A Class Act: Conversations in Data and Leadership – Details, episodes & analysis

Every organisation is racing to adopt AI but capability isn’t just about technology. 

It’s about people.

In this episode, host Shannon speaks with Emma Rattray, an AI Engineer whose journey from chemical engineering to software development and AI research offers an honest look at what the next generation of AI talent truly values and how forward-thinking leaders can attract and retain it.

After earning a fully funded scholarship for her master’s in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh, Emma has become one of the most insightful emerging voices in the UK AI space. Through roles at Procter & Gamble, IBM, and JP Morgan, and her current work in robotics and computer vision, she has seen how technical excellence and human leadership intertwine.

In this conversation, Emma and Shannon explore how young professionals are navigating a world where AI progress moves faster than workforce readiness.

You’ll hear:

• How Emma pivoted from chemical engineering into AI without a computer-science degree.
  
  
• The “magic combo” of skills that makes today’s AI professionals stand out: strong software fundamentals plus applied ML and data-science experience.
  
  
• Why learning in public and sharing work, experiments and reflections online builds visibility, confidence and opportunity.
  
  
• 3 Key Insights Emma learned inside major organisations Procter & Gamble, JP Morgan and IBM.
  
  
• How her research into robotics perception in cluttered environments shows why messy, real-world data drives real progress.
  
  
• Why confidence and adaptability have become essential skills for anyone working with fast-moving technology.
  
  
• What early-career AI talent now looks for in employers: supportive cultures, genuine learning environments, and leaders who communicate with clarity and care.

Guest Information:

Connect with Emma Rattray on Linkedin

About Your Host: 

Shannon McKechnie is the Managing Director at MBN Solutions - the Data and AI talent experts, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams and authentic leadership. As co-host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon brings a grounded, people-first perspective to leadership ,exploring how trust, alignment, and shared success drive high-performing teams in today’s complex landscape.

Please note: The views expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not reflect those of their current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

I’ve been in this market for nearly 20 years and in that time, I’ve helped place over 4,000 senior leaders in data, analytics, and AI roles around the world from the dot com boom to big data.

What I’ve learned is this: technology isn’t the hard part. Leadership and implementation is.

That’s why we’re back with Season 2 of A Class Act, and this time, we’re calling it Navigating the AI Landscape - because right now, it really does feel like uncharted territory.

In this season, you’ll hear real stories from founders, engineers and executives who are actually in it, the ones leading AI change inside their organisations today.

We’ll talk about:

• What’s really working (and what’s not).
• How leaders are embedding AI into their businesses right now.
• And the skills and mindset you’ll need to lead and hire effectively in this new landscape.

If you’re sitting in the boardroom wondering what you should be doing about AI, this season is for you.

🎧 Subscribe now and join us as we explore how to turn AI from buzzword to business results.

What does it take to build high-performing teams in today’s product and tech landscape - and how do you keep your own leadership evolving in the process?

In this episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon McKechnie, Managing Director at MBN Solutions, is joined by Adriana Ignat - a Pproduct Management and Design leader and an AI specialist, whose career includes more than a decade at Google and roles leading product innovation in high-growth, data rich M&A-driven environments. 

From her early days as an apprentice in Poland to shaping Google’s presence in Romania, Adriana brings depth, humility, and sharp insight into what it really means to lead in the modern workplace.

This is not a conversation about titles or frameworks. It’s about the inner work of leadership, and what it takes to build capability that lasts.

In this episode, Adriana shares:

• What more than a decade at Google taught her about product, leadership and herself
• Why your team’s strength should never rely on your presence in the room
• The “Jenga Tower” model of talent development and how it transforms how you lead
• Why being a great individual contributor is still essential, even when you lead
• How to spot genuine capability in the age of AI-generated CVs
• Imposter syndrome in leadership and how to work through it

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Adriana Ignat in this episode are her own and do not reflect those of her current or former employers.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

Connect with Adriana Ignat on LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianaignat/

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What does it take to thrive across 35 years in data leadership? And how do you build high-performing teams – not just for now, but for the future?

In this inaugural episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Michael Young sits down with a true veteran of the data world: Graeme McDermott, Chief Data Officer at Tempcover. 

From his early actuarial days to leading enterprise data transformations through five company acquisitions, Graeme brings insights into what makes a modern data leader tick – and stick.

But this conversation isn’t just about strategy or statistics. It’s also a real, and revealing look at the human side of leadership: the power of trust, the cost of tough decisions, and the long game of building both teams and friendships that last decades.

Expect stories and every aspiring leader needs to hear.

In this episode, they explore:

• What 35 years in data leadership teaches you (and why Graeme is still not done learning)
• How to build high-performing teams in high-pressure environments
• The shift from transactional to trusted relationships – in business and beyond
• Why some data leaders succeed short-term, but fail to scale
• The power of mentorship, memory, and making the complex feel simple

If you lead (or aspire to lead) in the world of data, analytics, or digital transformation – this is a must-listen.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

Connect with Graeme McDermott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefdataanalyticsofficerlondon/

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

Welcome to A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership.

I’m Michael, and after nearly two decades leading data talent acquisition with MBN Solutions, I’ve seen firsthand that exceptional teams don’t just happen - they’re built. They’re crafted by placing the right people in the right roles, at exactly the right time.

This podcast pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams in today’s data-driven world. 

Each episode, we sit down with the leaders shaping the future of technology and analytics - those who’ve made critical hires, driven digital transformation, and led with purpose and vision.

You’ll hear real-world stories, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes insights from the front lines of data science, recruitment, and leadership.

Whether you’re leading data, AI, or analytics teams, shaping strategy, or scaling capability, our conversations are candid, experience-led, and grounded in the realities of building and leading in this space. Real insights from those who’ve done the hard yards at the forefront of data and leadership.

The podcast officially launches on May 20, 2025.

Hit follow on your favorite podcast streaming platform to join the conversation and be notified when a new episode is live.

Connect with Michael and MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What if you could sit down with an engineer who’s building AI partnerships alongside the top companies shaping the future like OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Microsoft?

That’s exactly what we’re doing today.

In this Season 2 opener, host Michael Young sits down with Tom McLaughlin, Forward Deployed Engineer at Tomoro. Their partnerships with the pioneers behind the world’s most powerful models mean clients get early access and deep integrations that keep them months ahead of the curve.

Tom’s journey has taken him from Computer Science at Strathclyde, through J.P. Morgan, to founding his own AI consultancy and now to helping some of the world’s biggest organisations turn AI from buzzword into business results.

In this conversation, we ask the question: 

How do you actually make AI work in practice?

You’ll hear:

• How Tomoro’s Strategy → Solution → Scale framework takes AI from idea to impact.
• What it’s like to build alongside OpenAI on enterprise projects.
• Lessons from Supercell on shipping production-ready AI safely.
• Why embedding engineers with client teams accelerates success.
• The leadership, mindset and cultural changes needed to actually make AI work.
  
  

If you lead Data, Digital, or AI strategy and want to understand how to move from experimentation to execution, this conversation offers practical insight from someone who’s in the trenches.

Guest Information:

• Connect with Tom McLaughlin on Linkedin
• Discover Tomoro

About Your Host:  Michael Young is the Managing Director of MBN Solutions and host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership. With nearly two decades of experience helping organisations build high-performing data, analytics, and AI teams, he brings frontline insight into what makes exceptional talent and leadership.

Please note: The views expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not reflect those of their current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

In this episode, host Michael is joined by Kent Mackenzie, Group Chief Operating Officer at Corlytics and former Deloitte Partner.

Kent’s career has taken him from pulling apart ATMs as a curious young technologist, to leading Deloitte’s global FinTech and RegTech practice, and now to scaling one of the leading names in regulatory technology.

You’ll hear:

• Why “you don’t need to have all the answers” is one of the most powerful leadership lessons
• Kent’s framework for building high-performing teams: trust, competence, and psychological safety
• The biggest mistakes leaders make when scaling FinTech and RegTech solutions
• The hard calls he’s made, from retraining staff to steering business exits
• Why “it is AI” that will reshape SaaS and demand new human-centric leadership skills
  
  

Kent also shares his personal philosophy - from Stoic ideas like amor fati (“love your fate”) to simple rituals like Sunday pancakes - that keep him grounded while leading through complexity.

If you’re leading teams in FinTech, data, or AI, this episode offers practical strategies and honest reflections on what it really takes to lead through change.

Connect with Kent MacKenzie on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-mackenzie-b807685/

About Your Host:  Michael Young is the Managing Director of MBN Solutions and host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership. With nearly two decades of experience helping organisations build high-performing data, analytics, and AI teams, he brings frontline insight into what makes exceptional talent and leadership.

Please note: The views expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not reflect those of their current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What can AI teach us about leadership when you’re a decade ahead of the curve?

In this episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data and Leadership, host Shannon speaks with David Meikle, founder of BloxWeaver and former CTO at Lingo24. David reflects on the leadership lessons he learned introducing AI and automation into the translation industry nearly ten years before most businesses began facing the same challenges.

From the fear of job loss to the need for psychological safety, David shares how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty, transformation, and growth.

You’ll discover:

• How to lead teams through fear of AI and show its value.
  
  
• Why psychological safety is essential for innovation and high performance.
  
  
• How David rebuilt trust after leading a restructure early in his career.
  
  
• The leadership principles behind scaling from 12% to 98% online orders in a year.
  
  
• Why patience, adaptability, and strengths-based leadership matter most in change.
  
  

If you’re leading in data, technology, or any fast-moving industry, this conversation offers practical insights to help you build trust and unlock performance in the AI and tech industry.

Connect with David Meikle on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemeikle/

Discover BloxWeaver: https://bloxweaver.com/

About Your Host: Shannon McKechnie is the Managing Director at MBN Solutions - the Data and AI talent experts, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams and authentic leadership. As co-host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon brings a grounded, people-first perspective to leadership ,exploring how trust, alignment, and shared success drive high-performing teams in today’s complex landscape.

Please note: The views expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not reflect those of their current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Shannon McKechnie on LinkedIn – Follow Shannon for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Shannon here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What would you do if your first day as CEO started with no funding and ended with national lockdown?

That was the reality for Jude McCorry, now CEO of Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Centre.

In this episode of A Class Act, Jude joins Shannon for a conversation about her journey from Ireland to Scotland.

She left a successful career in Ireland, landed in Scotland with no job, and rebuilt not just her career but a network, a reputation, and an organisation that now leads national cyber resilience efforts.

As the CEO of one of Scotland’s most influential cyber organisations, Jude works across sectors from public services to enterprise and third sector - shaping how we respond to the evolving threats of fraud and cybercrime.

You’ll hear:

• Why Jude left a solid career in Ireland to start from scratch in Scotland
• The leadership lessons she learned building a network, a team, and an organisation during lockdown
• The importance of relationships and connections in the development of her leadership style
• The human cost of cyberattacks and what we can do to build resilience across every sector
• How partnerships with UNICEF and others have shown the power of public-private collaboration
• The one piece of advice she would give to leaders in the data and cyber space early in their career

Connect with Jude McCorry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-mccorry-5970911/

About Your Host: Shannon McKechnie is the Managing Director at MBN Solutions - the Data and AI talent experts, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams and authentic leadership. As co-host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon brings a grounded, people-first perspective to leadership ,exploring how trust, alignment, and shared success drive high-performing teams in today’s complex landscape.

Please note: The views expressed by Jude McCorry in this episode are her own and do not reflect those of her current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Shannon McKechnie on LinkedIn – Follow Shannon for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Shannon here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

She almost didn’t apply.

Gillian Docherty is one of the most influential figures in Scotland’s data and AI landscape - but she almost didn’t take the job that changed everything.

Recently named CEO of the Year at the DigiTech Awards, Gillian served as CEO of The Data Lab, Scotland’s national Innovation Centre for data and AI. She’s also a TEDx speaker and a vocal advocate for purpose-led leadership and inclusive tech.

In this conversation with Michael on A Class Act, Gillian shares her journey, what it really takes to build high-performing, mission-driven teams, and how Scotland can seize its next big opportunity in AI.

You’ll hear:

• What sparked Gillian’s early interest in tech and innovation growing up in Scotland
• The biggest leadership lessons from two decades at IBM
• How a last-minute recruiter call changed the trajectory of her career
• What great leadership looks like across public, academic, and commercial sectors
• Why creating purpose-driven, mission-led teams starts with how you recruit
• Where Scotland’s biggest AI and data opportunities are
• Gillian’s view on legacy, leadership, and raising strong, independent daughters

Connect with Gillian Docherty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-docherty/

About Your Host: Michael Young is the Managing Director of MBN Solutions and host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership. With nearly two decades of experience helping organisations build high-performing data, analytics, and AI teams, he brings frontline insight into what makes exceptional talent and leadership.

Please note: The views expressed by Gillian Docherty in this episode are his own and do not reflect those of his current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com