Chris is a passionate advocate for the potential of technology and the opportunities presented by the 4th Industrial Revolution. His interest and expertise is heavily focused on understanding how new technologies can serve us all.
“Technology does not need to be miraculous but it must be sufficient. Does it solve a problem? Does it enable and include?”
Chris Holmes
Reporting from Westminster
Chris writes regularly on technology, financial services, fintech and regulation for both Computer Weekly and Finextra. and, previously, for City Am.
Chris covers key policy announcements and legislation as they happen, as well as relevant debates in Westminster.
Chris also reports back from various conferences and events such as UK Fintech Week and Digital Assets Week and addresses key themes such as sustainable finance and open banking.
Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technologies
In November 2017 Chris published a report that calls on the Government to explore how Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) can be used for public good.
“Handled correctly, this technology could have a huge number of potential applications across many different sectors.”
Chris Holmes
Chris has been urging the government to ensure that they act now to ensure the benefit is realised for the public good.
TECH: THE OPPORTUNITY OR CARPE DLT
One year on a progress update was published:
Chris has also published a report about a DLT Proof of Concept he has been involved with.
Reducing Friction in International Trade
Trust, Ethical AI and Digital Skills
Chris’s membership of House of Lords Select Committees:
- Digital Technologies and the Resurrection of Trust
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Make or Break: The UK’s Digital Future
has informed his approach to some of today’s key policy challenges, namely ensuring today’s citizens are equipped with the skills to benefit from the 4th Industrial Revolution and placing ethical considerations and public good firmly at the heart of regulating Artificial Intelligence.
Innovation and Inclusion
Chris speaks often on the interplay between inclusion and innovation. He is interested in technology as an enabler and takes a keen interest in digital inclusion; whether that be assistive technology, financial inclusion through Fintech (financial technology) or improvements to digital infrastructure. He pursues these policy areas through his work in Parliament.