Matthew Sanders - Education and VR Director, Global Affairs, Meta

Matt Sanders is Director of XR Education, Global Affairs, at Meta, leading the company’s efforts to support the deployment of immersive technologies in education. In this role, Matt works closely with educators, creators, policy makers and others to understand how virtual and augmented reality can best deliver high quality learning.

Before joining Meta, Matt worked as a Special Adviser to the UK Deputy Prime Minister covering the Department for Education, and as Policy Director and Chief Adviser to New Zealand’s Minister of Education. In both countries he oversaw reforms designed to raise standards and narrow the attainment gap between children from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Matt is based in London and serves as a governor at his local primary school.

John Cassy - Founder, Factory 42 (BBC's The Green Planet AR Experience & more)

John Cassy is the Founder and CEO of Factory 42, one of the UK’s leading immersive technology and experience studios. The company’s mission is to create Impact Entertainment - immersive and interactive experiences with purpose that combine the magic of technology with the science of stories. Factory 42 partners include Comcast’s Sky, the BBC, EE, Google, and Meta, while the company has also led significant R&D projects for UK Research and Innovation and DCMS, including the sold-out and award-winning Green Planet AR Experience with Sir David Attenborough at London’s Piccadilly Circus. Prior to Factory 42, John spent 10 years at Sky. He has served on the UK Government DCMS’s expert advisory panel exploring recovery mechanisms for the creative industries post Covid and is an Honorary Professor at University of Exeter.