THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH: LONDON TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2015
Champions of innovation and pillars of industry ascend The Shard for the second annual London Technology Week.
The Shard hosted the great and the good of the world’s technology industry on Monday 15th June to celebrate the launch of the second London Technology Week.
The week-long event showcases London’s growing role as the European capital of innovation, entrepreneurialism and expertise attracting tens of thousands of tech specialists from around the globe. Speaking at the event on Level 22, IBM’s Sandy Carter said: “London is a city of developers, the epicentre of start-ups and internationalises start-ups the fastest.”
“THE SHARD IS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD AND A BEACON FOR MODERN LONDON. THE SHARD AND SURROUNDING LONDON BRIDGE AREA ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH CREATIVITY AND A PIONEERING SPIRIT, SO IT SEEMED A VERY FITTING PLACE FROM WHICH TO HOST THE LAUNCH OF LONDON TECHNOLOGY WEEK, AN EVENT WHICH CELEBRATES LONDON’S GREAT INNOVATORS AND THE EXCITING NEW POSSIBILITIES THEIR WORK IS UNLOCKING.”
Eileen Burridge
Partner, Passion Capital
IBM, supported by the Mayor of London, unveiled its new start-up content aggregation portal Tech.London at the event in front of an audience that included Michael Acton Smith, founder of Mind Candy; Dan Cobley, CEO of Brightbridge Ventures; Martha Lane Fox, founder of Lastminute.com and Xavier Rolet, CEO of the Stock Exchange Group.
Amazon’s Jay Marine highlighted the importance of the workplace environment during his session highlighting that it is “crucial to have office in central London to attract and retain the best talent.” The company has signed a lease to move its tech and business hub to London from 2016.
New technology is transforming modern workspaces to create environments that encourage collaboration and creativity, which in turn helps businesses to thrive. The Shard is at the forefront of modern workplaces, which made it the perfect place to host the start of London Technology Week.
Irvine Sellar, The Shard’s developer and co-owner, and James Goldsmith, Leasing Director of REM, added: “Technology companies have taught us about the importance of co-working and collaborative spaces – something which will come to The Shard when The Office Group 24/25 opens its doors in the building in August. The technology industry is exciting and a source of real growth for London. Along with The Shard it represents the very best of what London has to offer the world.”
Following the launch at The Shard, there will be a range of events showcasing the capabilities, expertise and innovation of London’s home-grown tech companies, from start-ups to globally recognised brands.
For more information on London Technology Week and a full list of events, visit www.LondonTechnologyWeek.co.uk
