Wed 26 MarCH  // 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM GMT

Trade Union Technology Symposium

Is Your Trade Union’s CRM Technology Holding You Back?

Pending obsoletion of many of the CRM platforms currently in use, outdated systems, poor vendor support, and limited budgets can prevent you from delivering the seamless member experience your trade union needs to thrive. When it comes to modernising your CRM and digital platforms, the stakes are high, yet the path ahead may seem daunting.

On 26 March join us for the Intercloud9 Trade Union Technology Symposium—a free event created especially for Heads of Membership and IT in the UK trade union sector.

The Symposium, hosted by independent membership change experts Intercloud9, and trade union-focused technology specialists Bluelight CRM, iFINITY, Kerv Digital and Smart Impact, will share actionable strategies for modernising legacy systems, managing risk, and integrating advanced tools without overstretching your resources.

Whether you’re seeking to streamline and drive member engagement, or simply stay ahead of emerging trends, our panel of experts will equip you with the insights needed to succeed.

Four Expert Panels

The future of trade unions isn’t just about systems upgrades – it’s about transforming engagement, streamlining operations, and driving real impact. From this session you will understand how you can help your union leverage cutting edge solutions to ensure the right people get the right information —at the right time.

With Rob Dobell, James Leech and James Wilcox from Bluelight

Is your union battling disconnected data, outdated systems, and endless spreadsheets?

Siloed data and shadow IT not only slow you down but create serious GDPR and security risks. It’s time for a smarter, more connected way to manage your members. Say goodbye to disconnected systems and hello to a seamless, future-proofed membership experience.

With Erwin Casteels and Dave Harris from Kerv Digital

An introduction to the iMIS platform designed to empower unions with the tools they need to engage members, manage operations efficiently and drive meaningful change.

This session will give you the opportunity to understand iMIS for Unions and the strength of the Union Innovation Hub.

With Russell Franks, Gordon Brewster, and Chris Walton from iFinity

Discover more about Dynamics 365 – the CRM platform for today’s trade unions to manage membership data, and with a unified CRM portal, empowers highly personalised digital engagement.

From this session you will learn about Smart Impact’s union offering and how smartapps can help you streamline operations, automate processes and remove administrative burdens.

With Jeremy Jalie and Chris Lightley from SmartImpact

Symposium Speakers

Jenny Watkins

Jenny Watkins

Director Professional Services, Intercloud9 Ltd

Jenny is highly experienced business and digital transformation director. Over two decades, she has applied Lean methodologies and proven commercial expertise to lead and develop large technology and membership support teams at the highest level.

Rob Dobell

Delivery Director, Bluelight

Over the years, Rob has provided independent advice to several trade unions on digital transformation, technology review and replacement, and data management projects, including Unison, Prospect, ASCL, and the Royal College of Midwives.

James Leech

Consultant, Bluelight

James has over a decade of experience working with major trade unions in the UK and Australasia, such as Unite, Forsa, GMB, NEU, Together Union, and Etu. He specialised in CRM implementations across Millertech (Merlin CRM), APT Solutions (Stratum CRM) and CiviCRM. His extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of trade union processes, functional requirements and opportunities for improvement.

 

James Wilcox

Head of Consulting, Bluelight

James is Head of Consulting at Bluelight with over 15 years of software consulting experience. He combines a functional and technical background and has used the Microsoft Power Platform extensively over the last 13 years. James is known for his approachable and collaborative style, always eager to understand clients’ needs to provide technical solutions to real world challenges.

Erwin Casteels

Senior Sales Consultant, Kerv Digital

Erwin brings over 30 years of IT industry expertise. Specialising in CRM and ERP solutions, particularly Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft ecosystem, Erwin guides membership organisations through their digital transformation journeys.

Dave Harris

Principal Architect, Kerv Digital

Dave also has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, with deep expertise in CRM solutions and the Microsoft ecosystem. He specialises in helping membership organisations modernise their technology, leveraging Dynamics 365 to drive digital transformation and improve member engagement.

Russell Franks

CEO, iFINITY

With a career spanning union consultancy, digital transformation, and leadership, Russell has played a pivotal role in shaping the technology landscape for UK trade unions.

 

Gordon Brewster

Head of Customer Services, iFINITY

Gordon brings a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit sector, with a career dedicated to helping membership organisations and trade unions maximise their technology investments.

Chris Walton

CEO, Union Innovation Hub - iFINITY

The Union Innovation Hub, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing cutting-edge digital solutions for trade unions. With a deep background in trade union leadership and technology, Chris has been instrumental in developing iMIS for Unions, a powerful, future-proof platform designed to meet the unique needs of unions worldwide.

Jeremy Jalie

Business Development Lead, Smart Impact

Jeremy is Business Development Lead at Smart Impact where he works with a variety of trade unions, professional membership bodies, and charities. Jeremy brings insights into CRM, data management, Microsoft business applications, and digital marketing with a particular focus on the strategic use of technology to improve business processes and stakeholder engagement.

Chris Lightley

Dynamics 365 Consultant, Smart Impact

Chris Lightley is a Dynamics 365 Consultant at Smart Impact, specialising in delivering tailored CRM solutions for unions and membership organisations. With expertise in product demonstrations, business analysis, and functional consulting, Chris excels at translating complex technical capabilities into accessible, value-driven presentations that help organisations optimise their member engagement and operations.

Delegate Benefits

Attend this Symposium and you will have a clear path to transforming your trade union’s digital future with:

  • Step-by-step guidance on efficiently updating or replacing CRM and digital platforms, no matter your budget constraints.
  • Tools and methods to improve retention and satisfaction, setting your trade union apart in a competitive landscape.
  • Best practices for minimising disruptions, ensuring stakeholder buy-in, and achieving successful tech implementations.
  • Tips on how to remain competitive by incorporating developments such as AI, automation, and secure cloud solutions into your trade union’s vision.

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing the link to the symposium.