BONUS EPIOSDE: Driven by Data LIVE; Panel Discussion 2: Making Data Count by Providing Tangible Value the Business Can Touch!

Nov 25, 2025

Guest

Jane Smith

Guest

In a lively panel discussion, Loretta Franks, Ranil Boteju, Aimee Smith, and Jane Smith tackle how to shift from a tech-focused data approach to delivering tangible business value. They explore the challenges of prioritizing data projects based on clear outcomes and the importance of aligning data strategies with brand identity. Aimee highlights the unique public service value of data in policing, while Jane shares insights on validating projects through small-scale proofs of concept. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in enhancing business capabilities.

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ANECDOTE

Use Brand Work As The Entry Point

Loretta used brand and consumer work at Kellogg's as the entry point to data conversations.
She branded their tech stack 'Cortex' to hide underlying tools and focus stakeholders on outcomes.

ADVICE

Start With Business Strategy

Start with business strategy and work backwards when building data capability.
Never begin conversations with technology; frame them around pain points and measurable value.

INSIGHT

From Specialists To Enablers

Data teams should evolve from specialists to enablers as maturity grows.
The goal is consistent self-serve workbenches and guardrails, not acting as intermediaries.

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In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half-day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.

The second panel discussion saw Kyle Winterbottom joined by;

Ranil Boteju, Chief Data Officer, Lloyds Banking Group
Loretta Franks, Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Kellanova
Steve Pimblett, Chief Data Officer, Rightmove
Aimee Smith, Director of Data, Metropolitan Police
Jane Smith, Field CDAO, ThoughtSpot

Where they debated; Making Data Count by Providing Tangible Value the Business Can Touch, which includes;

How you transform from a technological-centred data function, into a business value centred function?
How to decide which data projects get resourced, and what hard evidence do you use to show they are delivering business value?
Which projects you’ve killed because they couldn’t scale, and what did you learn from them?
Which action from; Building a brand identity, aligning capabilities to value levers, designing a fluid operating model and broadcasting data wins, moves the needle most?
Where Agentic AI fits into the business value discussion?

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