PUBLIC EVENT
This event is free of charge, but registration is required.
Each year, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Academy of Engineering invite a prominent figure to deliver a talk on a current topic within the engineering sector. These events are designed to bring together industry professionals and encourage new thinking, ideas and conversations.
This year’s collaborative event will focus on entrepreneurship and our keynote speaker will be one of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs, Chris van der Kuyl CBE FRSE. His presentation will discuss why now is the time to explore the dynamics behind what impact global current affairs are having on the engineering industry and how this affects what is trending now in the sector. This will be followed by a short Q&A session and the opportunity to network over refreshments.
Programme
| 5.30pm | Registration opens |
| 6.00pm |
What's trending now? Chris van der Kuyl CBE FRSE |
| 6.40pm | Q&A session, chaired by Professor Sir John Ball PRSE FRSE |
| 7.00pm |
Networking reception opens |
| 8.00pm | Close of event |
*Programme is subject to change.
Venue and Accessibility
It is very important to us that our events are accessible to all. If you have any dietary or accessibility requirements, please contact Lesley-Ann at [email protected] at your earliest convenience so that necessary arrangements can be made.
Chris van der Kuyl CBE FRSE
Chris van der Kuyl CBE FRSE is one of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs working across the technology, media, gaming and entertainment sectors. Chris is most notably co-founder and chairman of multiple award-winning games developer 4J Studios, best known for developing Minecraft for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo games consoles. He and fellow co-founder Paddy Burns launched Chroma Ventures, the investment arm of 4J Studios, in 2021. Chris is chairman of Puny Astronaut, Stormcloud Games and Parsley Box and sits on the boards of Blippar, Ace Aquatec, Ant Workshop and ADV Holdings. He is also a non-executive director of the Ballie Gifford US Growth Trust. Alongside his commercial roles, he was the founding chairman of Entrepreneurial Scotland and is currently a member of multiple advisory and local charity boards. Elected as one of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2013, Chris was also formally recognised for his contribution to technology in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020, becoming a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).