Connected Lives President's Address 2008

The ongoing revolution in communication technologies means that not only are we increasingly able to receive and share large amounts of information wherever we may be but new ways of working and personal lifestyles are emerging. This presents amazing new opportunities but also some significant challenges to society, business and the way we lead our personal lives. The lecture will examine some of the key trends emerging around the world and the implications of living in a digital world where the different information, communication and entertainment media are rapidly converging.

Chris Earnshaw, FREng CEng FIET BSc is Managing Director of Oakleigh Ventures advising private equity and other clients in the IT and communications sectors. He has held a number of senior roles in the private and public sector. He was a member of the executive management Board of British Telecommunications plc from 1991 to 2002 and served as Managing Director Networks and Systems and Group Engineering Director. From 2004- 2007 he was chairman of the UK Police IT Organisation. He is currently a director of a number of private and industry professional boards and is chairman of Cranfield University Ventures Ltd. He is an adviser to the UK government’s Convergence Think Tank. Throughout his career he has been active in promoting the importance of engineering and science and professional standards across industry and the wider public. He was awarded the 2001 IEEE Ernst Weber award for global industry leadership and is an Honorary Fellow of University College, London. He is a Fellow of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering. A member of the IET (and IEE) for over 35 years he has been a trustee since 2001 and has served the Institution in a number of roles, including chairman of a local younger Members Section, a member of Divisional and Professional Group boards and as Chairman of the Qualifications, Technical and Professional Services as well as the Finance and Investment boards of the Institution.