In today’s fast-moving economy, staying competitive demands two critical capabilities: agile adaptation and strategic innovation. But neither is possible without one shared denominator—skills. Like currency, skills fuel momentum, shape organisational value, and power long-term prosperity.

As technology accelerates, job roles are no longer fixed—they’re constantly evolving into dynamic, skill-based profiles. Whether you're hiring a developer, engineer, or data analyst, the talent you need tomorrow may look very different from today. Organisations that rely on traditional hiring methods and static job descriptions risk falling behind in a skills-driven economy.

Join us to learn how organisations like Leonardo are building their software capabilities through skills-based hiring, moving beyond traditional job titles to unlock the real value hidden in their teams’ potential.

Why attend?

Adapt to change: Learn how focusing on skills, rather than traditional job roles, helps you to identify the right talent to stay agile and competitive in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Future-proof your workforce, today: Discover how skills-based hiring now, will enable you to acquire talent with the right capabilities and drive long-term growth and value for the future.
Minimise risk and cost: Understand the risks of sticking to outdated CV-based hiring methods and how focusing on skills helps you uncover hidden talent, saving time and resources while securing the right fit for your organisation.

Hear from Lee Jacques, Head of Software at a top defence prime who will share how Leonardo has adapted its hiring strategy to prioritise skills and aptitude, allowing them to build a more agile and high-performing software team. Conor McDonald, a neurodiverse civil servant from Liverpool, will share his personal journey of upskilling to a software developer at Leonardo. Highlighting how WYWM's aptitude testing identified his skill alignment to software development, giving him the opportunity to thrive in a new career path.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how adopting a skills-based approach can build agile, high-performing teams that drive your organisation’s growth. This event will give you the practical insights you need to future-proof your workforce and ensure you’re ready to face tomorrow’s challenges.

Lee Jacques

Head of Software, Leonardo

With over 14 years’ experience in delivering complex, high-integrity systems across Defence and Commercial sectors, Lee knows what it takes to build successful teams. As Head of Software at Leonardo in the UK, he’s at the forefront of transforming talent strategies to meet the demands of fast-paced technological environments. Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement, Lee has led the charge in reshaping Leonardo’s hiring approach to focus on skills and potential, helping build agile, high-performing software teams ready for the future.

Conor McDonald

Software Engineer, Leonardo | Squad Leader, WithYouWithMe

Conor’s unconventional path into tech — spanning event management, health services, and government — shapes his fresh approach to engineering. As a Software Engineer at Leonardo and Squad Leader with WithYouWithMe, he specialises in electronic warfare and embedded systems, leading teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions. Passionate about mentorship and team growth, Conor blends technical proficiency with strong leadership to foster collaboration and guide the next generation of tech talent.

Facilitated by:

Tom Larter

Chief Executive Officer, WithYouWithMe

Tom Larter is a seasoned business leader with a passion for driving technological innovation and social impact across global markets. A former Captain in the Australian Army, Tom had a distinguished 13-year military career, including serving in Afghanistan. In 2017, he transitioned to the private sector and became one of the early leaders at WithYouWithMe, one of the Asia Pacific’s fastest growing tech companies.

Are skills the new currency for tech talent?

Building an agile software capability through skills-based hiring