BIOGRAPHY
Kathryn Parsons is the founder and co-CEO of Decoded, a world leading technology education company servicing the Global 2000, founded over a decade ago with a mission to decode the digital world.
Decoded’s academies, bootcamps and apprenticeships up-skill and re-skill talent into the jobs of the future, equipping learners with skills and qualifications in advanced analytics, data engineering, software development, generative AI, data science and beyond. They are also the go-to educators for boards, leadership teams and policymakers worldwide.
Kathryn founded the business with nothing more than a credit card and a mission to put the tools and technologies of the future in people’s hands. Today, her work has made her one of the most recognized figures in technology, education and enterprise transformation.
She has a unique insight on how individuals and leaders can future-proof their careers and how organizations can adapt to build the capabilities, ways of working, strategies and cultures they need to survive in a changing world.
Kathryn insists that as we witness the disruptive impact of technologies on traditional economies and social systems, the so-called “fourth industrial revolution” in our midst, that we are called upon to launch a “lifelong learning revolution”. One where we reimagine the role of learning in our lives, so that we can ensure that the potential benefits of technology flow to all of us. Kathryn’s message has resonated across global stages with Permission to Learn delivered to organizations including Adobe, Alphabet, Salesforce, SAP, Chanel, Kering, the Ministry of Defence, Meta, Allianz, and many more.
Kathryn moved from London to San Francisco in 2020, where she lives with her husband and son. She is a guest contributor for The Sunday Times Business and Financial Times, reporting on technology developments in Silicon Valley. In 2024, her work researching the AI deployment strategies of fifty large global organizations and governments was featured in The Times and discussed at roundtables in London and Silicon Valley. She co-Chairs GBx Global, a not-for-profit membership community of pre-eminent British founders, executives and investors in The Bay Area. Last year, GBx founders raised over $841m and investors raised over $9.6 billion for their funds.
Kathryn is a multi-award winning entrepreneur, recognized for her contributions to business and technology. Named Digital Leader of The Year by the Financial Times and one of the The Financial Times’ top 30 female entrepreneurs, she has been featured in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Wired, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, The Times of London, BBC, CNBC, GQ and more. In 2014, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Education from HM Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of her work and for successfully introducing coding to the UK national curriculum.
For more information about Kathryn Parson’s speaking topics, availability and fees, contact Leo von Bülow-Quirk at leo@vbqspeakers.com.
KATHRYN PARSONS: KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Kathryn has delivered 500+ keynotes and talks to audiences of up to 2,000 people across the world.
Her keynotes are designed to educate and inspire. Kathryn Parsons believes that transformation of skills and culture is possible at any age or stage of a career or business. Sharing cutting-edge case studies from across her work and the world of education, government and business, she shows how technology is for everyone and why we must all give ourselves the permission to learn.
Testimonials
“You have inspired our community, and have helped make the festival an unforgettable experience.” —- Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
“Kathryn was great. She was a pleasure to work with and everyone thought she was fantastic.” —- Leading global software company