iO Associates

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡! 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 💬 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at The Raging Bull for our latest iO Robotics Meetup. We had over 40 attendees from across the robotics, engineering, and academic communities for an evening of talks, demos, and great conversations (plus plenty of pizza 🍕). Our brilliant speakers shared insights into how robotics is being optimised across industries, from food & drink manufacturing to healthcare and rehabilitation: 🔹 Bjorn Madsen, Locus Robotics – shared how teams can drive innovation without disrupting existing systems, balancing progress with reliability. 🔹 George Dascalu, Leap AI – explored how early-stage ideas can be transformed into successful, real-world robotics products. 🔹 Andrew Peacock, Peacock Technology – discussed how automation and intelligent systems are revolutionising agritech and beyond. We were also joined by David Owen from Rovtech, who showcased their all-electric ROV, a fascinating look at how compact, AI-driven designs are changing underwater operations. A big thank you to everyone who came along to connect, collaborate, and share ideas that are shaping the future of robotics. Click on the link below in the comments to view our upcoming meetups! 👇 Charlotte Combe George Russell #Robotics #AI #Engineering #Innovation #Community #iOAssociates #EdinburghTech #Networking

🚀 Podcast Feature: Why Hiring Freelancers in Germany Is Booming 🌍 We’re excited to share that Josh Jennings, Lead Senior Consultant at iO Associates, recently joined Yurii Lazaruk on The Independent Workforce podcast for an insightful discussion on how and why hiring freelancers in Germany and across Europe is transforming the way businesses get things done. In this episode, Josh talks about: 👉 The realities of sourcing top talent from platforms like freelancermap (international) 👉 Why speed and specialist skill sets are driving the freelance revolution 👉 The communication and mindset shifts companies must embrace to succeed 👉 Why freelancers aren’t just short-term problem solvers, but vital contributors to complex projects His key takeaway? Successful freelance collaboration relies not only on technical ability but on communication, trust, and transparency. Businesses that embrace these principles unlock innovation and agility no wonder Germany’s freelance market is taking off! 🔗 Whether you’re a company considering hiring your first freelancer or an independent professional looking to secure high-impact projects, this episode is a must-listen. Thanks to the Independent Workforce team for having us and to Josh Jennings for sharing his expertise! #Freelance #FutureOfWork #Germany #IndependentWorkforce #TalentStrategy #Podcast

💡 iO Associates at Tokenize: LDN 2025! We’re excited to share that Fran Thompson and Ella R. from our Fintech & Financial Services team will be attending Tokenize London, the UK’s leading event for digital assets and fintech innovation, taking place on 2–3 December at Old Billingsgate. At iO Associates, we partner with organisations across the Financial Services and Fintech ecosystem, from pioneering digital agencies and payments innovators to established financial institutions, helping them access the specialist talent that drives transformation and growth. Fran Thompson and Ella R. support clients across: 💳 Payments, digital assets & blockchain 📊 Financial data management & investment platforms 🏦 Pensions, broking, clearing & global credit 🧠 Fintech software development & digital transformation Whether you’re scaling a start-up or growing a global finance operation, they can connect you with the people and skills to deliver innovation and operational excellence. If you’re attending Tokenize London, connect with Fran and Ella to talk about how iO Associates can help you build and scale high-performing Fintech teams. Click on the link below in the comments to find out more. 👇 #TokenizeLondon #Fintech #DigitalAssets #Blockchain #Payments #FinancialServices #Innovation #TalentSolutions #iOAssociates

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 🏙️💼 After the hype and disappointment of GenAI, how can businesses unlock real value from AI? At our next Tech Leaders Collective – South West Meetup, Nick Darby, Head of Advisory and AI Inspiration at TrueBird.ai, will explore how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly drives impact. Drawing on his experience leading AI and data strategy for global organisations including Unilever, L’Oréal, and Ahold Delhaize, Nick will share practical insights on how to harness AI-enabled processes to drive performance, innovation, and meaningful business outcomes. 📅 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 9𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 🕓 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 4𝐩𝐦 | 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 4:30𝐩𝐦 📍 𝐢𝐎 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥 The event is held under Chatham House Rule, creating a trusted environment for open discussion, plus it’s a great opportunity to connect with other tech leaders across the South West. Sign up now to secure your place by clicking on the link below in the comments. 👇 #TechLeadersCollective #AI #GenAI #TechLeadership #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #SouthWestTech #iOAssociates

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 💡🌐 Join us for the next Tech Leaders Collective, Data & AI Manchester roundtable, hosted by Adam Robinson from iO Associates, where Jackson D, Head of Data Platform at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), will lead a fascinating discussion on: 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 For decades, analytics has centred on bringing data together before using it for AI, but the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) is changing that. Jackson D will introduce the concept of Zero Platform Analytics, an emerging approach where AI systems can analyse distributed, unstructured data (like emails, documents, and messages) without moving or duplicating it. We’ll discuss what this shift could mean for organisations, explore the governance and regulatory implications, and hear how data and AI leaders are adapting to this new paradigm. 📅 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Wednesday, 26th November 🕢 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 7:30am arrival & networking | 8:00am discussion 📍 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Manchester City Centre Spaces are limited; secure your seat today via the registration link in the comments below. 👇 #DataAndAI #TechLeadersCollective #iOAssociates #ManchesterTech #ArtificialIntelligence #DataInnovation #DataLeadership #Analytics #AICommunity

Another great night for Practically AI Manchester! 🏙️🌐 Our second meetup is in the books and it’s amazing to see this community of engineers and AI enthusiasts growing fast. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, to Matillion for hosting (and the drinks!), and to Liam Stent. 👏 After an AI Spotlight from the “Two Phils” Phil Whittaker and Philip Simpson, we heard from Duncan Tait, who shared his real-world experience using Claude Code and how AI tools are reshaping the way developers work. The best part? Seeing attendees stay long after the talk to continue the conversation. That’s what Practically AI is all about, moving beyond the hype and diving into practical, applied AI. If you're in the North West, don’t miss the next one! 👥🤖 Click on the link below, to keep up to date. 👇 #PracticallyAI #ManchesterTech #AI #SoftwareEngineering #Community #Innovation #iOAssociates

We’re Exhibiting at Tokenize: LDN 2025! Join iO Associates at the UK’s leading showcase for tokenization, blockchain, and digital assets co-located with FinTech Connect. 📍 2–3 December | ExCeL London We’ll be joining over 5,000 decision-makers from institutional investors, banks, asset managers, and innovators shaping the future of tokenized treasuries, real estate, credit, funds, and more. Come and connect with us to discuss how iO Associates is partnering with forward-thinking organisations across FinTech, Digital Assets, and Blockchain to accelerate growth and innovation. 🔗 Register now: www.tokenize-event.com #TokenizeLDN #DigitalAssets #Tokenization #Blockchain #FinTech #Web3 #Innovation #FinTechConnect

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲? Michael Collins sat down with Jason Welch, Divisional CTO at Travel Innovation Group, to explore his journey from his early days in science and data (before “data science” even had a name) to leading dynamic teams across the UK and Pakistan. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫: 👉 Insights into building cross-border teams and nurturing tech talent, featuring real stories of mentorship and career development 👉 Honest reflections on leadership from transitioning from “one of the team” to a senior role, to understanding the importance of authenticity at work 👉 Why Manchester’s tech scene stands out: collaboration, a thriving start-up culture, and an exceptional sense of community and more. Whether you’re building your tech career, hiring exceptional talent, or simply passionate about Manchester’s remarkable growth, this episode is not to be missed. Listen now and join the journey with the link in the comments! #ManchesterTechJourney #TechLeadership #TravelTech #Manchester #AI #CareerJourney #TechCommunity

Data Bristol and WOMEN IN TECH ® Global (WIT): Exciting News from iO Associates! 🤝 We’re proud to continue our support for the incredible Data Bristol Meetup community, alongside WOMEN IN TECH ® Global, two groups at the heart of Bristol’s vibrant tech scene! 🎉 As part of our ongoing partnership, we’re excited to be hosting November’s Data Bristol Meetup on Tuesday 19th November, bringing together local data enthusiasts, developers, and experts for an evening of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and inspiring discussions. Whether you’re a experienced data professional or just starting your journey, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with Bristol’s thriving data community. At iO Associates, we’re passionate about empowering local tech and data communities, encouraging collaboration, and driving innovation across the region. 💡 To sign up for the event today, please click on the link below in the comments. 👇 Malaika Harris #DataBristol #WomenInTech #Meetup #iOAssociates #DataCommunity #TechMeetup #BristolTech #NetworkingEvent #DataScience #TechCommunity #Collaboration

🎙️ OUT NOW! Manchester Tech Journey – Jason Welch on Leadership, Growth, and Manchester’s Tech Scene We’re delighted to launch the next episode of Manchester Tech Journey in the series celebrating the city’s brightest tech talent and its remarkable rise as a European tech powerhouse. Host Michael Collins is joined by Jason Welch, Divisional CTO at Travel Innovation Group, for a candid conversation about Jason’s journey from data science research to leading large-scale tech teams across Manchester, the UK. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫: ✅ Lessons from Jason’s non-linear career path spanning science, education, start-ups, and cutting-edge AI ✅ Honest reflections on the challenges and rewards of stepping into tech leadership roles ✅ Insights into Manchester’s incredible transformation from iconic nightlife spots to a globally connected tech community ✅ Practical advice for aspiring CTOs and future tech leaders …and plenty more, including what makes Manchester’s tech scene so uniquely collaborative. If you’re passionate about technology, leadership, or the future of Manchester’s innovation ecosystem, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and a few local recommendations you won’t want to miss. 👉 Listen now via the link in the comments #ManchesterTech #LeadershipJourney #TechCareers #Innovation #AI #TravelTech #CareerStories #Manchester