Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy

Hosted by Cynozure

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The original data podcast. The Hub and Spoken podcast is a series of fascinating discussions with today's top data and business leaders from across the business world. The conversations explore how to add most value to organisations through the use of data and analytics, and how best to organise yourself to achieve that value. It talks about how to define and deliver data strategy, and the best way to return business value.

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60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 26440 min

Making AI Work: From Business Value to Human Trust

AI may be advancing at extraordinary speed, but making it work inside an organisation is about far more than the technology. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Alex Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer at Zurich Insurance, to explore how leaders can move from AI experimentation towards meaningful business value - while bringing their people with them. They discuss why organisations need to start with the problem, not the technology, and why the businesses that succeed won't necessarily be those using the most AI, but those putting it in the right places. The conversation also tackles one of the harder questions surrounding AI: trust. From employees being asked to work differently without knowing exactly what the future looks like, to customers wanting human empathy at critical moments, successful adoption depends on understanding where technology helps and where human judgement and connection still matter. Jason and Alex explore the role of leadership, governance, skills and culture in making that happen, and why middle managers could ultimately determine whether AI transformation succeeds or fails.

August 6, 2026Episode 26337 min

What really shapes great leaders in the age of AI

Leadership is often shaped long before someone reaches the boardroom. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Kate Boyle, AI, data and technology leader, to explore the experiences that define great leadership. From starting work at 16 and building a career across financial services and the public sector, to leading data and AI transformation, Kate shares the personal and professional lessons that have shaped her approach to leading people. The conversation explores resilience, empathy, workplace culture and why striving for perfection often holds leaders back. Kate also reflects on how organisations can better develop future leaders, the importance of creating environments where people can thrive, and why understanding people is just as important as understanding technology. They also discuss one of the biggest leadership challenges today: balancing the excitement around AI with the responsibility to implement it safely. From governance and data quality to realistic expectations, Kate explains why strong leadership will determine whether organisations realise AI's potential or simply chase the latest trend.

July 23, 2026Episode 26243 min

As AI gets smarter, what makes humans more valuable?

As AI becomes more capable, the question for leaders is no longer what technology can do, but what people should do. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Ollie Pickup, Human Work Evolution Storyteller, to explore how organisations can embrace AI without losing the qualities that make people indispensable. Together, they discuss why removing every ounce of friction from work may come at a cost, whether businesses are unintentionally cutting off the next generation of talent, and why trust, judgement and human connection will become increasingly valuable in an AI-driven world. The conversation explores the changing role of education, the impact of AI on graduate opportunities, and the responsibility organisations have to develop future leaders rather than simply automate entry-level work. Ollie also shares his framework of the "Seven Cs" - the human capabilities he believes will matter most as machines become more intelligent - from curiosity and creativity to communication, compassion and critical thinking. This is a thoughtful discussion about balancing technological progress with human potential, and how leaders can ensure AI strengthens organisations without diminishing the people who power them.

July 9, 2026Episode 26117 min

The truth about building a data-driven culture

Creating a data-driven culture has become one of the most common ambitions in business. It's written into strategies, discussed in boardrooms and increasingly sits alongside AI transformation plans. But what if organisations have been approaching it the wrong way? In this episode, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, challenges the idea that culture is something you can create through awareness campaigns, training or communications alone. Instead, he argues that culture is the outcome of how an organisation is designed - from its incentives and decision-making processes to the systems, behaviours and leadership it rewards every day. Drawing on leadership theory and practical experience, Jason explores why organisations should stop trying to change the "shadow" and instead focus on changing what's casting it. He explains why making data easier to access, embedding evidence into decisions, rewarding the right behaviours and solving real business problems will naturally create a stronger data culture. As organisations race to become AI-first, the episode also offers a timely warning: don't repeat the same mistakes. Design the environment first, and the culture will follow.

June 25, 2026Episode 26044 min

Building agentic AI that scales: Architecture, governance and trust in the age of autonomous systems

Agentic AI is moving beyond experimentation. Organisations are beginning to explore how autonomous agents can automate decisions, orchestrate complex processes and unlock new levels of productivity. But how do you build these systems in a way that is scalable, secure and trustworthy? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Matt Clarke, Director of Architecture at Cynozure, to explore what it really takes to design and govern agentic AI architectures in enterprise environments. They discuss how agentic systems differ from traditional software, the growing importance of governance-by-design, and why trust, observability and control are becoming critical architectural principles. Matt shares practical examples of how agents are already being used to automate decision-making, personalise experiences and streamline operations, while highlighting the challenges organisations face as they move from proof of concept to production. The conversation also explores how governance can accelerate rather than hinder innovation, why every organisation needs an effective "off switch" for AI systems, and why flexibility may be the most important design principle as agentic AI continues to evolve.

June 11, 2026Episode 25935 min

Can AI improve social mobility or deepen inequality?

Artificial Intelligence is often positioned as the great democratiser of knowledge. But could it also widen existing inequalities? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster is joined by Dipi McKernan, Chief Controls Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, to explore the intersection of AI and social mobility. Drawing on her own journey and extensive work championing socioeconomic diversity, Dipi shares why social mobility remains a significant challenge across financial and professional services, despite growing awareness and progress. Together, Jason and Dipi discuss how AI could create new opportunities by opening access to knowledge, learning, mentoring and career development that were previously out of reach for many. But they also examine the risks. As AI reshapes the workforce, what happens to entry-level roles that traditionally provide experience and pathways into leadership? Could bias, unequal access to technology, and a lack of diversity among those building AI systems reinforce existing barriers? This is a thoughtful conversation about the future of work, opportunity, and the responsibility leaders, educators and organisations have to ensure AI helps create a fairer future rather than a more divided one.

May 28, 2026Episode 25837 min

The human side of AI: building customer-centricity at scale

In this episode of Hub & Spoken , Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Tom Spencer, Director of Customer Data Sciences at Aviva, about what it takes to build a genuinely customer-centric organisation using data and AI. Tom shares how Aviva is using customer analytics, machine learning and emerging AI technologies to improve customer relevance, strengthen retention and create more joined-up experiences across millions of customers and multiple product lines. The conversation explores how large organisations can connect data strategy directly to business outcomes through experimentation, targeting intelligence and faster feedback loops. The episode also looks at the operational realities behind the ambition: legacy systems, fragmented journeys, data foundations and the importance of strong partnerships between data teams and the wider business. Tom reflects on how generative AI is changing customer expectations and why organisations that succeed will be those with the strongest understanding of their customers. 🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

May 14, 2026Episode 25738 min

AI, algorithms and the future of the internet business model

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Alessandra Di Lorenzo, advisor to CMOs, author of Adjust and TEDx speaker, about how AI is reshaping the internet business model. They explore the rise of zero-click search, recommendation engines and feed-based commerce, and discuss why brand trust, direct traffic and consumer awareness are becoming more important as AI increasingly acts as a gatekeeper between brands and audiences. For senior business and technology leaders, this episode offers a timely perspective on what happens when the economics of the internet start to change. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

April 30, 2026Episode 25653 min

A data and AI time capsule: what's changed, what hasn't and what comes next

In this special 10th anniversary episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, creates a time capsule for the data and AI industry: looking back at the last decade, reflecting on where we are today and exploring what the next ten years could bring. *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-69f1c83d-7674-832c-9e33-72c071e1792e-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-38" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Drawing on voices from people who have seen the shifts, lived the challenges and done the work, Jason explores what the industry got right, where expectations have run ahead of reality and what still matters when it comes to creating value from data and AI. The episode explores AI's rise in the boardroom, the speed of experimentation, the challenge of moving from proof of concept to production and the growing importance of humans in the loop. But it also comes back to the fundamentals that continue to shape success: business outcomes, data quality, governance, adoption, trust, culture and leadership. It is a chance to pause, take stock and ask what we know to be true now, and where we think things are headed. And, for anyone listening in 2036, to see what we got right and what we got wrong.

April 16, 2026Episode 25546 min

Building data and AI capability inside the UK's data regulator

What does it take to build a modern data and AI capability inside the organisation responsible for protecting information rights across the UK? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Rob Holtom, Executive Director for Digital, Data, Technology and Customer Experience at the ICO, the UK's independent regulator for information rights. Together, they explore what it means to lead data and AI adoption from inside a regulator: balancing innovation with public trust, building capability without losing sight of value, and creating space for experimentation while staying grounded in responsibility. Rob shares how the ICO has approached capability building by starting with people, developing strategic as well as operational skills, and using data and AI to improve scale, efficiency and decision-making. The conversation also looks at why generative AI matters for regulators, where it can unlock value, and why data teams need to stay closely involved rather than treating it as someone else's problem. This is a practical conversation about leadership, policy, experimentation and the reality of using data well in complex organisations.