Welcome to The Daemon Drumbeat, our podcast where we unite, inspire and empower by sharing stories from the technology consultancy industry and our people. We'll discuss technology challenges, exciting projects, how to keep teams aligned and all the bits in between. Join The Daemon Drumbeat for game-changing insights and a community of forward-thinkers. Subscribe now!
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25 recent
June 9, 2026Episode 2552 min
Making the complex simple with James Huppler
In Episode 25 of the Daemon Drumbeat podcast, Kyle and VT are joined by James Huppler, a product leader whose career has spanned consumer retail and financial services. James reflects on why finance remains an "unsolved problem" for much of the country, how the best digital products earn trust by blending seamlessly into the background, and the role of AI, personalisation and a culture of experimentation, even within a regulated environment, in making money management genuinely simpler for customers.
February 2, 2026Episode 2444 min
Trust as a Catalyst for Innovation with Srimanth Rudraraju
In Episode 24 of the Daemon Drumbeat podcast, Kyle and VT sit down with Srimanth Rudraraju, a senior technology and data engineering leader. Srimanth reflects on his "eccentric" approach to pushing boundaries and the importance of asking "why" multiple times to unearth genuine business value.
October 28, 2025Episode 2333 min
Putting Humans at the Heart of Technology with Fraser Dunk
Kyle and VT chat with Fraser Dunk, CEO of Jurni, about turning real-world problems into opportunities, keeping humans at the heart of innovation, and why technology only matters when it serves genuine needs. A thoughtful look at building a business driven by empathy, insight, and efficiency.
September 29, 2025Episode 221 hr 4 min
Exploring AI with Daemon’s AI-First Squad
Episode 22 of Daemon Drumbeat dives into the AI-driven future of work. Kyle chats with Karim, Sihle, and Dale from our AI-First Squad about how AI is reshaping productivity, problem-solving, and collaboration. From coding in “English” to shifting where we spend our energy, they explore the big wins, surprising challenges, and what it really means to work alongside AI.
August 27, 2025Episode 2145 min
The Power of Storytelling with Paul Christie
In Episode 21 of the Daemon Drumbeat podcast, hosts VT and Kyle sit down with Paul Christie, CEO of Tachmed, for a fascinating exploration of a truly unconventional career path. They delve into his remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of high finance to the mission-driven frontier of health technology, uncovering the common thread that ties it all together: the power of a compelling story.For an inspiring story about cross-industry innovation and finding a new purpose, you won't want to miss this episode.
July 30, 2025Episode 2051 min
Leadership in Tech with Phil Leitch from D&G
In episode 20 of the Daemon Drumbeat podcast, hosts VT, Managing Consultant at Daemon, and Kyle, speak with Chief Information Officer at D&G, Phil. Before joining D&G, Phil held several CIO and technology leadership roles at Virgin Active, Sainsbury’s, the BBC, and Royal Mail. Earlier in his career, he worked for Scient and Sapient, both digital business transformation companies.The conversation explores what it truly means to lead in today’s technology landscape. Phil reflects on his journey from writing code to shaping strategy, highlighting how leadership has evolved from being the expert in the room to empowering others to grow and succeed.Phil explains leadership as leverage: building capability through teaching, mentoring, and hiring great people. He emphasizes the shift from individual contribution to enabling teams, with trust as the foundation for scaling impact.They also discuss the challenges of leading in a hybrid work environment, where intentional presence is key. While virtual tools facilitate collaboration, face-to-face time remains crucial—especially for mentoring younger professionals and developing the soft skills essential to great leadership. Ultimately, Phil shares that the best leaders stay calm amid uncertainty, focus on building strong teams, and know when to step back so others can step forward.
June 24, 2025Episode 1951 min
The Future of AI with Dr. Daniel Hulme
In Episode 19 of the Daemon Drumbeat podcast, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Hulme, one of the world’s leading experts in Artificial Intelligence and Chief AI Officer at WPP. Hosted by VT, Managing Consultant at Daemon, and Kyle, Daemon’s Chief Growth Officer, this episode explores the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its implications for business, technology, and society at large.During the conversation, Daniel shares his perspective on the most common mistakes companies and governments make when approaching the adoption of AI, offering a candid view of what’s going wrong—and how to get it right. He discusses how humans and machines can work together most effectively, not by replacing one another, but by augmenting human potential in powerful and often unexpected ways. The conversation moves into the long-term impact of AI on society, including questions around trust, transparency, and the role of leadership in shaping responsible innovation.This episode is packed with practical insights and forward-looking ideas from someone deeply immersed in AI innovation and ethics. Whether you’re a business leader, technologist, or simply curious, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on shaping a better AI-powered future.
May 19, 2025Episode 1844 min
The Evolution of Trust with Richard Newsome & Judith Batchelar
In Episode 18 of the Daemon Drumbeat Podcast, hosts VT, Managing Consultant at Daemon, and Kyle, Daemon’s Chief Growth Officer, explore one of the most powerful - and often underestimated - forces in business and consulting: trust. It underpins every deal, every relationship, and ultimately, the success or failure of any venture.But how is trust truly built? Is it just about delivering on promises, or is there something deeper? Together with our guests, we unpack the nuances of trust, how it’s fostered through both emotional connection and proven competence, how to maintain it during challenging times, and what it means to act with integrity and positive intent even when things don’t go according to plan.We’re joined by two exceptional leaders:Richard Newsome, a seasoned technology and transformation executive, brings decades of experience from organisations such as Sainsbury’s, Cancer Research UK, Rolls-Royce, and Cadbury. Recognised as one of Computing’s Top 100 IT Leaders in 2022, Richard shares how he’s built high-performing teams and reshaped technology functions through agile, product-centric models.Judith Batchelar, a biochemist and nutritionist, has spent over 40 years leading across the food, farming, and retail sectors, including senior roles at Mars, Marks & Spencer, and as Director of Sainsbury’s Brand. Now holding multiple board and advisory roles in environmental and health-focused organisations, Judith brings a wealth of insight into purpose-driven leadership and building credibility across industries.Together, we discuss the evolution of trust in relationships, the role of risk-taking, the idea of “winning anyway,” and why, in an age of declining societal trust, personal and professional connections matter more than ever.
February 28, 2025Episode 1744 min
Embracing Change and Diversity in Tech with Nicola Davis
In this episode of the Daemon Drumbeat Podcast, we’re joined by Nicola Davis, Strategic Alliances, Partner & Channel Leader at AWS. With a career spanning several decades and an unconventional journey from theatre to tech, Nicola reflects on how the technology industry has evolved to today’s AI-driven advancements.Nicola shares her unique perspective on the ever-changing landscape of tech, discussing its potential to address global challenges and the importance of adapting to constant innovation. We explore the significance of soft skills, the value of diversity and inclusion in building strong teams, and how human behavior influences the adoption of new technologies.She also offers insight into the challenges that newcomers face in tech and shares her predictions for the future of the industry. Finally, Nicola offers valuable advice for those just starting their careers in tech.Tune in for a fascinating discussion on navigating change, fostering diversity, and staying relevant in the tech world.
October 29, 2024Episode 1641 min
Making DEI Work in Every Organisation with Netta Jenkins
In Episode 16 of The Daemon Drumbeat podcast, our host VT interviews Netta Jenkins, CEO of Aerodei. With over 15 years of experience advising corporations, Netta has built a LinkedIn following of 200k+ and has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Fortune, McKinsey, and Gartner. In her 2022 TEDx talk, "Reimagining the Workplace," she shared insights on inclusion, which she has also presented internationally in countries like the Netherlands, Ghana, and Turkey.
Recognized as one of CIO Views' "Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow" in 2021, Netta previously served as VP of Global Inclusion at IAC/InterActiveCorp, overseeing brands like Tinder, Match.com, and Vimeo. In addition to leading Aerodei, she advises executives on the app Intro, is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems, and authored The Inclusive Organization, which gained attention from Forbes and was shared by Arianna Huffington on LinkedIn.
This podcast explores the critical role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in building stronger workplaces, the significance of Black History Month, and effective ways to engage senior leaders in DEI initiatives. Netta Jenkins, a dedicated advocate for inclusion and CEO of Aerodei, shares her journey, the mission behind her company, and why these conversations are essential for creating impactful change at all levels of an organization.
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