It is important for businesses to embrace digital connectivity to ensure they can innovate, develop new services, enhance the things they already do and most importantly, so they don’t get left behind! Wise words from Norfolk County Council's Kurt Frary, Chief Technical Officer. Kurt will be joining the panel discussions at Talking Tech in September 2021. We grabbed 5 minutes with him to start the co.nversation on how tech can help businesses innovate and change.

Tell us who you are, what you do and something people may not know about you!

I am Kurt Frary, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Norfolk County Council. I manage the operational ICT service for the county council and for the Norfolk Fire & Rescue service which spans 270 locations and ensures 8000 staff can deliver our services. I am also responsible for the largest Free to use Internet of Things Network in the UK.

I have two passions in my life Retro Gaming where I collect old consoles and Motorcycles both of which you always need one more of!

 You will be talking about innovation and change – and the latest digital project from Norfolk County Council – the Art of Possible - that will support digital connectivity at the Talking Tech event – can you give us a quick summary of why it is important that business embrace digital connectivity and what benefits this can bring to business?

It is important for businesses to embrace digital connectivity to ensure they can innovate, develop new services, enhance the things they already do and most importantly, so they don’t get left behind!

The world has accelerated its journey online due to us all working from home and this means customer expectation is greater for digital services and digital information.

We are investing significant resources into making Norfolk the best place to do business by ensuring the best digital foundations Connectivity.

When it comes to ‘The Art of Possible’, what is one way that businesses can implement this in their business right now?

One way that business can develop, and grow is by learning from others, trying new things and adapting them.

Can you give us some hints as to what other takeaways businesses will get from your talk at the event (without giving too much away!)?

An opportunity to “bid” through ideas for some technology that they can use to experiment with.

Are there any other comments/insights you would like to make ahead of the event in September?

 Sometimes to innovate you just need to try some things, some will fail but one, now and again will work.

We will introduce you to some people who have done just that.

Kurt Fray will be part of the Interactive Speaker Co.nversation Panel at Talking Tech 2021, on Thursday 16 September, 9am-2pm at The Space in Norwich. For more information and tickets visit: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/talkingtech21