The new head of Software NI is in place just a couple of weeks, but he’s approaching the role with a palpable sense of zeal and urgency.
It now falls to Neil Hutcheson to drive what Software NI acknowledges is their ‘bold’ strategy - to effectively double the size of the workforce in software to 50,000 jobs and to triple the value of goods and services produced by the sector to £5 billion per annum. And all this is to be achieved by 2035.
Delivery might be a decade away, but urgency and partnership are themes Neil keeps returning to.
“It shouldn't take six months to get integrated into the organisation and get up to speed. I'm two weeks in and I think we’ve hit the ground running. We've met with the Minister, DfE officials and Invest NI, we’re already building towards our goal, because we don't have the luxury of time. It's a 10-year goal, but it's really urgent if we are to make the most of opportunities. That's how we're viewing it,” says Neil.
This urgency is a quality which Chair Mark McCormack highlighted at the time of his appointment, saying Neil had the “motivation, ability and experience to help accelerate us towards our vision.”
READ MORE: Software NI appoints Neil Hutcheson as new leader
Mark and Software NI will be expanding on this vision at Big Data Belfast at the ICC Waterfront on Wednesday October 23 when he joins a panel with EY Partner Gareth Kelly, BT NI Chair Paul Murnaghan, Rapid 7 VP Laura Ellis and Chief Scientific Advisor at DSIT Pro Chris Johnston. Organised by Analytics Engines, the Big Data Belfast panel will delve into government policy and how this will be shaped by advancing AI technologies.
For Neil, the vision is “big and ambitious”, and just like agile software methodology he’s sequencing his work out into a series of quarterly sprints.
“I’ve got a 90-day plan and have carved the job itself up into three parts - operational management, enhancing member value, and policy development,” he says.
“We'll work with speed and focus on simplicity, and if we can focus on those principles with government, we think that we can move quickly.”
Previous incumbent David Crozier’s experience lay in software, but Neil’s particular expertise lies in policy advocacy for membership-led organisations, a role he carried out for Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for more than six years.
With over 100 members now signed up to Software NI, the organisation has moved beyond recruitment and is now in advocacy mode to ensure the tools and opportunities available are fully utilised - not least the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).
The vital nature of SBRI’s can be seen at the moment where an SBRI competition is inviting firms to identify ways to improve the detection and reporting of violence against women and girls. With 98 per cent of adult women surveyed reporting at least one form of gender-based violence or abuse in their lifetime, this is one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.
“I am a big fan of the SBRI,” he says. “They represent a fantastic opportunity for so many smaller businesses, but we could do more with these. For example, there were around 200 companies that applied for the recent Lough Neagh ‘blue algae’ SBRI but only a handful can be funded. So what happens to the 195 others? They potentially have great things to bring to market; they’ve got passion and ideas that we don’t want to lose. The same goes for those who apply to all software related programmes and courses.
The go to market element is a key part of DfE’s software sectoral plan, and a focus for the new chief executive. The sectoral plan called for a “local software sector that is outward-looking – seeking to reach new customers and new markets – is one that can build market share and revenue while diversifying its business base”.
According to Neil: “We've got great products and services, but unless you can actually sell it and grow your product, you're not going to double that footprint.”
In addition to ensuring more people learn to engineer software, sales is central to the roadmap to 2035. The organisation has set up four industry working groups - covering education, skills, sales and scaling, and ‘sector futures’ to harness change associated with AI - to concentrate efforts and ensure connection to the grassroots of industry. These are set to kick off within the next month, the work towards 2035 continues apace.
Presented by Analytics Engines, and with the support of headline sponsor EY, #BDB2024 aims to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, equipping attendees with insights to drive transformative change across various sectors. The conference is also supported by Aflac NI, Allstate NI, Daily Pay, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, MCS Group, Rapid 7, Synechron, Momentum One Zero, Visit Belfast and Invest Northern Ireland.
Big Data Belfast 2024 is a must-see event as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, showcasing the latest innovations in data and AI with expert speakers and dynamic panel discussions on critical topics like Generative AI and Digital Transformation. This year's conference promises unparalleled opportunities for attendees to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into how data can drive innovation across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, and sustainability. Given that last year's event sold out, it’s essential to book early to secure your tickets and ensure you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of data and AI.
Main image caption in full: Lorna McAdoo, Vice Chair of Software NI and Group Director of ESG at Version 1; Neil Hutcheson, Chief Executive of Software NI; Mark McCormack, Chair of Software NI and MD at Aflac Northern Ireland
More insight into this and how other elements of government and society will be impacted by new software technologies will be revealed at Big Data Belfast on Wednesday. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit: bigdatabelfast.com
