In episode 8 of our podcast series, Mantis PR's Rebecca Paddick sat down with Jisc’s head of higher education and student experience, James Clay, to find out how edtech start-ups can help support a sector that has been so heavily impacted by the pandemic. James Clay, who has worked in the education sector since 1993, and has extensive experience in the use of technology to enhance and enrich learning, offered his advice to those working in, or in direct partnership with universities as we look ahead to a post-COVID recovery. Take a listen. Further Jisc resources: Learning & Teaching Reimagined: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching-reimagined Powering UK higher education: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/reports/higher-education-strategy-2021-2024 Student digital experience insights survey: Full survey / summary Step up programme, for edtech start-ups: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/get-involved/step-up-programme

In episode 7 of our podcast series, Mantis PR's MD Eleanor Willock is in conversation with one of Europe's most active health venture capitalists, Joe Stringer, from Octopus Ventures.    They discuss: The new market definitions of health and med tech, and how investors' appetites for both are changing How International tech firms should be viewing the NHS as an opportunity How data collection and analysis capabilities are driving capital investment The importance of PR and good founder communications in the route to funding   Take a listen.   https://mantispr.co.uk/​​  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mant...​  https://twitter.com/MantisPR​​  

In episode 6 of our podcast series, Mantis PR’s Rebecca Paddick and MD Eleanor Willock shine a light for tech companies on the positive UK conditions for capital raising and what the opportunities and hurdles are. If you’re raising money, or thinking about raising money in 2021, this is a must-listen episode. In this extended episode, you can hear: • Neil Shah, technology sector specialist at the London Stock Exchange giving his take on the recent TechNation report, and how PR plays a part in raising capital. • Monika Radclyffe, Centre Director at SETsquared Bristol, on what incubators look for when supplying capital, and the rapid growth trajectory of the UK start-up community. • Henry Humphreys, a Partner at investment specialist firm Humphreys Law on the common traits shared by successfully funded businesses and some of the biggest challenges to securing investment. Take a listen.

In episode 5 of our podcast series, Mantis PR’s Rebecca Paddick sat down with Will Marsh, the University of Bristol’s Deputy Director of Communications, to discuss the impact of the pandemic on one of the country’s most popular and successful universities. They discussed how Bristol’s PR and comms team navigated the ever-evolving challenges created by COVID-19, and also talked about what student life might be like at universities across the country, post pandemic. Take a listen.

In episode 4 of our podcast series, Mantis PR’s Rebecca Paddick sat down with Government ICT analyst Rob Anderson, to discuss the green shoots of recovery for the UK’s GovTech community of suppliers in the wake of COVID, the role of the new Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) for Government and how it will work alongside GDS, and the further changes we are likely to see to GovTech in 2021. Rob Anderson leads research and analysis of Government ICT for GlobalData, one of the world's leading market intelligence providers. With 30+ years involvement in the use of IT in the public sector, Rob is a keen follower of technology-enabled policy delivery and has supported many organisations in driving change, both within IT suppliers and as a public servant. Take a listen.

In episode 3 of our podcast series, Mantis PR’s Rebecca Paddick sat down with tech strategist Jessica Figueras, to discuss UK public sector priorities and the technology helping to navigate COVID and Brexit. She also asks how international technology providers can break into the UK arena and boost their chances of winning public sector contracts. Every month, we speak to the leaders who are driving digital change forwards in the public sector, and discussing the major developments taking place, and challenges still being faced, in harnessing tech to make digital transformation a reality. Take a listen.

In episode 2, Mantis PR's Rebecca Paddick sat down with Miranda Evans, Head of Research at Tussell and Georgina Maratheftis, Head of Local Public Services at techUK, to discuss how local authorities have been coping with coronavirus, and how technology has helped, in recent months. They also talked about the barriers to implementing transformative tech before the pandemic, and how these have now changed, and I also asked, what can be done to strengthen the relationship between technology suppliers and local authorities in the months to come. Every month, we'll be speaking to the leaders who are driving digital change forwards in the public sector, and discussing the major developments taking place, and challenges still being faced, in harnessing tech to make digital transformation a reality. Take a listen.

In Mantis PR's very first Tech to Transform podcast, we learn about the challenges and opportunities facing policetech in the UK from Wayne Parks, Chair, National Police Technology Council and Ian bell, CEO of Police ICT, a partner to UK police services and law enforcement organisations. Quizzed by Mantis PR's Rebecca Paddick, Wayne and Ian discuss the challenges police services face around investment in technology and the need for more single points of investment. The policetech experts suggest police services face a considerable legacy IT estate with complex governance rules to follow and a lack of maturity in terms of digital adoption. But, the police services do have pockets of success. There is increasing migration to the cloud across all forces; an increasing use of body worn video and more collaboration around technology. 'Slowly but surely', Ian and Wayne suggest police services are starting to work together better and more closely. And, as a customer, as a buying organisation, it is becoming more informed and easy to work with. During the podcast, Ian and Wayne suggest the policetech market needs new suppliers - new suppliers to revive the marketplace and bring much needed new ideas and innovation.