The Tech Leaders Podcast

Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Arun “Rak” Ramchandran, President and Global Head of Consulting and GenAI at Hexaware, on the day they launched a multi-Billion Dollar IPO in India. They discuss the Indian economic boom of the ‘90s, and why Gen AI is different to previous tech revolutions. Time stamps: Hexaware’s Big Day: The IPO Launch (2:25)US vs. India: Where to List the IPO? (3:57)Leadership Philosophy: “Do It for Fun” (6:15)Rak’s Early Career Journey: Meandering, Horizontal & Vertical (7:51)The Indian Economic Boom (10:51)From Infosys to Virtusa: Regrets and Learnings (13:12)Leadership Lessons from Infosys Founder, N.R. Narayana Murthy (15:54)Why Rak Chose Hexaware (19:56)How Gen AI Differs from Previous Tech Revolutions (24:04)AI’s Ability to Consider Alternatives Humans Can’t (28:50)Will AI Displace White-Collar Workers? (31:10)Gen AI’s Impact on the SaaS Industry (33:47) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Andre Durand, Founder and CEO of Ping Identity, to discuss how early-stage entrepreneurs form a blood pact with their colleagues, what it’s like to found a company in an industry that doesn’t exist, the million dollar deep-fake risk, and why life is like a hockey stick… Time stamps:Lessons from Andre’s First Two Exits (8:18) The True Goal of an Entrepreneur (10:00) Balancing Work and Life in a Startup (11:42) Day One at Ping: The Journey Begins (15:58) The Evolution of Identity & Access Management (IAM) (23:29) The Future Without Passwords? (27:11) The Rise of New Biometrics (28:51) Fundraising Tips for Entrepreneurs (32:25) How AI & Deepfakes Challenge IAM Security (35:19) AI, Fear & Excitement: “Intelligence Defines the Hierarchy” (38:26) Advice to 21-Year-Old Andre (40:49) Book recommendation: “Good & Great by Choice”: Jim Collins https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This fifth instalment of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0 concludes a quintet of insightful conversations about the tech innovation that’s having a huge impact on the world as we know it.Matt Armstrong-Barnes, CTO for AI at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, joins Gareth and Kerensa for the final conversation of the series; this episode may be last but it’s certainly not least.With a career spanning over 25 years, Matt has led game-changing transformation programmes across the public and private sector, he’s a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Chartered Engineer, and a passionate champion of open-source tools that make AI accessible for all.Now as the CTO for AI at HPE, Matt’s role as a tech leader is marked by helping blue chip organisations navigate AI adoption.Featuring stellar insight into what businesses need to prioritise for successful AI adoption, the surprising environmental cost of an AI query to the perils of 'AI washing,' and even how to explain AI to a six-year-old—this episode is the perfect conclusion to the AI Series 2.0!Time stampsWhat excites Matt most about AI? (02:26)Matt’s favourite GenAI tools (03:50)The journey to CTO (06:07)The difference between Computer Science and IT (13:27)Why use cases for GenAI are problematic (15:34)How to ensure your data is AI-ready (22:07)Where are businesses failing most with AI strategy? (25:39)The industries most likely to be impacted by AI (37:47)Matt’s biggest AI fears (47:53)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

*Brought to you by bedigital*This week’s guest joins us for the penultimate instalment of TTLP’s AI Series to give a masterclass in how businesses can get the most out of AI. Dr Djamila Amimer, esteemed AI thought leader and founder of Mind Senses Global, joins Gareth and Kerensa and offers incredible insight into her path to becoming an AI expert.Joining the Oil and Gas industry at the start of her career with a passion to drive change in environmental resource, Djamila’s tech journey is marked by a desire to optimise both technological development and societal impact. Using “AI for good” is a key component to her work in Mind Senses Global and her overall stance on AI usage in business.Believing that “AI is more than a technology—it’s a way of thinking,” Djamila offers invaluable insights into how technology leaders can ethically harness AI to boost productivity and efficiency. This episode is an expert guide into AI and a perfect overview into some of the key points explored on this series so far. Time stamps·       What excites Djamila most about the future of AI (02:27)·       Why Djamila joined the oil and gas industry (06:23)·       What is AI? (13:51)·       Corporate lessons that were key for entrepreneurship (19:12)·       What are AI hallucinations? (25:36)·       Importance of human influence in AI (31:37)·       Being more environmentally efficient with AI (36:00)·       Battling bias with AI (42:12)·       The key to AI consultations (48:41)·       Combatting job displacement within AI (54:34)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

For the third instalment of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0, we wanted to bring in a tech leader with a different outlook on AI,  CTO and co-founder of PensionBee and self-confessed AI sceptic, Jonathan Lister-Parsons. This episode marks Jonathan’s second feature on TTLP, and this time he joins Gareth and Kerensa discuss not only PensionBee and how they transformed the pension market, but also Jonathan’s unique perspective on AI innovation. Reinforcing the fact that AI exists as “the output of human input”, Jonathan explains the current AI ‘hype cycle’ and why an AI apocalypse is not on the cards.From his role in bringing pensions to the forefront of table-top discussions, to his assurance in the stability of a human-centred labour market, this episode is perfect for leaders who want to understand how to harness technology in a safe, responsible, and genuinely impactful way.Time stamps What excites Jonathan most about GenAI? (02:28) Jonathan’s favourite AI tools (05:20) Innovating the pension industry (08:55) Balancing dynamics between co-founders (17:42) Defining AI (22:20) How has GenAI improved PensionBee’s vision (28:31) Does Jonathan fear an AI Apocalypse? (39:00) AI in education (42:48) Regulating FinTech (47:12) Security considerations for GenAI (49:51) The future of PensionBee (56:00)  https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

*Brought to you by bedigital*We’re back with the second episode of TTLP’s AI Series 2.0, where Gareth and Kerensa are joined by an AI leader driving change at one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, Jair Ribeiro, Analytics and Insights Lead at Volvo.Swedish automotive brand Volvo, approaching its 100-year anniversary, is one of the most iconic automotive brands globally and is at the forefront of AI and generative AI innovation. Growing up in Brazil, Jair moved to Europe, where he worked with major industry players like Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and now, Volvo. An expert in both traditional and generative AI models, with a deep understanding of the ethical dimensions of AI adoption, Jair is a recognized thought leader in AI innovation.In this episode, we explore a wide range of topics, from ethical AI and the diverse applications of generative AI to how businesses can leverage data more effectively. This episode is a masterclass in the multiplicity of AI, as told by a true expert in the field.Time stamps What most excites Jair about AI adoption? (02:59) From humanist to technologist (04:30) Why creativity is crucial to success with AI (06:00) Lessons learned from IBM (09:05) The biggest mistakes businesses make with their data (13:34) Democratising AI in education (20:52) The difference between American and Swedish working cultures (27:54) Volvo’s new ‘AI truck’ (33:00) Ethical considerations of AI within trade (43:00) How to be a good tech leader in the age of AI (53:53) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

*Brought to you by bedigital*It’s finally here! We’re back and ready to delve deeper into the world of GenAI.Over one year on from our original AI Special Series, Gareth is joined once again by the brilliant Professor Kerensa Jennings to explore in greater detail how artificial intelligence is changing the world as we know it.There’s no better way to begin this series than with a guest who has played a crucial role in bringing new technology to the British public for over 40 years, Maggie Philbin OBE.From hosting iconic BBC shows such as Swap Shop and Tomorrow's World to founding TeenTech, a charity dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue careers in technology, Maggie remains a leading voice in tech innovation and continues to be a champion for the technology industry in the UK.Focusing on how GenAI can enhance the learning experiences of young people and inspire the next generation of tech leaders, this episode is full of amazing anecdotes, inspirational stories and stellar insight into the world of AI and technology innovation. Time stampsThe tech innovation that Maggie is most excited about (05:40)How Maggie joined the BBC and launched her broadcast career (07:24)Maggie’s first impressions of revolutionary tech in the 80’s (16:53)How did TeenTech begin? (21:38)How TeenTech changes lives (28:40)How Generative AI is impacting the education sector (34:48)Maggie’s predictions on the impact of AI on jobs (43:05)Advice to her younger self (49:34)If Maggie could have invented any piece of technology, what would it be? (51:04)The most outlandish ‘Tomorrow’s World’ invention (53:07)Kerensa’s experience with TeenTech (1:01:57)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

 This week’s guest is part of a mission to transform how businesses access data to deliver better outcomes, as James Fisher, CSO @ Qlik joins Gareth to discuss all things analytics. From James’ corporate beginnings, to being an instrumental leader in Qlik’s mission to disrupt the business intelligence space, the conversation explores everything from AI to software spend. Describing Qlik as an “AI engine”, James’ expertise in the realm of artificial intelligence is highlighted through his advice to “invest in innovation while also investing in governance”, ensuring that AI safety should be a priority for all organisations. Time stamps What does good leadership mean to James? (02:20) Lessons learned from working at SAP (07:10) The key milestones in James’ early career (12:53) What drives the culture at Qlik? (18:45) The emergence of ‘Big Data’ (24:00) Predicting the next 5 years of innovation at Qlik (25:20) What CTOs need to know about AI in enterprise (27:50) How CIOs can cut their software spend (29:40) Driving corporate sustainability at Qlik (36:27) The ways James achieves work-life balance (44:40) Advice to his younger self (45;48)  *Book recommendation: Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson https://www.waterstones.com/book/who-moved-my-cheese/dr-spencer-johnson/9780091816971 https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

At TTLP, we’ve been fortunate to have numerous tech leaders from Google join us to offer stellar advice. This week’s guest, Cristina Pitarch, is no different. As the General Manager EMEA at Google Cloud Security, Cristina leads a team that is responsible for keeping not only one of the biggest technology companies in the world secure, but also their customer list containing some of the largest businesses in the world. From moving across the world to study at the University of California with very little English-speaking ability, Cristina took the plunge to move away from her law school background and enter the innovative world of technology. Joining Salesforce at the early stages meant that Cristina was able to climb the ranks quickly and become a driving force in the company’s expansion before moving to the technology powerhouse that is Google. This episode reveals the key aspects of Google’s Clouds security strategy, and why GCP should be the number one choice for CTOs from security standpoint. From an unlikely career trajectory to astute advice on how to prioritise security within a business, this episode is value packed!  Time stamps:What does good leadership mean to Cristina? (02:42) Cristina’s unconventional path into tech (04:21) The biggest cultural differences between studying in USA vs. Spain (06:36) Joining Salesforce in its growth phase (07:33) Harnessing innovation at Google (11:42) The core principles of Google Cloud’s Security strategy (21:57) Current cybersecurity trends (24:27) Why should CTO’s choose Google Cloud Platform? (31:52) Advice to women in tech in 2024 (32:22) How does Cristina achieve balance in her life? (43:37) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

When you think of supermarkets, you probably think more about groceries than AI. This week’s guests are helping evolve Tesco into a technology-led organisation driving innovation in the highly competitive grocery space.Head of Product, Aji Bawo and Graduate Software Engineer, Naamua Dodoo join Gareth on this week’s episode of TTLP to discuss their experiences joining the biggest supermarket in the UK as a tech graduate. This episode explores the role of Tesco as an employer, the importance of diversity and inclusion within tech, and the key considerations for graduates looking to start a career in the industry. If you’re someone who’s looking to embark on a career in tech, or a technology leader considering hiring entry level talent, this episode provides incredible insight you won’t want to miss!Time stamps·       How both Naamua and Aji got into tech (03:00)·       What good leadership means to Aji (06:06)·       What Naamua looks for in a leader (07:45)·       The main technology skills graduates need to know (11:25)·       How graduate recruitment has changed at Tesco (23:14)·       Is the technology industry becoming more diverse? (33:00)·       How Tesco is leveraging AI (42:28)·       Will graduates be replaced by AI? (48:40)·       Naamua’s advice to new graduates (54:02)·       Aji’s advice to her younger self (54:54)Book recommendations: How Women Rise, Sally Helgesen amazon.co.uk/How-Women-Rise-Habits-Holding/dp/1847942253/ref=sr_1_1?crid=164GS4TGSBHLA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.arPA90K8OERoOH18pbxgFCNT4yI7xZTObt3ShCkf4yOu6ELcJ9_kKmmjm7S_kgpOvsXCDOPCFPzbfr-YdkZhZaHw_DJ_TZO4PcQsS3xY_MOXtq_2JmFWNVx-dG_NFSuaIWoAwhR_BGIcsjfVw3rFUS9Mkw--cAxEbMyOTcPG7mk2RoNAZgF8-tHwlVniJh-9cvjjcHryqIuTIaaOU3cgDR2RMT6G2hVeuD7j8ebmGPU.W6MXP5nlQURJdUjCr0QLxNd5JFckjJeldjs5jPfAODE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+women+rise&qid=1724776577&s=audible&sprefix=how+women+rise%2Caudible%2C81&sr=1-1-catcorrNice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office, Lois. P. Frankel amazon.co.uk/Nice-Girls-Dont-Corner-Office/dp/1455558893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S29EGCNUWI36&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DemEIEROR7o2-ucu3AZavFTXXFmHMxi661IIVRmxnHFB62YF1dD7SlN2YWSoKOvvXwtAhch5D04a36vDqxRzq1MMtPd8GvebQyigSBvLAxy4VY1VcbQ3KHyuA0TS086l3VW--U4nz5AAMkU5SRxQ7VwXrHIkEyOZmqCHKGqjatBagmJZ4sAydkT3QnmijCu_2fRu3a-jN0eBwb4umq7oHNtl1BPe4xUCYr03WFqeMj8.88jZKu3vXEm-RCdDNXOJpx2Uc22lLhT9_c2zuzLUWR8&dib_tag=se&keywords=nice+girls+don%27t+get+the+corner+office&qid=1724776632&sprefix=nice+girls+%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1https://www.bedigitaluk.com/