A LEADING figure in the technology industry delivered a fascinating talk to local businesses and students as part of the University of Worcester Business School’s annual lecture.

Ken Olisa, Lord Lieutenant for Greater London, gave his insights into developments in business culture at the event, which was co-hosted by the Institute of Directors.

He explained how he believes rapid developments in technology are bringing about change to the way business is done and how a new set of visionary entrepreneurs are “changing the game.”

Mr Olisa said: “I would argue that we don’t live in interesting times, we live in disruptive times.”

“Every industrial sector that exists today, including Information Technology (IT), is being disrupted or is at risk of being disrupted by Information Technology.”

The businessman and philanthropist told how through technological advances two business mindsets had emerged: disruptors - those making change - and disruptees - those not inclined to change who could be affected by the disruptors.

Mr Olisa, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the technology field and founded two technology merchant banks, said it was up to individuals to decide where they, their employer or company lay within those descriptions.

Mr Olisa is the Founder and Chairman of the Powerlist Foundation, which supports future leaders from Black and Minority Ethnic, and disadvantaged backgrounds.

He is patron of Thames Reach, a charity working to shelter and resettle the homeless, and chairman of the Shaw Trust, supporting the disabled and chronically unemployed to find work.