Consumer insights expert Kate Hardcastle set to chair Innovation Track at London Tech Week 2025

Consumers and commerce sit at the heart of business, yet too often they are treated as an after thought in the technology conversation. So says Kate Hardcastle, aka The Customer Whisperer, and author of The Science of Shopping, which is available globally from 24th June.

For this reason, Hardcastle will be charing the newly created Innovation Track at London Tech Week 2025, dedicated to the future of consumers and retail commerce.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “This new platform has been designed to place real consumer understanding and commercial relevance at the centre of the innovation agenda. It will be a space where global brands and technology leaders share how they are evolving to meet today’s fast shifting consumer behaviours and where we explore the pathways to a more intelligent, human centred future for commerce.”

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Hardcastle added: “Across the stage, I will be joined by brands including Tesco, Virgin Atlantic and Deliveroo, examining how they are reimagining customer experience, loyalty, and value through the lens of both technology and trust. As part of this, I will preview insights from my new book, The Science of Shopping, helping to frame the conversation and provide a deeper understanding of the forces driving consumer choices today, and tomorrow.”

“It is a privilege to help shape this new stage - and to bring my decades of consumer insight work to a forum where it can help inform the next chapter of innovation. And this is just one part of an event that will offer extraordinary breadth of thinking - with speakers across London Tech Week including Martha Lane Fox, Christian Horner, Jensen Huang, and Professor Brian Cox ensuring every leader leaves with both inspiration and practical value.”

“I look forward to leading this new platform, and to welcoming those who believe, as I do that the future of innovation must be built in partnership with needs and values of the customer in sharp focus.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Customer experiences will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.