Innovation Dinner
AI and the Bottom Line
Explore how to harness AI to offset rising costs, drive efficiency, and boost profitability. Hear from retailers in our community who are already reaping the benefits of AI in cost reduction and operational improvements.
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Here's what awaits you at the event:
AI is transforming retail, with over 40% of manual tasks now automatable or augmentable (Accenture, 2024). As retailers face rising National Insurance and minimum wages, AI offers new ways to ease pressures and improve efficiency.
Our first dinner of 2025 will explore how AI is solving real-world challenges and creating opportunities. Key topics include:
- Cost and time savings: Which areas—product management, pricing, search—benefit most from AI?
- Workforce impact: Is AI reducing headcount or enabling staff redeployment into revenue-driving roles?
- Collaboration: How is AI working with staff to improve outcomes?
This event will spark open conversations and shared insights to help retailers navigate AI adoption.
Panel 1: From Manual to Machine – Driving Cost Efficiency and Operational Savings in Retail
- Discover how AI is being practically applied to streamline retail operations and reduce expenses. Panellists will explore tangible use cases and share insights on achieving cost efficiency through automation and innovation.
Panel 2: AI and Workforce Evolution – Augmentation or Redeployment?
- With new retail legislation coming into effect in April 2025, this panel will examine whether AI is reducing headcount or enabling staff to shift to higher-value activities through redeployment.
- Panellists will also discuss how AI is enhancing employee capabilities and driving better outcomes for businesses.
Agenda
6.00pm
Check in, canapes & refreshments
6.30pm
One to one intro meetings
7.30pm
Networking & pre-dinner cocktails
7.45pm
First course
8.00pm
First panel
8.45pm
Second & third courses
9.15pm
Second panel
10.15pm
Wrap up
Speakers & Panelists
Paul Wilkinson
Director of Product at Deliveroo
Paul Wilkinson is the Product Director at Deliveroo, where he leads the development of scalable quick delivery services for retailers. With a decade-long tenure at Tesco, he was instrumental in establishing Tesco Labs and launching advanced grocery voice shopping experiences on Alexa.
His expertise in retail innovation and AI-driven solutions positions him as a key contributor to discussions on the future of retail technology.
Ilya Yakovlev
Head of Data and AI at Stonegate Group
Ilya Yakovlev is a seasoned data science and analytics leader, currently heading the Data & Analytics team at Stonegate Group, one of the UK's largest pub companies. With a strong foundation in software engineering, Ilya has built a career focused on leveraging data to drive decision-making and innovation. His expertise spans machine learning, AI-driven insights, and scalable data engineering solutions, enabling businesses to optimize operations and enhance customer experiences.
Ilya brings a unique perspective on how data and AI can transform the retail and hospitality sectors..
Lou Nicholls
MD of Digital at Coutts
She drives digital transformation and fosters a client-centric design culture, enhancing Coutts' digital presence in Private Banking. Under her leadership, the team have won a number of high profile industry awards for digital transformation and CX.
Before Coutts, Lou spent over 15 years at John Lewis, where she led teams across marketing, brand, digital, omni channel and social. She also served as Chief Customer Officer at M&Co, sitting on their board spearheading a full rebrand and website re-platform.
A recognised expert in digital, brand, and consumer trends, Lou is a frequent event speaker, mentor and advisory board member in the Martech space.
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Simon Waigo
Product at VF Corporation/ Director at I-node.
Simon is a Product Manager with over 15 years of experience in DTC & B2B eCommerce, spanning across professional services, agencies, and startup environments. He has led digital transformation initiatives, driving growth and scalability for multinational brands such as The Bodyshop, TUI Group, Delhaize, Audi, River Island, VF Corporation (Dickies, Eastpak and Kipling) and Yahoo.
As a Product Manager, Simon brings expertise in product strategy and hands-on experience evaluating and implementing AI solutions that enhance digital customer experiences, optimise operational efficiency, and drive data-driven decision-making across eCommerce and enterprise platforms.
Location
Our room at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, London, is located on the top floor, the spacious Penthouse Suite offers breathtaking views of London's skyline - the London Eye, Big Ben and Nelson's Column. As usual we will have our own registration area, cloakroom and facilities.
Retail Innovation Dinners
Validify's retail innovation dinners create an environment for senior decision makers from leading retailers and brand executives and retail solution providers to meet, talk, learn and share ideas. It’s a place to meet your peers facing similar challenges and gain insight from industry experts.
We shine a spotlight on some of the best retail tech solutions, share & discuss real life cases studies and all in the privacy of our own area in suitably wonderful surroundings.
One to one meetings
Our curated one to one meetings allow you to meet and connect with some of the newest and most innovative solution providers that will help you get the most out of the upcoming Peak trading period.
The solution providers will each have five minutes to introduce themselves in a series of rapid fire introductions at the beginning of the event.
