Matthew Baker - Head of Radio Physical Layer and Coexistence Standardisation, Nokia Bell Labs

Matthew Baker is Head of Radio Physical Layer and Co-Existence Standardisation at Nokia, and a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. He was Chairman of 3GPP TSG RAN Working Group 1 from 2009 – 2013, and Vice-Chairman of the same group from 2013 – 2017. He has actively contributed to the standardization of UMTS/HSPA, LTE and 5G in 3GPP. Prior to joining Alcatel-Lucent (now Nokia) in 2009, he worked at Philips for 12 years, where he conducted research into a variety of wireless communication systems and techniques, including propagation modelling, DECT, Hiperlan and UMTS, as well as leading the Philips 3GPP RAN standardization team. He holds degrees in Engineering and Electrical and Information Sciences from the University of Cambridge. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Visiting Professor at the University of Reading, UK. He is co-editor of “LTE – The UMTS Long Term Evolution: From Theory to Practice” (Wiley, Second Edition 2012), has authored many papers and holds numerous patents in the field of mobile communications.

David Barker - CTO, Quintel Technology

David is CTO at Quintel. His role involves creating, identifying and assessing how Quintel’s RF technology innovations can be applied for wireless communications markets, and in particular for the LTE and MIMO antenna world. Prior to Quintel, David worked briefly with Arieso Limited, in the application and development of automated intelligent 3G network design optimisation products, and over 7 years with Mason Communications (now AnalysysMason) as a principal consultant in the fields of cellular network design & optimisation. David started his career in RF engineering 15 years ago in electronic warfare systems with the UK Ministry of Defence. David holds a BEng (Hons) from Bradford University and an MSc from the Royal Military College of Science. David has a number of patent applications and grants, and is author of a number of academic and conference papers.

Mark Beach - Professor of Radio Systems Engineering , University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Mark Beach received his PhD for research addressing the application of Smart Antenna techniques to GPS from the University of Bristol in 1989, where he subsequently joined as a member of academic staff. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996, Reader in 1998 and Professor in 2003. He was Head of the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering from 2006 to 2010, and then spearheaded Bristol's hosting of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Communications. He currently manages the delivery of the CDT in Communications, leads research in the field of enabling technologies for the delivery of 5G and beyond wireless connectivity, as well as his role as the School Research Impact Director. Mark's current research activities are delivered through the Communication Systems and Networks Group, forming a key component within Bristol's Smart Internet Lab. He has over 25 years of physical layer wireless research embracing the application of Spread Spectrum technology for cellular systems, adaptive or smart antenna for capacity and range extension in wireless networks, MIMO aided connectivity for through-put enhancement, Millimetre Wave technologies as well as flexible RF technologies for SDR modems underpins his current research portfolio.

Chris Clifton - CTO & Divisional Director:Europe based Sony Semiconductor & Electronic Solutions (SES), Sony Europe B.V.

Chris is the Chief Technology Officer and Divisional Director for Europe based Sony Semiconductor and Electronic Solutions (SES) with responsibilities for new technology/product incubation and telecommunication/semiconductor R&D activities. His main mission is to identify and help accelerate the development of core enabling technologies which will underpin future consumer and industrial electronic products. Current research focus areas include 3GPP related technologies which will pave the way towards the 5G era including the wireless M2M connectivity technologies which will underpin the next IoT revolution. He currently serves on the ETSI board.

A significant period of his time at Sony has been spent managing the Wireless Semiconductor Development activity in Basingstoke, joining the Sony Semiconductor operation in 1997. During this time the company succeeded in securing significant design wins in the European cellular phone market. After spending a period of time at the main development site in Atsugi, Japan, the design flow for the GaAs MMIC technology was transferred to the UK Design Centre so that European products could be designed locally.

Following the successful set-up of the MMIC design facility by Chris and his team, other areas of Mixed-Signal development were expanded at the Basingstoke facility including cellular RF transceivers, full Bluetooth chipset solutions and analogue devices for DTV applications, under his leadership. In 2001, he became Divisional Director for Wireless products within the European Development Centre.

In 2006, Chris launched a local design centre for the development of LCD panels for mobile consumer electronics devices. Since this time, he has maintained a strong interest in display and image capture technologies, in addition to several other strategically important microelectronic technologies such as MEMS.

Prior to Sony, he held positions as Chief Design Engineer at the GEC III-V semiconductor facility at Caswell and RF Engineering Manager at DSC Communications.

As well as being a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chris has served on the boards of a number of UK government bodies covering training and promotion of engineering within the UK. Also a member of the UK Strategy Advisory board for 5GIC (5G Innovation Centre at Surrey University).

He has authored more than 20 international publications and holds a number of patents. Academic qualifications include a BSc(Hons) in Physics and a PhD in Electronic Engineering.

Paul Duxbury - European Sales Manager, Rainford EMC Systems Ltd

Philippe Garreau - CEO, Microwave Vision Group (MVG)

Philippe is a graduate of SUPELEC, a prominent engineering school in France. He began his career at the European Space Agency (ESA) before joining SATIMO in 1992 as an engineer in charge of antenna measurements. He became Managing Director of SATIMO in 1996 and at the age of 46, became CEO of Microwave Vision Group in 2008.

Stewart Lacey - 5G Driver, Europe and Latin America, Ericsson

Stewart has been with Ericsson for over 30 years in various customer facing technology leadership roles and has been engaged in the market introduction of 2G, 3G and 4G. He is currently focussed on securing readiness for 5G in both Ericsson and its customers across Europe and Latin America.

Leo Laughlin - Research Fellow, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Leo received an M.Eng. degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of York in 2011, graduating at the top of his cohort, and a Ph.D degree in Communications Engineering from the University of Bristol in 2016, being awarded a faculty commendation for his thesis. He was previously employed at Qualcomm (Farnborough), working on Physical Layer DSP for GSM receivers, and Omnisense (Cambridge), working on radio geolocation systems. He is currently a Research Fellow in the Communication Systems and Networks Laboratory at the University of Bristol. His Ph.D and post-doctoral research has focused on self-interference cancellation for full-duplex communication, spanning the conception, design, simulation, prototyping, and field testing of novel full-duplex transceivers. He has published papers in high impact journals, is named inventor on four patents, and has received several academic prizes.

Sylvia Lu - Senior Tech Lead - 5G at u-blox, UK5G Advisory Board Member, u-blox UK, Member of Advisory Board, UK5G

An award winning Engineer, non-executive director, advisor and ambassador, combining technology and strategic expertise with a solid understanding of the Telecom and vertical industries.

Sylvia has over a decade industrial experience in cellular chipset developments for 4 mobile generations (2G to 5G), global standards, technology strategy and innovation. She has been critically instrumental in the evolution of global technology standards for the Internet of Things to enable economics of scale – a technology which has now been deployed globally over billions. Sylvia is contributing to the latest technology developments and global standards to enable "things" to be connected smartly for the Telecom and vertical industries.

Sylvia speaks regularly at conferences, events and webinars (highlights incl. House of Lords, ITU, IET, IEEE), and contributes to industrial magazines and journals, some of which have been translated into 4 languages.

Sylvia is a member of the UK5G Innovation Network Advisory Board, member of the IET Communication Policy Panel. She has previously been a co-founder and SIG champion of the CW "Future Technology SIG" since 2013.

Sylvia is DevelopHer Tech Star 2017 Winner and was recognised for her work in the technology sector to help with promoting gender diversity in tech sector. Most recently she was nominated as Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2018 Finalist in the Science and Technology Category, an award to recognise and celebrate phenomenal Asian women across the UK and across industries, who are making a valuable and important contribution to British life.

Sylvia is a STEM/STEAM Ambassador, speaks regularly at schools and universities to help students understand skill requirements and future tech trends in the tech industry.

Sylvia is also an amateur artist.

Evangelos Mellios - Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Evangelos Mellios is a Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at the University of Bristol and a member of the Communication Systems & Networks Research Group. His research addresses key enabling technologies for future wireless communications, with particular focus on antennas and radiowave propagation for millimetre wave, massive MIMO, Wi-Fi and low-power Internet-of-Things networks. 

Kevin Morris - Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Kevin Morris received the B.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K., in 1995 and 2000, respectively. He is currently a Professor of RF engineering and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol. He has authored or co-authored 100 academic papers and he holds five patents. His research interests principally concern looking at methods of reducing power consumption in communications systems including the area of RF hardware design with a specific interest in the design of efficient linear broadband power amplifiers for use within future communications systems. Professor Morris is currently involved with a number of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) research programmes including FARAD and SENSE and industry funded research programmes within the U.K. He is a member of the UK Electronic Skills Foundation (UK-ESF) Strategic Advisory board.

Simon Pike - Spectrum expert, Independent

Simon Pike has worked in the mobile industry for more than 25 years. For fifteen years up to 2016, he was Chief Engineer, Regulatory and Spectrum for Vodafone Group, which he represented in UK, European and global meetings on radio spectrum management, mobile technology and standards. He has been Chair of groups in ITU (WRC-03), CEPT, ETSI (SMG8 and TFES) and Spectrum Policy Forum (Cluster 4). For the last year up to June ‘18, Simon was a 5G Adviser in DCMS, focussing on supporting policy for rail passenger connectivity. Immediately prior to this meeting, he will be giving a presentation on ‘5G: The Vision, the Reality and the Future’ at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC 2018) in Amsterdam.

Yinan Qi - Senior 5G Researcher, Samsung Electronics R&D Institute UK

Dr. Yinan Qi received Ph.D degree in Electronic Engineering from University of Surrey. He is currently a senior 5G researcher in Samsung R&D Institute UK. His main research interests include massive MIMO, cooperative communication systems, green communications and non-terrestrial networks.

David Reyes Paredes - Researcher, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

David Reyes Paredes received the B.S. degree in electrical and telecommunications engineering from the Escuela Politecnica del Ejercito (ESPE), Ecuador, in 2007 and the M.Sc. in information technology management from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (PUCE), Ecuador, in 2014. David was granted a scholarship from the Ecuadorian Government through the SENESCYT and is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree in Communications with the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Communications at the University of Bristol, UK. During 2009-2015, he was at Corporacion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones CNT EP, Ecuador, working as a wireless access network engineer and as an international strategy analyst. His research interests are in wireless communications, particularly in over the air test methods for 5G millimetre wave frequency devices.

Reiner Stuhlfauth

Reiner Stuhlfauth is a technology manager wireless from the Test & Measurement Division of Rohde & Schwarz in Munich, before that he worked as trainer and has more than 15 years experience in teaching and promoting mobile communication technologies in the background of cellular standards  and non-cellular technologies. He is also involved in several projects concerning 5G, the next mobile communication technology. As technology manager wireless, he links development, customer requirements and sales organisations to coordinate implementation of technical features into  future test solutions.

Geoff Varrall

Geoff Varrall joined RTT in 1985 as an executive director and shareholder to develop RTT's international business as a provider of technology and business services to the wireless industry. He co-developed RTT's original series of design and facilitation workshops including 'RF Technology', 'Data Over Radio', 'Introduction to Mobile Radio', and 'Private Mobile Radio Systems and developed 'The Oxford programme', a five day strategic technology and market programme presented annually between 1991 and 2005. Geoff has been running in depth technology and market workshops for the industry for over 33 years, spanning five generations of mobile cellular technology. A co-author of the Mobile Radio Servicing Handbook (Heinemann Butterworth, UK), Data Over Radio, (Quantum Publishing, Mendocino, USA and 3G Handset and Network Design (John Wiley, New York). Geoff's fourth book, Making Telecoms Work – from technical innovation to commercial success (John Wiley) was published in early 2012 followed by 5G Spectrum and Standards published by Artech House in July 2016. His latest book 5G and Satellite Spectrum Standards and Scale is now available from Artech House and can be ordered from http://uk.artechhouse.com/5G-and-Satellite-Spectrum-Standards-and-Scale-P1935.aspx Delegates to this event can get a 25% discount and free posting by applying the discount code VAR25.As a past Director of Cambridge Wireless, Geoff is actively involved in a number of wireless heritage initiatives that aim to capture and record past technology and engineering experience and is a patron of the Science Museum In his spare time he plays Jazz trumpet semi-professionally and is a marathon and ultra-runner.

John Haine - Visiting Professor, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

John Haine has spent his career in the electronics and communications industry, working for large corporations and with four Cambridge start-ups. His technical background includes R&D in radio circuitry and microwave circuit theory; and the design of novel radio systems for cordless telephony, mobile data, fixed wireless access and IoT communications. He has led standardisation activities in mobile data and FWA in ETSI, and contributed to WiMax in IEEE. At various times he has been involved in and led fund-raising and M&A activities. In 1999 he joined TTP Communications working on research, technology strategy and M&A; and after the company’s acquisition by Motorola became Director of Technology Strategy in Motorola Mobile Devices. After leaving Motorola he was CTO Enterprise Systems with ip.access, a manufacturer of GSM picocells and 3G femtocells. In early 2010 he joined Cognovo, which was acquired by u-blox AG in 2012. He led u-blox' involvement in 3GPP NB-IoT standardisation and the company's initial development of the first modules for trials and demonstrations. Now retired from u-blox he is a Visiting Professor in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Bristol University, where he chairs the Centre for Doctoral Training in Communications. He was founder chair and is Board Member Emeritus of the IoT Security Foundation. He served on the CW Board and now chairs the Editorial Board of the CW Journal.  John has a first degree from Birmingham (1971) and a PhD from Leeds (1977) universities, and is a Life Member of the IEEE.

David Jai-Persad - Business Development Manager (STEM) , University of East London, Knowledge Dock

"Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." David has a portfolio career that has allowed him to develop a wide range of experience. He started his career as a research scientist which gave him a strong technical foundation that he has applied to areas as diverse as business development activities related to using modelling and simulation for designing and improving products (Industry 4.0), SMART Cities and digital media. Coupled with this he has good business acumen and the ability to apply technologies to develop new business opportunities. David has strong IP legal skills having given lectures on Business Development from IP to the European Patent Office Patlib conference and taught IP law to Computer Science and Digital Media Students. He has also mentored a number of Start-ups including Jessica Elliot’s J’s Dance Factory. He does this because he believes that the traditional model of someone obtaining a degree and working for a large company for 40 years has broken down due the increasing number of graduates and graduates need to be supported in developing new employment models such as starting their own businesses. He also has strong forensic thinking skills. In summary he has a passion for improving the ways in which discoveries made in the research base are applied to solve real world problems.

Kevin Morris - Professor of Radio Frequency Engineering, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Kevin Morris received the B.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K., in 1995 and 2000, respectively. He is currently a Professor of RF engineering and Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol. He has authored or co-authored 100 academic papers and he holds five patents. His research interests principally concern looking at methods of reducing power consumption in communications systems including the area of RF hardware design with a specific interest in the design of efficient linear broadband power amplifiers for use within future communications systems. Professor Morris is currently involved with a number of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) research programmes including FARAD and SENSE and industry funded research programmes within the U.K. He is a member of the UK Electronic Skills Foundation (UK-ESF) Strategic Advisory board.

Joachim Wabnig - Research Leader, Nokia

Joachim Wabnig has been educated as a theoretical physicist (PhD from Umeå University, Sweden). After postdoc placements in Oxford and Cambridge working on quantum technologies he joined the Nokia Cambridge Lab in 2011. Since then he has been working on a wide range of topics including quantum computing, quantum key distribution, compressed sensing and machine learning. He is now leading the machine learning and analytics team in Cambridge and is looking at applications in digital media and digital health.

Ian Wassell - Senior Lecturer, Digital Technology Group, Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge

Dr Ian Wassell joined the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory as a Senior Lecturer in January 2006. Prior to this, he was with the Department of Engineering for six years. He received the PhD degree from the University of Southampton in 1990 and the BSc., BEng. (Honours) Degrees (First Class) from the University of Loughborough in 1983. He has in excess of 25 years experience in radio communication systems gained via positions in industry and academia and has published more than 200 papers. His research interests include broadband wireless networks, wireless sensor networks, radio propagation, coding, communication signal processing, compressive sampling, and image processing and classification.

Mark Beach - Professor of Radio Systems Engineering , University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Mark Beach received his PhD for research addressing the application of Smart Antenna techniques to GPS from the University of Bristol in 1989, where he subsequently joined as a member of academic staff. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996, Reader in 1998 and Professor in 2003. He was Head of the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering from 2006 to 2010, and then spearheaded Bristol's hosting of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Communications. He currently manages the delivery of the CDT in Communications, leads research in the field of enabling technologies for the delivery of 5G and beyond wireless connectivity, as well as his role as the School Research Impact Director. Mark's current research activities are delivered through the Communication Systems and Networks Group, forming a key component within Bristol's Smart Internet Lab. He has over 25 years of physical layer wireless research embracing the application of Spread Spectrum technology for cellular systems, adaptive or smart antenna for capacity and range extension in wireless networks, MIMO aided connectivity for through-put enhancement, Millimetre Wave technologies as well as flexible RF technologies for SDR modems underpins his current research portfolio.

Brian Collins - Director, BSC Associates

Brian has designed antennas for applications including radio and TV broadcasting, base stations, handsets and consumer products, and has operated his own consultancy firm for the last 12 years. He has published more than 70 papers on antenna topics and contributed chapters to several recent textbooks. He operates a small consultancy company, chairs the Antenna Interface Standards Group and is an Honorary Visiting Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London.

Diego Giancola - Principal Consultant, PA Consulting Group

Diego has spent his career in radio systems R&D and modem design in the wireless communication sector, from 2G to the latest 4G evolutions. His research interests lie in multi-antenna systems and novel signal processing and architectures for radio signals. He currently co-runs PA's signal processing team and leads the research activities in LTE evolution and 5G landscaping. Diego has a first degree in telecommunication engineering and a doctorate in electronics and communication engineering from Politecnico di Milano.

Vidhya Sridhar - Consultant, TTP Group

Vidhya Sridhar is a consultant at The Technology Partnership (TTP) Plc. She has a background in digital signal processing and physical layer design and development. In her PhD at Imperial College London, she carried out research on array signal processing techniques with applications in 5G and defence. Prior to her PhD, she spent three years working on physical layer design and development in LTE and WiMAX at Broadcom (India) and Alcatel Lucent (India) respectively.

Peter Topham - Prinicipal Engineer, Qualcomm Technologies International

Peter has more than 30 years experience of RF and high-speed circuit design, taking chips into production ranging from FM Band II through cellular, Bluetooth and on to UWB at 10GHz. He has been with Qualcomm for 7 years, specialising in low-power RF design for portable and wearable products.