The Tech Leaders Podcast

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/

We’ve reached (and now surpassed) 100 episodes!To commemorate this milestone, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to recap on some of the best pieces of advice from our stellar guest list over the years. One of TTLP’s most iconic questions, ‘what advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?’, has encouraged our guests to deliver some incredible guidance on navigating the tech space and what it takes to make it as a tech leader. In this episode, we have compiled 14 of our favourite responses that offer advice from how to achieve work-life balance to ensuring you have one more cocktail— cheers to that! Time stamps:1)      Jamie Bartlett - fake it until you make it (04:16)2)      Priya Lakhani OBE - keep kindness and welcome challenge (09:00)3)      Quentyn Taylor - invest in legacy tech (12:20)4)      Helen Kelisky - fail fast and learn from it (16:30)5)      Rodger Werkhoven –  try fun tech (18:42)6)      Lisa Heneghan – be open to what you can do tomorrow (21:11)7)      Catriona Campbell – test and learn (25:00)8)      David Buttress – balance work life with home life (28:40)9)      Flavilla Fongang  - don’t wait to be recognised (34:13)10)   Tom O’Sullivan - get out of your own way (39:05)11)    Jazz Carlin OLY – never be afraid to ask questions (41:30)12)   Greg Jackson – follow the path least trodden (44:15)13)   Joe Baguley – don’t fit into other people’s moulds (45:58)14)   Emilia Molimpakis – 70% is good enough (50:17)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

What better way to celebrate TTLP’s 100th episode milestone than by featuring a guest who’s responsible for the biggest tech publication in the UK. Editor in chief of Computer Weekly, Bryan Glick, is a tech leader who has had a unique vantage point when observing the changing technology landscape over his last 14 years whilst in this role.From starting out in tech sales to covering one of the biggest tech scandals in British history, Bryan’s career journey is unparalleled. Over the course of 15 years and 400 articles, Bryan and his team helped break the news of the Post Office Horizon scandal, which helped uncover both the systemic and technological issues within the institution.Gareth and Bryan cover everything from leadership advice to insight into how to make it on Computer Weekly’s prestigious UKTech50 list. This episode is jampacked with interesting anecdotes and insightful advice from Bryan, making it the perfect 100th TTLP episode!Time stamps·       What does good leadership mean to Bryan? (03:40)·       Accidentally falling into the tech space (06:35)·       Transitioning into tech journalism (09:48)·       Becoming Editor in chief at Computer Weekly (18:35)·       Breaking Computer Weekly’s biggest story (21:05)·       How the Post Office Horizon scandal got leaked (23:59)·       The role of investigative journalism in the tech industry (34:36)·       How Computer Weekly decide what to publish (38:32)·       Invention vs. innovation- what’s the difference? (43:48)·       How to make it on a Computer Weekly list (56:35)·       Bryan’s advice to his 21-year-old self (59:35)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s guest was part of a vision to build a “software powerhouse” through innovating SaaS like never before. Sridhar Iyengar, MD Europe at Zoho Corporation, joined the company at the time it was founded, and over the last 28 years, has played a crucial part in its success.Navigating the scale-up phase through the dotcom boom, Sridhar’s journey within Zoho has been marked by the shift from telecoms to cloud computing, to more recently the advancement of AI. Throughout each technological shift, one thing has remained the same: Sridhar’s passion for innovating the software landscape.By helping create a platform that can scale up to meet the needs of a changing society, Sridhar is a leader who is driven by ensuring the sustainability of SaaS for the future. Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Sridhar? (02:02) Growing your career whilst growing a business (03:00) The impact of the dotcom boom (09:00) Accelerating growth in a changing technology landscape (10:50) The biggest differences between the European and Asian tech markets (14:04) Identifying your competitors (16:24) The effect of AI on SaaS (18:15) How Zoho is training employees for AI readiness (22:40) Achieving balance as a leader (31:10) *Book recommendation- The Culture Map, Erin Meyer https://www.amazon.co.uk/Culture-Map-Decoding-People-Cultures/dp/1610392760/ref=asc_df_1610392760?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401845130381&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001419460783&psc=1 https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In the UK, the housing market is a topic of conversation that’s on everyone’s lips right now. As soaring interest rates are making mortgages unobtainable for many, this has become a nation-wide crisis.  This week’s guest has designed a platform to remedy many of the issues caused by the outdated British mortgage process, as Arjan Verbeek, Co-Founder and CEO of Perenna, is revolutionising mortgages for the masses. Taking influence from Danish banking practices, Perenna offer users flexible fixed-rate mortgages which are fully protected from interest rate fluctuations.  Having worked in some of the most prominent banks across the globe, including Barclays and BNP Paribas, Arjan witnessed first-hand the financial problems within the housing market and set out to change them. Arjan’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by a desire to disrupt old systems and utilise tech for good. This episode is not to be missed! Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Arjan? (02:12) Arjan’s insight into the financial crisis of 2008 (08:20) Creating a challenger bank and securing a UK banking licence (12:20) What’s wrong with the UK’s mortgage market? (18:51) How Perenna makes mortgages accessible (22:28) Keeping a working culture cohesive (28:40) Technology trends that will innovate banking (33:57) Arjan’s tips for maintaining balance and productivity (40:28) Advice to his 21-year-old self (43:44) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s guest is an extremely experienced entrepreneur, as after being a founder 15 times, Tim Levy, Founder and CEO of Twyn, has made waves in industries from insurance to entertainment. Tim joins Gareth to discuss his colourful career journey that has brought him most recently to the world of AI.After leaving his position as director at an insurance broker firm, Tim set his entrepreneurial sights on the bright lights of Hollywood and plunged into the waters of the entertainment industry. His first company Factor 8 Films helped finance, produce and distribute many iconic movies, including Jurassic World and Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 & 3. Now, Tim’s latest venture harnesses his experience in the entertainment industry and combines it with cutting-edge technology. Twyn is a platform that aims to ‘revolutionise digital interaction’ by creating digital twins of celebrities, whereby users can engage in conversation with them; starting with football legend, Lionel Messi. This conversation explores the interesting concept of authenticity in AI and is not to be missed!·       What does good leadership mean to Tim? (02:14)·       Making a drastic career change (06:02)·       Generating 10 billion dollars in the film industry (09:50)·       Tim’s investment strategy (14:50)·       Investing in sustainability to invest in the future (17:52)·       Tim’s top advice for investors and entrepreneurs (28:10)·       What is Twyn and how does it work? (35:09)·       Working with Lionel Messi (41:39)·       What excites Tim most about the future of AI (47:00)·       Tim’s advice to his 21-year-old self (50:38)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s guest turned tragedy into tech innovation with a platform designed to transform the way we all deal with death. Sam Grice, CEO and Founder of Octopus Legacy (formerly Guardian Angel) has created a platform that manages all aspects surrounding death; from will creation to bereavement support. Sam was always destined from entrepreneurial success, as both his parents were keen entrepreneurs, and he put his hereditary expertise to the test with a food and supplement side hustle. However, it wasn’t until the tragic loss of his mum, did the full extent of Sam’s passion for innovation flourish with the creation of Guardian Angel (now Octopus Legacy). Being a key player in propelling the death-tech industry forward, Sam is a tech leader that is paving the way in an industry that affects each and every one of us. This episode covers an incredibly inspirational entrepreneurial journey and is not to be missed!Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Sam? (02:10) Early exposure to life as an entrepreneur (03:25) Starting out with a side hustle (06:00) The tragedy that shaped Sam’s tech career (08:18) Creating Guardian Angel (12:12) Overcoming the obstacles within death-tech (17:04) What is a founder’s ‘kryptonite’? (22:00) Acquisition by Octopus Group (29:12) The Future of Octopus Legacy (33:31) How Sam achieves balance (43:10) Advice to young founders (44:43) Book recommendation: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, Dr, Dan Ariely - Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions: Amazon.co.uk: Ariely, Dr Dan: 9780061854545: Bookshttps://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s episode focuses on a groundbreaking piece of technology that aims to reshape the world as we know it, even putting supercomputers to shame. Simon Phillips, CTO at Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), joins Gareth to give us insight into the potentially groundbreaking world of Quantum Computing. Dropping out of school early, Simon’s tech career started in the video game industry, working on some legendary games such as Championship Manager. Simon has always gravitated towards innovative technology, which culminated in him joining OQC to explore the endless possibilities of quantum computing. The potential of quantum technology is not to be underestimated, as Simon explains that this technology can, and will, change the world. However, this conversation explores the importance of keeping a ‘human element’ within our engagement with technology; we should be absorbing technology into our lives, not being absorbed by it. Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Simon? (02:21) “High school drop-out” to computer game innovator (04:18) Developing Championship Manager (08:49) The beginning of quantum computing (13:50) The reality of quantum computing today (22:40) Real-world applications of quantum computing (27:19) The next phase of human-technology interactions (38:08) Simon’s stellar productivity advice (40:53) His advice to his younger self (42:50) *Book recommendation- Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology, Chris Miller. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology: Amazon.co.uk: Miller, Chris: 9781398504127: Books https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

This week’s guest is a self-proclaimed “consulting industry veteran”, and after being in the tech space for over 25 years, Kelly Manthey, Global CEO at Kin + Carta is a tech leader with a compelling story to tell.  After delving into the corporate world straight from university and securing a role as a consultant at Accenture, Kelly trained as an applications developer before her trajectory to the top. Following the mantra that “standing still is not a strategy”, her experience within both the corporate and start-up realms has ultimately shaped Kelly’s journey to Global CEO. In this episode, Kelly attributes her success as a leader to 3 main aspects: being a steward of the business, being a good ally, and being a futurist. This conversation uncovers not only her incredible journey as a technologist, but also Kelly’s stellar advice as a trail-blazing tech leader. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice.  Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Kelly? (02:00) The journey to becoming a consulting industry veteran (03:28) Lessons from joining Accenture as a graduate (05:54) Leaving the corporate world for success in a start-up (08:26) The role of a Global CEO (14:25) Benefits of being a B Corp? (19:00) The difference between British and US consulting firms (21:50) Are companies really embracing AI? (27:50) Kelly’s top productivity tips (38:08) Advice to her younger self (41:01) The future of the female CEO (42:43) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In honour of National Robotics Week, this episode features a guest who’s on a mission to create a world where people “work with robots, not like robots”.Anders Billesø Beck joins Gareth on this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast to discuss his journey to tech leadership in the revolutionary field of robotics. From his poolside background as a national swimmer, Anders recounts how he dove headfirst into the world of robotics during his time studying at the Technical University of Denmark. Championing the innovative Danish tech scene, Anders’ current role at Universal Robots aims to bring robotics into the mainstream through the groundbreaking creation of ‘Cobots’: robots that are designed specifically for direct human interaction. Not only is Anders an expert in tech innovation, as he also has stellar advice for thriving as a tech leader, encouraging people to “draw the line and find your time” to ensure a positive work-life balance.Time stamps·       What does good leadership mean to Anders? (01:43)·       Diving into the world of robotics (03:57)·       The dawn of Denmark as a tech hub (09:32)·       Universal Robots and the rise of Cobots (13:30)·       Will a robot take your job? (21:57)·       Making robots mainstream (23:58)·       How Generative AI is enhancing the field of robotics (30:47)·       How to achieve balance as a tech leader (38:23)·       What Anders would tell his 21-year-old self (42:40)*Book recommendation - The Wide Lens, Ron Adner The Wide Lens By Ron Adner | Used | 9781591846291 | World of Books (wob.com)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/