AI for Business with BCN

Hosted by BCN

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Jun 2026

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About the show

AI for Business is the essential podcast for business leaders who want to stay ahead of the artificial intelligence curve. Hosted by BCN, each episode invites guests to share stories on how they’re using AI in their field and industry, with the goal to inspire you to bring this to your business. We break down the biggest AI news, like major model releases, industry-wide shifts, and regulatory changes, translating them into practical strategies for the C-suite and business leaders. You’ll hear from guests, sector specialists, and our own AI consultants, all focused on helping you navigate disruption, seize new opportunities, and future-proof your organisation. Make “AI for Business” your go-to source for staying informed, inspired, and ready to lead in a rapidly changing world.

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38 recent

June 2, 202617 min

Self-Driving Cars Today, Robot Coworkers Tomorrow?

Robots are getting real, and the business impact is closer than most people want to admit. We pick up the thread on robotics and autonomy and ask what it means when “work” shifts from humans doing tasks to humans directing systems that do them for us. Along the way, we talk about why the first wave won’t be humanoids in your office, but focused, high-value robotics like self-driving vehicles, warehouse automation, and clinical tools that can scale expertise.We’re joined by Mart Rotherham, CTO at BCN, and Matt Lovell, CEO of CloudGuard, to map the transition from today’s AI-powered software to tomorrow’s physical automation. Mark breaks down the idea of an agentic workforce and how abstraction changes job design: fewer hands-on tasks, more responsibility for clear specs, validation, and outcomes. Matt brings it down to earth; human governance, and ethical judgment can’t be bolted on later.Then we shift to the risk side: CISA, the CVE system, and the National Vulnerability Database that so many security tools rely on. If that shared vulnerability backbone weakens while attackers use generative AI to find flaws faster, businesses face a widening gap between exploit speed and patch speed. We close with practical leadership takeaways on guardrails, patching discipline, and risk mapping so innovation doesn’t outpace safety.Subscribe for more AI for business insights, share this with a leader who owns operational risk, and leave a review with your biggest question about robotics and security.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

May 12, 202624 min

Why Big Tech Is Spending Billions On AI

Billions are flowing into AI, models are getting smarter, and the price of access keeps dropping, but the hardest part for most leaders is deciding what to trust and how to stay secure while everything speeds up. We sit down with Mark Rutherham (CTO at BCN) and Matt Lovell (CEO of CloudGuard) to unpack what the latest AI headlines mean for real business strategy, especially for UK organizations navigating cloud dependence, infrastructure gaps, and the messy reality behind “sovereign AI.”We talk through the investment race powering generative AI, from chips and cloud capacity to the competitive push for market share. Then we shift to the risks that show up once AI moves from experiments to embedded workflows. If AI becomes part of how work gets done, availability and performance start to matter like any other critical system, which raises uncomfortable questions for business continuity, disaster recovery, and vendor dependency.We also dig into data privacy and governance where the key issue is increasingly where data is processed, not just where it sits. Tools like Microsoft Copilot and model options like Claude highlight the trade-offs between capability and control, especially under GDPR and PII requirements. Finally, we explore what cheaper AI and open source models change for small teams, plus the infrastructure story behind the scenes: data center power demand, renewable energy constraints, and what comes next.Subscribe for more AI for business updates, share this with a colleague who owns risk or operations, and leave a review with your biggest question about adopting AI securely.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

February 26, 202633 min

AI Means “Knowledge Work Is Cooked”, How Should Leaders Respond | Mark Rotheram, Rowan Gill

Headlines are loud, decisions are quiet. We walk through the breakthroughs that matter to leaders, agent teams, bigger context windows, and permissionless tools, while Mark brings a CTO’s lens to “knowledge work is cooked” and Rowan shows how to scale marketing without losing voice, trust, or brand integrity.We cover:Agent Teams, Bigger Context Windows & Permissionless ToolsSeparating Hype from the Shift Already HereScaling Marketing Without Losing Voice, Trust, or BrandOpenClaw at 100,000 Stars: Lessons from Over‑Permissions, Rushed Installs & Real IncidentsShip Agents Safely: Least Privilege, MFA, Audit Trails & a Living AI PolicySearch Has Changed: Optimise for Citation Inside AI Summaries, Not Just Blue LinksModels That Fit the Work: Frontier vs Open Source, Performance, Cost, Sovereignty, ComplianceThe Portfolio Approach: Enterprise‑Grade APIs + Local Models for Regulated DataHuman Judgement First: Define, Constrain, Measure—Then Edit HardYour 30‑Day Sprint: Refresh AI Policy, Enable Secure Copilot to Reduce Shadow AI, Rework One Outcome End‑to‑EndIf this helped clarify your next move, follow, share with a colleague wrestling with AI adoption, and leave a quick review so others can find us.Chapters0:00: Setting The Stakes: AI’s Speed1:17: Three Big Themes For Leaders2:08: Marketing’s New Search Reality3:04: What “Knowledge Work Is Cooked” Means5:23: Human Judgment As Differentiator10:06: The OpenClaw Explosion14:19: Safe Adoption And New Use Cases16:55: Policies To Curb Shadow AI19:18: Model Upgrades And Agent Teams22:28: Open Source, Sovereignty, And Trust25:11: Enabling Teams Amid Chaos27:08: 30-Day Priorities Follow MarkLinkedin: Mark RotheramFollow SinéadLinkedin: Sinéad HammondFollow RowanLinkedin: Rowan GillFollow BCNLinkedin: Company PageInstagram: BCN on InstagramSign up for our newsletter: NewsletterThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

January 21, 202628 min

“If Your Job’s on a Computer, It Will Change.” Here’s What to Do Next | Mark Rotheram | Ep 1

The ground is shifting under every screen-based job. We dig into why embracing AI is now a necessity and how leaders can turn that momentum into real gains in margin, speed, quality, and customer experience. In this episode, Mark Rotherham, CTO at BCN, helps us unpack what actually changed in the last 12 months, why 2026 looks like a major inflection point, and how to move beyond pilots toward durable operating model upgrades.We cover:Why 2026 is the inflection point for AI adoption across every sectorThe real reason AI has shifted from novelty to mission‑critical business infrastructureThe truth about AGI, the “singularity,” and what these terms actually mean for organisationsHow roles in finance, marketing, sales, software engineering and operations will be reshapedThe risks leaders can’t ignore, from shadow AI to hallucinations to governance gapsThe three actions every business leader should take in the next 90 days to stay competitiveChapters:0:00: Setting The Stakes: Disruption1:04: Why AI Became Mainstream4:42: Adoption Strategy And Culture6:10: First-Mover Advantage Vs No-Mover Risk7:24: AGI Hype And Practical Benchmarks10:52: Business Benchmarks Over Processes12:35: Jobs, Tasks, And Role Shifts14:45: Mindset: Curiosity And Upskilling16:34: Risks, Shadow AI, Governance19:50: Ninety-Day Action PlanFollow MarkLinkedin: Mark Rotheram | LinkedInFollow SinéadLinkedin: Sinéad Hammond | LinkedInFollow BCNLinkedin: Company Page | LinkedInInstagram: BCN Group (@bcngroup)Sign up for our newsletter: Newsletter - BCN*Recorded on 15th January 2026. Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

December 29, 202527 min

AI That Delivers for Business: Building your Agentic Workforce

In this episode we look at why 2026 becomes the tipping point for AI in information work and how leaders can turn capability into measurable outcomes. We break down AI agents, governance, data readiness, and practical first steps that prove value without risking your most critical assets. • Defining information workers and where disruption lands first • Closing the knowledge gap with safe, governed tools • Shifting from tasks to outcome-oriented orchestration • Agents as digital colleagues with identity, policy, and skills • Scaling benefits: cost, consistency, and 24/7 coverage • First steps for SMBs using Microsoft Copilot and policy controls • Lower barriers to proof-of-value and rapid prototyping • Governance, compliance, and model provenance • Data maturity aligned to decisions and outcomes • Measuring ROI with partial automation and human oversightIf you're enjoying our content, make sure you hit like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.For more information about BCN, visit bcn.co.ukThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

November 4, 202539 min

Gain the visibility you need to cut costs and forecast for the future

We share how wholesalers and distributors turn fragmented systems into real-time visibility, trusted forecasts, and measurable ROI. Cutwel’s story shows how better access and governance speed decisions, while cautionary tales highlight the cost of poor forecasting and blind spots.• The sprawl of ERP, spreadsheets, and cloud tools creating silos• Wholesale challenges around real-time visibility and forecasting• Success story transforming a fish supply chain with live data• Proving ROI through small pilots and scaling wins• What Cutwel changed to trust data and act faster• How to appoint a data champion and set governance• Quick wins with Power BI and dark data insight• Roadmap from reporting automation to cultural adoption• KPIs to measure impact like COGS, OTIF, turnover, forecast accuracy• Linking forecasts with supplier lead times for fewer stockouts• Using Microsoft funding and keeping security front and centreIf you're enjoying our content, make sure you hit like and subscribe so you don't miss an episode.For more information about BCN, visit bcn.co.ukThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

September 30, 202543 min

Rethink stock management to streamline fulfilment and reduce waste

Every missed pick, late shipment, or stockout tells a story, and it usually starts with a process that no longer fits the volume. We pull back the curtain on how wholesalers, distributors, and suppliers can replace spreadsheet sprawl and manual ordering with streamlined flows, real-time inventory visibility, and warehouse operations that actually keep promises. The throughline is simple: fix the process, then use technology to scale it.Emma Portlock leads a conversation with Andy from productivity solutions and Fareeya, a senior ERP consultant, plus seasoned CIO advisor Mark Mitchelson. Together, we examine the hidden costs of inefficiency, duplicate data entry, long approvals, aging stock, and overnight integrations that slow the business. You’ll hear real examples: turning a 12-step manual order routine into a 5-step ERP flow, digitising stock counts with barcode capture, and phasing a legacy system off into modern Business Central. Mark breaks down demand forecasting across long lead times and complex variants, while Andy shows where quick wins live, staffing automations, certificate tracking, and mapping warehouse zones into the system for accurate movements.We also talk data without the buzzwords. AI only delivers when the data is curated, connected, and current. That means consolidating files, standardising fields, and surfacing real-time signals so forecasting, seasonality insights, and exception alerts can be trusted. The roadmap we share is practical and phased: discover how work truly happens, pilot a high-impact fix, measure ROI, and scale in steps across orders, inventory, and warehouse workflows. The result is fewer fire drills, faster fulfilment, and operations that can flex with demand.Ready to reduce hidden costs and increase control? Listen now, subscribe for more practical deep dives, and share your biggest bottleneck so we can tackle it on a future episode. Visit BCN.co.uk for more information about how we help Wholesalers with their digital transformation.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

July 23, 202518 min

How to get the most out of Microsoft Copilot: Adoption tips for businesses

In this episode of the BCN Podcast, we explore the approaches businesses should take when implementing AI tools, focusing on education, security, and effective adoption strategies. Experts Fraser Dear and Johan Venables share insights on how to identify business cases, address data security concerns, and ensure successful AI integration.• Starting with education to help staff understand AI capabilities and address misconceptions• Identifying the right business use cases for AI implementation, including individual productivity tools versus process-focused solutions• Conducting thorough data discovery and security audits before implementing AI tools• Building appropriate governance frameworks and AI councils to monitor and control AI use• Creating supportive communities and identifying champions to drive successful adoption• Using Microsoft Viva Insights to measure productivity gains and demonstrate ROI• Recognising that AI adoption is a continuous journey requiring ongoing support and educationVisit our website at bcn.co.uk to learn more about how we can help your business begin or improve your AI adoption journey.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

July 9, 202520 min

Microsoft Copilot in 2025: What’s Landed, What’s Next for AI and Agents

Halfway through 2025, the AI revolution isn't slowing down it's accelerating in ways that are transforming how businesses operate. In this enlightening conversation, Peter Filitz sits down with Fraser Dear and Johan Venables to unpack the dramatic evolution of Microsoft's Copilot ecosystem and what it means for organisations navigating digital transformation.The discussion reveals how Microsoft has strategically repositioned Copilot from a standalone chat tool to the central hub of the Microsoft 365 experience. This shift mirrors their earlier Microsoft Teams strategy, creating a unified interface where AI becomes the primary gateway to all productivity applications. Users can now generate documents, presentations, and insights without switching between applications, fundamentally changing workflow patterns across organisations.Most striking are the real-world productivity gains businesses are experiencing. Rather than incremental improvements, organisations are seeing multiplicative efficiency boosts of 300-400% for specific tasks. But this isn't about replacing humans it's about enhancement. Employees report having more time for high-value work, reduced stress levels, and unexpected skill development, with non-technical staff gaining coding literacy through natural language interactions with AI assistants.Looking ahead, our experts predict the emergence of more specialised AI agents working in unison, creating an orchestrated ecosystem of purpose-built assistants. The next frontier may involve a shift from reactive to proactive AI systems that anticipate needs rather than just responding to prompts, essentially moving from "co-pilot" to "autopilot" in certain scenarios.For business leaders, the message is clear: the AI and automation revolution isn't optional. Organisations need to start their adoption journey now while implementing proper governance, maintaining transparency about AI use, and ensuring human oversight.Visit bcn.co.uk for more information on our products and services and how we can help your business adopt these new technologies.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.

June 11, 202517 min

Microsoft Purview Data Security

With AI tools now used by 75% of SMBs and 80% of individuals, safeguarding sensitive business data is more critical than ever. In this episode, experts Reece Gohil and Johan Venables explore how Microsoft Purview enables secure, responsible AI adoption across your organisation.We cover:Real-world implementation tips, from licensing to security assessmentsHow Purview addresses cloud sprawl and shadow IT without blocking productivityOptions for SMBs via Microsoft 365 Business Premium and enterprise upgradesMicrosoft Funding and workshops to map your data estateWhether you're focused on compliance, governance, or AI readiness, this episode offers practical guidance to protect what matters most. Learn more at bcn.co.uk.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit our website.