On 8 May 2025, the West Essex Tech Forum returned for its third event—this time hosted at the vibrant KN Studios in Harlow. The session took attendees behind the curtain of creative engineering, showcasing how technology is driving innovation not just in labs and factories, but on screens and stages too.
🌐 Nicola Thorn – AND Technology Research
Tech Forum Website Launch & Industry Update
Kicking off the evening, ANDtr Managing Director, Dr Nicola Thorn unveiled the brand-new West Essex Tech Forum website (this one)—a central hub for event listings, and resources and business profiles. The launch marks a new chapter for the Forum, creating space for continued connection and collaboration between events.
🏙️ Alison Fox – Harlow’s Creative Technology Scene: Origins and Latest Developments
Alison Fox provided a look into Harlow’s history as a hub for creative technology. She traced the town’s rich history, highlighting its pioneering role in the development of fibre optics and its longstanding commitment to innovation. She also shed light on recent developments, the changing landscape of tech and also highlighted new funding opportunities.
Presentation here: http://westessextech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Creative-Tech-Sector-including-Visual-Technology-1.pptx
🔧 David Whale – Thinking Binaries
Designing Electronic Gadgets for Children’s TV
Next up, David Whale from Thinking Binaries reminded us that engineering can (and should) be fun. Drawing from his work with the BBC and the Micro:Bit, he walked us through how we became known as “one-take” dave, creating tech gadgets for children’s TV shows. He shared how solid engineering principles underpin wildly imaginative inventions.
Presentation here: http://westessextech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WETF-DavidWhale-May2025-EDITED.pdf
🎥 Kirth Noel – KN Creative Media
Visual Engineering: Crafting Creative Media with Technology
And warpping up the evening, Kirth Noel offered an insider’s look into the world of visual engineering, where motion-controlled robots and high-speed cameras meet artistic direction. Kirth demonstrated how cutting-edge equipment and creativity come together to produce stunning visuals—transforming the way digital stories are told. His live demo of the tech in action had the whole room captivated.
Presentation here: Visual Engineering: Crafting Creative Media with Technology – WETF – Google Slides
🗣 A Space That Keeps Growing
From AI to automation, and now to creative engineering, the West Essex Tech Forum continues to evolve with every session. Each event builds on the last—diving into a new slice of the tech world, while keeping the focus on building community, opening up opportunities, and shining a light on the talent and innovation happening right here in West Essex.
Thank you to all who attended, presented, and made it such a brilliant evening. And if you missed this one—don’t worry. The next Forum is already in the works.
– The West Essex Tech Forum Team