We are really honoured to have these top industry names sharing their experience and how they have navigated the digital communications advancements since the explosion of generative AI.Â
They will be discussing the advantages and potential pitfalls of using AI in a brand’s communications planning, creation and content strategy delivery .Â
- Hamzah Malik, Founder of Vet Pulse, the AI-powered vet’s assistantÂ
- Ben Briggs, Group Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at Agriconnect (publisher of Farmers Guardian)Â
- Catherine Brien, consumer digital and data expert at management consultancy firm Alix PartnersÂ
- Ben Verinder, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and managing director of Chalkstream Â
- Hannah Lloyd, sales and marketing director at PinstoneÂ
- Helen Maiden director of people operations at PinstoneÂ
Hamzah Malik
Hamzah is the Founder of Regent Branding, an award-winning digital consultancy that empowers and instils confidence in brands navigating the digital landscape.
After university, Hamzah embarked on the John Lewis graduate scheme, gaining invaluable insights into the inner workings of JohnLewis.com. He then worked for several years at VBD, honing their digital strategy across the verticals of SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media advertising, winning the VMA Highly Commended Young Marketer of the Year Award, after which he launched Regent Branding.
A passionate advocate for remote and flexible working, Hamzah has built Regent Branding into a global digital powerhouse of 32 experienced professionals. He has worked with a client roster that includes the likes of Taco Bell, Direct Line, the British Army, and Nobu Hotels. Regent Branding recently won the annual PPC, SEO, and social media marketing awards with Tech Behemoths.
Hamzah’s current approach involves creating digital products alongside internal talent. The most recent of these products is Vet Pulse, a breakthrough AI-powered veterinary assistant that has seen rapid growth in the UK and the USA.
A keen contributor to the ‘AI Ethics’ landscape, Hamzah is driven to approach new technologies in a useful, innovative, and honest manner.
Catherine Brien
Catherine is an expert in data, analytics, research, AI and digital transformation. She was formerly Chief Data Officer for Guardian News & Media, and Data Science Director at the Coop Group. As a consultant, she has also worked with clients across grocery, non-food retail, pharmacy, travel, hospitality and consumer finance.
She is now a Partner and Managing Director at AlixPartners where she advises clients in all industries around how they can grow faster and more profitably through deploying data and AI to improve the customer experience, improve employee retention, streamline operations and improve decision making at all levels.
She has extensive experience in topics such as proposition development, customer lifetime value, pricing, supply chain, network optimization. She is passionate about the ethics of using data and AI, and helps organisations establish data and AI operations accordingly.
Catherine is also a Trustee of Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. Nesta is applying behavioural science and other innovation / research techniques to tackle challenges such as obesity, early years development and the UKs carbon footprint.
Ben Briggs
Ben Briggs is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Agriconnect, the agricultural portfolio which includes Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming.
Ben was hands-on editor of FG from 2016 to March 2023, having previously been news and business editor from the end of 2010 when he returned to the business.
His media career started at FG in 2004 as a junior reporter, before he left in 2006 and spent five years working in the regional press on a large daily newspaper and then as editor of a bi-monthly business magazine.
A former chairman of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, he has been a regular commentator on farming matters in the national press over the past decade.
Ben Verinder
Ben is managing director of Chalkstream, an agency specialising in reputation research, training and management across a range of sectors. Ben is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a former lead assessor for chartered status and one of 50 Founding chartered practitioners in the world.
A former in-house communications director and business development lead of an international software company, Ben is a contributor to a wide range of publications on artificial intelligence, including ‘Humans Still Needed – An analysis of skills and tools in public relations’ and ‘Ethics Guide to Artificial Intelligence in PR’. He has recently designed and launched an AI and Reputation Leadership course with the CIPR.
Ben’s specialist interests include the use of technology in communication, behavioural science in PR practice and, more broadly, change management.
He has first-hand experience of running an international campaign related to real-world impacts of algorithmic decision making.
Helen Maiden
In Helen’s role at Pinstone she applies her unique skillset as a fast paced, dynamic and creative communications consultant to deliver campaigns that make a difference.
Being involved with the Guild Agricultural Journalists, and speaking at key industry events, Helen is an excellent role model and advocate for careers and the role agencies play in people development.
She plays a key role on her family dairy and arable farm in Worcestershire, and is a previous Young Farmers County Chair for Worcestershire.
Hannah Lloyd
Driven by her industry insight and flair for out of the box communications thinking, she inspires clients and colleagues to deliver meaningful communications that resonate across the farming, environmental and food supply chain sectors.
She is an active member of Meat Business Women and the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists, and on the committee for the Vet Marketing Association.
