IoT sensors are common in infrastructure, but strangely rare in stately homes - where the predictive maintenance piece, at least, makes them incredibly well suited. Oxfordshire's Blenheim Estate, though, uses hundreds of sensors. I talked to Head of Innovation David Green about the organisation's modern approach.

David explains how and why Blenheim invested in a massive sensor network, and how the Estate is evolving its use of sensors to track visitors and improve their experience around the site. As with all things IT, it all comes back to data.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IT professionals are perfectionists under pressure in a changing industry: a combination that leads to exhaustion, stress and burnout. In this episode, head of IT Jeremy Cooper tells Tom how he overcame the problem, and how he tackles it in his team.

Jeremy talks candidly about his own experiences of burnout - from what caused it, to how it affected him and how he learned to address it; as well as why IT professionals are so prone to it, and how you can learn to spot it in others and in yourself.

Missing audio: An internet issue caused an intermittent audio dropout from 17:30-18:00. Please see a transcript of the missing audio below:

Tom: Yeah, your LinkedIn famously says 'Average crossfitter.'

Jeremy: Yeah.

Tom: Okay, so that's great advice. The other question I have is, "How do you combat burnout in the short term?" What you've said is great, but it could take some time to show results. If they need something they can do on the day, what can they start doing?

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drowning in documents hundreds of pages long, the legal sector needs a safe, transparent way to speed up the way it works. Is generative AI, trained and prepared on legal data, the answer?

In this episode Tom talks to Bruna Pellicci, CIO at Magic Circle law firm Linklaters, about how technology is changing the legal space and how her company built its own AI helper.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The National Grid was built on infrastructure laid in the 1950s. Now, as the UK's energy sector changes, CIO Sarah Milton-Hunt and her team are replacing that legacy with modern tools to last the next 70 years.

Sarah talks about the factors affecting the modern utilities sector, like datacentre growth and the move to renewables, and how digital and AI are "key" to handling a less certain energy network.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Labour has won a thumping majority in the 2024 general election. Mark Ridley, fractional CIO and technical co-founder of Reed.co.uk, joins Tom to talk about what it means for the tech sector.

What did Labour promise in its manifesto - and more importantly, what did it leave out? Tom and Mark talk about where the new government is likely to focus its energy in the coming months and years, from AI regulation to NHS digitisation, as well as their own hopes for the future.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI, especially gen-AI, is all the rage. In this episode Tom talks to ex-Very Group CIO Matt Grest about how the online retailer implemented it - and why - at scale.

Matt talks about how he successfully adopted gen-AI, how he brought colleagues along for the ride, and how IT leaders can clamp down on AI shadow IT.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing--

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A spin-out can be the defining moment of a leader's career. In this first episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Tom Allen talks to Kellanova CDIO Lesley Salmon about the successful split from cereal giant Kellogg's.

Lesley talks about how to spin out successfully, the pain points she encountered, and how she overcame them - plus, her thoughts on the AI revolution.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / 
Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Acquiring new companies is a popular way to grow quickly, but it brings a host of technical challenges: from finding the right company, to due diligence, and finally integrating their systems. 

In this episode Ardonagh Advisory CTO Tom Clark discusses the role tech leaders must play at every stage of the process  to smoothly bring new companies on board.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BT consumes about 1% of the UK's total power, a massive amount for a single company. In this episode Tom talks to Clare Schramm of BT's "internal hyperscaler," the cloud services division, about how they are reworking software, hardware and partnerships to slash energy use.

Clare talks about how and why BT has written sustainability metrics into all of its commercial tenders; how vendor relationships are changing as a result; and discusses the use of observability tooling to monitor efficiency.

We apologise for the late posting of this episode, which was due to a bereavement. Ctrl Alt Lead will return to its regular fortnightly schedule going forward.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Culture is one of the most difficult things to build, even for engineers. In this episode, Admiral's Chief Engineer Pankaj Kane talks about how he built an engineering-led culture, and why he's made sure to remain separate from it.

Instilling a culture through one of the UK's largest insurers was no easy task, so Pankaj launched it using a common vision: a North Star. Plus, he shares his advice for how other IT leaders can do the same.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What effect will a protectionist President have on the global tech sector? Professor Grant Neeley discusses Donald Trump's stance on tech issues from AI to immigration, and what we can expect from his historic second term.

The incoming President is critical of regulation, but has spoken out against Big Tech. He is anti-China, but pro-TikTok. He wants tariffs on global imports, but expects lower prices.

What form will these contradictory stances take in government? And who will be brave enough to take a top job in a White House where tenure can only last for days? Grant talks about all this, and more.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Amazon's return-to-office mandate be a success, or will Andy Jassy's employees slap on a return label? Reed co-founder Mark Ridley and Dr Andrew MacLaren, Associate Professor of Team Communication at Heriot-Watt University,  join Tom to talk all about the points for and against office vs remote work - and why hybrid might be not the perfect middle ground.

What does Jassy's order mean for remote workers who won't relocate? Will other companies benefit from a new flow of talent? And just how do you structure your firm to take advantage of remote workers? Here's a hint: Look to how you planned your cloud infrastructure.

As well as their professional qualifications, Mark and Andrew are co-hosts of the Teamcraft podcast. You can find their own episode on virtual teams here.

GitLab's guide to an all-remote workforce, discussed in the show, can be found here, and the company handbook here.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Multifactor authentication is better than nothing, but is it really just a false sense of security? With attackers increasingly knowing how to break MFA, whether technically or through social engineering, director Richard Richison switched his entire company of 1,600 employees over to a phishing-resistant process relying on biometric security keys and device-level checks.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Richard and I talk about the flaws of modern MFA, potential replacements, and his selection and global rollout of a brand new system - plus the widespread embrace of the same, a rarity in anything related to cybersecurity!

Click here to view the Kevin Mitnick video Richard discusses in the episode, showing how hackers can bypass two-factor authentication.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The end of the year is peak sales time, extending from Black Friday in November to the sales in January. Mattie Toia, VP of infrastructure at ecommerce platform Shopify, explains how the platform handles this “peak of peaks."

Tom and Mattie discuss the role of resilience, game-day simulations and the use of real-time data visualisation tools, as well as diving into how AI is transforming e-commerce.

And finally, there's an answer to the big question: is Black Friday a bigger peak than Christmas?

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, legal expert Jonathan Armstrong of Punter Southall Law breaks down the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and its implications for financial services firms and their suppliers.

Jonathan talks about DORA's key requirements, the challenges of cross-border compliance, and how CIOs can prepare for these sweeping changes across the EU and UK.

Click here to learn more about DORA

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

General purpose AI models are great if you want to discuss everything from geopolitics to baking with the same chatbot; but when you have hard limits on data and compute, you need a more focused system. Enter, small language models.

This week Tom talks to Arm's Paul Williamson about what the rise of SLMs means for edge computing and the people who use it; different ways to shrink language models; and how a change in software dev behaviour is forcing hardware makers to evolve.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With AI agents taking over the world, Oracle's launch of AI Agent Studio last week is exceedingly timely. UK country leader Siobhan Wilson joins Tom at Oracle Cloudworld 2025 to explain how it works, who can use it, and what it means for IT teams.

Siobhan also discusses Oracle’s $5 billion investment in UK cloud infrastructure, why demand for AI agents is growing, and whether it comes at the expense of interest in generative AI. We cover practical challenges and finish with advice for IT leaders looking to adopt AI in 2025.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode Tom talks to GitHub's VP of Developer Relations, Martin Woodward, about open source's evolving landscape and funding models, as well as the role of AI in software development.

We dive deep into GitHub's Secure Open Source fund, the importance of financial sustainability for open source projects, and how AI tools like GitHub Copilot are reshaping the developer experience.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Follow Martin on Twitter and GitHub

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A tobacco company that wants more regulation? Javed Iqbal, Director of Digital & Transformation at British American Tobacco, describes how clear rules, plus technology, can accelerate safer alternatives to smoking.

He reveals how AI is driving breakthroughs in marketing insights, patent research and even tackling ESG issues like child labour; and describes how BAT’s investment in ethical AI, cloud and open data initiatives are setting new standards for the industry.

"Transformation has to be business-led but technology-enabled."

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Healthcare has massive potential for tech-driven disruption, but adoption is - for good reason - cautious.

In this episode Perran Pengelly, CTO of NHS partner DrDoctor, shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of modernising healthcare delivery.

Perran explains the emerging model of hybrid healthcare, which could alleviate the mismatch between demand and capacity in the NHS. He also dives into the role of AI, and offers a perspective on private sector involvement in the UK's much-loved public health service.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode Tom talks to Karen Byer, lead project manager and chair of UK RISE at PA Consulting, about business resource groups' role in fostering inclusive workplaces.

Karen shares practical advice for IT leaders on how to support informal groups, develop impactful initiatives, and create environments where everyone thrives - all while balancing their day-to-day responsibilities.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News / @Tom_CTG

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Tom speaks with AWS CISO Chris Betz about the evolving AI landscape and its implications for cybersecurity. They discuss the challenges and blind spots security leaders face with AI agents; the importance of proactive security measures, and the differences in AI security between public and private sectors.

Betz, who leads security across Amazon Web Services globally, talks about the clash between regulation and innovation, the UK government's moves to embrace AI for efficiency, and how AWS is securing its own AI-driven operations.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

Twitter: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Tom speaks with Joanna Drake, CIO and now also CTO at THG (The Hut Group), about the company’s radical IT modernisation journey.

Facing rapid growth, fragmented storage, and escalating demands for AI and machine learning, Jo led a transformation of THG’s global infrastructure with zero downtime. She discusses the strategic decision to partner with Pure Storage, the unexpected stress test that cemented that relationship, and the results that followed - including 80% power savings and a 90% fraud reduction thanks to THG's self-built Detect platform.

Jo also shares her unconventional approach to vendor selection, the value of cultural alignment, and advice for IT leaders building strategic partnerships.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Joanna Drake

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every tech vendor is trying to crack AI, but does that match up to how it's being adopted on the ground? In this episode Tom and Alex Rutter of Google Cloud talk about the difference in approach from IT leaders - focusing on governance, compliance and integration - and business leaders - eager to move quickly and pushing for quick, transformative wins. Alex outlines how Google's prioritisation of 'consumable' AI, practical tools that solve problems today, is trying to satisfy both groups.

We also explore the role of open models like Gemma, the importance of transparency in AI systems, and how agentic AI could shape the next wave of enterprise innovation.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Alex Rutter

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leon Butler, IBM’s UK and Ireland CEO, explains why most generative AI models aren't fit for enterprise use and stresses the need for transparent, trusted systems. He also discusses how recent acquisitions - including HashiCorp and DataStax - support IBM’s push to automate enterprise IT. 

Leon talks about other key IT areas, like data sovereignty and regulation; agentic AI; and quantum security. He argues that this is the time to work on preparing for quantum threats, even if adoption feels distant.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cyber attacks and crisis response are daily realities for security professionals, but the demands of  defending critical systems and services from cyber attack can exert a heavy toll on cybersecurity practitioners at all levels. A combination of the "always on" nature of cybersecurity, the urgency of the task and some of the personality traits often found in cyber teams mean that difficulties are often masked. Practitioners are often reluctant to seek help and can get stuck in their own personal doom loop.  

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Kinly CISO Don Gibson and PPRO CISO Bronwyn Boyle talk to Computing Associate Editor Penny Horwood about instant-response pressure, the mismatch between responsibility and control and what these do to the brain. The pair open up about their personal experiences with burnout and recovery, explain why it pays for IT leaders to look after their cybersecurity teams and share practical, compassionate ways leaders can protect their teams from the mental burdens of constant vigilance. The pair also share some ways that cybersecurity professionals can look after themselves. 

Don shares his experience leading through a global ransomware crisis and how it led to a life-changing health event and Bronwyn reflects on her own work-induced crisis, and how empathy, openness, and community support can transform how teams cope with the relentless demands of cybersecurity. Bronwyn is an ambassador for https://cybermindz.org/ -  a community service, not-for-profit providing services and support to those who earn their living trying to protect their organisations and employees from cybercriminals. 

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When John Seabourn asked his team how AI made them feel, the answers ranged from "excited" to "concerned," but the word that stood out most was "efficient". In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, John - CDIO of global environmental consultancy APEM Group - joins Tom to unpack what that word really means in a world where technology can accelerate renewable energy projects, yet consumes vast amounts of power to do so. John explains how APEM is using tech to speed up impact assessments and bring sustainable infrastructure online sooner, without losing sight of the ethical and ecological cost.

But efficiency isn’t just about systems; it’s about people. Seabourn warns that automating too much, too soon could hollow out the talent pipeline, drawing lessons from the oil and gas industry’s “Great Retirement." He argues for hybrid careers that blend scientific expertise with digital fluency, and a leadership approach that prizes curiosity and critical thinking over short-term savings.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / John Seabourn

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Queen Mary University of London CIO Rachel Bence joins Computing’s Penny Horwood to discuss how the university is embedding sustainability into its IT strategy — from using waste heat from high-performance computing to warm student halls, to running datacentres powered by recycled energy. Rachel shares how a focus on sustainability aligns with Queen Mary’s mission of inclusivity and social mobility, and how these values drive innovation across academic and operational IT environments.

The conversation also explores the realities of leading digital transformation in higher education — managing technical debt, supporting a diverse student body, and balancing research freedom with cyber security. Rachel reflects on the opportunities and risks of AI, why universities can’t afford to ignore it, and how leadership built on communication, transparency, and gratitude helps her team thrive through rapid change.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood / Rachel Bence

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Banking is known for its monolithic, legacy IT systems, but new challenger banks have a different approach. Cynergy Bank's CDIO Rana Bhattacharya joins Tom to explain how the bank is blending the latest tech with a modern mindset.

By adopting Flutter and a microservices architecture, Cynergy has been able to build once and deploy across iOS, Android and the web, improving productivity while streamlining its mobile and online banking channels.

Rana also dives into the bank’s decision to go beyond infrastructure hosting and leverage Google Cloud’s platform services to ensure resilience and scalability. And with AI beginning to play a role, Cynergy is focusing on “supercharging humans” rather than replacing them, using AI to handle paperwork, speed up research and give SMEs access to insights once reserved for large enterprises.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Rana Bhattacharya

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tom speaks with Steve Capper, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Carnival UK, whose brands include Cunard and P&O Cruises. Formerly a multi-award-winning leader in the engineering and construction world, Capper explains how the leap into the cruise industry revealed unexpected parallels, from large-scale refits to complex logistics, but with one major difference: everything moves.

Steve lifts the lid on the tech that powers modern cruise ships, including on-board datacentres, satellite-enabled upgrades, AI-enhanced customer experience and sustainability efforts like water generation at sea. He also talks leadership, resilience and why running IT in a 24/7 global business means “two of everything," just like Noah’s Ark.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Steve Capper

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Smith, CIO of Amnesty International, offers a rare glimpse into what it means to lead technology in one of the world’s largest and most complex nonprofit organisations. With operations in over 150 countries, Paul’s role goes far beyond the usual CIO remit: from safeguarding whistleblowers in war zones to supporting campaigners in politically sensitive regions, all while working under tight budgetary constraints. He explains how Amnesty prioritises ethical, value-driven investments that support frontline human rights work, and why standard ROI metrics often fall short in a mission-led environment.

Paul also reflects on the unique challenges of managing technology across a global, federated structure where each entity has different needs, tools and levels of digital maturity. He shares how his team is tackling this with shared platforms, a strong architectural backbone and a focus on inclusive design.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Paul Smith

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Technology still plays second fiddle to steel and scaffolding in many people’s view of construction, but that image belies the truth behind the industry's impressive digital progress.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead Matt Sharp, CDO at RLB, talks about how he launched his IT team as a separate digital consultancy to serve clients beyond construction, how it became revenue generating in the first year, and why construction’s digital transformation is now accelerating - and what still holds it back.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Matt Sharp

X: @Computing_News

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode Tom Allen sits down with Katia Gil Guzman, a founding member of OpenAI’s Developer Experience team, to explore how AI coding is evolving beyond the hype. Katia explains why OpenAI actively discourages “vibe coding” for anything beyond small experiments, arguing that enterprise-ready AI tools should behave more like software engineers - producing pull requests, following project rules and aligning to established guardrails.

She also discusses how companies can improve the trustworthiness of AI-generated code; why you probably don't need multi-agent orchestration; and what the next 12-24 months hold for the AI space.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's biggest financial services companies, with an estimated one in two British citizens acting as customers.

In this episode Tom speaks to Peter Brown, engineering lead at Lloyds, about how the bank has applied AI at massive scale across retail banking, complaints and internal operations.

Peter explains how AI tools support colleagues and how they were built with not just an outcome, but the bank's core purpose in mind. He also gives a clear account of agent-based systems, how Lloyds defines and governs them, and why language matters when talking about AI with senior stakeholders.

We also cover the skills shift AI demands from leaders and teams, and Peter's own reflections on leadership, inclusion and the value of clarity and trust at scale

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Demands on technology professionals are changing constantly, but hiring hasn't kept up: people still look for coding ninjas rather than recruiting the skills that will really make a difference in the AI age, says E.ON's emerging technology lead Kara Flook.

In this episode, Tom and Kara discuss her journey from a dance background to a career in technology, as well as the growing importance of soft skills; the need to challenge stereotypes; and the significance of diversifying the tech workforce.

Kara emphasises the role of education in shaping perceptions of tech careers, and offers insights into how companies can redesign their recruitment processes to be more inclusive.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, host Penny Horwood is joined by Debbie Janeczek, Global CISO at ING, to explore what cyber resilience really means for a global financial institution operating in an increasingly volatile threat landscape.

Drawing on her background in military intelligence and financial services, Debbie discusses how ING is moving beyond compliance to embed resilience into the way technology is designed, built and operated. The conversation covers the impact of major regulations such as DORA, the shift from reactive defence to proactive resilience, and the challenges of simplifying complex security stacks without increasing risk.

Debbie also shares how automation, threat intelligence and AI are reshaping security operations, why third-party risk has become one of the biggest exposure points for global banks, and how ING is preparing for emerging threats such as post-quantum cryptography. Beyond the technology, the discussion highlights the growing role of the CISO as a business enabler and value creator, rather than a blocker.

The episode concludes with a candid look at leadership under constant pressure, strategies for avoiding burnout in “always-on” security roles, and how the industry can do more to attract and support diverse talent in cybersecurity.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Penny Horwood is joined by Kiran Mahil, CIO of Retail Products at Nationwide Building Society, to explore how digitisation and automation are reshaping retail banking while preserving trust, fairness and accessibility.

Kiran explains her role overseeing Nationwide’s core banking platforms, retail products and technology strategy, and outlines how the mutual’s values influence its approach to digital transformation. Rather than focusing solely on online channels, Nationwide is pursuing a multi-channel strategy that combines modern cloud-based platforms with continued investment in branches, ensuring no customers are left behind as services evolve.

Automation is being used to reduce costs, streamline routine tasks and improve resilience, enabling frontline staff to focus on complex customer needs. Kiran also discusses what “good digitisation” looks like in financial services, emphasising seamless customer journeys, strong security, effective use of data and AI, and technology ecosystems that are easier and more efficient to run.

Kiran shares insights into the scale and complexity of integrating Virgin Money into the Nationwide brand and platforms, from aligning technology and partners to maintaining resilience, momentum and staff engagement.

The episode closes with a discussion on widening digital access and preparing the future workforce.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Access Group runs a vast, acquisition-led IT estate while supporting mission-critical services such as NHS payroll. Tom speaks with regional technology director Rolf Krolke about how the organisation designed a scalable reference architecture that delivers resilience, flexibility and near-zero downtime across private and public cloud environments.

Rolf unpacks the practical realities of active-active design, modular infrastructure and operating at global scale, alongside the mistakes IT leaders make when modernising complex estates. Listen now to learn more about designing for failure, managing technical debt and keeping transformation aligned with real business risk.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Alexandra Ebert, advisor to regulators like the FCA and IEEE, as well as chief AI and democratisation officer at Mostly AI, joins Tom to discuss the modern AI landscape. She warns that too many organisations are rushing to “get more GenAI” without doing the groundwork, arguing that AI needs to be a strategic capability rooted in solid data foundations and alignment between technology and business rather than a shiny add on. She also highlights the pitfalls of “AI workslop," where employees lean too heavily on generative tools, producing more work with less originality, and urges CIOs to rethink governance and training around AI-augmented workflows.

We also touch on the economics of Big Tech, with Alex suggesting that hyperscalers’ massive infrastructure spending is driving AI hype to justify their ROI.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Penny Horwood is joined by Ajay Pancholi, IT Infrastructure Lead at Carlsberg Britvic and founder of the AI Security, Ethics and Governance UK community, to explore why organisations need to rethink how they approach AI.

Pancholi argues that AI should be treated as critical infrastructure, not “innovation theatre”, warning that most enterprise risk sits outside the models themselves and lies within systems, data pipelines, identity and operations. Drawing on his infrastructure background, he explains why opaque vendor stacks, weak controls and poor integration create hidden risks, from data leaks to vendor lock‑in.

The conversation also tackles AI governance, reframing it as an enabler rather than bureaucracy, and looks at how organisations can design safe spaces for experimentation without inviting shadow AI. Looking ahead, Pancholi outlines what will force the shift from experimentation to accountable deployment, and what IT leaders should be doing now to prepare for greater scrutiny, regulation and scale.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Penny Horwood hears from Fabrizio Pilotti, CIO of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, about how cutting-edge technology is transforming modern Formula One. 

Fabrizio sets out some of the ways that vast data volumes, AI, and machine learning are reshaping race strategy, engineering, and operations, whilst also providing an opportunity to enhance fan engagement through increased data visibility and digital experiences. 

The pair also discuss the challenges of managing global infrastructure, ensuring cybersecurity in a high-risk environment, and managing technology partners. Fabrizio shares his leadership insights on balancing the need for relentless innovation under intense pressure with strategic thinking in one of the world’s fastest-moving, most competitive environments. 

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recorded at Oracle’s AI World Tour in London, UK country leader Siobhan Wilson tells us what AI actually means for IT leaders right now. She unpacks Oracle’s push to embed agentic AI across infrastructure, data platforms and applications, arguing that the real shift is from chasing AI hype to delivering measurable outcomes at speed.

We also covers major UK‑specific investments, including sovereign cloud and clinical AI, before closing on a critical question for IT leaders: how to balance trust, security and accountability as more responsibility is handed over to AI agents.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood 

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.