A SENIOR Facebook executive will be the star speaker at a digital and gaming summit in Liverpool in January.

The team behind festival and conference Liverpool Sound City has organised the Futureproof Summit in February to promote Merseyside’s thriving digital and video gaming sectors.

The first confirmed speaker is Vanessa Bakewell, who is currently Client Partner (Retail & Entertainment) at Facebook, and will become the internet giant’s head of entertainment Europe in January.

Before joining Facebook, Ms Bakewell worked at Google where she managed global entertainment campaigns at YouTube that included movie studios, gaming companies and record labels. She has also worked at Saatchi and Saatchi and magazines including Smash Hits and Mixmag.

Dave Pichilingi, chief executive of Liverpool Sound City, said: “We are delighted that Vanessa has agreed to attend Futureproof as one of our expert voices for the day.

“Her valuable insight into the ever-changing digital sector and incredible experience with global brands like Google and Facebook will provide delegates with realistic, engaging and no doubt, inspiring food for thought.”

Kevin McManus, head of creative industries at Liverpool Vision’s creative sector support agency ACME, said: “To announce an industry expert of Vanessa’s calibre speaks volumes about the quality of both the experts and the content of Futureproof.

“The potential of Futureproof for creatives already working in this sector and for those who want to know more continues to develop, and we are confident that delegates will leave feeling more knowledgeable, inspired and better equipped to grow their own business or create more job opportunities as a result. It will be a ‘must’ for the digital and gaming sector.”

For details about the event, which will be held on Wednesday, February 13, visit  www.futureproofsummit.com