here, we’ll not only analyze the latest technology trends, but we’ll go further: we’ll identify what really works in practice, what is being rethought, and what needs to be completely redesigned.
Agenda
Thursday – October 2, 2025
IDC & IBM Accelerate UK 2025
One day event
Registration & networking
IDC and IBM Welcome
IDC and IBM set the stage for an inspiring agenda, sharing the vision behind Accelerate UK 2025. Discover the key themes shaping the event, from AI and hybrid cloud to digital transformation, and get a preview of the insights and conversations ahead.
Bill Unsworth
Cloud Director, IBM UKI
IDC, Market Trends
Archana will share the latest market intelligence on AI, hybrid cloud, and digital transformation. This will help you gain a data-driven view of emerging trends, shifting priorities, and where the opportunities lie for businesses looking to innovate and stay ahead.
Archana Venkatraman
Senior Director Research, Cloud Data Management, IDC
Inside the Innovation Journey of Trusted AI and Hybrid Cloud by Design
Today, companies are facing an inflection point in their business strategy, shifting from a traditional focus on cost reduction to generating new value through innovation using AI and other technologies. Generative AI, which has generated great excitement, is finally being fully deployed in enterprises after a pilot phase. Leading companies are balancing performance with innovation, adopting the latest hybrid cloud platforms, and leveraging data and AI to extract greater value and deliver improved user experiences. To facilitate digital transformation, a true hybrid cloud strategy is essential—one that is both defensive, providing security and protection, and offensive, driving innovation.
Anne Leslie
EMEA leader of Cloud Risk and Controls, IBM Cloud
Sandip Wadje
Managing Director, Global Head of Emerging Technology Risks, BNP Paribas
Fireside Chat: When AI Meets the Real World – An End-User Perspective
Hear it from the frontlines. In this fireside chat, we sit down with a leading end-user to explore what happens when AI and hybrid cloud move from strategy decks to real-world deployment. Expect candid insights, lessons learned, and practical takeaways you can apply in your own organisation.
Fundamental role of Hybrid Cloud to unleash the potential of Gen AI
Coffee & Networking Break
Demo
Fireside Chat with Intel Representative
Exploring the innovation backbone. In this fireside chat, Intel shares how advances in compute, networking, and infrastructure are powering the next generation of AI and hybrid cloud solutions. Gain insight into the technology foundations that make breakthrough innovation possible.
Key Takeaways & Thank you
Presentations Close / Lunch & Networking
Speakers
Archana Venkatraman
Senior Director Research, Cloud Data Management
IDC
Read Bio
Archana Venkatraman
Archana Venkatraman is a Senior Director for IDC’s European Datacenter Research. She covers datacenter technologies including software-defined infrastructures, storage and data management, virtualization, containers, hyperconverged infrastructure, infrastructure performance monitoring, systems management, application development, and cloud services.
Archana also leads IDC’s European thought leadership program on open source technologies. She also contributes to European Digital Transformation, DevOps, Blockchain and IoT research practices.
Before joining IDC, Venkatraman was the datacenter editor at Computer Weekly, the digital magazine and website for IT professionals based in London, where she focused on datacenters, server virtualization, storage, open source technologies, software-defined infrastructures, and cloud computing, liaising with enterprise CIOs and technology vendors to develop deeper insight into the enterprise IT industry. Venkatraman has a master’s degree in journalism from Mumbai University.
Event Sessions
Thursday, October 2 2025 11:35 am | Location:
IDC, Market Trends
Archana will share the latest market intelligence on AI, hybrid cloud, and digital transformation. This will help you gain a data-driven view of emerging trends, shifting priorities, and where the opportunities lie for businesses looking to innovate and stay ahead.
Anne Leslie
EMEA leader of Cloud Risk and Controls
IBM Cloud
Read Bio
Anne Leslie
Anne Leslie is the EMEA leader of Cloud Risk and Controls at IBM Cloud. She has over 18 years of experience in international roles in banking and related technology businesses, spanning the intersection of digital transformation, information security, governance, risk and compliance, and regulatory policy-making. Since joining IBM, her focus has been on accompanying European financial institutions in securely accelerating their journey to public Cloud and transforming their operating models to keep pace with a dynamic external environment. Widely known for her public speaking, Anne regularly contributes her thought leadership to industry conferences and working groups on topics related to public cloud and AI in financial services, including operational resilience and cybersecurity.
Event Sessions
Thursday, October 2 2025 11:50 am | Location:
Inside the Innovation Journey of Trusted AI and Hybrid Cloud by Design
Today, companies are facing an inflection point in their business strategy, shifting from a traditional focus on cost reduction to generating new value through innovation using AI and other technologies. Generative AI, which has generated great excitement, is finally being fully deployed in enterprises after a pilot phase. Leading companies are balancing performance with innovation, adopting the latest hybrid cloud platforms, and leveraging data and AI to extract greater value and deliver improved user experiences. To facilitate digital transformation, a true hybrid cloud strategy is essential—one that is both defensive, providing security and protection, and offensive, driving innovation.
Bill Unsworth
Cloud Director
IBM UKI
Read Bio
Bill Unsworth
Bill has responsibility for the sales, strategy, management, and delivery of IBM’s Cloud, used by leading enterprises as a core element of their IT infrastructure. As an executive in the IT industry, with an exceptional track record of performance, Bill’s strong leadership competencies have allowed him to drive change within the IT sector, both within organizations and externally to clients. Bill’s previous experience includes Executive leadership roles across IBM Systems Group, IBM System z and IBM Global Services. These roles across his 25 years in IBM have included both UK and European responsibility, working across multiple industries, but has a close affinity to Banking & Insurance, Retail, Telecommunications and Government.
Event Sessions
Thursday, October 2 2025 11:30 am | Location:
IDC and IBM Welcome
IDC and IBM set the stage for an inspiring agenda, sharing the vision behind Accelerate UK 2025. Discover the key themes shaping the event, from AI and hybrid cloud to digital transformation, and get a preview of the insights and conversations ahead.
Partners
Intel
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.
IBM UK Ltd.
IBM is a global cloud platform and cognitive solutions company, which has continually evolved over the past century to remain at the forefront of technological innovation. Our capabilities in data and analytics, cloud, mobile, social and security have helped the UK evolve to become one of the world’s most digitally advanced nations. This digital revolution empowers us and our clients to gather and analyse data in ways that have never been possible before—helping UK organisations unlock new insights and usher in a new era of cognitive business.
Not the right event for you?
Don’t worry! There are plenty of other events to choose from. Simply sign up for event invitations and we’ll send you a notification whenever we add a new event that matches your interests.
