On Friday 11th April, business leaders, tech enthusiasts, and innovators came together at Warwick Conferences for a sell-out event that looked firmly to the future: AI, Cyber & Innovation – Why Businesses Owners Must Act Now. Hosted in partnership with the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together expert speakers and over a hundred attendees to explore how artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital innovation are transforming the way we work.
Setting the Stage: Why the Future Is Now
Opening the event, Corin Crane, CEO of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, underlined the importance of equipping local businesses with the knowledge and tools to thrive with AI.
From there, the audience was taken on a journey through AI's past, present, and future by Simon Hudson of Novia Works. A Microsoft MVP and innovation veteran, Simon highlighted how the "AI Age" is redefining the relationship between humans and machines—from servant to assistant, and now partner. He stressed that 79% of business leaders believe AI is crucial to staying competitive, yet many are still unsure where to begin.
Turning Possibility into Action
Simon Doy of iThink365 continued the theme with a practical look at how companies can start leveraging generative AI—through tools like Microsoft Copilot—for everything from writing proposals and improving internal knowledge access to streamlining customer service. His message? Small wins, like saving just 11 minutes a day, can compound to tip businesses into long-term AI adoption.
AI in Professional Services
Steve Harcourt from Prime Accountants and Matt Lennard of Askews Legal LLP shared how traditional professional services are transforming with technology. From automating audit processes and using AI-enhanced legal portals to managing debt recovery with smart, rule-based platforms, both speakers illustrated how innovation can be a competitive advantage rather than a threat.
Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
No conversation about innovation is complete without addressing risk. James Squire from Warwickshire Police presented a stark reality: AI is being weaponised by criminals. From deepfake CEO scams to ransomware-as-a-service, the threats are real and rising. He shared support resources from the NCSC to help businesses strengthen their defences.
Laura Wilkinson of The Clear Group followed with insights on cyber insurance, advising businesses on coverage essentials, insurer expectations, and how proactive cyber hygiene—like regular backups and phishing training—can even lower premiums.
The IT Perspective: Prevention is Power
John MacDonald of EBC Group walked attendees through real-world cyber threats, from business email compromise to insider misuse of public AI tools. He emphasized the importance of managed detection and response (MDR), AI firewalls, and following national cyber security frameworks to stay protected.
Finally, Paul Keasey of THEMIS offered a glimpse into how law enforcement is using AI and secure cloud technologies to revolutionize digital evidence management—underscoring how innovation is just as vital in the public sector.
A Huge Thank You
The event closed with a dynamic panel Q&A, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with the expert lineup. We'd like to extend a huge thank you to all our speakers, the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who joined us on the day.
Missed the event or want to explore how AI and cyber solutions could work for your business? You can still book a 1:1 consultation with any of our expert speakers via Microsoft Teams https://www.ebcgroup.co.uk/ai-cyber-revolution-event .
