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) 

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 

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) 

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) 

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 

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 

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 

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)   

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) 

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) 

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)

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, Quentin 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’. Quentin 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) 

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) 

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) 

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)  

“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) 

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)  

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 

‘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 

“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 

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   

‘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) 

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)

From entering the tech space in his early teens with a keen interest in all things IT, to becoming the Global Head of Engineering and Transformation at Vodafone, Felipe Canedo joins Gareth to recall his journey to success in one of the biggest telecom companies in the world. On this week’s episode, Felipe discusses his role in transforming Vodafone into a fully-fledged ‘tech company’, as well as promoting an effective leadership style that centres around ‘moving people together to achieve a common goal’. The conversation shifts between candid reflections on Felipe’s former life in Brazil, to a discussion on the world of AI and how software such as Chat GPT should be considered ‘a partner, not a replacement’ to workers. When reminiscing over his career journey, Felipe concludes by offering sagely guidance to his younger self, advising young people to ‘believe in your dreams and chase them as soon as you get the chance’.   Time Stamps What good leadership means to Felipe (01:33) Felipe’s tech origins (02:40) Moving to the UK (04:17) What is a Global Head of Engineering? (05:10) Creating a global community of developers (06:00) What Felipe misses about Brazil (09:30) How does the British tech industry compare to the Brazilian tech industry? (11:05) How to answer your own questions and find your own solutions (13:49) Becoming a senior manager (15:09) Coding at home (16:23) How ChatGPT is changing the game (17:01) The ways that AI will change telecoms (20:10) The ‘gloomy side’ of AI (25:00) What is 5G? (26:06) How Vodafone has changed as a result of the pandemic (34:21) Navigating online meetings (38:37) Felipe’s advice to his 21-year-old self (40:20) Outside of work interests (43:40) *Book recommendation- ‘Machine, Platform, Crowd’ Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson- Machine, Platform, Crowd – Harnessing Our Digital Future: Amazon.co.uk: Mcafee, Andrew, Brynjolfsson, Erik: 9780393356069: Books* *Disclaimer: the views expressed in this episode are Felipe’s own personal views and not necessarily those of Vodafone* 

This week’s guest is on a mission to bring the workforce out of the lull of solitary remote working and back into positive, people-centric workspaces all around the UK. Lucy Minton, co-founder and COO of the disruptive workspace design and management provider, Kitt, joins Gareth on this week’s episode to discuss the case for going back to the office. Amongst other things, they reflect on how organic relationships and creative innovation are often born from collaborative working and are crucial in any organisation.  In the episode, Lucy describes her personal experience pursuing growth building a culture within a start-up environment, and how important it is to ‘craft your own future’ despite setbacks that you may face. We also get insight into Lucy’s ‘workplace forecast’ as she remarks how ‘transactional’ business relationships are a thing of the past, and that the candid, spontaneous interactions— the ones that are made through person-to-person connections— are what pave the way for a ‘magical’ future workplace.   Time stamps What good leadership means to Lucy (02:12) Grabbing opportunities with both hands (03:30) ‘Just cracking on’ (05:47) From rule follower to rule breaker (06:43) Making an impact (13:11) ‘Craft your own future’ (14:35) The beginnings of Kitt (17:15) Breaking away from transactional business relationships (17:40) How the pandemic influenced Kitt (21:55) Criticisms of remote working (25:00) Spontaneity in the office (28:17) Resisting the comfortability of being at home (32:30) Lucy’s workplace forecast (34:00) Life imitates offices (36:10) Ruthless prioritisation (41:00) ‘Failure is OK’ (44:12) Improving the education system for the business world (44:50)  *Book recommendation- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team- Patrick Lencioni* 

From making waves at the 2016 Rio Olympics, to turning the tide and embarking on a career in tech, Jazz Carlin joins Gareth on this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast to discuss her transition from Olympic athlete to a Woman in Tech. Jazz explains how leading by example is key to leadership both inside and outside of the pool, as implementing an ‘open-door policy’ is paramount in maintaining an effective career as a mentor.   In recalling her turbulent path to Olympic success, Jazz Carlin articulates how ‘the biggest disappointments can lead to your biggest triumphs’ and that maintaining curiosity is one of the most important aspects of career progression. Having retired from professional swimming in 2019, Jazz talks about the daunting prospect of entering the jobs market at the age of 28, and how her experience as a professional athlete has helped her flourish in the world of business.  ·       What good leadership means to Jazz (02:10)·       Who is Jazz Carlin? (04:10)·       Being in control of your dreams (07:05)·       ‘The biggest disappointments can lead you onto your biggest triumphs’(08:40)·       Swim with Jazz (08:57)·       ‘Focus on the process’ (10:56)·       Becoming a professional athlete (12:00)·       The Olympic Shift (18:05)·       How to thrive in a pressured environment (21:35)·       ‘Have confidence in the here and now’ (27:10)·       Life in the Olympic Village (28:00)·       Hanging up the goggles (29:50)·       Adapting to a new career venture (36:00)·       Keeping her toes in the water with Swim Wales (39:00)·       How to keep the momentum going (42:57) *Book recommendations*- The Chimp Paradox- Prof. Steve Peters- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway- Susan Jeffers  

Co-Founder of the ‘Google Maps of the internet’, Mohit Lad joins Gareth on this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast to discuss his rise to success; from taking his first ever career-defining aeroplane ride at the age of 22, to co-founding the award-winning internet surveillance company, ThousandEyes. In describing what good leadership means to him, Mohit discusses why empathy is a skill that is crucial in achieving a successful, people-orientated business, and how ‘focusing on the fundamentals’ can make all the difference.  Accessibility is a theme that permeates through Gareth and Mohit’s conversation, as we learn how it’s vital in both a technical and personal sense. ThousandEye’s capability to access and display previously unknown information to companies regarding their web traffic is key to its incredible success, but also, Mohit Lad regards the importance of accessibility in another sense: by ensuring that we stay accessible to those around us.  What makes a ‘good leader’ – 01:35 Mohit’s humble beginnings- 03:50 The road to entrepreneurial success never did run smoothly…- 07:30 Lessons learned on Mohit’s journey- 16:30 What is ThousandEyes?- 18:30 The exciting accessibility of the internet- 20:49 The key to keeping your product current- 24:53 Connected cars and the technological advancement of transport – 30:31 Cisco’s acquisition of ThousandEyes- 31:48 ‘This journey doesn’t come without a tax’- The importance of maintaining familial relationships- 35:11 Advice to young entrepreneurs- 38:11 Mohit’s advice to his ‘twenty-something’ year-old self- 40:28 Mohit’s top productivity advice- 43:38 ‘Get yourself out of meetings that you don’t need to be in’- 44:30 Mohit’s book recommendation- The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building A Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz- 45:24 

On this week’s episode of The Tech Leader’s podcast, Gareth is joined by Adrian Condon, the CTO of B-Secur, a company that creates cutting-edge, heart health technology that is used in some of our favourite tech wearables. In this episode, the topic of discussion centres around how technology can be used to understand the human body, exemplified by the life-saving heart rate variability monitors that Condon himself has helped create.  In understanding our connection to machinery, we also find out how our stress levels mirror that of a car in first gear, and how to avoid a subsequent tech-induced burnout. However, at a time where there is frequent talk about ‘cyborgs’ replacing the organic human body, Adrian Condon discusses how technology should be used as a way of ‘aiding humans, not replacing them’. 02:16 – What does good leadership mean to Adrian?04:00 – What did Adrian want to be when he grew up?05:14 – Where B-Secur started08:20 – Information we can receive from ECG signals 10:20 – Where this technology is going in terms of clinical usage 11:30 – What does HRV (heart rate variability) mean?15:00 - Stress in relation to cardiovascular disease16:33 - Next wave of heart problems and “Athletes Heart”21:30 – Lifestyle impact of these wearable technologies23:40 – Is implantable technology the future?26:10 – Sports performance and how this technology assists athletes.29:40 – Alcohol, drinking and seeing the changes in HRV32:00 – What is Adrian most excited about in the world in terms of technology innovation?36:00 – How does Adrian stay healthy working in this field? 40:00 – Adrian’s productivity advice41:00 – If Adrian could have a coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be?41:54 – What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?43:10 - Encouraging start-ups and teaching schools about tech and money

Jamie Bartlett was inspired to start using social media as a research tool in order to understand the workings of extremist groups. The author, journalist and presenter of The Missing Cryptoqueen podcast is an expert in research and technology. Jamie describes how his interest in people and their habits lead him to the world of think tanks. We also learn how social media is increasingly being used to collect data, and his thoughts on how that world should be regulated. Jamie also has some great humble advice on what makes a good leader, and for those just starting out in their careers. Twitter: @JamieJBartlett Jamie's new book: The Missing Cryptoqueen - https://amzn.eu/d/ave7et31:42 What does good leadership mean to Jamie?3:06 The leader Jamie looked up to 4:51 Jamie’s approach to presenting8:58 Why there’s courage in asking "stupid" questions 11:17 What did Jamie want to be when he grew up?13:00 How Jamie ended up at Oxford University 13:50 Figuring out what to do after education  15:03 How extremism inspired Jamie’s research career19:16 Setting up one of the first social media research hubs22:51 How is the internet influencing democracy?28:20 Regulating conspiracies on social media29:35  Teaching media literacy to help navigate technology33:05 Why to add ‘googling’ as a skill on your CV 36:55 How Jamie discovered the story of the Missing Cryptoqueen41:55 Jamie outside of work 43:15 What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?46:30 The books that inspire Jamie

Matillion founder Matthew Scullion started his hugely successful tech-entrepreneurial journey in his late teens, co-founding and growing a tech services and software business.Following a successful exit, and years in the upper echelons of tech companies, Matthew couldn’t shake the urge to delve back into the world of start-ups and business. After a pep-talk from his wife, he formed Matillion in 2011. 11 years later, the company is one of the fastest growing enterprise technology firms in the UK.Matthew talks to Gareth about growing his current and previous companies, as well as moving from consultancy into the world of software. He gives great advice on how to secure investors, as well as reminding future and current entrepreneurs that integrity should stay at the forefront of all we do.The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni is Matthew’s book recommendation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewscullion/Twitter: @MatthewScullion01:30 - What does good leadership mean to Matthew?04:00 - Entrepreneurialism from age 1709:30 - Working for a larger organisation11:30 - Missing the energy of a start-up14:00 - Moving from services to software16:40 - The nudge that made Matthew start a new business19:30 - Advise to founders on venture capital25:00 - Matillion branches into middleware32:30 - Manchester and the UK as a UK Tech Hub36:00 - What excites Matthew in the world of tech innovation?41:00 - Advice for Matthew’s 21-year-old self43:30 - Content that inspires Matthew

Having forged her way in a male-dominated world, KPMG's Lisa Heneghan explains to us how a fully diverse workforce makes for better business.  Inspired to take a role in tech by her father, Lisa’s career path to Chief Digital Officer at KPMG UK has seen her navigate from Y2K to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Lisa shares with Gareth some great advice about leadership, networking and work-life balance.  1:40 What does good leadership mean to Lisa? 2:28 Where were the female role models?4:11 How Lisa’s dad inspired her 6’18 Lisa’s career milestones7:20 Taking a step into the consultancy world9:21 Saving the world from Y2K 12:11 Changes in management consultancy 14:00 The only woman in the room 19:30 Finding and maintaining a neurodiverse workforce 21:20 The future of working from home 25:30 What excites you about the future of technology? 29:00 Advice for 21-year-old Lisa 37:15 That books that inspire Lisa

Joe Baguley is a CTO and leader who lives and breathes technology innovation. This week, he chats to Gareth about his journey from self-confessed ‘1980s computer nerd’ to CTO of Silicon Valley company VMware (...after 23 interviews).Joe’s colourful life has seen him through a spell at Imperial College, the Army Reserves and - most surprisingly - a course in standup comedy. All these things have led him to where he is today: an excellent communicator with a ferocious appetite for information. And when he’s not making strides at the forefront of the tech industry, he’s taking on charity motorsport challenges and racing electric bikes. Tune in to get the full, fast-paced story in his own words from a man who never seems to stop!TimestampsEmpathy in leadership (1.24)Overview of background (2.45)Key milestones (6.21)Groundbreaking change (90s tech boom) (9.15)Gadgetry (11.57)Motorsport as therapy (16.44)The future of electric cars (20.39)23 interviews in 2 and a half days for VMware job (22.59)Culture at VMware (26.09)Communicating in layman’s terms (29.54)How did the pandemic change things? (34.12)What is Joe most excited about? (38.00)Advice to 21-year-old Joe (40.22)Avoiding burnout (42.07)Recommendations (43.29)Outro (45.20) 

“I know I’ve succeeded as a leader when I’ve made myself obsolete.” Striking words from this week’s tech leader, Anwen Robinson, head of UK & Ireland's cloud computing giant Infor. Growing up in the Rhondda Valley, Anwen paved the way for her own success, calling up Cardiff University and talking her way onto a Mechanical Engineering course…and being the only woman didn’t deter her either.From feeding punch cards into computers to teaching computer science via the medium of football, Anwen’s drive to lead and succeed has carried her up the ladder to lead one of the world’s biggest software companies. Here, she delivers her best advice for leadership and stresses the importance of curiosity to keep learning throughout life. Leadership (1.30) Young Anwen's unconventional path (2.35)Bags of drive and ambition (8.02) The importance of ‘stupid’ questions (10.42) Key milestones (12.59)First MD role (18.29) How to manage change (25.36)What makes a good salesperson? (28.49) Women in STEM (31.58) The Prince’s Trust (35.46) Anwen outside of work (39.26) Advice to 21-year-old Anwen (40.20) Takeaways (42.22) 

Growing up on a council estate, Paul realised early on that he was fascinated by technology and dreamt of working for the RAF, however, following an early introduction to fatherhood Paul doubled down on a career in computing to provide for his new family. In this episode, Paul talks candidly about being fast-tracked into a leadership role, handling top secret government information in the defence sector, right through to helping save lives and tackle humanitarian crises, worldwide. Currently the Global CIO of Amnesty International, we unpack some of the amazing work Paul has been involved with and discuss why technology is such an essential component for non-profit organisations. Council estates, cars and fatherhood 2’21What inspired Paul to work in computing 3’23Cutting his teeth in the defence industry 4’10 The beach day that inspired Paul to join the RNLI 7’40How does technology help a charity like the RNLI 10’54Technology on a charity budget 12’10 Key moments and regrets in Paul’s career 13’54Landing the job at Amnesty International 16’55How does the IT department help in a humanitarian crisis 18’00 How working at Amnesty International opened his eyes 21’08Getting excited about future global technology 28’24The digital divide 30’38What advice would he would give to his 21-year-old self?  35’30 

This week’s guest is Josie Smith: Chief Architect for Digital at BT.From humble beginnings on the checkouts at Asda to overseeing business architecture and setting a "digital first" vision at BT, Josie has undoubtedly made her mark on the industry as a successful female leader. In this episode, Josie and Gareth explore architecture in the corporate world, driving AI first and building automation into BT's operations. They also chat about finding your "super powers", understanding your strengths and the importance of confidence and believing in yourself. Josie tells us about diversity and inclusion at BT and the need to ensure people have ample opportunity for coaching and mentoring to enable them to reach their full potentialAlong the way, they discussJosie’s favourite subject in school (2.01)Selecting IT as a career path (3.16)The leadership gender imbalance in tech (8.14)The Importance of a good mentor (11.29)Being a chief Architect at BT (16.20)What’s hot right now at BT (18.40)Evolution of BT (21.35)What is Josie most excited about? (23.59)Josie outside of work (25.59)Top Productivity tips (28.06)Advice to 21-year-old Josie (30.05)

From virtual-appointments, to artificial intelligence, to data management and fighting cyber-attacks, Dell's Arshad Farhad helps healthcare providers to see how technology can support their work.Arshad is Dell Technology's Chief Technology Officer in Healthcare and Life Sciences for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He's also working towards his doctorate in Federated Learning for AI (using ML and Data Science) to improve patient care using wearable and Internet of Medical Things sensors.In this episode, Arshad tells Gareth why technology is the future of healthcare and how medicine can be more effective if it is data-driven.Why Arshad is passionate about healthcare and technology (2.05)Arshad’s PHD journey and challenges (3.17)Healthcare in the next 5 to 10 years (4.35)Ethical dilemmas (8.35)Robotic surgery (9.53)Wearable technology in healthcare (11.30)How does the UK healthcare technology compare to other countries (15.41)The last 12 months in healthcare technology (19.17)Smart hospitals (21.00)What problems is the healthcare sector facing (22.28)How Dell is helping to address these challenges (25.09)Edge-based healthcare (25.40)AI healthcare (26.50)Data management (27.15)Data security (29.52)Cloud technology (31.30)Arshad's role as Chief Technology Officer (33.27)What Arshad believes makes a good leader (36.27)Leadership in the pandemic (37.34)Who inspires Arshad (38.27)

This week’s guest is Tim Neill, Mastercard’s Chief Risk Officer for Real-time Payments and Applications. After studying Police and Criminal Justice Studies, Tim came to the UK twenty years ago straight out of university and was offered a consulting role at Goldman Sachs. Cutting his teeth in London’s fast-paced trading environment, assessing risk, resilience and security for world-renowned banks,  Tim began specialising in the payments sector, culminating in his lead risk role at global payments provider Mastercard. Tim chats to Gareth at Mastercard’s London offices about his career journey, the UK’s global position in payments, the future innovation of real-time payments at a cross-border level and Mastercard's work to create a global standard for payments and how this is helping develop payment infrastructure in countries worldwide. 01:34 - Background05:12 - Tim’s role at Mastercard08:02 - Getting into payments as a specialism08:47 - Significant changes in the last 8 years10:55 - Getting more countries equipped with realtime payment services 14:40 - Plans to create a global standard of payments18:31 - Kenyan M-Pesa21:02 - What is MasterCard taking forward from the pandemic? 22:40 - Will innovation suffer from reduced workplace interaction?24:27 - Outside of fintech, what is Tim most excited about? 28:27 - Life outside of work31:18 - Advice to the 21 year old Tim32:18 - Tim’s inspirations 

Brett Wigdortz OBE is a philanthropist, entrepreneur and founder of Teach First, an social enterprise charity addressing educational disadvantage in England and Wales. He was also recently re-elected as chairman of the board for the National Citizen Service, a UK government-backed training scheme for teenagers. Formerly an international journalist, Brett has spent time in dozens of countries and knows education inside out. As a founder and tech leader, he’s ambitious to find innovative solutions to education inequality and help lower-income children gain access to better schooling.  In this episode, Brett chats to Gareth about his work setting up a digital community of childminders at tiney.co, the differences in education around the world and long-term challenges faced by schoolchildren due to the Covid pandemic. Beginnings (1.10) Defining Education (4.32)Education and social mobility in the UK (5.55)Education in Finland (9.04)Long term impact of Covid (15.34) Setting up tiney.co (16.38)NCS work (20.53)What are North America doing differently? (24.40) Inequality in the UK (26.40) Outside of work (28.49)Combating childhood obesity with Bite Back (31.27)Links (34.38)

Trenton is a renowned business leader and qualified leadership coach with experience training digital teams for nearly twenty years. His best-selling book Human Powered is a concise guide for cultivating a high-performance culture within digital teams through developing emotional intelligence and people skills. Trenton speaks to Gareth about his personal business journey, including his 15 years at Webcredible from embryo to exit.  He also talks candidly about the process of writing an Amazon bestselling book, how remote working sometimes creates workplace conflict; and his three crucial tips for successful remote meetings. Effective leadership (1.35)The journey of setting up a digital agency (Webcredible)  (3.48)Writing a best seller (16.09)Conflict in business teams (18.26)Remote working and  workplace conflict (19.57)Top 3 tips for successful remote meetings (23.28)EQ – emotional intelligence (25.50)Teaching children EQ (32.28)Team Sterka and leadership coaching (36.53)Get in touch with Trenton and team Sterka (41.00)

The final instalment of the Women in Tech Series is upon us. And what a series it has been!This week, branding expert, marketing entrepreneur, ‘Black Women in Tech’ founder and all-around super-woman Flavilla Fongang, joins Kerensa and Gareth for a memorable chat!This value-filled conversation covers everything from the moment she landed in the UK, unable to speak a word of English, and then going on to complete two degrees and a MA in International studies; through to her advice on building a personal brand,  overcoming adversity through confidence and perseverance. We also talk about the formation of ‘Black Women in Tech’ and how to cultivate confidence and ambition to fulfil your career aspirations. 06:00 - Flavilla’s Personal Brand07:50 - Challenges of the Past11:20 - Taking Ownership13:26 - Work/Life Balance16:57 - What Books has Flavilla been most inspired by?22:00 - Motivation behind setting up Black Women in Tech28:55 - Women and STEM Subjects31:00 - Cultural differences for women careers between UK And France32:30 - Flavilla’s Advice34:20 - Tips about confidence36:50 - Branding Mistakes

Marta Krupinska is a Tech entrepreneur, diversity advocate, and current Head of Google for Startups UK, alongside a Chair role at Youth Business International.Recognised by Forbes in 30Under30 in 2016, by Evening Standard as amongst London's Most Influential People 2017 and 2018 and by Forbes as top 60 Female Tech Executives globally, 2018.   As a female founder herself, having founded 3 startups- most notably of a global FinTech money transfer company Azimo which raised $90M+ in funding from top VC firms and serves millions of customers, globally.   Marta is helping to level the playing field for founders in the UK and EMEA with her amazing team at Google. Working with startups and founders with a particular focus on the positive impact of building diverse teams and making the world a better place. 02:45 - Marta’s background6:05 - How Does Marta Define Success?07:50 - Diversity of Thinking11:40 - Diversity with Co-Founders16:19 - Progress or PR with Women in Tech?17:45 - What’s Slowing Progress?21:26 - How To Promote Female Ambition?26:24 - Youth Business International and what have we got to look forward to from Gen Z?30:55 - What trends does Marta see from start-ups?33:30 - What’s Marta working on now?

On this episode of the Tech Leaders Podcast - Women in Tech series, we are joined by the inspirational Alice Bentinck; co-founder of Entrepreneur First and Code First Girls - where she’s worked tirelessly to give others opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have had to become entrepreneurs, as well as encouraging more women into the tech sector.Alice opens up to discuss how she got to where she is today, what mistakes she made along the way, how she grew her business and what advice she’d give to others as well as why she thinks ambition is key to everything an entrepreneur can achieve and shouldn’t be seen as a bad word. 02:26 - Introduction to Alice & Entrepreneur First04:20 - Giving permission to be ambitious07:20 - Alice’s First Startup Process10:25 - How Networking attracted the head of LinkedIn12:31 - The Story of Code First Girls16:34 - Alice’s Advice on growing your network18:15 - Gender Diversity in the Tech and entrepreneurship sectors22:27 - Alice’s Journey into Coding24:46 - How to stay resilient26:30 - How Business owners can create a culture encouraging female ambition30:42 - What is Web 3.0?

Railsbank is the world’s leading Embedded Finance Experience platform. Today we’re joined by their COO of UK and Europe, Louisa Murray. Louisa joined Railsbank as one of its first employees in 2017, and built the sales function from scratch, growing the sales and customer success teams. Prior to this she worked as a trader, headhunter and ran her own recruitment business. In this conversation, we explore consumer-driven products, legacy technology, making the tech industry more accessible to women, the power of role models  – and a very important conversation she once had in an elevator.Talking PointsThe early stages of Louisa’s banking career (04:41)The impact of being a woman in a male-dominated industry (08:01)What inspired Louisa to be a headhunter (11:33)Key lessons learnt from working in recruitment (15:22)Railsbank’s mission (18:09)Trends to look out for in the UK FinTech space (22:42)Transitioning from a sales role into a COO (25:12)What makes a good salesperson? (27:02)What Railsbank has learnt from the pandemic (30:25)How can we make the tech industry more accessible for women? (35:40)The future of Railsbank (42:47)On the decentralisation of banks and cryptocurrencies (44:39)The problem with printing more money (48:29)Louisa’s career advice (42:08)LinksRailsbankLouisa’s LinkedIn

Today’s guest, Mark Evans, has had an impressive IT career to date. He has overseen digital transformation projects from a range of organisations and institutions, including the government’s DVLA, and has completed his MBA. He joined Hodge Bank as the Chief Technology Officer in 2016, which at the time had very little digital presence. As it’s clear in this interview, Mark loves a challenge. Tune in to find out more about how the bank serves its customers (and staff) digitally. We also discuss the Government Digital Service, the London wage threat, allocating your resources in-house versus outsourcing, graduate schemes – and having itchy feet. Talking PointsHis MBA studies (07:48)The in-house digital transformation amongst the government departments (10:46)Digitising the DVLA (12:52)On bringing in-house versus outsourcing agency capabilities (15:20)Hodge Bank “playing a part in the FinTech revolution” (22:12)Having an employee value proposition (23:47)The biggest challenge with growing and retaining a team (25:28)The sustainability agenda at Hodge Bank (35:49)The future of open architecture and banking (38:19)The key attributes needed to be a successful CTO (42:21)Mark’s advice to people starting out with their careers in technology (44:30)LinksHodge BankSustainability at HodgeYamini Rangan – Chief Customer Officer, HubSpotYoello‘The Black Swan’ by ​​Nassim Nicholas Taleb‘Skin the in the Game’ by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The vice president for Meta's (formerly Facebook) northern Europe division Steve Hatch joins the show to explore all things neurodiversity and what’s in store for the social media platform. Steve is a media agency veteran and joined Facebook in 2013. Prior to that, Hatch became CEO of MEC in 2011, having been there since its formation as Mediaedge:cia following the merger of The Media Edge and CIA in 1998. He also held several planning and strategy roles at Young & Rubicam Group, PHD and DDB throughout the 1990s.I had a great conversation with Steve to learn more about his experience transitioning from working in the media to Facebook. Tune in as we also explore dyslexia, neurodiversity, content moderation, having an open culture, building a Metaverse – and internet cafes.Talking PointsDyslexia Awareness Week and Steve’s involvement with it (3:09)Steve’s career in advertising and key turning points (10:21)Transitioning from working in the media to Facebook (16:18)Working with Mark Zuckerberg (21:57)Building a neurodiverse team (25:31)Some exciting new technology and innovation projects at Facebook (29:59)The recent big outage across the Facebook network (34:51)Dealing with content moderation (38:04)What will Facebook look like in ten years time? (46:21)The advice Steve would give to his 21 year old self (49:26)LinksMade By DyslexiaFacebook Boost Your BusinessEY on the value of dyslexiaGCHQTED Talk: Benjamin Zan - The Transformative Power of Classical Music

Octopus Energy is on a mission to make a big green dent in the universe by building a truly sustainable energy system globally – by making power greener, smarter, and more affordable for everyone. I had a great time catching up with Greg Jackson, CEO and Founder of Octopus Energy, to find out more about how they’ve been democratising green energy. In this discussion we explore Greg’s values-based leadership style, the impact of economic theory versus reality, his mission to clean up the energy sector, and the future of the smart grid. Talking PointsThe impact of having studied a degree in Economics (5:58)His time working at Procter & Gamble and leaving the corporate world (9:38)Greg’s values-based leadership style (13:31)On supporting local communities, social justice and mobility (22:28)How Octopus Energy fosters diversity and inclusion during they’re hiring process (24:46)Why they don’t have an HR department (27:16)Lessons learned from the 2020 pandemic (29:09)Remote vs office-based work (31:24)The impact of eliminating carbon emissions (33:00)How the UK is doing with tackling climate change (37:21)Cryptocurrency and green energy (39:53)The ‘Uberization’ of the grid (42:22)LinksThe Octopus GroupOctopus EnergyGreg’s TwitterThe Octopus Energy Podcast

Jack Wearne’s financial career started more or less during the 2008 crash. Fortunately, it opened many doors for him, which we uncover in this episode. He is currently the CEO at Ve Global, the ecommerce specialist ​​that enables brands to recreate their in-store experience – online – through a Digital Assistant. Prior to that, he spent 14 years as a city bank trader, which I couldn't wait to find out more about. Tune in to our discussion as we explore the profound impact Jack’s MBA has had on his career and life, operating from a startup mindset, overcoming strategy overwhelm, the power of perseverance, and lockdown fitness fads. Talking PointsThe change in banks and trading after 2008 (03:08)How studying an MBA has helped Jack’s position as Chief Executive Officer at Ve Global (08:02)Developing skills in risk management as a trader (09:48)Ve Global’s previous tough times (10:56)Turning around Ve Global (13:32)Advice on executing strategy (21:23)The impact of phasing out third party cookies (29:06)The future for town centres and traditional retail (32:41)Technological innovations and climate change (36:09)The hybrid model of working (37:52)Jack’s advice to his 21 year old self (43:34)LinksDan Pink Ted Talk: The Puzzle of Motivation‘My Autobiography’ by Alex Ferguson‘Grit’ by Angela DuckworthThe FounderJack’s LinkedIn

After every crisis there’s an entrepreneurial boom – and the pandemic has been no exception. Today I explore how the tech space is massively evolving across the UK, with Gerard Grech, CEO at Tech Nation. His passion for mobile and media is shown through his impressive career, where he has worked for brands such as Blackberry World, Nokia, and Orange.We’re recording at the Excel Centre from this year’s London Tech Week, so I’m excited to catch up with Gerard and hear more about his latest insights. In this episode we discuss unicorns – and decacorns – across the country, the impact of consumer behaviour changes, the rise of alternative currencies, the tech space in climate change and robotics, and much more.Talking PointsWhy the UK leads so strongly with its tech scene (05:15)Gerard’s background and role at Tech Nation (08:02)How Tech City turned into Tech Nation (12:27)Tech changes from the pandemic that are here to stay (15:03)The UK FinTech scene (17:46)Trends in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies (20:57)Tech Nation’s accelerator programmes (24:48)What is deep tech? (29:19)The Net Zero Pledge (34:20)Keep insights from the Job and Skills Report 2021 (39:50)The education system’s role in technology (41:55)The effects of Brexit so far (45:09)Gerard’s advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs (49:19)LinksLondon Tech WeekNet ZeroFuture FiftyApplied AIJob and Skills Report 2021‘Principles’ by Ray DalioTech Nation

As a mobile-first world, things are changing fast – and according to today’s guest, the future lies in data, privacy and trust. Richard Rosenberg was appointed CTO at the Financial Times at the start of 2021. He leads the FT’s technology strategy across the development and operations teams, and oversees the delivery of cross-platform customer experiences. Richard previously worked in a number of positions within the Expedia Group, and spent time at Sky, where his team produced award-winning and innovative products including the revolutionary Sky News for iPad application. I can’t wait to learn more about the technology challenges Richard is tackling under his role. We discuss the advancement of machine learning and AI, having clarity with priorities, the future of journalism, the power of positive thinking, and training for the London marathon. Talking PointsSky’s product development approaches (08:38)The move from Sky to Expedia (12:11)Learning from Expedia’s A/B testing (13:04)The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry (18:37)The current technological challenges at the FT (27:53)The future of content through blockchain and NFTs (39:30)The impact of online censorship (43:15)Richard’s approach to changing goals and embracing failure (48:39)LinksRichard’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/richard-rosenberg-00b3a01 Donate to Richard running the London Marathon in aid of NSPCC: ​​https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardRosenberg1

PensionBee is on a mission to create a future of financial freedom through their technology platform. Pensions can be overwhelming and confusing, so I’m excited to bring on PensionBee’s co-founder and CTO, Jonathan Lister Parsons, to unpack how their disruptive technology has enabled hundreds of thousands of people to be "pension confident" through their technology platform. Join our discussion as we explore the impact of being a technology disruptor, the social impact of investing, blended learning, trusting your inner voice – and what we can learn from Japanese culture.Talking PointsAdvice for small companies with lean teams (10:37)The future of work for software developers (14:44)Equipping the future labour market with the right technology skills (21:06)Launching PensionBee (26:01)The pension culture in the UK (31:14)Disrupting the pension industry (35:47)Upcoming projects for PensionBee (40:44)The future of batteries (47:00)What we can learn from the Japanese culture (50:54)Where to start with your pension savings and how to build a £1 million pension pot (53:59)LinksPensionBee: https://www.pensionbee.com/Clayton Christensen: https://claytonchristensen.com/How you could build a million pound pension: https://www.pensionbee.com/blog/2021/april/how-you-could-build-a-one-million-pound-pension ‘Other People’s Money’ by John Kay: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781254435

Neil Bellamy is responsible for NatWest’s strategy, proposition and risk appetite for the whole sector vertical. He is currently the Head of Technology, Media, Telecoms & Services, and has an impressive 26 year career in banking to date. As a leader, Neil is truly customer focused and enjoys advising tech start-ups at Natwest Accelerators and as a Mentor with Imperial Ventures.Tune into this conversation as Neil reflects over the impact of being a purpose-led organisation. We also explore effective graduate schemes, B Corps, the future of digital currencies, NatWest’s environmental goals – and being raided at gunpoint.Talking PointsCultural shifts towards entrepreneurialism in banking (03:54)Neil’s work at Hughenden Valley Football Club (06:14)Lessons from football coaching for the business world (07:31)NatWest’s post-pandemic reflections (12:50)Transitioning into being a B-Corp organisation (17:58)The three areas of focus for NatWest (20:21)Cryptocurrencies and central banks (26:24) Supporting entrepreneurs in the UK (30:52)FinTech projects to look out for (35:41)AI and quantum computing use cases for the banking industry (39:26)The future of talent and the role of education and training (41:25)The K-shaped economic recovery (45:58)Learning from your customers (49:51)LinksHughenden Valley Football ClubB Corporation The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator‘The Test of Courage’ by Christopher Robbins‘Man’s Search For Meaning’ by Viktor FranklNatWest Business HubNeil’s LinkedIn

Recognised as one of the global leaders in weather and climate science, the Met Office is powered by advanced models and a high performance supercomputer. I was very excited to catch up with Charles Ewen, the CIO at the Met Office, to learn more about how the organisation operates on such world leading technology.Charles is accountable for all aspects of technology within the Met Office and manages a dedicated engineering team of over 350 people. With a fascinating career trajectory delivering big transformation programs in the private sector, Charles made the jump (and pay cut) to work in the public sector. Tune in to this conversation as we discuss delegating tasks, making data available on the public cloud, what the Met Office are doing to combat climate change, measuring productivity – and what Charles has learned from reading pulp sci-fi. Talking PointsTaking on a CIO role (10:24)Advice to choosing the right job role (13:21)Setting aside time for ‘mental downtime’ (18:38)Lessons learned from the pandemic (20:12)On neurotypes and how they impact leadership style (27:14)How does the Met Office predict the weather? (32:12)The Met Office’s role in combating climate change and research (54:46)The environment and the impact of cumulative small changes (58:08)LinksCharles Ewen’s interview on One Zero One PodcastMet Office Hadley CentreNatural Environment Research Council‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ by Philip K. Dick

Today’s guest joined the digital assets firm Gemini in 2020, when they expanded to the UK. As the Head of UK, and former Chief Compliance Officer for Europe, I’m excited to hear what Blair has learnt from the expansion, and how the digital assets market has changed over the past year. Gemini builds crypto products for both individuals and institutions to help buy, sell and store cryptocurrency. It was founded in 2014, by brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, to build a bridge to the future of money.Tune in to this conversation as we explore the role of compliance, the power of perseverance, investing in digital assets, the energy consumption of mining crypto, how Gemini are developing their work culture – and what we can learn from the All Blacks. Talking PointsBlair’s career at RBS (10:55)The compliance mindset within an entrepreneurial organisation (15:18)Cultural differences between large financial institutions and small startups (19:00)Working with Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss (27:38)Getting institutions to invest in crypto (31:13)Why the crypto market exploded in 2020 (35:29)The corporate interest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (39:46)Energy consumption and the future of green mining (40:53)The impact of remote-first work (55:37)LinksInsights DiscoveryPeter McCormack, Podcaster and Journalist - Bitcoin SpecialCameron & Tyler Winklevoss on What Bitcoin DidMicroStrategy‘Legacy’ by James KerrNifty Gateway

Having worked in three countries, Didem has more than 20 years experience in the global technology industry, spanning Enterprise Software and SaaS, Big Data and AI, Managed Services and Cloud business models. Under her current role as General Manager, Data & AI Acceleration at EMEA Microsoft, she’s responsible for the Data & AI customer success strategy, readiness, and execution.Didem’s energy is infectious. I was so excited to speak with her to learn more about her mission to empower more female leaders in technology, and what she’s doing to help combat domestic violence through technology. Tune in as we also discuss Satya Nadella’s leadership style, Microsoft’s work culture, some inspiring use cases for AI, how we can strive for more diversity and inclusion in the workplace  – and bumping into Bill Gates in the office.Talking PointsThe cultural transition moving from Turkey to USA (05:22)Lessons from the consultancy world when working for Capgemini (10:50)Cultural differences between UK and US (17:10)Satya Nadella's "growth mindset" and Microsoft’s transformation over the last decade (18:149)Didem’s role and mission at Microsoft (27:35)Striving for more diversity and inclusion in technology (28:34)What technology leaders can do to foster diversity and inclusion in their teams  (36:18)How AI can help solve domestic violence (38:15)Microsoft’s remote working policy (47:33)Advice for young female engineers who want to pursue a career path like Didem’s (48:53)Links‘Hit Refresh’ by Satya Nadella, Greg Shaw and Jill Tracie Nichols‘Brotopia’ by Emily ChangThe RSA FellowshipDidem’s LinkedInDidem’s Twitter

80% of under 8s have their own tablets – there’s no doubt that the impact of technology on the next generation will be huge. The Chairman of UK Finance and author of ‘Born Digital’ joins the show to distil his research on why we need to alter our relationship with technology.Robert Wigley backs young entrepreneurs in cutting edge technology businesses and Chairs UK Finance. He spent 25 years as a banker, rising to be EMEA Chairman of Merrill Lynch and a member of the board of the Bank of England during the 2008 financial crisis. Tune in as we discuss the impact of technology on empathy, Generation Z’s values, UK vs UK banking cultures, concorde flights – and Margaret Thatcher’s attention span.Talking PointsMeeting Margaret Thatcher when as a teenager (5:44)Lessons learnt from working at Merrill Lynch (8:22)Cultural differences between Wall Street and the City of London (10:43)Navigating through the 2007 - 2008 financial crisis (12:40)The stages of a digital detox (14:16)Research findings from his book (16:40)The rise of the ‘nones’ (21:22)What parents can do about digital overload with their children (27:19)What we can learn from Gen Z (33:04)The post-covid economy (37:58)The development of central bank digital currencies (39:59)Links‘Born Digital’ by Robert Wigley‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport‘The Madness of Crowds’ by Douglas MurrayMaPSElon Musk: why we are cyborgsThe Good Childhood ReportBlockchain.com‘Birdsong’ by Sebastian FaulksRobertWigley.uk

As a self-confessed former frustrated civil servant, James Herbert set himself on a mission to help scale the public sector’s digital transformation. It’s a big feat, but he launched Foundry4 to do just that. They provide teams of experts to solve complex problems for large organisations through end to end solutions across insights, strategy and delivery.James has worked with Cabinet Office teams designing the G-Cloud procurement framework, the foundations of the Digital Marketplace and the world’s first government Cloud-First technology strategy. In this discussion we explore digital identity, working for both private and public sectors, and how to productise a service-based business.Talking PointsThe Government’s investment in suppliers (10:44)The impact of the Digital Services Marketplace (16:03)Stress-testing an IR35 conspiracy theory (19:53)The digital transformation (25:44) The story behind Foundry4 (31:14)Preparing a business for IPO from day one (38:28)Advice for launching a service-based business (42:53)LinksThe Digital Services MarketplaceTom Loosemore‘Man's Search for Meaning’ by Viktor FranklRyan Prince - VC Investor and Chairman, Realstar GroupFoundry4Panoply

As an ex-contractor himself, Dave Chaplin wrote and published the first ever interactive online IR35 tax calculator. IR35 refers to the UK's anti-avoidance tax legislation designed to tax 'disguised' employment at a rate similar to employment. And as it sounds, it can get messy. I’m super excited to catch up with Dave again to hear more about how IR35 may affect you this year. Dave is the Founder and CEO of ContractorCalculator and CEO of IR35 Shield. He assists with IR35 tax tribunals, and regularly attends those he’s not involved with to increase his knowledge. Tune in as we discuss Dave’s former campaigns, the delays from the pandemic, and working on high profile cases such as Kay Adams. It’s about having the right processes in place, so enjoy this episode as Dave shares lots of helpful resources. Talking PointsDave’s key milestones and campaigns over the last 12 months (4:10)Lobbying in parliament in front of 30 MPs (5:48)The impact of blanket bans and determinations (9:03)The problem with the tool for checking employment status for tax (11:38)Lessons from high profiles cases (13:26)Working with agencies (19:15)Demystifying VAT when working inside (22:01)The firms that HMRC are likely to be ‘going after’ (28:07)The future of the Small Company Exemption Clause (35:10)LinksDave Chaplin - IR35 SpecialContractorCalculator.co.ukIR35Shield.co.ukBBC Radio 4 Money BoxUmbrella Reclaim

Today’s guest is a serial entrepreneur focused on sustainability in the food and energy sectors. Huw Thomas is the Cofounder, President and COO at Counterfactual Ventures, a venture studio focused on filling gaps in the alt-protein industry to accelerate the 'protein transition'.With a background in computer engineering and renewable energy, it’s been a fascinating journey for Huw. He was the COO of cultivated meat startup New Age Meats, co-founder of renewable energy consultancy SCENE, and CEO of sports nutrition startup Fuelit. Tune in to learn more about dealing with the colossal global meat industry, how to best name the ‘meat alternative’ industry, dealing with regulations, and the need for more curiosity as leaders.Talking PointsHuw’s training in computer engineering (3:22)The stage we’re at in the mass production of alternative protein sources (12:50)When we can expect viable alternatives to meat on a global scale (16:09)Naming the industry for meat alternatives (22:25)The story and mission behind Counterfactual Ventures (31:50)Seeking outcome driven entrepreneurs (36:46)The role of curiosity in leadership (47:00)Links‘Doing Good Better’ by William MacAskillThisThe Good Food InstituteEat JustCounterfactual Ventures‘The Precipice’ by Toby OrdJoe Rogan Experience #1169​ - Elon Musk‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen Covey

Embracing your uniqueness and authentic voice has been the driving force behind today’s guest success as a leader. Yamini Rangan is the Chief Customer Officer at HubSpot and is working on some ambitious goals for the leading CRM provider. Driven by the motto “helping is the new selling”, I loved learning more about Yamini’s insights into sales and marketing.Coming from an engineering background, Yamini has learnt how sales goes hand-in-hand with technology. With over 24 years experience across sales, marketing, operations, and strategy, she has also worked at Workday and Dropbox. In 2019, Yamini was recognised as one of the Most Influential Women in Business by San Francisco Business Times. Join our conversation as we discuss decision-making patterns, hyper-growth, gender diversity – and booking her one-way ticket from India to Atlanta in her early 20s. Talking PointsHer passion for technology when growing up in a small Indian town (4:49)The technology changes Yamini has seen in India (12:15)Establishing her career in the US (14:12)Key milestones in Yamini’s career (25:46)Joining Hubspot and her ambitious goals (31:05)The fundamentals of sales and marketing (33:56)Making the entire customer journey digital (36:41)How to get noticed as a small business online (38:57)Getting more women into STEM (42:07)LinksHubspot Certified Training‘Principles’ by Ray Dalio‘Trillion Dollar Coach’ by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan EagleProject Potential

Bitcoin has been in the news recently, the price has hit an all-time high but opinion remains divided. Enthusiasts call it the perfect modern money system yet critics dismiss it as a bubble that resembles a Ponzi scheme. My guest today is the host of the world's #1 bitcoin podcast, "What Bitcoin Did". He isn't a software engineer or monetary economist, he is just a regular guy from Bedford who isn't afraid to ask basic fundamental questions as to why this technology is potentially going to change everybody's lives. For this reason, his content is very accessible to the average person who is looking to learn more about cryptocurrencies.  He also has an incredible story to tell. His career has been full of ups and downs, which Peter reflects upon candidly. Peter talks about building a business and also speaks about a very dark period in his life where his marriage collapsed and he fought drug addiction. They also cover what bitcoin really is and what that means for the average person. A thought-provoking and value-filled conversation. 1. Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3sS4Lyv2. Subscribe at:    - iTunes: https://apple.co/3ocDymB    - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qyR2KK3. YouTube: https://bit.ly/3qyQLHI4. Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechLPodcast

Sina left university prematurely to pursue entrepreneurial endeavours. “.. in the right place at the right time”.  His company Yoello has achieved incredible growth in 2020.  The app-less mobile ordering and payment solution is now used by thousands of high street restaurant and hospitality businesses, including Burger King, Subway, and The Grand, York, allowing them to serve their customers securely, efficiently and rapidly.  In this Tech Leaders’ Podcast, Gareth talks to Sina about the path to meteoric success, from his arrival in the UK aged 8 knowing little more than two words of English, his early entrepreneurial projects through to being the owner and CEO of a company that is revolutionising payment systems. Not adverse to risk-taking, Sina talks about his early foray into Bitcoin, leaving university during his final year to start his business (much to his mother’s upset) finding investors, and setting up an experienced board of advisors from the global financial sector. He discusses setbacks, the milestones in Yoello’s growth, his own personal motivation, and how he built the corporate structure. Gareth quizzes him on future plans, the challenges of working remotely when building a new business, on-boarding new employees in such conditions and what he looks for when hiring talent. The future looks very bright for Yoello with expansion into Europe an imminent prospect. 

The pandemic has forced thousands of Brits to overcome their fear of technology, to embrace this digital world and develop skills to stay connected, both on a personal and professional level. Gareth talks to Kerensa Jennings, BT Group Director of Digital Impact. They discuss her amazing career, working with the likes of legendary broadcasters like David Frost and David Attenborough through to the amazing work she is currently involved with at BT. Kerensa’s career path has been far from linear, holding various roles in the production of television news and documentary programmes, including writing “the Slug’ for the Big Breakfast. Five years within the Royal Household forming strategy and delivery for IDEA CIC award to inspire digital enterprise pre-empted her appointment to her current role. Kerensa and her team are on a mission to provide digital skill acquisition to the masses and upskill those seeking employment. Specific programmes targeted to primary school children, school leavers, small businesses provide the opportunity for users to develop a problem-solving mindset, a crucial skill in today’s rapid, ever-changing world, together with inspiring confidence and adaptability. Find out how Kerensa views the impact of AI and the irreversible technological legacy of Covid-19.

Gareth interviews CTO of Welsh Water, Rob Norris. Following a piece of impromptu advice from a school friend, Rob embarked on a career in IT, working on some huge projects for diverse and corporate organisations across the UK, culminating in his current position as Chief Technology Officer within a critical national infrastructure organisation. Rob speaks candidly about his humble beginnings, his experience of working in a start-up, the evolution of cyber threats and the importance of challenging conventional wisdom. 

Gareth interviews Paul Clark, CTO of Ocado Group – the company transforming online groceries through a suite of technology, including robotics, AI & ML.  Having joined in 2006, Paul talks candidly about the journey from being a start-up UK grocer, to becoming a global technology provider. They discuss AI, Quantum Computing, Digital Twins and other forward-looking endeavours for Ocado and the wider tech industry. Paul also gives us his views on the current situation and the lessons learned from the pandemic. A fascinating deep dive into one of the most innovative tech companies in the UK, by one of the key figures behind it. 

Gareth interviews Mark Rice who is CIO at global language services provider, thebigword. With almost two decades experience leading commercial and technology departments for national and multi-national companies, Mark's career spans industries including manufacturing, logistics consultancy and most recently language services, where he was promoted to CIo after 11 months! Mark is a product-led leader and talks us through this, along with his experience of implementing efficiency, managing conflict, screening prospective hires and engaging remote teams. We also cover the objectives of thebigword, who are on a mission to make the world a smaller place by breaking down language barriers, supporting global trade and helping people access goods, commerce and services in their own languages. Some amazing anecdotes and advice from a top-of-his game, tech leader. 

Gareth interviews Peter Dowds, founder of Elder HQ, an alternative to residential care homes and one of the fastest growing companies in the UK, aiming is to reshape how society looks after their elderly. Following a stint with a global law firm and couple of business ventures, Peter got involved in the later-life care sector, having seen an opportunity based the high demand for care options, driven by a rapidly ageing population. They discuss Peter's experiences of growing a company and disrupting a well-established industry, the pandemic and his outlook for the future. 

Gareth interviews Ryan Prince - co-founder and vice-chairman of Realstar Group, who runs a large portfolio of commercial properties across the UK, he founded concept developer, UNCLE, who mix co-working space with, amenity-rich living space, catering to millennial and Gen Z professionals in major UK cities. He also co-founded early-stage venture capital firm, iGabriel at the age of just 21. They unpack this, his experience of investing in early-stage businesses, and Ryan's predictions for the work-space sector in light of the proclivity towards remote-working following the lockdown.

Gareth interviews Vishal Chatrath, a serial entrepreneur with an inspirational story. They discuss his entrepreneurial endeavours and what it takes to grow, autonomous effective teams in the current climate. His current venture, Prowler.io are a research-led AI/machine learning start-up who build autonomous agents for games and decision-support simulations. They focusing on behavioural learning and simulation in virtual environments and use inverse reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning for capturing behaviour for abstracted decision making. Quite notably they are currently working on solutions to future-proof supply chains from disruptions like pandemics. 

Gareth Interviews Luke Hakes who's one of the partners at Octopus Ventures, one of the biggest VC funds in Europe. Luke did a PhD in computational genetics and unexpectedly went on to join Octopus in the early stages, in what could be described as opportune circumstances. He has since had a fantastic career in venture capital, overseeing multiple success stories with some of the UK's most innovative tech companies. He currently runs a hugely successful health-tech portfolio, at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic. We break down his criteria for investing and talk about the importance of building human capital value and having faith in your team. We also discuss upcoming macro shifts and the potential opportunity and turmoil that may arise. 

Gareth interviews Carwyn Jones MS, a Welsh Labour politician who served as First Minister of Wales, and Leader of the Welsh Labour party from 2009 to 2018. An advocate of technology and progress, Carwyn was instrumental in upgrading the connectivity and network infrastructure of Wales, and has recently been advising technology businesses on strategy and governance. We also cover the current challenges for businesses in these unprecedented times, his big decision to leave politics next year, and his upcoming book release which is now available to pre-order on Amazon. 

Gareth interviews the CIO of Deliveroo Will Sprunt. Following graduating from Cambridge University, Will had an early taste of starting a business and then embarked on a career in data analytics, culminating in being promoted to his current role within popular food delivery service, Deliveroo. We cover lots of ground, including the importance of being bilingual (that includes being able to code) for creativity, his crash-course in entrepreneurialism and we unpack his impressive career trajectory. 

Bruce Daisley grew up on a council estate in Birmingham. Twenty years on, having worked in radio and magazines, he’s held leadership roles game-changing technology firms like YouTube, Google and most recently was Vice President for Twitter EMEA. His 2019 book on improving work culture, “The Joy of Work”, was a Sunday Times number one business bestseller and also went on to be named The Financial Times - Book of the Month. Bruce also hosts a chart-topping podcast, “Eat Sleep, Work, Repeat" and often places as the top-rated speaker at conferences in the US and the UK. Bruce is a thought leader in the workplace culture conversation, which has been disrupted so much by recent events. 

Gareth Interviews Kevin Goldsmith, CTO of London based, identity verification provider Onfido. An engineer by trade, Kevin cut his teeth at Microsoft in the 1990's, and was a member of the Windows Media, Windows CE, and Microsoft Research teams at a time when they were scaling into the global behemoth they are today. He was also the Director of Engineering at Adobe Systems for nine years through a similar growth trajectory and also the VP of Engineering, at Spotify where he led, both product development and streaming delivery during a crucial time. We cover the above along with his thoughts on quantum computing, technology innovation and keeping engineering teams motivated during a lockdown. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.