Tonight is a celebration of 50 exceptional women. True leaders who are discovering, creating and building great technology and companies all across the UK. We recognise the hard-fought journey it takes to get here and you are all worthy of this special recognition.
I have never been one to be nostalgic or to look back. If I am honest, I have done the exact opposite. I love change which is why I think I have always been drawn to technology and the next new thing, but the exponential pace of change today has left even me feeling a bit uneasy. So much so that I’ve realized how important it is to take stock from time to time, if only to ensure that we still believe in what we’ve always taken for granted.
On Saturday, I had the incredible privilege to see the penultimate performance of the original cast of ‘Hamilton’ in Manhattan. The closing sequence moved me to tears when Eliza Hamilton asked poignantly, “When my time is up… have done enough?” I couldn’t help but think about the reason we are here today.
Clearly, our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the events in Brussels. I would like to echo the sentiments of the Prime Minister, who has spoken of his shock and concern. We will await information urgently during the course of the day.
Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for accepting our invitation to participate in #WeProtect and for joining us in a global commitment to protect the safety of children in the digital world.
In Parliament when we start a speech or enter a debate, we must declare any interests or allegiances before we begin speaking. I always start by saying “My Lords, I must first declare my interest as the Prime Minister’s Digital Advisor…” Well today, I must declare my interest as Ben Shields’ Mom and to apologise to him in advance if anything I say will embarrass, humiliate or otherwise cause him undue stress or anxiety. I am sure he has your sympathies.
Good evening ladies! I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to join you this evening and to celebrate the remarkable achievements of this year’s winners and all of the exceptional women gathered here tonight.
There are so many opportunities online today, is it any wonder that we see people retreating there? With so much social currency given to “likes” and “followers” and the pressure to appear relevant and popular is it any wonder that many young people risk falling into a very solitary, mainly online existence? I’ve heard it said that you are never as happy as you seem on Instagram, never as miserable as you seem on Twitter, and never as employable as you seem on LinkedIn. We laugh but it’s true.
When my son was growing up, one of our favourite pastimes was to talk about Time Travel. What if you could observe Turner painting The Fighting Temeraire, listen to Socrates deliver his ‘Apology’ or watch George Best play at the 1966 European Cup quarter-finals?
I have never been one to be nostalgic or to look back. If I am honest, I have done the exact opposite. I love change which is why I think I have always been drawn to technology and the next new thing, but the exponential pace of change today has left even me feeling a bit uneasy. So much so that I’ve realized how important it is to take stock from time to time, if only to ensure that we still believe in what we’ve always taken for granted.
