Why Britain Is Wasting Its Greatest Source of Talent with Maggie Philbin OBE

Maggie Philbin OBE, CEO TeenTech and Technology Broadcaster joins Oli Barrett for a fascinating conversation about technology, education, opportunity and the future of work.

Drawing on decades spent exploring innovation and her work as founder of TeenTech, Maggie explains why Britain’s biggest untapped resource is the talent sitting in classrooms across the country. She shares why schools must focus less on memorisation and more on confidence, curiosity and communication, and why employers need to do more to recognise potential rather than polish.

The discussion explores the impact of AI on education, the importance of ethics and access, how mentorship can transform lives, and why listening to young people may be the key to solving some of society’s biggest challenges.
Maggie also reflects on her years presenting Tomorrow’s World, the technologies that changed society, and her hopes for a future that is fairer, more inclusive and full of opportunity.

Maggie Philbin OBE is well known for her work in radio and television where for over 30 years she has reported on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes from Tomorrow’s World to Bang Goes The Theory.

In 2008 she co-founded TeenTech, an award-winning charity which works across the UK getting young people innovating, creating, building skills and preparing for a fast-changing future. TeenTech helps students, parents and teachers understand the real opportunities in contemporary industry.
She received the WISE Award for Communication and Outreach for her work promoting diversity in 2013. In June 2016 she was voted most influential woman in UK IT by Computer Weekly and also named 2016 Digital Leader of the Year. She was awarded an OBE in Jan 2017 for her work to promote careers in STEM and the Creative Industries. In July 2017 she received the Tech4Good Special Award and in 2019 TeenTech was awarded the Best Employer and School Outreach. She is patron of the Council for Professors and Heads of Computing and has been awarded ten honorary degrees and fellowships for her work.

About the TeenTech Charity
TeenTech help young people understand opportunities in contemporary industry, no matter what their gender or social background. Their engaging, sharply focussed initiatives reach over 14,000 students aged 8-19 every year and are carefully planned to involve teachers and parents as they are the main influencers in career decisions. Over 300 companies and 40 UK universities work with TeenTech helping deliver their exciting programmes to students across the UK.

About the Podcast
The Future Forum podcast brings together leaders, thinkers and innovators to explore the ideas shaping tomorrow. For more information, head to www.futureforum.co

Each episode explores the intersection of leadership, technology, creativity and systems thinking.