Tech London Advocates Immigration

In this special edition recorded during London Tech Week 2025, our hosts dive into the latest developments shaping the UK’s tech and immigration landscape. From global trade dynamics to domestic policy shifts, this episode explores how the UK is positioning itself in the global race for innovation and talent.

Join Pat Saini, Head of Immigration at Penningtons Manches Cooper and Chair of the Tech London Advocates Immigration Working Group, and Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, as they unpack the opportunities and challenges facing the UK tech sector in 2025—and what needs to happen next to keep the UK competitive on the world stage.

Join Pat Saini, Head of Immigration at Penningtons Manches Cooper and Chair of the Tech London Advocates Immigration Working Group, and Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, as they delve into the global tech landscape and evaluate the UK’s tech sector’s global appeal in light of current immigration policies, as part of London Tech Week.

As part of the ten year anniversary of London Tech Week Pat Saini, Head of Immigration and group lead for Tech London Advocates Immigration, connected with Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates.

On the podcast they discuss:

• The UK tech industry response to the SVB crisis.
• The closure of Tech Nation and the impact on the Global Talent Visa.
• The skills gap facing the UK tech industry.
• The routes available to attract the right tech talent and how the UK can differentiate itself on the global stage.

Pat Saini, head of immigration and group lead for Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates Immigration, talks to Jillian Kowalchuk, founder and CEO of Safe & The City, and Herman Komashko, ambassador for the Tech Nation Visa Alumni Network, for the third episode of the TLA Immigration podcast.

Pat, Jillian and Herman discuss how the Global Talent visa, for talented and promising individuals in a range of fields, from science and engineering to digital technology, can keep the UK tech sector competitive in attracting talent.

Pat Saini, head of immigration and group lead for Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates Immigration is joined by Ani Kaprekar and Af Malhotra, two of the co-founders behind Tech India Advocates, in her second episode of the TLA Immigration podcast.

In this episode Pat, Ani and Af discuss how India will continue to maintain its position as a global leader in tech and how the country is changing its approach to education to engage young people in tech. Also in this episode, Pat and her guests consider whether the UK immigration system is helping to make the UK a clear destination for Indian tech entrepreneurs and talk about ‘Namaste New India’, the Global Tech Advocates and Tech India Advocates summit that is taking place in India in November.

As part of London Tech Week Pat Saini, head of immigration and group lead for Tech London Advocates Immigration, launched the TLA Immigration Podcast by catching up with Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates.

In this first episode Pat and Russ focus on why access to talent remains a key focus for the UK tech sector and how the UK immigration system can help to build a thriving UK tech industry.