SUGTalks

Hosted by UK & Ireland SAP User Group

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Episodes

142

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

SUGTalks is the official UKISUG Podcast, aimed at driving success and making your job easier, providing an independent channel for all of your SAP needs. Hosted by Craig Dale, alongside our special guests, SUGTalks takes a look at the opportunities and challenges facing SAP users today. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 3, 2026Episode 1144 min

Inside Sapphire 2026: The Autonomous Enterprise Unpacked

In our latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan and Ian Mallinson to discuss the main announcements and their experiences at this year's Sapphire conferences in Orlando and Madrid.Conor and Ian reflect on SAP framing itself as a business AI company and its vision for the autonomous enterprise. They also share their honest opinion on SAP’s new suite of AI agents. In addition they share why process and knowledge graphs matter alongside data, and the cost and governance questions organisations need to ask before deploying agents.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

May 20, 2026Episode 1045 min

Licensing, AI and SUGEN: Your UKISUG Connect Questions Answered

In our latest episode, Craig is joined by Conor Riordan, Chair of UKISUG, and Philip Adams, UKISUG Board Member and SUGEN Core Leadership Team member. Together they address some of the questions from UKISUG Connect that we didn't get to on the keynote stage.Conor and Philip share an update on the SUGEN licensing charter, including progress being made on consumption-based licensing. They also explain how SUGEN works with SAP at both an executive and country level. The conversation also covers how organisations can balance agility with strong governance. Conor and Philip discuss the risk of cutting training and adoption budgets in a subscription world, and how UKISUG is supporting public sector members. They then move on to AI, including reskilling, dispelling fears around AI adoption, and whether AI could ever replace SAP ERP as we know it.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

May 6, 2026Episode 933 min

SAP's David Yawalkar on the SUGEN Transformation Charter, S/4HANA and AI

In the latest episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP.David shares an update on SAP’s involvement with the SUGEN Transformation Charter, what SAP has learned from charter members and how customer feedback is shaping the company’s Cloud ERP messaging. He explains why SAP has committed to both private and public cloud as long-term strategic products.David also reflects on some of the themes he hears from user groups globally after taking part in transformation days around the world. Craig and David also explore the move from AI hype to real working use cases. They discuss the importance of clean core and the risks of waiting too long to move from ECC. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

April 22, 2026Episode 835 min

An Interview with Sonia Nash, Head of Business AI, SAP UK&I: AI Adoption and an Unconventional Route into Tech

In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Sonia Nash, Head of Business AI at SAP UK and Ireland.Sonia shares her unconventional career journey - from accounts payable into automation, solution advisory and now leading SAP's Business AI focus. She reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, the importance of curiosity, and why you don't need to be a developer to build a rewarding career in tech.Craig and Sonia also discuss the shift from AI skepticism to genuine enthusiasm among SAP customers, how organisations can get started with Joule and SAP Business AI, and why agentic AI is the most exciting development across the community. They also explore what it will take to attract more women and diverse talent into STEM and SAP careers.You can access SAP's Discovery Center here: https://discovery-center.cloud.sap/ai-catalog/To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

April 8, 2026Episode 733 min

Lessons from Twinings’ Transformation: Questions from UKISUG Connect keynote answered

In part two of the conversation, Craig is once again joined by Sandeep Seeripat, Global Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Twinings, to answer questions posed by the audience at his UKISUG Connect keynote.Together they explore the practical realities of Twinings’ transformation journey. This includes how to build a one-program mentality across teams and partners, and how to align around a shared vision that keeps transformation focused on business outcomes rather than technology.Along the way, Sandeep covers clean core, governance, delivery partner selection and scaling transformation across multiple business units and geographies. He also shares honest reflections on the challenges of leading large-scale change, from making difficult decisions to maintaining momentum beyond go-live.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

March 25, 2026Episode 634 min

An Interview with Sandeep Seeripat from Twinings

In part one of this two-part SUGTalks conversation, Craig is joined by Sandeep Seeripat, Global Business Transformation and Technology Officer at Twinings. Together they discuss career growth, leadership and business transformation. Sandeep shares how he moved from engineering into technology, why he sees himself as a business problem solver first, and what senior leaders need to do to make transformation meaningful and sustainable.Along the way, Sandeep discusses authenticity, curiosity, feedback, collaboration and the importance of taking people with you through change. He also offers a clear-eyed view on AI, the pace of change facing digital leaders, and the need to keep learning - and unlearning. Part two will see Sandeep and Craig answering questions submitted by the audience at his UKISUG Connect keynote.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

March 11, 2026Episode 543 min

Women in SAP 2026 Update: Give to Gain and Building a Stronger Community

In our latest SUGTalks episode, Craig is joined by UKISUG Women in SAP Community Leads Emma Chambers and Fiona Warburg. Together they discuss the progress made by the Women in SAP community over the past year and some of the equality challenges that still persist across the tech sector. In addition, they outline how practical initiatives such as mentoring, networking and allyship are helping to support career progression and representation.They also explore this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” and how contributing time, experience and support can help individuals, organisations and the wider SAP ecosystem thrive.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

February 25, 2026Episode 435 min

An Interview with Emel Morris, CIO at Central Bedfordshire Council

In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Emel Morris, CIO at Central Bedfordshire Council.Emel shares her journey from corporate communications into IT leadership and the skills that helped her transition into the role. She also outlines why today’s CIO must focus on stakeholder engagement, change, and aligning technology to real service outcomes.Craig and Emel also discuss pressures on public sector services, cyber security, AI alongside the importance of inclusion and Women in SAP.To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

February 11, 2026Episode 345 min

Working With AI, Not Against It – Insights from Mark Raben

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Mark Raben, former SAP EMEA CTO, keynote speaker and leadership coach, to examine the role of trust, culture and leadership in the era of AI.Recorded at UKISUG Connect following Mark’s keynote, the conversation looks beyond technology to focus on human behaviour, trust and culture in transformation programmes. Mark explains how the brain works as a prediction machine, why structure alone isn’t enough for successful SAP projects, and how leaders can reduce anxiety by being transparent about intent. Learn more about Mark Raben here: https://www.markraben.com/🔗 Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

January 28, 2026Episode 243 min

Getting More Value from SAP with a Customer Centre of Expertise

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Phil Creek, Intake Demand Lead at the SAP Centre of Expertise at Boots, and Rohan Parikh, SAP Platform Architect at Maersk, to explore the value of building an SAP Customer Centre of Expertise (COE).The conversation builds on the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper, covering why COEs matter, the importance of senior sponsorship, what effective governance looks like, and the skills a modern COE needs. Phil and Rohan share practical perspectives on balancing internal capability with partners, supporting a clean core, and how COEs need to evolve as SAP customers move further into the cloud. 📄 Click Here to download the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper 💬 Join the UKISUG ALM Community to continue the discussion with fellow SAP users 🔗 Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme