The Route to Networking

Hosted by Hamilton Barnes

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Episodes

262

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

The Route to Networking Podcast offers listeners the opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in the Networking space. The podcast delves into understanding anything from new and emerging technologies on the rise, to career advice to those in the Networking Industry. Brand new episodes are released every Thursday!

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60 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 17734 min

E177 - Ian Duke at Alaris Linwave

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking , Louis Parratt is joined by Ian Duke , Managing Director at Alaris Linwave , who shares insights from a career spanning more than 40 years in engineering. From starting as an apprentice to leading a specialist RF business, Ian reflects on how curiosity and hands-on experience have shaped his journey. He explores how engineering has evolved, the impact of rapid technological change and why adaptability, collaboration and continuous learning remain key. Ian also highlights the real-world impact of RF technology and the importance of asking questions and learning from others. The episode closes with a quick-fire round covering career advice, key skills and what it takes to succeed in engineering today. Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

July 29, 2026Episode 17637 min

E176 - Michael Masal at Archer Integrated Risk Management

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking , Till Heinimann is joined by Michael Masal, Account Executive at Archer Integrated Risk Management. Having built a career spanning IT support, telecommunications, network engineering, cybersecurity and GRC before moving into technology sales, Michael shares how his technical background has shaped his customer-first approach to sales. Michael reflects on his career journey, from earning his first opportunity through persistence and continuous learning to making the transition from engineering into sales. He discusses the realities of working in a target-driven environment, why understanding technology gives him a unique perspective with customers, and how solving problems, rather than simply selling products, has become the foundation of his success. Throughout the conversation, Michael explores the importance of building trust, becoming a trusted advisor and developing the qualities that matter most in technology sales, including resilience, research and active listening. He also shares his thoughts on standing out in an increasingly competitive market, the growing role of AI, and why genuine relationships remain one of the biggest differentiators in the industry. The episode closes with a quick-fire round covering career development, resilience, continuous learning and the advice Michael would give to anyone looking to build a successful career in technology and sales. 🔗 Connect with Michael on LinkedIn here Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

July 22, 2026Episode 838 min

E8 - Tony Talbot at Network Innovations

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking: Military Leavers Edition , Louis Parratt is joined by Tony Talbot, President UK at Network Innovations and a former member of the Royal Signals. After serving eight years in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Tony shares how his military experience shaped his leadership style and prepared him for a successful career in technology. Tony discusses the realities of transitioning into civilian life, including the challenge of translating military experience into language employers understand, the value of finding the right support network, and why creating a "soft landing" can make all the difference for service leavers. He also explores the leadership principles that have guided his career, the impact of mentorship, and why resilience, integrity and investing in people remain at the heart of great leadership. The conversation also covers why preparation is key to a successful transition, from building your professional network and LinkedIn presence to creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. Tony shares practical advice for anyone preparing to leave the Armed Forces, alongside his thoughts on embracing setbacks, continuous learning and building a rewarding career beyond military service. The episode closes with a quick-fire round covering leadership, military transition, career development and the advice Tony would give both his younger self and those preparing for their next mission. 🔗 Connect here with Tony on LinkedIn Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

June 17, 2026Episode 745 min

E7 - Richard Berry at SCC

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking: Military Leavers Edition, Louis Parratt is joined by Richard Berry, Global IT Operations Manager at SCC and a former member of the Royal Signals with more than 22 years of military service. Richard shares his journey from military communications into leading global IT operations teams across networking, cloud, storage and infrastructure services. The conversation explores how the foundations built within the Royal Signals helped shape his leadership style, technical mindset and approach to problem solving throughout a career spanning both defence and enterprise technology. Throughout the episode, Richard reflects on the importance of understanding core networking and communications fundamentals, why military experience translates so well into the tech industry, and how adaptability has helped him evolve alongside rapidly changing technology. He also discusses his early exposure to Cisco networking, working across 16 countries during his military career, and how hands-on operational experience became one of his biggest strengths as a leader. The discussion also dives into the realities of leaving the armed forces during Covid, the confidence gap many service leavers face when entering civilian careers, and why leadership, accountability and proactivity are often the qualities employers value most. Richard shares practical advice around interviews, CVs and translating military experience into language businesses understand, alongside his thoughts on why service leavers consistently thrive within fast-paced technology environments. The episode closes with a quick-fire round focused on leadership, military transition, career development and the mindset needed to build a long-term career in technology after service. 🔗 Connect with Richard on LinkedIn here Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

May 27, 2026Episode 17549 min

E175 - Tony Rossabi at Ocolo

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking, Jamie Maher is joined by Tony Rossabi, Co-Founder of Ocolo and a long-time leader across telecoms, fiber, and digital infrastructure. With more than two decades of experience across Voice over IP, connectivity, and data centers, Tony shares his perspective on how the industry has evolved from the early telecom boom to today’s AI-driven infrastructure race. The conversation explores the rapid growth of hyperscale data centers, the increasing pressure on power and capacity, and why speed-to-market has become a major priority across the industry. Tony also reflects on his unconventional path into telecoms, how his career evolved alongside the infrastructure itself, and why resilience, adaptability, and initiative are essential for long-term success in digital infrastructure. Along the way, the episode dives into the growing talent shortage across data centers, leadership lessons from years in executive and board-level roles, and what the future of AI infrastructure could look like as demand continues to accelerate. The episode closes with a quick-fire round focused on leadership, career development, AI infrastructure, and the skills the next generation of professionals should focus on most. 🔗 Connect with Tony on LinkedIn here Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

May 13, 2026Episode 17434 min

E174 - Andrej Danis and Kanishk Raghuvanshi at AlixPartners

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking, Jack Rafferty is joined by Andrej Danis, Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners, and Kanishk Raghuvanshi, a Director within Andrej’s team focused on digital infrastructure strategy, transformation and M&A. Together, they explore how the digital infrastructure market is shifting from a period of hypergrowth into a new phase centred around profitability, operational efficiency and consolidation. Drawing on backgrounds across telecom, investment banking and consulting, Andrej and Kanishk share their perspectives on how investment priorities are changing and why execution is becoming more important than scale alone. The conversation covers the growing pressures surrounding AI infrastructure, from power availability and connectivity challenges to the increasing complexity of data center and fiber deployments. They also discuss why consolidation across the fiber market is accelerating, how operators are adapting to tougher economics and what investors are now looking for in digital infrastructure businesses. Along the way, Andrej and Kanishk break down the realities of large-scale transformation projects, the importance of operational strategy and why many companies are having to rethink business models built for a very different market environment. They also share thoughts on the future of edge infrastructure, convergence across fiber, wireless and satellite technologies, and the role AI could play in reshaping organizations internally. The episode closes with a quick-fire round focused on career development, curiosity and the importance of building both depth and adaptability within the industry. 🔗 Connect with Andrej Danis on LinkedIn here. 🔗 Connect with Kanishk Raghuvanshi on LinkedIn here. Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

April 15, 2026Episode 17345 min

E173 - Obinna Isiadinso at The International Finance Corporation

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking, Charlie Cassie is joined by Obinna Isiadinso, Global Sector Lead for Data Center Investments at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group. With a background in investment banking and private equity, Obinna shares how his career has evolved alongside the rapid growth of digital infrastructure. They explore the investment decisions that sit behind global data center development, including how projects are funded, where they get built and why certain markets attract more attention than others. Obinna also reflects on how data centers have shifted from being seen as optional infrastructure to a critical part of modern life, particularly following the surge in demand during COVID. Along the way, Obinna breaks down the differences between developed and emerging markets, from fibre investment to mobile-first connectivity, and explains what investors look for before backing a data center project. He also shares insight into the growing role of sustainability, the challenges around power availability and how AI is driving larger, more complex builds across the industry. He highlights key regions to watch, including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, and discusses how global investment is evolving as demand for cloud and AI infrastructure continues to rise. Obinna also touches on the widening talent gap and the opportunities this creates for those looking to build a career in the space. 🔗 Connect with Obinna on LinkedIn here. Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

March 25, 2026Episode 17246 min

E172 - Gary Cudmore at Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking, Jack Rafferty is joined by Gary Cudmore, Senior Vice President at Rowan Digital Infrastructure. With over four decades of experience, Gary shares his journey through the evolution of data centres, from early mainframe computer rooms to today’s hyperscale, AI-driven infrastructure. They explore how the industry has transformed over time, including the challenges of early builds, the importance of designing systems with operators in mind, and the moment that shaped Gary’s approach to infrastructure delivery. Gary also breaks down the realities of scaling modern data centres, from power constraints and long-lead equipment to the growing impact of AI on energy demand. Along the way, Gary discusses the return of nuclear energy in the conversation, the rise of “digital cities,” and why community engagement is becoming critical to successful projects. He also highlights the growing talent gap across the industry and the opportunities this creates for the next generation entering the space. 🔗 Connect with Gary on LinkedIn here. Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

March 18, 2026Episode 1711 hr 3 min

E171 - Nathaniel Harman at OceanBit

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking, George Copley is joined by Nathaniel Harman, Co-Founder and CEO of Ocean Bit. Nathaniel shares his journey from oceanography research to building offshore energy infrastructure designed to power the next generation of high-performance computing and AI data centres. They discuss the fundamentals of ocean thermal energy, how early experiments with machine learning and Bitcoin mining led to a new way of thinking about energy and compute, and why pairing infrastructure with energy sources could reshape the future of digital infrastructure. Nathaniel also explains the limitations of traditional energy systems, the role of offshore data centres, and how natural ocean cooling could unlock more efficient computing at scale. Along the way, Nathaniel reflects on the commercial challenges of ocean energy, the growing pressure AI is placing on global power systems, and why island nations could benefit most from this technology. He also shares his long-term vision for the ocean as a hub for energy, connectivity, and compute. 🔗 Connect with Nathaniel on LinkedIn here. Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

March 11, 2026Episode 17031 min

E170 - Bill Severn at 1623 Farnam

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Route to Networking , Jack Rafferty is joined by Bill Severn, President and CEO of 1623 Farnam. Bill shares how he went from commission-only door-to-door sales to leading one of the most strategically connected carrier-neutral interconnection hubs in the United States. They discuss the evolution of telecom from the analog era to today’s AI-driven infrastructure landscape, the concept of data gravity, and why interconnection is becoming one of the most important layers of the digital infrastructure stack. Bill also explains why networks may be at risk of being underbuilt as demand accelerates and how facilities like 1623 Farnam are positioning for the next phase of AI and edge connectivity. Along the way, Bill reflects on lessons from his career, including resilience, learning the full system from the ground up, and why playing the long game is still one of the most valuable strategies in networking. 🔗 Connect with Bill on LinkedIn here . Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates! Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/ Interested in following a similar career path? Why don’t you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/