This fifth instalment of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0 concludes a quintet of insightful conversations about the tech innovation that’s having a huge impact on the world as we know it.

Matt Armstrong-Barnes, CTO for AI at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, joins Gareth and Kerensa for the final conversation of the series; this episode may be last but it’s certainly not least.

With a career spanning over 25 years, Matt has led game-changing transformation programmes across the public and private sector, he’s a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Chartered Engineer, and a passionate champion of open-source tools that make AI accessible for all.

Now as the CTO for AI at HPE, Matt’s role as a tech leader is marked by helping blue chip organisations navigate AI adoption.

Featuring stellar insight into what businesses need to prioritise for successful AI adoption, the surprising environmental cost of an AI query to the perils of 'AI washing,' and even how to explain AI to a six-year-old—this episode is the perfect conclusion to the AI Series 2.0!

Time stamps

• What excites Matt most about AI? (02:26)
• Matt’s favourite GenAI tools (03:50)
• The journey to CTO (06:07)
• The difference between Computer Science and IT (13:27)
• Why use cases for GenAI are problematic (15:34)
• How to ensure your data is AI-ready (22:07)
• Where are businesses failing most with AI strategy? (25:39)
• The industries most likely to be impacted by AI (37:47)
• Matt’s biggest AI fears (47:53)

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This week’s guest joins us for the penultimate instalment of TTLP’s AI Series to give a masterclass in how businesses can get the most out of AI. Dr Djamila Amimer, esteemed AI thought leader and founder of Mind Senses Global, joins Gareth and Kerensa and offers incredible insight into her path to becoming an AI expert.

Joining the Oil and Gas industry at the start of her career with a passion to drive change in environmental resource, Djamila’s tech journey is marked by a desire to optimise both technological development and societal impact. Using “AI for good” is a key component to her work in Mind Senses Global and her overall stance on AI usage in business.

Believing that “AI is more than a technology—it’s a way of thinking,” Djamila offers invaluable insights into how technology leaders can ethically harness AI to boost productivity and efficiency. This episode is an expert guide into AI and a perfect overview into some of the key points explored on this series so far. 

Time stamps

·       What excites Djamila most about the future of AI (02:27)

·       Why Djamila joined the oil and gas industry (06:23)

·       What is AI? (13:51)

·       Corporate lessons that were key for entrepreneurship (19:12)

·       What are AI hallucinations? (25:36)

·       Importance of human influence in AI (31:37)

·       Being more environmentally efficient with AI (36:00)

·       Battling bias with AI (42:12)

·       The key to AI consultations (48:41)

·       Combatting job displacement within AI (54:34)

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This week’s guest was part of a vision to build a “software powerhouse” through innovating SaaS like never before. Sridhar Iyengar, MD Europe at Zoho Corporation, joined the company at the time it was founded, and over the last 28 years, has played a crucial part in its success.

Navigating the scale-up phase through the dotcom boom, Sridhar’s journey within Zoho has been marked by the shift from telecoms to cloud computing, to more recently the advancement of AI. Throughout each technological shift, one thing has remained the same: Sridhar’s passion for innovating the software landscape.

By helping create a platform that can scale up to meet the needs of a changing society, Sridhar is a leader who is driven by ensuring the sustainability of SaaS for the future. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Sridhar? (02:02) 
• Growing your career whilst growing a business (03:00) 
• The impact of the dotcom boom (09:00) 
• Accelerating growth in a changing technology landscape (10:50) 
• The biggest differences between the European and Asian tech markets (14:04) 
• Identifying your competitors (16:24) 
• The effect of AI on SaaS (18:15) 
• How Zoho is training employees for AI readiness (22:40) 
• Achieving balance as a leader (31:10) 

*Book recommendation- The Culture Map, Erin Meyer https://www.amazon.co.uk/Culture-Map-Decoding-People-Cultures/dp/1610392760/ref=asc_df_1610392760?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401845130381&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001419460783&psc=1 

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Gareth interviews Ed Dixon, CEO of Bayezian, a talent incubator who aim to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing vocational coaching and placements services within Data Analytics and Data Science. We discussed setting up a business in 2020,  Gareth interviews Ed Dixon, CEO of Bayezian, a talent incubator who aim to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing vocational coaching and placement services within Data Analytics and Data Science. We discussed setting up a business in 2020,  acquiring Talent in the current climate, and adapting to change. 

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Gareth interviews Gareth Lewis the CEO of Delio. Gareth set up Delio 5 years ago at the age of 25 and now oversee's a trans-Atlantic operation, providing a white-label software platform to organisations like investment banks, wealth managers, and family offices. They have exciting growth plans and a very bright future. We talk about growth, culture and maintaining productivity and culture through this lockdown period.

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Gareth interviews Henri Moissinac  a computer science PhD from Paris who set up a highly successful e-commerce platform called iBazar in the late 90s which firstly was in competition with then got acquired by eBay in 2001. Henri then went on to work for the likes of Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook and Travis Kalanick at Uber, leading mobile strategy. Notably, Henri was instrumental in taking Facebook from 1 million to 1 billion mobile users during his tenure. His latest venture is DOTT, an exciting endeavor with a mission to make inner cities free of cars and pollution by way of their dockless, shared electrical scooters and bikes as alternatives for short-distance travel.

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Gareth interviews entrepreneur and philanthropist, Michael Tobin OBE who has had a colourful career from moving pianos around Old Kent Road to leading one of the biggest data centre companies in the world. An amazing story full of value. We cover pitfalls, comebacks and the impact of the recent pandemic on UK business.

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This month Gareth interviews, Gloucestershire based tech entrepreneur Chris Morling. Whilst working for Oracle and encouraged by his partner, Chris decided to take the plunge and set up his first business in 1999, a financial directory website and then went on to create over 50 websites in the early days of the affiliate marketing boom. 

With ambitions to create a business that made a real difference, money.co.uk was born and Chris spent the next 10 years building this innovative company into a market leader culminating in a lucrative exit in 2018. He is now embarking on a new adventure studee.com which help's students find international university places online. Some real snippets of wisdom from a true entrepreneur.

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Dave Chaplin is a prominent commentator and campaigner in the opposition to the off-payroll regulations and is the Founder of contractorcalculator.co.uk and ir35shield.co.uk. Dave has an impressive breadth of knowledge on this subject and delivers a narrative to thousands of UK based contractors through the various social media channels as this unfolds.  We discuss the story and initial intent of ir35 legislation from its conception in 1999 under Gordon Brown, through to the recent changes and entrance into the private sector and how this affects PSC's, SME owners and large companies who utilise contingent worker’s. 

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This month Gareth interviews Chief Technology Advocate of Starling Bank, Jason Maude. Starling Bank have spearheaded a new wave of challenger banks, who have managed, through technology innovation, to disrupt an industry which has remained largely unchanged for 150 years. Jason talks about his progression from being an engineer within an asset management consultancy through to becoming a tech leader in a rapidly growing organisation, built upon the objective of disrupting a broken banking system. We cover everything from Agile v Waterfall to the social impact of a cashless society. A fascinating conversation. 

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bedigital bring you conversations with established tech leaders influencing UK business today. From the challenges of sustainable growth, through to continuous innovation and everything in-between. These are the behind-the-scene stories and personal anecdotes of the leaders who are turning concepts into reality.

This months guest, Timo Boldt, really did help trail-blaze a new market category in the UK, alongside his business partner, and following a life-changing holiday to Italy, he left a very successful career in an investment bank and pursued his passion for cookery and built a business from the ground up. They now have five hundred staff, based out of their head office in Shepherd's Bush with considerable growth plans for 2020. We covered everything from tech and plastic reduction targets to the rise of plant-based eating and many snippets of wisdom in-between. 

An inspiring journey from a true entrepreneur who has created a unique tech-driven business with sustainability at the core of everything they do. 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

bedigital bring you conversations with established tech leaders influencing UK business today. From the challenges of sustainable growth, through to continuous innovation and everything in-between. These are the behind-the-scene stories and personal anecdotes of the leaders who are turning concepts into reality.

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In the UK, the housing market is a topic of conversation that’s on everyone’s lips right now. As soaring interest rates are making mortgages unobtainable for many, this has become a nation-wide crisis.  

This week’s guest has designed a platform to remedy many of the issues caused by the outdated British mortgage process, as Arjan Verbeek, Co-Founder and CEO of Perenna, is revolutionising mortgages for the masses. Taking influence from Danish banking practices, Perenna offer users flexible fixed-rate mortgages which are fully protected from interest rate fluctuations.  

Having worked in some of the most prominent banks across the globe, including Barclays and BNP Paribas, Arjan witnessed first-hand the financial problems within the housing market and set out to change them. Arjan’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by a desire to disrupt old systems and utilise tech for good. This episode is not to be missed! 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Arjan? (02:12) 
• Arjan’s insight into the financial crisis of 2008 (08:20) 
• Creating a challenger bank and securing a UK banking licence (12:20) 
• What’s wrong with the UK’s mortgage market? (18:51) 
• How Perenna makes mortgages accessible (22:28) 
• Keeping a working culture cohesive (28:40) 
• Technology trends that will innovate banking (33:57) 
• Arjan’s tips for maintaining balance and productivity (40:28) 
• Advice to his 21-year-old self (43:44) 

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This week’s guest is an extremely experienced entrepreneur, as after being a founder 15 times, Tim Levy, Founder and CEO of Twyn, has made waves in industries from insurance to entertainment. Tim joins Gareth to discuss his colourful career journey that has brought him most recently to the world of AI.

After leaving his position as director at an insurance broker firm, Tim set his entrepreneurial sights on the bright lights of Hollywood and plunged into the waters of the entertainment industry. His first company Factor 8 Films helped finance, produce and distribute many iconic movies, including Jurassic World and Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 & 3. 

Now, Tim’s latest venture harnesses his experience in the entertainment industry and combines it with cutting-edge technology. Twyn is a platform that aims to ‘revolutionise digital interaction’ by creating digital twins of celebrities, whereby users can engage in conversation with them; starting with football legend, Lionel Messi. This conversation explores the interesting concept of authenticity in AI and is not to be missed!

·       What does good leadership mean to Tim? (02:14)

·       Making a drastic career change (06:02)

·       Generating 10 billion dollars in the film industry (09:50)

·       Tim’s investment strategy (14:50)

·       Investing in sustainability to invest in the future (17:52)

·       Tim’s top advice for investors and entrepreneurs (28:10)

·       What is Twyn and how does it work? (35:09)

·       Working with Lionel Messi (41:39)

·       What excites Tim most about the future of AI (47:00)

·       Tim’s advice to his 21-year-old self (50:38)

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s guest turned tragedy into tech innovation with a platform designed to transform the way we all deal with death. Sam Grice, CEO and Founder of Octopus Legacy (formerly Guardian Angel) has created a platform that manages all aspects surrounding death; from will creation to bereavement support. 

Sam was always destined from entrepreneurial success, as both his parents were keen entrepreneurs, and he put his hereditary expertise to the test with a food and supplement side hustle. However, it wasn’t until the tragic loss of his mum, did the full extent of Sam’s passion for innovation flourish with the creation of Guardian Angel (now Octopus Legacy). 

Being a key player in propelling the death-tech industry forward, Sam is a tech leader that is paving the way in an industry that affects each and every one of us. This episode covers an incredibly inspirational entrepreneurial journey and is not to be missed!

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Sam? (02:10) 
• Early exposure to life as an entrepreneur (03:25) 
• Starting out with a side hustle (06:00) 
• The tragedy that shaped Sam’s tech career (08:18) 
• Creating Guardian Angel (12:12) 
• Overcoming the obstacles within death-tech (17:04) 
• What is a founder’s ‘kryptonite’? (22:00) 
• Acquisition by Octopus Group (29:12) 
• The Future of Octopus Legacy (33:31) 
• How Sam achieves balance (43:10) 
• Advice to young founders (44:43) 

Book recommendation: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, Dr, Dan Ariely - Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions: Amazon.co.uk: Ariely, Dr Dan: 9780061854545: Books

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s episode focuses on a groundbreaking piece of technology that aims to reshape the world as we know it, even putting supercomputers to shame. Simon Phillips, CTO at Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), joins Gareth to give us insight into the potentially groundbreaking world of Quantum Computing. 

Dropping out of school early, Simon’s tech career started in the video game industry, working on some legendary games such as Championship Manager. Simon has always gravitated towards innovative technology, which culminated in him joining OQC to explore the endless possibilities of quantum computing. 

The potential of quantum technology is not to be underestimated, as Simon explains that this technology can, and will, change the world. However, this conversation explores the importance of keeping a ‘human element’ within our engagement with technology; we should be absorbing technology into our lives, not being absorbed by it. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Simon? (02:21) 
• “High school drop-out” to computer game innovator (04:18) 
• Developing Championship Manager (08:49) 
• The beginning of quantum computing (13:50) 
• The reality of quantum computing today (22:40) 
• Real-world applications of quantum computing (27:19) 
• The next phase of human-technology interactions (38:08) 
• Simon’s stellar productivity advice (40:53) 
• His advice to his younger self (42:50) 

*Book recommendation- Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, Chris Miller. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology: Amazon.co.uk: Miller, Chris: 9781398504127: Books 

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This week’s guest is a self-proclaimed “consulting industry veteran”, and after being in the tech space for over 25 years, Kelly Manthey, Global CEO at Kin + Carta is a tech leader with a compelling story to tell.  

After delving into the corporate world straight from university and securing a role as a consultant at Accenture, Kelly trained as an applications developer before her trajectory to the top. Following the mantra that “standing still is not a strategy”, her experience within both the corporate and start-up realms has ultimately shaped Kelly’s journey to Global CEO. 

In this episode, Kelly attributes her success as a leader to 3 main aspects: being a steward of the business, being a good ally, and being a futurist. This conversation uncovers not only her incredible journey as a technologist, but also Kelly’s stellar advice as a trail-blazing tech leader. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Kelly? (02:00) 
• The journey to becoming a consulting industry veteran (03:28) 
• Lessons from joining Accenture as a graduate (05:54) 
• Leaving the corporate world for success in a start-up (08:26) 
• The role of a Global CEO (14:25) 
• Benefits of being a B Corp? (19:00) 
• The difference between British and US consulting firms (21:50) 
• Are companies really embracing AI? (27:50) 
• Kelly’s top productivity tips (38:08) 
• Advice to her younger self (41:01) 
• The future of the female CEO (42:43) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In honour of National Robotics Week, this episode features a guest who’s on a mission to create a world where people “work with robots, not like robots”.

Anders Billesø Beck joins Gareth on this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast to discuss his journey to tech leadership in the revolutionary field of robotics. From his poolside background as a national swimmer, Anders recounts how he dove headfirst into the world of robotics during his time studying at the Technical University of Denmark. 

Championing the innovative Danish tech scene, Anders’ current role at Universal Robots aims to bring robotics into the mainstream through the groundbreaking creation of ‘Cobots’: robots that are designed specifically for direct human interaction. 

Not only is Anders an expert in tech innovation, as he also has stellar advice for thriving as a tech leader, encouraging people to “draw the line and find your time” to ensure a positive work-life balance.

Time stamps

·       What does good leadership mean to Anders? (01:43)

·       Diving into the world of robotics (03:57)

·       The dawn of Denmark as a tech hub (09:32)

·       Universal Robots and the rise of Cobots (13:30)

·       Will a robot take your job? (21:57)

·       Making robots mainstream (23:58)

·       How Generative AI is enhancing the field of robotics (30:47)

·       How to achieve balance as a tech leader (38:23)

·       What Anders would tell his 21-year-old self (42:40)

*Book recommendation - The Wide Lens, Ron Adner The Wide Lens By Ron Adner | Used | 9781591846291 | World of Books (wob.com)

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This week, Gareth is joined by a leader responsible for building one of the biggest software observability platforms across the globe. CTO of Dynatrace, Bernd Greifeneder, features on this episode to tell all about his role in developing the revolutionary platform which harnesses AI and automation for unified observability and security. 

Offering insight into the key milestones of Dynatrace’s evolution, including their decision to go for public investment and their role in developing and utilising AI, Bernd exemplifies his role as a key figure in the software space. The introduction of a Chief AI Officer emerges as a focal point in the conversation, as Gareth and Bernd discuss the future of AI at great lengths, highlighting the anticipation of future technology disrupting the corporate landscape. 

Believing that proactively driving change is the key differentiator between managers and leaders, Bernd’s hands-on role in building Dynatrace from the ground up illustrates his influence as an established tech leader.  

Time stamps 

• What good leadership means to Bernd (02:06) 
• The early years of Dynatrace (06:28) 
• The case for taking acquiring public investment (18:35) 
• The 3 emerging types of AI (21:22) 
• The rise of the Chief AI Officer (20:58) 
• Bernd’s biggest cybersecurity concerns (27:35) 
• Dynatrace’s revolutionary new tech (35:00) 
• Achieving balance to battle burnout (40:37) 
• Bernd’s advice to his 21-year-old self (43:40) 

*Book recommendation: The One Minute Manager, Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson - The New One Minute Manager (The One Minute Manager): Amazon.co.uk: Blanchard, Kenneth, Johnson, Spencer: 9780008128043: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

What does a house robbery and a cyber-attack have in common?  

According to this week’s guest, Lianne Potter, Head of SecOps at Asda, it’s the people involved. On a mission to showcase the people-centric side of cybersecurity, Lianne is a trailblazing ‘Cyber Anthropologist’ and joins Gareth this week to discuss her journey to tech leadership. 

From wedding photography to anthropology and eventually cyber security, Lianne’s road to tech is a varied one. Not only is she a cybersecurity leader at one of the biggest supermarkets in the UK, she also hosts her own podcast which aims to bridge the gap between security and innovation. 

This week’s episode explores the world of cyber security through a human-centric lens, and focuses on the people behind the tech. If you’re interested in all-things cyber safety, this is the episode for you! 

 Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Lianne? (01:30) 
• Lianne’s unconventional journey into tech (10:00) 
• Combatting the digital divide (12:34) 
• Switching careers in your 30’s (17:31) 
• The current, most concerning cyber threats (24:00) 
• What is Cyber Anthropology (25:22) 
• Developing AnthroSecurist (29:18) 
• AI and the democratisation of productivity (33:20) 
• Lianne’s Compromising Positions (41:57) 
• Advice to her 21- year-old self (44:40) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

“The purpose of SAP is to make the world run better— It’s designed to improve every business process”. 

This week, Gareth is joined by a leader from one of the biggest software companies on the planet, SAP. Renaud Heyd, CFO of the software powerhouse in the UK, tells us all about his 25 years working for SAP and how they’ve shaped him into the tech leader that he is today. 

Renaud joined SAP straight after completing his MSc in Finance, and for the last 25 years, hasn’t looked back since. He attributes his longevity at SAP to the ability to be his authentic self in a company that fosters growth and the ability to seize opportunities. 

With a customer base that generates 87% of total global commerce, Renaud’s role as CFO is no small task. This episode is overflowing with stellar leadership advice and expert insight into the journey to CFO, as Renaud’s workplace mantra of “you can either change roles or change the role itself” has resulted in his success at the 3rd largest software company worldwide.

Time stamps 

• What good leadership means to Renaud (02:20) 
• The journey to CFO (04:02) 
• Evolving the role of a CFO (09:09) 
• The benefits of SAP cloud migration (14:35) 
• SAP’s influence in developing nations (21:55) 
• How ready are SAP customers for AI capability? (23:49) 
• Renaud’s view on the future of AI (31:19) 
• How to make it big in the finance industry (32:50) 
• SAP’s new sustainable tech (38:44) 
• Renaud’s advice to his 21-year-old self (42:52) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

For the third instalment of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0, we wanted to bring in a tech leader with a different outlook on AI,  CTO and co-founder of PensionBee and self-confessed AI sceptic, Jonathan Lister-Parsons. 

This episode marks Jonathan’s second feature on TTLP, and this time he joins Gareth and Kerensa discuss not only PensionBee and how they transformed the pension market, but also Jonathan’s unique perspective on AI innovation. Reinforcing the fact that AI exists as “the output of human input”, Jonathan explains the current AI ‘hype cycle’ and why an AI apocalypse is not on the cards.

From his role in bringing pensions to the forefront of table-top discussions, to his assurance in the stability of a human-centred labour market, this episode is perfect for leaders who want to understand how to harness technology in a safe, responsible, and genuinely impactful way.

Time stamps 

• What excites Jonathan most about GenAI? (02:28) 
• Jonathan’s favourite AI tools (05:20) 
• Innovating the pension industry (08:55) 
• Balancing dynamics between co-founders (17:42) 
• Defining AI (22:20) 
• How has GenAI improved PensionBee’s vision (28:31) 
• Does Jonathan fear an AI Apocalypse? (39:00) 
• AI in education (42:48) 
• Regulating FinTech (47:12) 
• Security considerations for GenAI (49:51) 
• The future of PensionBee (56:00) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Once claiming to the US Senate that he could ‘take down the internet in 30 minutes’, this week’s guest gives us insight into the underbelly of the cyberworld. Chris Wysopal, founder and CTO of Veracode, tells us all about his experience as an ethical hacker and how he and his team at L0pht pioneered the way for cybersecurity. 

From taking an interest in the potential of cyber hacking at the start of the online era, to being a trailblazer in the discovery of IT vulnerability as a whole; Chris and his team were at the forefront of raising cyber risk awareness. Determined to battle the ‘bad guy image’ in cybersecurity, the L0pht team were on a mission to showcase the fallibility of big vendors, such as Microsoft, and evidence they need for effective security measures. 

Now, Chris’ colourful past shapes the security-led solutions of Veracode, a platform that detects flaws and vulnerabilities at every stage of the modern software development lifecycle. This interview is a deep dive into the depths of cyber security and is not to be missed! 

 

Timestamps 

• What does Good Leadership means to Chris? (02:20) 
• Pioneering the start of cybersecurity (04:20) 
• Starting a hacker collective (07:18) 
• L0pht’s biggest cybersecurity breakthroughs (12:47) 
• Challenging the US Senate with cyber risks  (18:00) 
• Are governments doing enough to prevent cyber-attacks? (22:12) 
• GenAI’s role in cybersecurity (32:00) 
• An introduction to Veracode (34:24) 
• Chris’ advice to his 21-year-old self (43:24) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

If you’re looking for a truly authentic insight into entrepreneurship, look no further than this week’s episode. Gareth is joined by Tom O’Sullivan, ex-army veteran and founder of software development company Animus Bytes, and the pair candidly discuss Tom’s journey from battlefield to business meeting. 

Tom’s leadership journey began in Helmand Province, where he was stationed during his time in the military and led a team of 90 soldiers. After his departure, his interest in risk and security lead him to the realm of cybersecurity and the technology space. At Animus Bytes, Tom and his team are currently working on an application called Migrant Watch, where vulnerable people at sea can be detected and rescued using AI, machine learning and NLP technology.  

From walking away from his own business that was no longer serving him, to realising his passions and starting over with Animus Bytes, Tom’s tech journey is emblematic of the trials and tribulations that are faced by founders everywhere. This episode is jampacked with stellar leadership advice, meditation tips and all-round interesting anecdotes— it’s not to be missed!

Timestamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Tom? (02:26) 
• Lessons learned from Tom’s time in the army (05:20) 
• Mindful meditation (09:15) 
• Starting a cybersecurity start-up (17:02) 
• Facing failure as a founder (22:57) 
• What is Animus Bytes? (27:45) 
• How Animus Bytes is combatting the migration problem (30:35) 
• The similarities between AI and nuclear weapons (45:18) 
• Tom’s advice to his pre-military self (53:25) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

The already evolving cloud computing space is undergoing an accelerated period of change, in light of the emergence of Generative AI technology. This week, Gareth is joined by Cloud Computing Expert and VP of Strategic Initiatives at AWS, Brian ‘Tap’ Taptich.  

This episode uncovers Brian’s journey to becoming a leader in the largest cloud service provider on the market, which ultimately began with a ‘early midlife crisis’ in the form of a motorcycle trip around the US. His ability to lead tech companies is exemplified through his phenomenal career history; as he worked to save Bitcasa from insolvency on the 6th day of being the CEO, Brian’s leadership skills have truly been tried and tested. 

Brian tells us what makes AWS such a powerhouse in the cloud computing space, from abolishing ‘PowerPoint culture’ to values that ‘can be learned but are mostly earned’. He offers stellar advice to CEOs, including how to be a ‘benevolent dictator’ and strike the right balance between business and culture. If you’re interested in finding out how to be successful in the cloud space, this episode is not to be missed. 

Time stamps 

• An introduction to ‘Tap’ (01:34) 
• What good leadership means to Brian (02:17) 
• The milestones that made him (03:55) 
• The dotcom boom vs. the AI revolution (07:41) 
• The biggest lessons from building Bitcasa (10:05) 
• What surprised Brian most when joining AWS (13:39) 
• The relationship between AWS and Amazon (16:00) 
• Brian’s prediction of AWS’ future evolution (30:15) 
• Brian’s best productivity tips (41:18) 

*Book recommendation- Blue Highways: A Journey into America, William Least Heat-Moon Blue Highways: A Journey Into America : Heat Moon, William Least, McKibben, Bill: Amazon.co.uk: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

As Christmas is just round the corner, this week’s guest epitomises the season of goodwill in the form of angel investment. Sarah Turner, CEO and Co-founder of Angel Academe, joins Gareth to discuss her role in bridging the gap to support female entrepreneurs. 

In this episode, Sarah recalls the ‘lucky accidents’ that got her into the tech industry, as she is keen to dispel any preconceptions that the road to tech is a linear one. Her passion for digital media guided her on a journey from the corporate world to a start-up environment which ultimately lit a flame for entrepreneurialism, culminating in her journey to becoming an angel investor. 

Sarah was recently ranked 2nd on Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in Tech list 2023, reinforcing her recognition as a prominent figure in the tech start up investment world. Sarah’s innovative platform challenges angel investment norms, and allows female led start-ups to access top investors.  

Timestamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Sarah? (01:49) 
• Sarah’s transition into tech (03:15) 
• First experience with a start-up (06:35) 
• What is the purpose of Angel Academe? (13:06) 
• Female-focused entrepreneurship (17:15) 
• Angel Academe’s unique selling points (23:20) 
• Sarah’s stellar advice for entrepreneurs (25:15) 
• The biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make (28:55) 
• Talking ChatGPT and its impact (41:00) 
• Sarah’s advice to her younger self (41:40) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week, in a TTLP first, we have a second guest from a company that’s already made waves on our podcast, KPMG. There’s no better guest to return to represent this powerhouse consultancy than Paul Henninger, UK Head of Connected Technology and Global of Digital Lighthouse.  

Paul joins Gareth to discuss his journey (and return) to leadership within KPMG, as well as the key milestones that he reached along the way. From working on the groundbreaking development of machine learning for cancer diagnoses 15 years ago, Paul’s passion for automation has marked his career and driven him to be a leader in the space. 

This episode delves into the intricacies of AI adoption and what that means for big organisations like KPMG, as well as the wider labour market. If you’re interested in hearing about Paul’s journey to the top, be sure to tune in to hear his incredible AI insights!

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Paul? (01:37) 
• Paul’s early involvement in machine learning and cancer detection (06:05) 
• The big move from New York to London (08:20) 
• Keeping with KPMG (14:40) 
• AI and job displacement (18:25) 
• Regional differences in AI adoption (27:43) 
• What Paul fears most about AI (33:45) 
• Paul’s advice to his 21-year-old self (39:25) 
• How Paul stays productive (41:13) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week, Helen Kelisky, MD at Google Cloud UKI joins Gareth to discuss her leadership journey; from securing a role in juggernaut IBM, marking her entry into the tech space, to joining the powerhouse that is Google Cloud as the Managing Director UKI.  

A proud advocate for diversity in tech, Helen has been recognised on Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in Tech list for the last 6 years, exemplifying both her career successes and her external volunteering in organisations such as Women in Telecoms & Technology (WiTT). 

Helen gives us insight into her leadership success and how to manage a team in the most effective way possible, ensuring that ‘every day is a learning day’, even for leaders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious to know more about cloud computing or anyone in need of some stellar leadership advice— we’ve got you covered. 

Timestamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Helen? (01:36) 
• Inclusivity in tech (04:42) 
• An introduction to Helen (07:22) 
• Helen’s journey into tech (09:30) 
• The workplace cultures of IBM, Salesforce and Google (13:15) 
• What problems are Google Cloud trying to solve? (19:10) 
• Helen’s productivity and work-life balance tips (29:26) 
• Advice to her younger self (32:20) 
• Helen’s charitable initiatives outside of work (33:44) 

*Book recommendations: Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, Arbinger institute Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting... by Arbinger Institute (amazon.co.uk) / The Tipping Point, Malcom Gladwell The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference: Amazon.co.uk: Malcolm Gladwell: 9780349113463: Books / Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling & Ola Rosling & Anna Rosling Rönnlund Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About... by Rosling, Hans (amazon.co.uk) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

On this week’s episode, we delve into a topic that’s a bit closer to home for us at TTLP and bedigital: IT software and licensing. Combining bedigital’s expert software services and our TTLP mission statement to uncover the stories of the biggest names in tech, this week’s guest is a leader in the software management space. 

Phil Hames, MD at The Business Software Centre (TBSC), joins Gareth to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s riding the wave of the Software-as-a-Service evolution. Phil and his team at TBSC utilise their expertise to help customers optimise their software usage in a quick and cost-effective way, ensuring that companies make the most of their SaaS. With an innovative focus on cybersecurity within Microsoft 365, TBSC’s unique products and services mean that they’re leaders in the software management industry. 

Having been in this field since the 80s, Phil’s career has been shaped by the rise of SaaS and his career journey to forming TBSC has proven that he truly is an expert in the space. Want to smarten up your knowledge on SaaS? Then this is the perfect episode for you! 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Phil? (02:04)  
• Setting up a software company (02:46) 
• The evolution of Software-as-a-Service (09:95) 
• The future of SaaS (11:55) 
• The cybersecurity threats that are slipping through the net (14:33) 
• What is Shadow IT? (16:42) 
• Starting out as an entrepreneur (20:08) 
• What is Smarter SaaS? (24:04)  
• Phil’s outlook on AI (32:54) 
• Advice to 21-year-old self (36:15) 

Book recommendation- The Strangest Secret, Earl Nightingale  

The Strangest Secret: Amazon.co.uk: Nightingale, Earl: 9781603865579: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

At a time when we’re all looking for environmentally friendly yet efficient travel, the railway industry is booming with popularity and investment. Our tech leader this week, Milena Nikolic is at the forefront of this sector. As CTO at Trainline, she is leading the team at one of the largest companies operating in this area. 

Milena joins Gareth to discuss her journey towards becoming a tech leader; from competing in coding competitions in Serbia to securing an internship at tech giant Google. Despite never initially being drawn to a leadership position, after being a part of Google’s immense growth period, Milena noticed that any problems they were facing were due to people, not technology. This want to incite change in Google’s company culture led to her becoming an Engineering Manager before ultimately being promoted to Engineering Director within her 12 years at the tech giant. 

Now as the CTO of Trainline, Milena discusses her role in one of the largest sectors across the globe, ensuring that she drives her team through goal setting, trusting the process, and being able to take things one step at a time. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Milena? (03:37) 
• Climbing the ranks at Google (04:55) 
• What Milena would change about her time at Google (08:37) 
• Google’s innovation initiative (11:04) 
• The key to successful delegation (12:55) 
• Milena’s backstory (15:05) 
• Transitioning to Trainline (17:40) 
• Transforming Trainline with AI (26:00) 
• What does a CTO do? (33:10) 
• Preventing burnout (35:00) 
• The progress of equality within the tech industry (36:35) 
• Milena’s advice to her younger self (38:30) 

*Book recommendation: Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, by Cheryl Sandberg Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Amazon.co.uk: Sandberg, Sheryl: 9780753541647: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In this digital age of hyperconnectivity, ensuring your business is cyber-secure is crucial. That’s where this week’s guest comes in. Daniel Schiappa, Chief Product Officer at Arctic Wolf, joins Gareth to discuss his top tips for tech leadership and what’s happening right now in the cybersecurity space.  

Warning that the AI arms race has turned into a nuclear arms race, Daniel gives advice on what we all should be concerned about regarding AI regulations and how smaller companies can defend themselves against security breaches. 

Daniel has experience working in some of the largest tech companies across the globe, including Oracle, Microsoft, and Sophos before ultimately joining the team at Arctic Wolf. With a passion for cybersecurity guiding his journey to CPO, Daniel tells us of his highlights; from working with tech geniuses like Bill Gates, to receiving a life-changing letter from the UK government stating that the western civilisation is dependent on the work of himself and his team. 

Daniel is an influential tech leader with an unusual leadership mantra originating from a galaxy far, far away. He believes that ‘“there’s a time to be Yoda and there’s a time to be Darth Vader”’, and this duality of encouragement and ruthless determination is what keeps him and his leadership team ahead of the game. 

• What does good leadership mean to Daniel? (02:12) 
• Daniel’s key career milestones (04:33) 
• Working with Bill Gates (11:28) 
• The greatest engineering highlight of his career (14:00) 
• Daniel’s role at Arctic Wolf (16:00) 
• The cyberthreats that keep Daniel up at night (21:10) 
• How to avoid cyberthreats as a smaller company (26:21) 
• What is quantum computing? (34:16) 
• Why cybersecurity is the perfect career path in 2023 (35:50) 
• Daniel’s advice to his 21-year-old self (39:50)

 *Book recommendation – The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today, Ken Blanchard The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today eBook : Blanchard, Kenneth, Muchnick, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

When we think about the success of a business, we think about stats, popularity, and growth. But what about the employee? 

Our guest this week is focused on prioritising the people, as the Director of EMEA Solutions at Qualtrics, Sally Winston joins Gareth to discuss the exciting world of employee experience (EX).  

With a background in psychology, Sally is passionate about ensuring her leadership is marked by empathy, as she believes that treating each employee as an individual is the key to a successful business, no matter how big the head count.  

This conversation explores how the world of EX interacts with technology, and how both AI and psychometric systems can help us know more about ourselves and how we interact with our workspace. 

 
Time stamps 

• What good leadership means to Sally (02:20) 
• How Sally started out (04:30) 
• Employee experience vs. customer experience (11:00) 
• The greatest difference between millennials and Gen Z in the workplace (14:39) 
• How much do psychometric systems reveal about ourselves? (25:25) 
• Qualtrics ‘TACOS’ values (29:04) 
• AI and EX (32:27) 
• How Qualtrics is embracing the age of AI (37:00) 
• Sally’s advice to her younger self (41:25) 

*Book recommendation: ‘So Good They Can’t Ignore You’ by Cal Newport So Good They Can't Ignore You: Amazon.co.uk: Newport, Cal: 9780349415864: Books * 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

*Brought to you by bedigital*

We’re back with the second episode of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0, where Gareth and Kerensa are joined by an AI leader driving change at one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, Jair Ribeiro, Analytics and Insights Lead at Volvo.

Swedish automotive brand Volvo, approaching its 100-year anniversary, is one of the most iconic automotive brands globally and is at the forefront of AI and generative AI innovation. 

Growing up in Brazil, Jair moved to Europe, where he worked with major industry players like Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and now, Volvo. An expert in both traditional and generative AI models, with a deep understanding of the ethical dimensions of AI adoption, Jair is a recognized thought leader in AI innovation.

In this episode, we explore a wide range of topics, from ethical AI and the diverse applications of generative AI to how businesses can leverage data more effectively. This episode is a masterclass in the multiplicity of AI, as told by a true expert in the field.

Time stamps 

• What most excites Jair about AI adoption? (02:59) 
• From humanist to technologist (04:30) 
• Why creativity is crucial to success with AI (06:00) 
• Lessons learned from IBM (09:05) 
• The biggest mistakes businesses make with their data (13:34) 
• Democratising AI in education (20:52) 
• The difference between American and Swedish working cultures (27:54) 
• Volvo’s new ‘AI truck’ (33:00) 
• Ethical considerations of AI within trade (43:00) 
• How to be a good tech leader in the age of AI (53:53) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

On this week’s episode, we delve into the dynamic world of e-commerce, as Gareth is joined by Aidan Corbett, the visionary CEO of e-commerce funding business, and Ireland’s 6th home-grown tech unicorn, Wayflyer. Establishing a successful venture in this rapidly growing sector is no easy task, that’s where Aidan and his team come in; to help e-commerce entrepreneurs get the kick-start they need. 

This episode is jam-packed full of advice from not only Aidan’s perspective as an investor, but also through his personal journey as a tech entrepreneur himself. We get the inside scoop on the best ways to launch your e-commerce venture, including whether an MBA is actually worth the time (and money), and if coding is still a useful skill in this age of AI. 

Finding ‘“what feels like work to everyone else but feels like play to you”’ is a piece of Aidan’s stellar advice and is testament to his trajectory to the top of tech leadership. He demonstrates how important it is to play to your strengths and know your niche to excel in the e-commerce ecosystem.  

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Aidan? (02:43) 
• Entrepreneurial inspiration (05:38) 
• Is studying an MBA worth it? (07:41) 
• Can learning code still be useful? (11:28) 
• Starting out at McKinsey & Company (14:33) 
• Creating Conjura (20:20) 
• The biggest e-commerce mistakes that companies make (24:55) 
• How does Aidan assess potential investment opportunities (28:03) 
• Why Dublin is an entrepreneurial hotspot (32:53) 
• What social channel will make your start-up go viral? (35:50) 
• How AI is going to disrupt the e-commerce industry (37:40) 
• Aidan’s advice to his 21-year-old self (41:00) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do you feel like the world of Crypto is a bit… cryptic? 

Well, fear not, as Elke Karskens, UK Country Director at Coinbase, joins Gareth on this week’s episode to delve into this ‘digital alternative to Wall Street’ and discuss her role in one of the biggest businesses in the space.  

Growing up in Amsterdam, Elke was raised to focus on the importance of the greater good, which ultimately guided her career path to join numerous tech giants and play a vital role in their worldwide influence. Professing that she still ‘bleeds blue’ to this day, Elke tells all about her 12 years at Facebook and how the innovation she experienced there spurred her on to join the ground-breaking world of cryptocurrency. 

This episode is jam-packed with aspirational advice on how to become a tech leader whilst setting boundaries and rejecting the ‘disease to please’, as Elke maintains that the secret to success is prioritising the things that matter most.  

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Elke? (02:02) 
• Joining the TomTom trailblazers (08:14) 
• Scaling-up Skype (10:12) 
• Elke’s stand-out career milestones (14:30) 
• The Cambridge Analytica scandal (17:08) 
• Joining Coinbase (19:23) 
• How defi can change finance (23:38) 
• The FTX collapse (27:45) 
• Elke’s secret to success (33:10) 
• Is Coinbase going to utilise AI? (39:28) 
• Advice to her 21-year-old self (40:38) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

With climate change being the *hottest* topic of discussion at the moment, this week we’re delving into its effects on the business world, as Tommy Ricketts, Co-founder of BeZero Carbon, joins Gareth to give us the low-down on environmental economics. 

Tommy’s passion for both economy and ecology has shaped his entrepreneurial journey, ultimately leading to his creation of a service that transforms how businesses utilise carbon credits. BeZero Carbon offers an innovative solution to the lack of transparency in the current carbon credit system by rating and assessing the true emissions of corporations.  

From an alternate career dream of creating a screenplay about football referees, to advice on maintaining cultural cohesion in the workplace, this candid yet captivating conversation covers all bases of Tommy’s journey so far.  

The challenge to combat the carbon crisis is no small feat, so with companies like BeZero Carbon, businesses can hold themselves and each other accountable and turn intention into action to help stop climate change. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Tommy? (01:59) 
• Leveraging economic history (04:44) 
• A chance encounter and a life-changing text message (08:16) 
• The culture difference between UK and US FinTechs (12:21) 
• Being the Best (14:55) 
• Cultivating the climate economy (16:50) 
• Tommy’s screenplay side-hustle (19:05) 
• What is BeZero Carbon’s value proposition? (28:30) 
• Are big corporations guilty of greenwashing? (36:50) 
• Which tech innovations is Tommy is most excited about (43:20) 
• Tommy’s advice to his younger self (45:15) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do you know the similarities between a Naval team and a successful tech team? According to this week’s guest, it’s having a “no bullshit” working culture. 

Gareth is joined by Dominic von Trotha Taylor, ex-CEO at PayPoint turned Chairman and CEO iov42 as they explore his journey from submarines to tech leadership, the impact of blockchain, the danger of AI and ChatGPT - the “Rubbish in, Rubbish out” conundrum.

Dominic's success is testament to the power of diverse experiences. Growing up in West London, he was exposed to the world of commerce through his parents' antique dealing business in Portobello Road. Later, he ventured into the Navy, serving on submarines during the tense Cold War era, which instilled in him a no-nonsense leadership style with a direct purpose.

Dominic recounts his early career struggles and his fortuitous call back from Vodafone, where he played a crucial role in setting up the German branch, at a time when Vodafone was pioneering telephony and SMS messaging.

His subsequent journey as the former CEO of PayPoint revealed Dominic's innate ability to lead through the turbulent ever-changing landscape of the early Noughties, making PayPoint a trailblazer in the fintech space.

• What does good leadership mean to Dominic (02:15)
• Dominic’s tech voyage (04:35)
• Life and leadership on board a Royal Navy submarine (06:00)
• The fintech evolution (15:00)
• The dotcom boom and experiencing the Y2K issue (20:30)
• Why do people sell their businesses? (24:11)
• The benefits of working in a start-up company (28:30)
• What work is being done at iov42? (32:30)
• What is blockchain? (35:00)
• AI dangers of rubbish in, rubbish out (40:50)
• How to be more productive (44:00)
• Dominic’s advice to his 21-year-old-self (46:30)

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

If you’re looking for a snapshot of the latest in cybersecurity, then you’re in luck! In this week’s episode, Gareth is joined by Quentyn Taylor, Senior Director Information Security and Global Response at Canon, where the pair zoom in on all-things cyber safety.  

Being an established expert in the information security space, Quentyn rode the ‘dot com’ wave of the early noughties before ultimately landing a role in the photography manufacturing powerhouse that is Canon. From here, he’s become a renowned figure in the cyber space, not only from his seat in the office but also from his gadget-tastic YouTube channel (which you can check out here: (4) Quentyn Taylor - YouTube). 

The conversation covers everything from the Dark Web and security scandals to AI and moving away from ‘the age of reality’. Quentyn gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what really keeps CISO’s up at night and what we can all do to ensure we stay safe in this ever-changing online space.

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Quentyn? (03:45) 
• Surviving the Dot Com Bubble Burst (11:10) 
• The evolution of cybersecurity threats (15:30) 
• Deep diving into the Dark Web (19:00) 
• What are CISO’s worried about today? (22:22) 
• The SolarWinds scandal (24:40) 
• What type of company is Canon? (27:38) 
• How Canon is utilising AI (29:50) 
• Can AI be hacked? (36:40) 
• How to keep your online passwords safe (50:25) 
• Quentyn’s advice to his 21-year-old self (54:40) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In this thought-provoking episode, host Gareth Davies delves deep into the world of mental health diagnostics with Emilia Molimpakis, the visionary CEO of thymia; an online platform transforming the landscape of mental well-being using a powerful combination of gamification, AI, and neuro-linguistics. 

Drawing on her lifelong fascination with neuroscience, Emilia shares her compelling insights on the critical role empathy plays in effective leadership and emphasises the need for ethical guidelines in the realms of technology and healthcare. 

Throughout the interview, Emilia fearlessly addresses the inadequacies of our current mental health support system, shedding light on the alarming reality that countless individuals slip through the cracks due to its inherent failures. She also discusses the bureaucracy that is ultimately preventing the NHS from adopting technological advancements within mental health diagnostics. 

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Emilia imparts her most valuable lesson learned: the importance of staying true to one's vision and not succumbing to the allure of easy money. By steadfastly holding onto their goals, entrepreneurs can build impactful solutions that align with their core mission and values. 

Wrapping up the episode, Emilia offers heartfelt advice to individuals facing mental health struggles. Encouraging them not to lose hope, she emphasises the significance of making their voices heard. 

Timestamps  

• What does good leadership mean to Emilia (03:00)  
• What did Emilia want to be when she grew up (05:00)  
• How much does language shape our reality? (06:50)  
• Academic ambition (09:15)  
• The correlation between video games and brain function (12:00)  
• Emilia’s personal experience with mental health tragedy (13:00)  
• NHS vs. tech modernity (18:05)  
• Experience with Entrepreneur First (20:30)  
• Biggest lessons learnt (24:20)  
• How Thymia works (29:15)  
• How effective are current mental health diagnoses? (39:00)  
• Bureaucracy in the NHS (42:40)  
• Emilia’s advice to those struggling with their mental health (47:30)  
• Advice to her 21-year-old self (50:00)  
• What is Emilia most excited about in the AI revolution (52:00)  
• Emilia’s productivity advice (56:10) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do we need to worry about extinction from AI?! 

After 4 jam-packed conversations with some of the biggest thought leaders in the AI space, what better way to conclude our epic series than with someone who can give us the low-down on all things AI ethics. Sara El-Hanfy, Head of AI and Machine Learning at Innovate UK joins Gareth and Kerensa to conclude our A-list line up and discuss the importance of handling AI with care.  

From entering the tech space through an unconventional route (proving that it’s possible to study a STEM subject at university even without an A-Level in Maths!), Sara has been on a quest to ensure both AI accessibility and safety for businesses nationwide. Being an Advisory Board Member for UK Parliament on the complexities of AI adoption, Sara offers her expert opinion on the ethics of AI tools like ChatGPT and tells us the major AI risks we should all be aware of. 

This final episode is the perfect conclusion to our TTLP AI Series. After numerous conversations about all of the exciting prospects AI is awarding us, Sara reminds that we must approach this unprecedented technology with a degree of caution. As this series comes to an end, one thing remains certain: even AI experts cannot predict what the future holds. 

Time stamps 

• What excites Sara most about the AI revolution? (02:04) 
• What is Innovate UK? (06:00) 
• A day in the life of Sara (07:41) 
• The BridgeAI programme (09:34) 
• Is AI going to overrun your business? (16:45) 
• Breaking tradition to get into tech (19:40) 
• Is using ChatGPT cheating? (28:53) 
• Investing in entrepreneurs (34:47) 
• Is the UK government scared of AI? (39:10) 
• Sara’s favourite AI tool (41:00) 
• Advice to her 21-year-old self (42:29) 
• Kerensa’s favourite moment of the AI series (41:10) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Write up  

Self-driving cars: coming soon to a road near you!  

That’s right, on the fourth instalment of our AI series, Gareth and Kerensa are joined by a pioneer in the autonomous driving space, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayve, Alex Kendall, to discuss all things AI automation.  

After securing a scholarship from Cambridge University, leaving behind his home in New Zealand to travel to Europe for the first time, Alex’s drive (excuse the pun) to revolutionise the transportation game saw him building drones in Silicon Valley before ultimately co-founding his British-born start-up, Wayve.  

This episode explores Wayve’s ground-breaking venture of using AI to create fully autonomous vehicles; from partnering with Ocado and Asda for robotic grocery deliveries, to replacing carparks with eco-friendly ‘greenparks’. “The Age of Autonomy is on its way”, so let’s all ride the ‘Wayve’ and embrace it!  

Time stamps  

• What excites Alex most about the AI revolution? (01:56)  
• The early days of AI (07:56)  
• The University of Cambridge as a hub for young entrepreneurs (09:17)  
• Designing drones in Silicon Valley (13:25)  
• What is autonomous driving? (16:06)  
• Partnering with Ocado and Asda (19:41)  
• Inside Wayve’s AI (22:36)  
• Are human drivers going to be replaced? (26:36)  
• The UK’s standing in the AI rankings (34:01)  
• Alex’s AI fears (45:26)  
• Advice to his 21-year-old self (48:00)  
• What’s next for Wayve? (51:11)  

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

“AI will not replace you, a person using AI will” is the revolutionary philosophy from OpenAI’s Independent Creative Director, and third guest in the TTLP AI series, Rodger Werkhoven. In our most provocative interview yet, Rodger, Gareth and Kerensa discuss the true impact that AI is having on today’s society, as we get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the early stages of development within the AI powerhouse that is OpenAI. 

Having joined OpenAI to work on their DALLE-2 launch, Rodger discusses how this mind-bending creative software went from test-tool to trailblazer and how it’s now changed the game for artists worldwide. However, as is testament to his catchphrase, humans aren’t lost in Rodger’s AI prophecy, as he describes how we all need to learn to utilise AI to our advantage, in whatever form that may be. 

This incredibly insightful, yet slightly ominous, interview is a must-listen if you’re interested in the future of AI but also what it means for us in the present. As Rodger says, “Pandora’s box is open” and now we must wait to see what it truly holds inside…

Time stamps 

• What excites Rodger most about the AI revolution? (01:48) 
• Rodger’s creative process (03:49) 
• AI artists: fact or fake? (08:25) 
• Rodger’s OpenAI opportunity (14:35) 
• Inside OpenAI (16:00) 
• DALL-E’s innovation journey (24:05) 
• Should ChatGPT be banned? (26:35) 
• Artists vs. AI (30:35) 
• AI’s impact on the labour market (33:51) 
• An anti-AI advantage (40:05) 
• Can AI be self-aware? (52:00) 
• Rodger’s advice to future AI creatives (56:15) 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Scared about robots taking over the world? Worried that AI aliens will destroy humankind as we know it?  Fear not! This week’s guest, Catriona Campbell, CTIO at EY, is a human-computer interaction expert, and she’s here to explain how we can co-exist in perfect harmony. In the second instalment of our AI series, Gareth, Kerensa, and Catriona discuss how the democratisation of AI has the capability to yield more value for humans than perhaps we realise.   

Embracing change and disrupting the status quo isn’t something that’s new to Catriona, as being told that she was ‘“too young and too female”’ as a young entrepreneur sparked a desire to revolutionise the tech space— and wow, has she done it!  

From driving Barclays’ online banking application, to being a part of Tony Blair’s taskforce team for inclusive government to ultimately setting up Ernst and Young’s pioneering Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence, Catriona Campbell is a true tech trailblazer.   

Time stamps  

• What excites Catriona most about the AI revolution? (02:30)  
• Merging creatives with technologists (05:50)  
• Ernst and Young’s first female CTIO (06:42)  
• Leading Barclays’ first online banking service at 24yo (09:47)  
• “Too young and too female” for an investment (12:53)  
• Dot com boom to AI boom (14:30)  
• Tony Blairs Taskforce (16:10)  
• How do we regulate AI? (18:00)  
• Advice for businesses on AI adoption (22:15)  
• Catriona’s book ‘AI by Design’ (30:28)  
• Capturing neuro-diverse talent (37:10)  
• Catriona’s take on what jobs will be affected by AI (39:50)  
• AI in Education (44:25)  
• Catriona’s advice to young entrepreneurs (45:15)  

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

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It’s finally here! We’re back and ready to delve deeper into the world of GenAI.

Over one year on from our original AI Special Series, Gareth is joined once again by the brilliant Professor Kerensa Jennings to explore in greater detail how artificial intelligence is changing the world as we know it.

There’s no better way to begin this series than with a guest who has played a crucial role in bringing new technology to the British public for over 40 years, Maggie Philbin OBE.

From hosting iconic BBC shows such as Swap Shop and Tomorrow's World to founding TeenTech, a charity dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue careers in technology, Maggie remains a leading voice in tech innovation and continues to be a champion for the technology industry in the UK.

Focusing on how GenAI can enhance the learning experiences of young people and inspire the next generation of tech leaders, this episode is full of amazing anecdotes, inspirational stories and stellar insight into the world of AI and technology innovation. 

Time stamps

• The tech innovation that Maggie is most excited about (05:40)
• How Maggie joined the BBC and launched her broadcast career (07:24)
• Maggie’s first impressions of revolutionary tech in the 80’s (16:53)
• How did TeenTech begin? (21:38)
• How TeenTech changes lives (28:40)
• How Generative AI is impacting the education sector (34:48)
• Maggie’s predictions on the impact of AI on jobs (43:05)
• Advice to her younger self (49:34)
• If Maggie could have invented any piece of technology, what would it be? (51:04)
• The most outlandish ‘Tomorrow’s World’ invention (53:07)
• Kerensa’s experience with TeenTech (1:01:57)

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

The AI revolution is here. Are you ready for it? 

What better way to kick of our brand-new AI series than with a guest who’s on a mission to change the world and *spoiler alert* she’s already doing it. Gareth and Kerensa are joined by Priya Lakhani, philanthropic entrepreneur and CEO of CENTURY Tech, the AI-powered educational tool that is changing the game in schools and colleges across the globe.   

Priya’s captivating story of her quest to make systemic change, due to witnessing inequality first-hand on numerous occasions, pairs well with her passion for AI accessibility, as she works to bridge the barriers between AI and HI. As CENTURY prides itself on personalised pathways to give each student a bespoke educational journey, this episode largely focuses on how AI can be harnessed by humans to break down barriers and improve broken aspects of society.   

From abandoning a successful career as a barrister, to setting up a cooking-sauce start up, through to discovering the endless possibilities of AI; this mind-blowing conversation demonstrates how becoming a successful tech leader in the age of AI is invariably about ensuring that fundamental human values remain the same.   

Time stamps 

• What excites Priya most about the AI revolution? (02:45) 
• The dawn of a new CENTURY (Tech) (05:25) 
• From courtroom to computer (12:20) 
• Priya’s saucy venture (17:05) 
• The 2 emotions of entrepreneurs (21:00) 
• Fighting female in the tech space (23:30) 
• Priya’s publishing project (27:20) 
• The rapid growth of ChatGPT (30:00) 
• The relationship between AI and HI (35:00) 
• How regulation chases innovation (42:45) 
• Battling bias in AI (47:35) 
• Priya’s advice to her 21-year-old self (53:10) 

*Book recommendation- Inadequate: The system failing our teachers and your children, Priya Lakhani Inadequate: The system failing our teachers and your children: Amazon.co.uk: Priya Lakhani: 9781912906222: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

‘Sales is not just an art form, it’s also a science’ is a belief that this week’s guest has built a successful career on. Along with his sleeves-up, hardworking approach to leadership, it becomes apparent why he has achieved success as a leader and mentor. 

Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, joins Gareth to discuss his incredible journey from deciding that he wanted to pursue a career in sales aged just 14, to setting up a company with his brother and ultimately stepping into the role of CEO in 2018. In this episode, Ben uncovers the importance of building a transparent work culture that does NOT include a glass ceiling, being an authentic leader and ensuring that he avoids burnout to always be the best version of himself. 

Ben also candidly unpacks how he has helped evolve Ideagen into a market leader in the compliance solution world, and one of the UK’s most recent Tech Unicorns. With fascinating insights on the critical importance of delegation, and the necessity of always having good people around you, this episode uncovers the secrets of what it means to be a successful CEO. 

Time stamps 

• What does good leadership mean to Ben? (02:00) 
• Success in Sales (04:28) 
• Early milestones (09:25) 
• The Adventure of Acquisition (13:25) 
• Advice to young entrepreneurs (17:45) 
• Everyday AI (22:15) 
• Becoming a CEO (26:05) 
• The key to good delegation (28:17) 
• The evolution of AI in the compliance world (31:33) 
• Avoiding burnout (35:10) 
• Productivity advice (36:16) 

*Book recommendations* 

 Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella  Hit Refresh: A Memoir by Microsoft’s CEO: Amazon.co.uk: Nadella, Satya: 9780008247652: Books / It’s Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy: Amazon.co.uk: Abrashoff, Captain D Michael, Author: 0352719502246: Books / The New Power Base Selling by Jim Holden The New Power Base Selling: Master The Politics, Create Unexpected Value and Higher Margins, and Outsmart the Competition: Amazon.co.uk: Holden, Jim, Kubacki, Ryan: 9781118206676: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

“Let’s make tech fun again” is the mantra of this week’s trailblazing guest, Co-founder and CEO of Nothing, Carl Pei, as he embraces the innovative technology of the future and encourages us all to do the same. In the episode, Gareth and Carl discuss the influence that Steve Jobs and Apple had on Carl in his youth, and how being a little disillusioned with the pause on hardware innovation motivated him to dream of being a disruptor.   

Carl is an advocate of leading by example and describes ‘leading a team to victory’ through being the best operator possible to motivate the continuous personal development and learning of your team. As the conversation moves towards the dynamic between human and machine, Carl looks forward to the Age of AI generating ‘just another set of tools’ to aid the human experience, not replace humans altogether.  

 Time stamps 

• Carl’s take on good leadership (02:50) 
• Fascination with the internet (07:45) 
• Carl’s appreciation for design, especially Apple (14:00) 
• OnePlus origins (15:00) 
• Creating a tech hardware brand (19:00) 
• Entrepreneurial advice (21:19) 
• The next big technology evolution (25:00) 
• Disruptive AI (30:30) 
• Recalibrating the tech labour market (36:15) 
• Carl’s advice to his younger self (40:30) 

*Book rec- Atmanun by Kapil Gutpa MD Atmamun: The Path To Achieving The Bliss Of The Himalayan Swamis. And The Freedom Of A Living God. eBook : Gupta MD, Kapil : Amazon.in: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Gone are the days of employee benefits that leave you feeling uninspired, as this week’s guest, Chieu Cao, co-founder of Perkbox and founder of Mintago, joins Gareth to discuss his role in establishing companies that are totally employee-centric. In the episode, Chieu credits his leadership success to the same ethos that drives his companies: being reactive to individualism, and to ‘listen first then make your statement’. 

The conversation focuses on the global challenges faced when developing a new product, from initially producing the ‘B2B version of Groupon’ to finding his niche in the employee benefits sector. Chieu and Gareth move on to an insightful conversation on how providing financial education in schools is paramount in creating the money-savy businesspeople of tomorrow, and how ChatGPT is already a game changer for the future. This week’s episode is all about the employee: whether that be a human, or an AI personal assistant, we’ve got it covered. 

Timestamps 

• What good leadership means to Chieu (01:5) 
• Becoming a better communicator (03:30) 
• Chieu’s backstory (05:10) 
• Walking with the ‘ecommerce giants’ (08:15) 
• Building the ‘B2B version of Groupon’ (10:50) 
• The beginnings of Perkbox (12:10) 
• Change management and growing pains (16:50) 
• What is Mintago? (22:05) 
• Improving financial education in schools (25:10) 
• Is Chat GPT a game changer? (30:15) 
• How will consumer trends change in Web3? (35:28) 
• Chieu’s productivity tips (39:25) 
• Advice to his 21-year-old self (45:15) 

*Book recommendation- The Almanac of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson* The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness (Audio Download): Eric Jorgenson, Tim Ferriss, Vikas Adam, Author's Republic: Amazon.co.uk: Books 

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

‘Wars don’t mean guns, they mean keyboards’ is the standout phrase from this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast with cybersecurity expert and CISO of Whistic, Jake Bernardes. In the episode, both Gareth and Jake discuss the IT vulnerabilities that exist in the public sector, as well as the necessary precautions needed to avoid debilitating cyber-attacks and data breaches. The conversation highlights the importance of user understanding and ‘opening your eyes to the value of your data’ to ensure optimum security. 

Alongside cyber-safety, Jake describes how AI is another keen interest of his, as he and Gareth discuss the likelihood of an ‘AI Arms Race’ between search engine giant, Google, and revolutionary newcomer, Chat GPT. However, despite acknowledging the omnipresence of artificial intelligence in society, Jake notes that the key to good leadership ultimately lies within pure human interaction: as he stresses the importance of being ‘in the middle of your team’ to share success and shield from failure. 

Time stamps 

• What good leadership means to Jake – (01:50) 
• Career overview - (2:30) 
• Missionary work and learning humility (05:35) 
• Retaining ‘natural obsessiveness’ (07:50) 
• From Corporate to Start-up (08:55) 
• Key career milestones (12:14) 
• Whistic and the Vendor Risk space (13:45) 
• The biggest cyber security threats (18:25) 
• Growing risk of Cyber Wars (21:50) 
• ‘Did you Chat GPT that?’ (26:40) 
• Ethical hacking (30:05) 
• The skills gap (33:20) 
•  Exciting tech innovations (35:30) 
• Verifying things at the source (38:25) 
• Keeping fit to keep you focused (43:52) 
• A coffee meeting with Alexander Hamilton and Elon Musk (44:28) 
• ‘Don’t be afraid to trust your gut’ (46:34) 

* BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ - Viktor E. Frankl  

Man's Search For Meaning By Viktor E Frankl | Used | 9781844132393 | World of Books (wob.com) 

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On this week’s episode, Gareth is joined by Welsh entrepreneur and businessman David Buttress to discuss his journey from disrupting the takeaway industry— by co-founding the pioneering UK tech giant Just Eat in 2006— to becoming an investor and taking on the mantle of chairman at his local Welsh rugby region, The Dragons. David speaks candidly about the formative years of his career at Coca-Cola, meeting his co-founder, Jesper Buch, and the early days of Just Eat.

The conversation expands on the ups and downs of creating an entirely new category in the technology space, and David’s role in leading one of the most valuable tech firms in the UK. This episode goes beyond the ‘typical success’ story and delves into the struggles and failures that David and his team faced on their path to success, providing valuable insights for those looking to start or grow a business.

Time stamps

·       David’s 3 factors of good leadership (02:30)

·       David’s formative years (06:15)

·       Mother knows best! (08:05)

·       Starting out at Coca Cola (09:30)

·       Jesper, energy drinks and the beginnings of Just Eat UK (12:00)

·       Hangry consumers (20:00)

·       Offline marketing (27:00)

·       Scaling David’s formula for success (28:10)

·       ‘Run fast grab land’ (32:12)

·       Hungry habits (39:00)

·       Authenticity in the workplace (40:45)

·       Leaving Just Eat UK (46:30)

·       An independent Wales (53:43)

·       David as the Cost-of-Living Tsar (58:05)

·       Leading the Dragons (1:02:00)

·       David’s advice to his 21-year-old self (1:08:30)

https://www.bedigitaluk.com/