What are tomorrow’s cloud leaders thinking about today?

• How many organisations would reject a vendor or reseller if their ESG credentials were not in good order?

• How can you build and lead a team, competing against the best and still win?

• What are C-Suite executives prioritising when it comes to digital transformation?

• Which technology trends are shaping the business landscape today?

At OVHcloud’s annual conference, Engage / Backstage on June 20th at the London Stadium, all of these questions will be answered. IT decision-makers and channel partners can join a host of their peers, network and learn from the next generation of technology leaders. Attendees at the Infosecurity Europe event at Excel can increase the bang for their buck and join both events, with the London Stadium just a few stops down the line from Custom House on the Docklands Light Railway.

The opening keynote from David Terrar at the Cloud Industry Forum will explore the latest research on cloud, AI and sustainability, discussing how IT leaders can navigate today’s volatile technology landscape. CIF’s report, ‘Breaking New Ground with Cloud’ polled 250 IT decision makers from across the UK, and according to the report, 42% of organisations today are currently using a ‘cloud first’ approach, with 55% operating a hybrid approach to cloud.

According to the study, the average amount of infrastructure that organisations currently store in the cloud is 50%, with only 1% keeping all of their data in the cloud – but only 8% keeping 20% or less. The average amount has increased by 2% year-on-year. Only 2% of organisations today have an ‘on-premises by default’ approach, clearly showing that the cost and agility benefits of cloud are now firmly established.

The event will feature tracks for both channel organisations and end-users, with channel sessions focused on topics including how to manage the customer lifecycle from beginning to end and sales enablement, while the user track will look at trends and themes including digital transformation.

Hosted by VP Northern Europe, Emma Dennard, and featuring former England footballer and sports journalist Karen Carney, MBE, the event also includes talks, networking drinks, a private tour of the stadium, OVHcloud’s annual partner awards and more. Attendees at the event will hear:

• Opening Keynote: David Terrar from the Cloud Industry Forum will be exploring the latest research from UK CTOs, examining their technology priorities, how they are responding to business needs, and the latest strategies for driving innovation

• In-depth: Horacio Gonzalez, Head of Developer Relations at OVHcloud will be providing details on OVHcloud’s future product roadmap innovations and how organisations can leverage them for success

• Partner focus: Hear how channel partners are focusing their cloud services for growth, from OVHcloud’s Northern Europe Partner Programme Manager, David Devine and Global Partner Programe Director Tori Frazier

• Exclusive Venue Tour, Awards and Networking Drinks: See the London Stadium, home of the 2012 Olympic Games and Premier League football club West Ham United. Meet the channel organisations currently leading the pack, with awards presented by David Devine, and network with peers, prospects and industry professionals in your sector

• Roundtable sessions: Meet other technology leaders and learn how they are innovating, the technologies that they are betting on, including projects around data handling and AI, and understand how they are growing margins in difficult economic times

• Guest speaker keynote: Hear former England footballer Karen Carney talk about overcoming adversity, managing change, and competing at the highest level

The conference provides an opportunity for channel, business and technology ecosystems to come together to discuss strategies for surviving – and thriving – in today’s adverse economic climate. Indeed, financial pressure and the volatile economy has made many organisations more risk-averse; according to the recent Superpowers Index, organisations are continuing to expand the number of suppliers considered for any one deal. Furthermore, more stakeholders are being included in the process, with decision-making times expanding in parallel.

However, this is also having a knock-on effect on gaining executive support; despite being looped into the process, the complexity of technology today means that executive buy-in is harder to get. The CIF study highlighted that approximately a third (30%) of IT decision makers are held back from adopting cloud by this barrier. Although more fundamental factors such as IT security, lack of budget and lack of skills rate as more pressing issues, executive support was a common theme throughout.

One final consideration also emerged from the research: environmental, social, governance and sustainability concerns have begun to rise up the agenda, with 85% of organisations highlighting ESG as important to their decision-making and buying process.

Although sustainability may have been written off as a ‘nice to have’ in previous years, the rising power costs in the UK have pushed it back onto the agenda. The importance of ‘sustainability as frugality’ is beginning to gain traction, with recycling and re-use initiatives crucial in purchase avoidance strategies. Furthermore, many organisations and industry groups are engaged in careful negotiation with government and regulatory groups, working to set reasonable targets that make a material difference to the climate crisis – whilst also allowing firms to continue making a profit.

Most end-user organisations rely heavily on their network of suppliers and trusted advisors, and OVHcloud’s conference aims to bring the ecosystem together to help companies to make the most of today’s technology, learn from the pioneers and celebrate mutual successes.

For further information and registration pages, search for OVHcloud Backstage Engage. Registration closes at noon on the 19th June, and places are limited.