The Tech Leaders Podcast

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/

Anders Billesø Beck, VP of Strategy and Innovation at Universal Robots, shares his journey from elite swimmer to a key player in robotics. He explores the growing world of collaborative robots (cobots) aimed at seamless human integration. Anders discusses Denmark's rise as a tech hub and the essential role of generative AI in innovation. He emphasizes the importance of work-life balance for tech leaders and the need for industry-specific solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches. His insights reveal how robots can evolve labor, not replace it.

This week, Gareth is joined by a leader responsible for building one of the biggest software observability platforms across the globe. CTO of Dynatrace, Bernd Greifeneder, features on this episode to tell all about his role in developing the revolutionary platform which harnesses AI and automation for unified observability and security. Offering insight into the key milestones of Dynatrace’s evolution, including their decision to go for public investment and their role in developing and utilising AI, Bernd exemplifies his role as a key figure in the software space. The introduction of a Chief AI Officer emerges as a focal point in the conversation, as Gareth and Bernd discuss the future of AI at great lengths, highlighting the anticipation of future technology disrupting the corporate landscape. Believing that proactively driving change is the key differentiator between managers and leaders, Bernd’s hands-on role in building Dynatrace from the ground up illustrates his influence as an established tech leader.  Time stamps What good leadership means to Bernd (02:06) The early years of Dynatrace (06:28) The case for taking acquiring public investment (18:35) The 3 emerging types of AI (21:22) The rise of the Chief AI Officer (20:58) Bernd’s biggest cybersecurity concerns (27:35) Dynatrace’s revolutionary new tech (35:00) Achieving balance to battle burnout (40:37) Bernd’s advice to his 21-year-old self (43:40)  *Book recommendation: The One Minute Manager, Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson - The New One Minute Manager (The One Minute Manager): Amazon.co.uk: Blanchard, Kenneth, Johnson, Spencer: 9780008128043: Books https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

What does a house robbery and a cyber-attack have in common?  According to this week’s guest, Lianne Potter, Head of SecOps at Asda, it’s the people involved. On a mission to showcase the people-centric side of cybersecurity, Lianne is a trailblazing ‘Cyber Anthropologist’ and joins Gareth this week to discuss her journey to tech leadership. From wedding photography to anthropology and eventually cyber security, Lianne’s road to tech is a varied one. Not only is she a cybersecurity leader at one of the biggest supermarkets in the UK, she also hosts her own podcast which aims to bridge the gap between security and innovation. This week’s episode explores the world of cyber security through a human-centric lens, and focuses on the people behind the tech. If you’re interested in all-things cyber safety, this is the episode for you!  Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Lianne? (01:30) Lianne’s unconventional journey into tech (10:00) Combatting the digital divide (12:34) Switching careers in your 30’s (17:31) The current, most concerning cyber threats (24:00) What is Cyber Anthropology (25:22) Developing AnthroSecurist (29:18) AI and the democratisation of productivity (33:20) Lianne’s Compromising Positions (41:57) Advice to her 21- year-old self (44:40)   https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

“The purpose of SAP is to make the world run better— It’s designed to improve every business process”. This week, Gareth is joined by a leader from one of the biggest software companies on the planet, SAP. Renaud Heyd, CFO of the software powerhouse in the UK, tells us all about his 25 years working for SAP and how they’ve shaped him into the tech leader that he is today. Renaud joined SAP straight after completing his MSc in Finance, and for the last 25 years, hasn’t looked back since. He attributes his longevity at SAP to the ability to be his authentic self in a company that fosters growth and the ability to seize opportunities. With a customer base that generates 87% of total global commerce, Renaud’s role as CFO is no small task. This episode is overflowing with stellar leadership advice and expert insight into the journey to CFO, as Renaud’s workplace mantra of “you can either change roles or change the role itself” has resulted in his success at the 3rd largest software company worldwide. Time stamps What good leadership means to Renaud (02:20) The journey to CFO (04:02) Evolving the role of a CFO (09:09) The benefits of SAP cloud migration (14:35) SAP’s influence in developing nations (21:55) How ready are SAP customers for AI capability? (23:49) Renaud’s view on the future of AI (31:19) How to make it big in the finance industry (32:50) SAP’s new sustainable tech (38:44) Renaud’s advice to his 21-year-old self (42:52) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Once claiming to the US Senate that he could ‘take down the internet in 30 minutes’, this week’s guest gives us insight into the underbelly of the cyberworld. Chris Wysopal, founder and CTO of Veracode, tells us all about his experience as an ethical hacker and how he and his team at L0pht pioneered the way for cybersecurity. From taking an interest in the potential of cyber hacking at the start of the online era, to being a trailblazer in the discovery of IT vulnerability as a whole; Chris and his team were at the forefront of raising cyber risk awareness. Determined to battle the ‘bad guy image’ in cybersecurity, the L0pht team were on a mission to showcase the fallibility of big vendors, such as Microsoft, and evidence they need for effective security measures. Now, Chris’ colourful past shapes the security-led solutions of Veracode, a platform that detects flaws and vulnerabilities at every stage of the modern software development lifecycle. This interview is a deep dive into the depths of cyber security and is not to be missed!  Timestamps What does Good Leadership means to Chris? (02:20) Pioneering the start of cybersecurity (04:20) Starting a hacker collective (07:18) L0pht’s biggest cybersecurity breakthroughs (12:47) Challenging the US Senate with cyber risks  (18:00) Are governments doing enough to prevent cyber-attacks? (22:12) GenAI’s role in cybersecurity (32:00) An introduction to Veracode (34:24) Chris’ advice to his 21-year-old self (43:24)   https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

If you’re looking for a truly authentic insight into entrepreneurship, look no further than this week’s episode. Gareth is joined by Tom O’Sullivan, ex-army veteran and founder of software development company Animus Bytes, and the pair candidly discuss Tom’s journey from battlefield to business meeting. Tom’s leadership journey began in Helmand Province, where he was stationed during his time in the military and led a team of 90 soldiers. After his departure, his interest in risk and security lead him to the realm of cybersecurity and the technology space. At Animus Bytes, Tom and his team are currently working on an application called Migrant Watch, where vulnerable people at sea can be detected and rescued using AI, machine learning and NLP technology.  From walking away from his own business that was no longer serving him, to realising his passions and starting over with Animus Bytes, Tom’s tech journey is emblematic of the trials and tribulations that are faced by founders everywhere. This episode is jampacked with stellar leadership advice, meditation tips and all-round interesting anecdotes— it’s not to be missed! Timestamps What does good leadership mean to Tom? (02:26) Lessons learned from Tom’s time in the army (05:20) Mindful meditation (09:15) Starting a cybersecurity start-up (17:02) Facing failure as a founder (22:57) What is Animus Bytes? (27:45) How Animus Bytes is combatting the migration problem (30:35) The similarities between AI and nuclear weapons (45:18) Tom’s advice to his pre-military self (53:25) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

The already evolving cloud computing space is undergoing an accelerated period of change, in light of the emergence of Generative AI technology. This week, Gareth is joined by Cloud Computing Expert and VP of Strategic Initiatives at AWS, Brian ‘Tap’ Taptich.  This episode uncovers Brian’s journey to becoming a leader in the largest cloud service provider on the market, which ultimately began with a ‘early midlife crisis’ in the form of a motorcycle trip around the US. His ability to lead tech companies is exemplified through his phenomenal career history; as he worked to save Bitcasa from insolvency on the 6th day of being the CEO, Brian’s leadership skills have truly been tried and tested. Brian tells us what makes AWS such a powerhouse in the cloud computing space, from abolishing ‘PowerPoint culture’ to values that ‘can be learned but are mostly earned’. He offers stellar advice to CEOs, including how to be a ‘benevolent dictator’ and strike the right balance between business and culture. If you’re interested in finding out how to be successful in the cloud space, this episode is not to be missed. Time stamps An introduction to ‘Tap’ (01:34) What good leadership means to Brian (02:17) The milestones that made him (03:55) The dotcom boom vs. the AI revolution (07:41) The biggest lessons from building Bitcasa (10:05) What surprised Brian most when joining AWS (13:39) The relationship between AWS and Amazon (16:00) Brian’s prediction of AWS’ future evolution (30:15) Brian’s best productivity tips (41:18) *Book recommendation- Blue Highways: A Journey into America, William Least Heat-Moon Blue Highways: A Journey Into America : Heat Moon, William Least, McKibben, Bill: Amazon.co.uk: Books https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

As Christmas is just round the corner, this week’s guest epitomises the season of goodwill in the form of angel investment. Sarah Turner, CEO and Co-founder of Angel Academe, joins Gareth to discuss her role in bridging the gap to support female entrepreneurs. In this episode, Sarah recalls the ‘lucky accidents’ that got her into the tech industry, as she is keen to dispel any preconceptions that the road to tech is a linear one. Her passion for digital media guided her on a journey from the corporate world to a start-up environment which ultimately lit a flame for entrepreneurialism, culminating in her journey to becoming an angel investor. Sarah was recently ranked 2nd on Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in Tech list 2023, reinforcing her recognition as a prominent figure in the tech start up investment world. Sarah’s innovative platform challenges angel investment norms, and allows female led start-ups to access top investors.   Timestamps What does good leadership mean to Sarah? (01:49) Sarah’s transition into tech (03:15) First experience with a start-up (06:35) What is the purpose of Angel Academe? (13:06) Female-focused entrepreneurship (17:15) Angel Academe’s unique selling points (23:20) Sarah’s stellar advice for entrepreneurs (25:15) The biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make (28:55) Talking ChatGPT and its impact (41:00) Sarah’s advice to her younger self (41:40) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/