186. How to Lead Innovation That Actually Works | Cláudio Pimentel, CIO at Cofidis

Digital transformation isn’t just for startups. It’s happening inside legacy institutions, and Cláudio Pimentel is leading the charge.

In this episode of the Productized Podcast, host André Marquet speaks with Cláudio Pimentel, CIO at Cofidis Portugal, about what it really takes to innovate from within. With two decades of leadership in tech and finance, Cláudio shares real-world insights on navigating change, building resilient teams, and making innovation a strategic choice—not just a buzzword.

They explore:

➡️ How agile practices reshaped delivery in a traditional environment

➡️ Why collaboration (not process) is the true driver of change

➡️ What most teams get wrong about AI in financial services

➡️ The rising importance of cloud sovereignty

➡️ How small markets like Portugal can become hubs for experimentation

This episode is packed with lessons for product leaders, CIOs, and innovation teams looking to create real impact—even in highly regulated, complex ecosystems.

🎧 Whether you’re working in fintech, enterprise, or government—this one’s for you.

Chapters:

02:29 Cláudio Pimentel: A Journey in Tech Leadership

12:03 Navigating Change in Established Organizations

18:35 Building a Tech Team from Scratch

26:29 Adapting to Agile Methodologies

30:08 Lessons Learned from Mergers and Transformations

31:37 Breaking Silos: IT and Business Collaboration

33:12 Innovation as a Strategic Choice

35:18 The Role of Innovation in Financial Services

39:37 Learning from Failures in Innovation

40:11 AI in Financial Services: Opportunities and Misconceptions

46:21 Responsible AI and Human Oversight

48:20 Cloud Sovereignty and Technical Limitations

53:34 Embracing Opportunities in a Small Market

56:37 Resilience and Strategic Decision-Making

📌 Connect with Claudio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiopimentel

📌 Where to find Andre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquet/

🎟️ Join us in Lisbon at Productized Conference 2025 → https://www.productized.co

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