The Tech Leaders Podcast

At a time when we’re all looking for environmentally friendly yet efficient travel, the railway industry is booming with popularity and investment. Our tech leader this week, Milena Nikolic is at the forefront of this sector. As CTO at Trainline, she is leading the team at one of the largest companies operating in this area. Milena joins Gareth to discuss her journey towards becoming a tech leader; from competing in coding competitions in Serbia to securing an internship at tech giant Google. Despite never initially being drawn to a leadership position, after being a part of Google’s immense growth period, Milena noticed that any problems they were facing were due to people, not technology. This want to incite change in Google’s company culture led to her becoming an Engineering Manager before ultimately being promoted to Engineering Director within her 12 years at the tech giant. Now as the CTO of Trainline, Milena discusses her role in one of the largest sectors across the globe, ensuring that she drives her team through goal setting, trusting the process, and being able to take things one step at a time. Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Milena? (03:37) Climbing the ranks at Google (04:55) What Milena would change about her time at Google (08:37) Google’s innovation initiative (11:04) The key to successful delegation (12:55) Milena’s backstory (15:05) Transitioning to Trainline (17:40) Transforming Trainline with AI (26:00) What does a CTO do? (33:10) Preventing burnout (35:00) The progress of equality within the tech industry (36:35) Milena’s advice to her younger self (38:30) *Book recommendation: Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, by Cheryl Sandberg Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Amazon.co.uk: Sandberg, Sheryl: 9780753541647: Books https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In this digital age of hyperconnectivity, ensuring your business is cyber-secure is crucial. That’s where this week’s guest comes in. Daniel Schiappa, Chief Product Officer at Arctic Wolf, joins Gareth to discuss his top tips for tech leadership and what’s happening right now in the cybersecurity space.  Warning that the AI arms race has turned into a nuclear arms race, Daniel gives advice on what we all should be concerned about regarding AI regulations and how smaller companies can defend themselves against security breaches. Daniel has experience working in some of the largest tech companies across the globe, including Oracle, Microsoft, and Sophos before ultimately joining the team at Arctic Wolf. With a passion for cybersecurity guiding his journey to CPO, Daniel tells us of his highlights; from working with tech geniuses like Bill Gates, to receiving a life-changing letter from the UK government stating that the western civilisation is dependent on the work of himself and his team. Daniel is an influential tech leader with an unusual leadership mantra originating from a galaxy far, far away. He believes that ‘“there’s a time to be Yoda and there’s a time to be Darth Vader”’, and this duality of encouragement and ruthless determination is what keeps him and his leadership team ahead of the game. What does good leadership mean to Daniel? (02:12) Daniel’s key career milestones (04:33) Working with Bill Gates (11:28) The greatest engineering highlight of his career (14:00) Daniel’s role at Arctic Wolf (16:00) The cyberthreats that keep Daniel up at night (21:10) How to avoid cyberthreats as a smaller company (26:21) What is quantum computing? (34:16) Why cybersecurity is the perfect career path in 2023 (35:50) Daniel’s advice to his 21-year-old self (39:50) *Book recommendation – The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today, Ken Blanchard The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today eBook : Blanchard, Kenneth, Muchnick, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

When we think about the success of a business, we think about stats, popularity, and growth. But what about the employee? Our guest this week is focused on prioritising the people, as the Director of EMEA Solutions at Qualtrics, Sally Winston joins Gareth to discuss the exciting world of employee experience (EX).  With a background in psychology, Sally is passionate about ensuring her leadership is marked by empathy, as she believes that treating each employee as an individual is the key to a successful business, no matter how big the head count.  This conversation explores how the world of EX interacts with technology, and how both AI and psychometric systems can help us know more about ourselves and how we interact with our workspace.  Time stamps What good leadership means to Sally (02:20) How Sally started out (04:30) Employee experience vs. customer experience (11:00) The greatest difference between millennials and Gen Z in the workplace (14:39) How much do psychometric systems reveal about ourselves? (25:25) Qualtrics ‘TACOS’ values (29:04) AI and EX (32:27) How Qualtrics is embracing the age of AI (37:00) Sally’s advice to her younger self (41:25)  *Book recommendation: ‘So Good They Can’t Ignore You’ by Cal Newport So Good They Can't Ignore You: Amazon.co.uk: Newport, Cal: 9780349415864: Books *  https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

On this week’s episode, we delve into the dynamic world of e-commerce, as Gareth is joined by Aidan Corbett, the visionary CEO of e-commerce funding business, and Ireland’s 6th home-grown tech unicorn, Wayflyer. Establishing a successful venture in this rapidly growing sector is no easy task, that’s where Aidan and his team come in; to help e-commerce entrepreneurs get the kick-start they need. This episode is jam-packed full of advice from not only Aidan’s perspective as an investor, but also through his personal journey as a tech entrepreneur himself. We get the inside scoop on the best ways to launch your e-commerce venture, including whether an MBA is actually worth the time (and money), and if coding is still a useful skill in this age of AI. Finding ‘“what feels like work to everyone else but feels like play to you”’ is a piece of Aidan’s stellar advice and is testament to his trajectory to the top of tech leadership. He demonstrates how important it is to play to your strengths and know your niche to excel in the e-commerce ecosystem.  Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Aidan? (02:43) Entrepreneurial inspiration (05:38) Is studying an MBA worth it? (07:41) Can learning code still be useful? (11:28) Starting out at McKinsey & Company (14:33) Creating Conjura (20:20) The biggest e-commerce mistakes that companies make (24:55) How does Aidan assess potential investment opportunities (28:03) Why Dublin is an entrepreneurial hotspot (32:53) What social channel will make your start-up go viral? (35:50) How AI is going to disrupt the e-commerce industry (37:40) Aidan’s advice to his 21-year-old self (41:00)   https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do you feel like the world of Crypto is a bit… cryptic? Well, fear not, as Elke Karskens, UK Country Director at Coinbase, joins Gareth on this week’s episode to delve into this ‘digital alternative to Wall Street’ and discuss her role in one of the biggest businesses in the space.  Growing up in Amsterdam, Elke was raised to focus on the importance of the greater good, which ultimately guided her career path to join numerous tech giants and play a vital role in their worldwide influence. Professing that she still ‘bleeds blue’ to this day, Elke tells all about her 12 years at Facebook and how the innovation she experienced there spurred her on to join the ground-breaking world of cryptocurrency. This episode is jam-packed with aspirational advice on how to become a tech leader whilst setting boundaries and rejecting the ‘disease to please’, as Elke maintains that the secret to success is prioritising the things that matter most.   Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Elke? (02:02) Joining the TomTom trailblazers (08:14) Scaling-up Skype (10:12) Elke’s stand-out career milestones (14:30) The Cambridge Analytica scandal (17:08) Joining Coinbase (19:23) How defi can change finance (23:38) The FTX collapse (27:45) Elke’s secret to success (33:10) Is Coinbase going to utilise AI? (39:28) Advice to her 21-year-old self (40:38) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

With climate change being the *hottest* topic of discussion at the moment, this week we’re delving into its effects on the business world, as Tommy Ricketts, Co-founder of BeZero Carbon, joins Gareth to give us the low-down on environmental economics. Tommy’s passion for both economy and ecology has shaped his entrepreneurial journey, ultimately leading to his creation of a service that transforms how businesses utilise carbon credits. BeZero Carbon offers an innovative solution to the lack of transparency in the current carbon credit system by rating and assessing the true emissions of corporations.  From an alternate career dream of creating a screenplay about football referees, to advice on maintaining cultural cohesion in the workplace, this candid yet captivating conversation covers all bases of Tommy’s journey so far.  The challenge to combat the carbon crisis is no small feat, so with companies like BeZero Carbon, businesses can hold themselves and each other accountable and turn intention into action to help stop climate change.  Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Tommy? (01:59) Leveraging economic history (04:44) A chance encounter and a life-changing text message (08:16) The culture difference between UK and US FinTechs (12:21) Being the Best (14:55) Cultivating the climate economy (16:50) Tommy’s screenplay side-hustle (19:05) What is BeZero Carbon’s value proposition? (28:30) Are big corporations guilty of greenwashing? (36:50) Which tech innovations is Tommy is most excited about (43:20) Tommy’s advice to his younger self (45:15) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do you know the similarities between a Naval team and a successful tech team? According to this week’s guest, it’s having a “no bullshit” working culture. Gareth is joined by Dominic von Trotha Taylor, ex-CEO at PayPoint turned Chairman and CEO iov42 as they explore his journey from submarines to tech leadership, the impact of blockchain, the danger of AI and ChatGPT - the “Rubbish in, Rubbish out” conundrum.Dominic's success is testament to the power of diverse experiences. Growing up in West London, he was exposed to the world of commerce through his parents' antique dealing business in Portobello Road. Later, he ventured into the Navy, serving on submarines during the tense Cold War era, which instilled in him a no-nonsense leadership style with a direct purpose.Dominic recounts his early career struggles and his fortuitous call back from Vodafone, where he played a crucial role in setting up the German branch, at a time when Vodafone was pioneering telephony and SMS messaging.His subsequent journey as the former CEO of PayPoint revealed Dominic's innate ability to lead through the turbulent ever-changing landscape of the early Noughties, making PayPoint a trailblazer in the fintech space.What does good leadership mean to Dominic (02:15)Dominic’s tech voyage (04:35)Life and leadership on board a Royal Navy submarine (06:00)The fintech evolution (15:00)The dotcom boom and experiencing the Y2K issue (20:30)Why do people sell their businesses? (24:11)The benefits of working in a start-up company (28:30)What work is being done at iov42? (32:30)What is blockchain? (35:00)AI dangers of rubbish in, rubbish out (40:50)How to be more productive (44:00)Dominic’s advice to his 21-year-old-self (46:30)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

If you’re looking for a snapshot of the latest in cybersecurity, then you’re in luck! In this week’s episode, Gareth is joined by Quentyn Taylor, Senior Director Information Security and Global Response at Canon, where the pair zoom in on all-things cyber safety.  Being an established expert in the information security space, Quentyn rode the ‘dot com’ wave of the early noughties before ultimately landing a role in the photography manufacturing powerhouse that is Canon. From here, he’s become a renowned figure in the cyber space, not only from his seat in the office but also from his gadget-tastic YouTube channel (which you can check out here: (4) Quentyn Taylor - YouTube). The conversation covers everything from the Dark Web and security scandals to AI and moving away from ‘the age of reality’. Quentyn gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what really keeps CISO’s up at night and what we can all do to ensure we stay safe in this ever-changing online space. Time stamps What does good leadership mean to Quentyn? (03:45) Surviving the Dot Com Bubble Burst (11:10) The evolution of cybersecurity threats (15:30) Deep diving into the Dark Web (19:00) What are CISO’s worried about today? (22:22) The SolarWinds scandal (24:40) What type of company is Canon? (27:38) How Canon is utilising AI (29:50) Can AI be hacked? (36:40) How to keep your online passwords safe (50:25) Quentyn’s advice to his 21-year-old self (54:40) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

In this thought-provoking episode, host Gareth Davies delves deep into the world of mental health diagnostics with Emilia Molimpakis, the visionary CEO of thymia; an online platform transforming the landscape of mental well-being using a powerful combination of gamification, AI, and neuro-linguistics. Drawing on her lifelong fascination with neuroscience, Emilia shares her compelling insights on the critical role empathy plays in effective leadership and emphasises the need for ethical guidelines in the realms of technology and healthcare. Throughout the interview, Emilia fearlessly addresses the inadequacies of our current mental health support system, shedding light on the alarming reality that countless individuals slip through the cracks due to its inherent failures. She also discusses the bureaucracy that is ultimately preventing the NHS from adopting technological advancements within mental health diagnostics. Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Emilia imparts her most valuable lesson learned: the importance of staying true to one's vision and not succumbing to the allure of easy money. By steadfastly holding onto their goals, entrepreneurs can build impactful solutions that align with their core mission and values. Wrapping up the episode, Emilia offers heartfelt advice to individuals facing mental health struggles. Encouraging them not to lose hope, she emphasises the significance of making their voices heard. Timestamps  What does good leadership mean to Emilia (03:00)  What did Emilia want to be when she grew up (05:00)  How much does language shape our reality? (06:50)  Academic ambition (09:15)  The correlation between video games and brain function (12:00)  Emilia’s personal experience with mental health tragedy (13:00)  NHS vs. tech modernity (18:05)  Experience with Entrepreneur First (20:30)  Biggest lessons learnt (24:20)  How Thymia works (29:15)  How effective are current mental health diagnoses? (39:00)  Bureaucracy in the NHS (42:40)  Emilia’s advice to those struggling with their mental health (47:30)  Advice to her 21-year-old self (50:00)  What is Emilia most excited about in the AI revolution (52:00)  Emilia’s productivity advice (56:10) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/

Do we need to worry about extinction from AI?! After 4 jam-packed conversations with some of the biggest thought leaders in the AI space, what better way to conclude our epic series than with someone who can give us the low-down on all things AI ethics. Sara El-Hanfy, Head of AI and Machine Learning at Innovate UK joins Gareth and Kerensa to conclude our A-list line up and discuss the importance of handling AI with care.  From entering the tech space through an unconventional route (proving that it’s possible to study a STEM subject at university even without an A-Level in Maths!), Sara has been on a quest to ensure both AI accessibility and safety for businesses nationwide. Being an Advisory Board Member for UK Parliament on the complexities of AI adoption, Sara offers her expert opinion on the ethics of AI tools like ChatGPT and tells us the major AI risks we should all be aware of. This final episode is the perfect conclusion to our TTLP AI Series. After numerous conversations about all of the exciting prospects AI is awarding us, Sara reminds that we must approach this unprecedented technology with a degree of caution. As this series comes to an end, one thing remains certain: even AI experts cannot predict what the future holds.  Time stamps What excites Sara most about the AI revolution? (02:04) What is Innovate UK? (06:00) A day in the life of Sara (07:41) The BridgeAI programme (09:34) Is AI going to overrun your business? (16:45) Breaking tradition to get into tech (19:40) Is using ChatGPT cheating? (28:53) Investing in entrepreneurs (34:47) Is the UK government scared of AI? (39:10) Sara’s favourite AI tool (41:00) Advice to her 21-year-old self (42:29) Kerensa’s favourite moment of the AI series (41:10) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/