Nisa Chitakasem
Nisa is the Chief Marketing Officer at Register Dynamics. Having studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College, she has a strong background in technology and a great appreciation for what technology can do.
Nisa is the Chief Marketing Officer at Register Dynamics. She has over 17 years experience working in startups and is a highly skilled business builder, entrepreneur and startup specialist with a strong background in technology.
She is passionate about building businesses that make a positive and long-lasting impact. Her deep appreciation of what technology can do combined with her hands-on approach to business strategy, growth and development has often placed her at the heart of the businesses she’s worked in.
Her career
Nisa began her career in the internet startup world after graduating with a First Class Honours from Imperial College, London. She has been at the forefront of several new startup businesses including an IPTV business, executive coaching business and working with serial entrepreneur Brent Hoberman (founder of lastminute.com) at mydeco.com (precursor to MADE.com)
Nisa’s varied career has led her to work across a wide range of industries including technology, retail, media and professional services. She has held roles from Business Executive to Project Manager, to Operations Director to Chief Marketing Officer.
Nisa is also an expert in careers and workplace issues, having founded and run a successful career change and career fulfilment business for over 7 years. She was featured as an ‘Inspirational Woman’ (in Technology) on WeAreTechWomen, an ‘Inspirational Female Entrepreneur’ on WeAreTheCity, the largest women’s network directory and in Forbes online.
Nisa studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Management at Imperial College (MEng, 1st), on a sponsorship by FaberMaunsell (now AECOM) and is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Women in Engineering scholar.
When she is not working, she can be found tinkering on her piano, violin, or composing music for video games and films.
What is Nisa like to work with?
Nisa is a friendly, highly creative and approachable business leader, marketer and manager. She operates naturally at the strategic level whilst at the same time is a high impact, hands-on business builder.
She is resourceful, focused and commercial-minded, and is always seeking to further enhance and develop the business in any way she can.
Nisa believes in nurturing deep relationships with colleagues and clients and in maintaining a strong work-life balance. She brings energy, warmth and enthusiasm combined with depth in experience and insight which drives the business forwards.
Nisa’s articles
Nisa’s guest posts
Simon Worthington
Simon is an architect and engineer working to build better interfaces between humans and data. Sometimes that’s by leading new products developing cutting-edge data infrastructure and sometimes that’s by researching new patterns and models with real data users.
Simon is co-founder of Register Dynamics and is a highly skilled technologist, engineer and data architect. He specialises in building better interfaces between humans and data and is a leading expert in emerging data technology.
He has over 10 years experience leading, mentoring and inspiring teams to develop new products, perform pioneering research and to create cutting edge data infrastructure.
His career
Simon has been at the forefront of data technology and innovation for over a decade. He has held roles from Data Architect to Head of Data Architecture to Chief Data Officer and is considered a visionary when it comes to the future of data and distributed data systems.
Since graduating with a First Class Honours from Imperial College, London, his career has progressed rapidly. He has worked within various UK Government departments and in the private sector often as the main forger of relationships between different teams, stakeholders and users.
He has briefed various Secretary of State and Ministers on emerging data issues, offered guidance and expertise to multiple cross-Government boards, and directed teams of researchers, designers, developers and policy stakeholders. Simon is well versed in handling complex environments and in supporting businesses both large and small with their data needs.
Simon’s wealth of knowledge makes him a popular speaker in the data and technology arena. He regularly shares his insight across a wide range of subjects including distributed data storage systems, WebAssembly, data architecture and personal data. Recent conferences include: Compute Over Data Summit, WASM - the WebAssembly Conference, Institute for Government Data Bites and Open Data Institute Friday Lectures
Simon’s work has been published and he is the lead author on the Office for AI Data Trusts Report on distributed ledger technology for data institutions, and the IEEE Software Open Data Publication, which investigates the use of open data sets and sharing version-controlled open data in government.
Simon is a Level Up mentor to disadvantaged up-and-coming software engineers and entrepreneurs in the Middle East
When Simon is not working he is most likely hiking, skiing, creating his latest embroidery masterpiece or cooking up some hot sauce.
Simon’s impact in government
Simon is a trusted senior data expert and leader with many years of experience working in government. His work in government has seen him as a Chief Data Officer, briefing Secretary of State and Ministers at the Department of International Affairs, on emerging data issues leading up to Brexit.
He led the time-pressured development and launch of the UK’s Tariff Management Tool - a vital new data management system for managing the UK’s applied trade tariff policy (a critical function which would otherwise have been lost post-Brexit).
Simon created a groundbreaking new data maturity model and framework for authoritative data management, supporting the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ mission to improve its data maturity.
He pioneered a novel personal data sharing system called Personal Data Exchange - a key component in the Government Transformation Strategy for transforming online services for citizens.
What is Simon like to work with?
Simon is a commercially-minded business leader and manager. He has a direct and friendly approach to communication and is exceptionally good at getting things done.
Difficult tasks are made to look easy, and complex environments are handled with care and craftsmanship. Simon is the person everybody turns to when they need help and when they want something important done correctly.
Simon’s passion and energy drives him forwards and is infectious to others. He is a brilliant mentor and advisor and has the complete trust of all his colleagues and clients.
Simon’s publications
In this journal article published in IEEE Software, we describe the preliminary findings of an interview study investigating experiences with using open data sets from the U.K. government’s Department for International Trade and techniques used for sharing version-controlled open data.
In order to be able to offer compelling advantages, the control and enforcement powers that data trusts have needs to be high enough that misusing the data in trust is prohibitively difficult. By examining case studies in audit technology, we aim to show that cost-effective strong auditing is possible. Read the full report.
Simon’s articles
Simon’s talks
Simon’s guest posts
Andy Bennett
Andy trained as an Electronic and Electrical Engineer and has a background in consumer electronics, FPGAs, operating systems and device drivers. For the last 10 years he has been building companies around distributed database technology.
Andy is a highly skilled technologist, business leader, entrepreneur and problem solver with almost 20 years experience working in technology. He has worked in a wide variety of industries including government, finance, higher education and consumer electronics.
He has a passion for new technologies and has often been at the forefront of pioneering research, development and new product launches, offering both strategic oversight and hands-on development.
His career
Andy co-founded Register Dynamics in 2016 with a vision to help organisations make better use of their data. He wanted to bridge the gap between strategic aims in business (in how they use their data), and the operational (day-to-day) challenges that an organisation faces.
For the last decade he has been building companies around distributed database technology and is considered an industry expert in databases and data-intensive systems.
His extensive career has spanned across companies both large and small, and he has held roles from software engineer to VP Engineering to CTO. His wealth of experience working in startups, government and in large organisations, gives him an excellent understanding of what it takes to make both small and larger organisations successful.
Andy regularly speaks on topics including online ethics, designing APIs for data, and open registers, and is open to further speaking opportunities.
Andy is an Awards Committee Chair for OpenUK, an Events organiser for The British Computer Society: Open Source Specialist Group and a former HESA Data Futures Programme Board member.
Andy’s impact in government
Andy’s work in government has seen him as a founding member of the Data Standards Authority (at the Government Digital Service, Cabinet Office).
He contributed to the Open Data Strategy as part of the GOV.UK Open Registers Programme and also pioneered the Personal Data Exchange Programme that played a key part of the Government Transformation Strategy for transforming online services for citizens.
Andy contributed to the Technology Code of Practice, establishing the final version of section 10: Make Better Use of Data.
He is a trusted expert in his field and has more than 7 years experience working closely with a variety of UK government departments.
What is Andy like to work with?
Andy is a practical problem solver with a no nonsense approach. He understands the nuances in business and takes the time to fully understand the environment he's working in, in order to tailor his technical expertise and expert advice to the specific situation.
He believes in integrating seamlessly with the team and operational environment he is supporting and in bridging any gaps that he may see, no matter how big, small, simple or complex.
Andy builds trust and confidence with his clients and is comfortable liaising with people at all levels of the organisation, from developers on the ground through to C-suite executives.
Andy’s publications
Putting the trust in data trusts
In order to be able to offer compelling advantages, the control and enforcement powers that data trusts have needs to be high enough that misusing the data in trust is prohibitively difficult. By examining case studies in audit technology, we aim to show that cost-effective strong auditing is possible. Read the full report.
Andy’s articles
Andy’s talks
Andy’s guest posts
Alaric Snell-Pym
Alaric is an engineer specialising in understanding complex problems and producing simple solutions. They have a wide range of experience implementing everything from line of business systems to distributed databases comprising thousands of nodes.
Alaric is a senior software engineer and data architect with over 30 years of experience writing software. They specialise in understanding complex problems and producing simple solutions.
They are an accomplished technologist and is well-versed across the many different areas of computer science. They are at their best when leading and managing teams of developers, growing businesses and developing software architecture.
Their career
Alaric has spent over 25 years honing their technology skills in the enterprise software space. They have held roles from Senior Software Architect to Head of Technology to Chief Software Engineer.
Their successful career has given them a wealth of experience working in technology startups, small enterprise businesses as well as larger organisations and managing teams in government.
Alaric is an expert in databases, data warehousing, information management and data architecture. Their depth in knowledge and insight means they are often advising and mentoring others and are frequently found at the very centre of new innovation.
Alaric studied Computer Science at Imperial College
They are also an Explorer Scout Leader for the Scouts Association in Cranham, Gloucestershire and has been so for over 16 years. They are also the Treasurer at Cheltenham Hackspace, a community-run tech workspace.
When Alaric is not working you may find them experimenting with metalwork, electronics or further developing one of their open source software projects in their lab at the end of their garden, or tending to their rescue chickens.
What is Alaric like to work with?
Alaric is a strong communicator and connector with a nurturing and practical leadership style. They are an excellent problem solver who goes about solving each challenge in a systematic way.
They make challenging work seem effortless and always delivers what they promise to, and more. Alaric is well respected and admired by their colleagues and they build great trust and confidence with clients.
Alaric brings professionalism, dedication, exceptional technical skill and ability, and creativity to all projects they work on. They are the person who lifts a project and takes a business to the next level.
Alaric’s articles
Owain Jones
Owain is a senior technologist with considerable experience in how to both generate and use data in a way that provides meaningful insights in a range of situations.
Owain is a skilled technologist and data architect who has spent the last 5 years specialising in data processing and data analysis. He has a passion for finding and implementing ways to generate and use data to provide meaningful insights for businesses.
He has a lot of experience around data migration, the standardisation of data from various sources, database creation and data modelling.
Owain also has a natural affinity for research and development, and is a highly effective researcher, reviewer and report writer.
His career
Owain’s career started at the Energy Saving Trust as a Policy Officer. From there his career developed rapidly and he moved into a Data Analyst role with the Home Analytics team and service. Eventually he became the authority that he is now on data programming, data standards, databases and big data analytics.
He is a problem solver with a diligent eye who enjoys tackling complex challenges. He has a strong understanding of what it takes to make data useful across an organisation as a whole and is passionate about being part of that process.
Owain graduated with a MPhil in Energy Systems from UCL following a MSc in Environmental Technology and MSci in Physics from Imperial College.
When he is not working he is directing plays and productions in London and he also enjoys playing strategy games.
What is Owain like to work with?
Owain is a highly skilled programmer with acute analytical ability. He will solve a complex problem with precision and once complete, will be excited to take on the next challenge.
He has a calm, professional and considered approach to his work and is the voice of reason around colleagues. Those he works with trust his judgement completely and respect his work and skills.
He is a deep logical thinker who brings structure, credibility and dependability to a team. If Owain is involved, the work will definitely get done and be done with accuracy and care.
Owain’s publications
Artificial Footprints: the environmental impact of AI
Artificial Intelligence is set to change the way we live. But have we thought about how it could change our planet? What are the environmental impacts of using, training and generating new AI models? How sustainable is the hardware behind AI? In this report, we explore these questions and more. See the full report.
Owain’s articles
Owain’s guest posts
Al Norman
Al is a data scientist with a background in education. He wants to help businesses and organisations extract meaningful insights from their data, through machine learning and statistical analysis.
Al is a data engineer with a background in education. He joined Register Dynamics in 2022 after his interests in technology and data science peaked.
He has a passion for learning new things, in new technology and for finding stories in data and statistics.
Al is also a natural communicator who puts colleagues at ease and builds strong relationships and confidence within and between teams.
His career
Al began his career in education after graduating in Physics from Imperial College. After a stream of successful experiences and many appreciative students, he decided to explore other interests and became curious about data science and technology.
He wanted to build on his coding skills and successfully completed an intensive data science course during which he discovered that he had a flair for data analysis, visualisation, machine learning and data learning models. His new found passion was born.
Al is now keen to help businesses and organisations extract meaningful insights from their data, through machine learning and statistical analysis. He is also interested in exploring data science within the gaming sector, and how AI can help with balance, anti-cheat and NPC behaviour.
When Al is not working, you will find him in a creative corner screenwriting, directing a play, in the middle of a Dungeons and Dragons game, or organising his next adventure.
What is Al like to work with?
Al takes a professional yet curious and friendly approach to his work and working environment. He is keen to learn and to contribute and always seeks to add long-term value to a project and team.
He takes the time to build strong rapport with his colleagues and his open communication style makes him very easy to work with.
Al brings energy and passion to all his roles, and is often the glue that keeps a team positive and together.
Ross Jones
Ross is an experienced engineer with a broad range of knowledge and interests, ranging from data platforms, and metadata management, to programming language theory and distributed systems.
Ross is a senior software engineer with over 25 years of experience working with technology. His extensive and varied career has seen him leading teams in government, in small and large organisations and in startups.
He is a hands-on engineering manager with interests ranging from data platforms, to metadata management to programming language theory to distributed systems and he has a real passion for leading and growing teams.
His career
For the last 13 years, Ross has worked specifically in data focused environments and on multiple projects within the UK government. Ross is widely regarded as an expert in the field who has extensive knowledge of data technologies and their use in government.
He has held senior roles ranging from Technical Lead, to Engineering Director, and has done so across a wide range of industries including healthcare, media, government and IT. He is a natural leader, mentor and advisor to those he works with and always brings a positive and insightful approach to everything he does.
Ross also ran his own technology consulting firm for over a decade and thus is also a highly experienced consultant and advisor.
When he is not working, he enjoys playing retro games, despairing at the size of his reading pile, learning apparently random subjects and spending time with his family.
What is Ross like to work with?
Ross is an industry veteran often considered the fountain of knowledge in his field of expertise. He is the person others turn to for support, mentorship and advice and he does this in a professional yet friendly and approachable way.
When he works on a project, he starts with all cylinders confidently yet calmly firing, getting stuck right in and making a positive and meaningful impact on day one. His deep technical skills, knowledge and insight are always a great asset to any team he works with.