AoC Digital Futures Conference 2026

Rosamund Hicks has over 30 years’ experience in education, beginning her career as a Business Studies teacher before progressing into a range of middle and senior leadership roles within secondary education. In 2010, she moved into Further Education to focus exclusively on post 16 provision. As Head of Media, Business & Digital Industries, she has led and developed teams to become expert practitioners within their respective vocational areas, playing a key role in my college’s journey to becoming a recognised trailblazer in T Level design and delivery. Alongside curriculum innovation, she has made a significant contribution to supporting and sharing sector-wide best practice for T Levels through events and initiatives led by the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and the Gatsby Foundation. She is currently Chair of the Gatsby Technical Education Network Community of Practice for Digital Support Services. In addition, she is presently seconded to the Association of Colleges as Digital Policy and Project Manager, working collaboratively with the FE sector and external partners to deliver a national project focused on the further development of digital skills across English colleges, including the creation of a strategic Digital Skills Roadmap.

Clare Russell is Principal and Chief Executive of Runshaw College and Chair of The Lancashire Colleges. She has led the college since 2020, following a progression through senior leadership roles spanning over a decade.

Clare brings a distinctive perspective to digital transformation in education, combining frontline teaching experience with system leadership. She has worked across all levels of provision and remains closely connected to curriculum delivery, ensuring that innovation is grounded in the realities of the classroom.

Alongside her executive role, Clare serves as an Ofsted Inspector for Further Education and Skills and has contributed to national discussions on post-16 reform and digital strategy. She has also held senior roles with awarding organisations and governance positions across the sector.

Clare is particularly interested in the role of AI and emerging technologies in simplifying systems, reducing workload and enhancing the experience of both staff and students. Her work focuses on ensuring that digital innovation is applied thoughtfully, ethically and with clear impact.   

Kim Blanchard is the Interim Group Director of Digital Education and AI at Activate Learning, with substantial leadership experience in digital strategy, artificial intelligence, instructional design, online pedagogy, and digital accessibility across both Activate Learning and the further education sector. Her portfolio spans online curriculum development, IT service management, project delivery, team leadership, inclusion and accessibility, with a strong focus on aligning digital innovation to organisational priorities and learner outcomes.

She is committed to advancing education through the strategic use of digital technologies, immersive learning, and the innovative, responsible and ethical application of AI. Her approach is firmly human-centred, ensuring that professional judgement, creativity and meaningful relationships remain central, while technology is used to enhance human intelligence and extend educational impact for all. Guided by Activate Learning’s Learning Philosophy, Kim champions approaches that foster growth mindsets, emotional awareness and inclusive practice, supporting high-quality teaching, improved learner well-being, and sustainable innovation across the organisation.

Matt Clack is the current Group Head of Digital Education Development and AI for Activate Learning (AL). With an extensive background in commercial education and training development, sales, consultancy and management before moving into the education sector, Matt’s role is hands-on leadership of the Digital Education and AI Team including: Activate XR, the development team responsible for designing and building AL’s in-house and commercial XR assets (VR, AR, Immersive, 360°, Blended); Digital Development, the team responsible for the creation, maintenance and improvement of all online courses and their components hosted on AL’s LMS/VLE, as well as support and maintenance of the platform and data itself; and Activate AI, the AI innovation, development and deployment specialism within AL.

In addition to managing the teams Matt leads for AL on exploring opportunities for commercial and strategic partnerships in asset development and distribution, as well as being a passionate advocate for the use of both XR tech and AI in enriching education and delivering improved outcomes for learners and for staff.

Patrick Kelly-Goss is Group Innovation and AI Specialist at Activate Learning, where he develops sector-leading solutions using artificial intelligence, data analytics, and process automation to enhance education and organisational effectiveness. With a strong technical and academic background, alongside extensive classroom teaching experience, he brings expertise in learning design, learner-centred pedagogy, and the practical application of digital technologies across further education.

His work focuses on building innovative systems and tools that bridge people and technology, empowering teachers, learners, and professional services teams. He is committed to the innovative, responsible and ethical use of AI, with a human-centred approach that ensures professional judgement, creativity, and relationships remain central while technology is used to enhance human intelligence and improve practice.

Patrick has led and contributed to several award-recognised initiatives at Activate Learning, including the organisation’s online provision, Activate Learning’s AI assistant, and its AI tutors and feedback assistant. Most notably, Activate Learning’s AI tutors won the prestigious Jisc-sponsored Beacon Award for Effective Use of Digital Technologies in Further Education.

Penny is an educator focused on effective teaching, who has led innovative digital learning initiatives—including VR, AI, and digital skills—to help MK College achieve Microsoft Showcase and contribute to Technical Excellence College status. 

Catherine Sykes is Vice Principal Governance & Compliance at Hull College, with strategic responsibility for governance, policy, legal and regulatory compliance. Her role focuses on ensuring that organisational strategy, risk management and assurance processes align with the statutory duties of governing bodies and regulatory expectations.

Catherine has significant experience working at board and committee level, supporting governors to engage effectively with complex regulatory, digital and technological issues. She has a particular interest in digital governance, including cyber risk, data protection and the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence within Further Education. Her work is grounded in practical college contexts and informed by a clear understanding of board culture and accountability.

She is a member and Chair of the AoC Governance AI Working Group and has contributed to the development of an AI Governance Framework, designed as a practical tool to support governing bodies in overseeing AI use with confidence and clarity. The framework translates emerging national guidance into a governance‑led approach that balances innovation, risk and assurance.

Andy Duffy is the Co Founder and CEO of Markus, an AI powered assessment platform built by educators for educators. With nearly 20 years of experience in Further Education, including senior leadership roles in digital learning and curriculum innovation, Andy has worked extensively on the use of technology to improve teaching, learning and assessment. His work focuses on ensuring technology supports pedagogy rather than replacing it, with an emphasis on transparency, meaningful impact and keeping teachers at the centre of educational change. Andy regularly speaks on digital transformation, AI in education and the future of assessment within Further Education.