

Venturi's Voice: Technology | Leadership | Staffing | Career | Innovation
Venturi Group: CTO, Data, Development, Cyber Security, Business Intelligence, Infrastructure, Cloud
Venturi’s Voice brings you conversation with leaders from various technology disciplines - data, cyber security, development, cloud, infrastructure, business intelligence and more… Each week you will be able to relate, take inspiration and action the business education from our compelling guests. Outside of technology we tend to cover; career progression, influences, best practices, leadership, talent, recruitment and the inspiration behind our guest successes in career and life!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 18, 2023 • 44min
From Deep Space to Your Workplace: Improving Collaboration with Braided Communications
In this episode, we sit down with Rob Brougham, Co-Founder & Director of Braided Communications, to discuss how the technology developed for astronauts on deep space missions can be used to provide better team collaboration on Earth. Rob shares his insights on the challenges of developing communication tools for deep space missions and how the same technology can be adapted to improve communication and collaboration within organizations.

Apr 11, 2023 • 25min
From Battlefield to Boardroom: The Journey of Andrew Parsons, a Tech CTO
In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Parsons, a tech leader who shares his unique journey from Military life to CTO. Andrew brings a wealth of experience from his time in the military, where he learned the importance of leadership, teamwork, and communication, all of which he has brought to his career in tech.
We delve into the challenges and opportunities Andrew faced in making the transition to civilian life and the tech industry, including how he leveraged his military experience to develop his skills as a tech leader. Andrew also discusses the importance of continuous learning and shares some of the resources and approaches he has used to stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and best practices.
Throughout the episode, Andrew shares practical advice for anyone looking to make a similar transition or looking to improve their skills as a tech leader. His story is a testament to the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and lifelong learning in achieving success in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of tech.

Mar 22, 2023 • 45min
The Future of Digital Marketing: A Conversation with Ian Hazeldine, MD at Yellow Circle
Ben and Hannah sit down with Ian Hazeldine, MD @ Yellow Circle to discuss
In this episode, we sit down with Ian Hazeldine, MD at Yellow Circle, a leading digital marketing agency. Ian shares insights into the business and their innovative new marketing subscription model that has transformed the way they work with clients.
Ian discusses how Yellow Circle's subscription model allows them to provide a more holistic service to their clients, enabling them to work with them on an ongoing basis to continually refine and improve their marketing strategies. This approach has not only led to better results for their clients but has also helped to build stronger relationships with them.
Ian also shares some of the challenges that come with this new subscription model, such as the need to constantly adapt and evolve their services to meet the changing needs of their clients. He also touches on how technology has played a crucial role in enabling Yellow Circle to provide a more personalized and effective service to their clients.
Overall, this episode is a fascinating look at the future of digital marketing and how innovative companies like Yellow Circle are leading the way with their new subscription model. Whether you're a business owner looking to improve your marketing strategy or simply interested in the latest trends in digital marketing, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
Find out more and contact below:
Website: www.yellowcircle.co.uk
Email: hello@yellowcircle.co.uk
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicdesignuk/

Mar 16, 2023 • 30min
Driving Digital Transformation: Keeping Pace with Sanj Maghera, CTO at a Fintech
In this episode, we are joined by Sanj Maghera, the Chief Technology Officer at a fintech. Sanj is a technology leader with a wealth of experience in driving digital transformations and innovation in the tech industry.
Sanj shares his insights on the rapid pace of change in technology and how businesses can keep up with it. Sanj will discuss the importance of staying ahead of the curve in today's fast-paced digital world and the strategies that technology leaders can use to drive successful digital transformations within their organizations.
Sanj and Ben also talk about his own experiences and the challenges he has faced in driving change and innovation in the industry. Join us as we explore the transformations in tech and learn from Sanj's expertise on staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology.

Mar 15, 2023 • 24min
The Role of a CTO: Insights and Advice for Career Progression with Richard George
In this episode, we are joined by Richard George, a seasoned CTO sharing his insights on the role of a CTO and provides valuable advice for aspiring technology leaders looking to progress in their careers.
Ben and Richard discuss the skills and qualities that are essential for success in this role, the challenges that come with it, and how to navigate them. Additionally, Richard will share his own career learns and experiences as a CTO, including strategies for driving innovation and growth within organizations.

Mar 15, 2023 • 33min
Building the Future of Data Collaboration with Melody Meckfessel, CEO of Observable
Melody Meckfessel, CEO and co-founder, Observable
Melody is the CEO / Co-founder of Observable, where she is building the future of data collaboration. Before Observable, she was a VP of Engineering at Google, responsible for large scale systems in search, search quality, cluster management, and Google Cloud delivering successful outcomes for millions of users. She also led the DevOps practice at Google Cloud. Melody is a hands-on technology leader with more than 25 years experience building and maintaining large-scale distributed systems and solving problems at scale.
Melody instills passion around data innovation - improving exploration and insights from data toward better actions and outcomes. She is an expert in tools and systems for productive teams to thrive, and that's exactly what she is bringing to the future of data collaboration on Observable.
Social Handles:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Observable

Mar 9, 2023 • 51min
Tech for Good: A Creative Director's Journey in the Charity Sector, Matthew Maude
In this episode, Ben sits down co-host Hannah Adeyemi, and Matthew Maude, Founder of UPSIO, Creative Director at FranScape, and Small Business Owner at Maude Design, to discuss the role of technology in the charity sector. With over 15 years of experience in the creative industry, Matthew shares his insights on the different technologies being used by charities to support their causes and how he developed a platform for foodbanks in his spare time.
Matthew also talks about his journey as a Creative Director within a software development company, highlighting the challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced and ever-evolving industry. He shares some of the creative strategies he has used to drive innovation in his team and how he balances the needs of clients with the demands of his role.
Throughout the conversation, Matthew emphasizes the importance of using technology for good, and how it can be harnessed to bring about positive change in our communities. He shares his thoughts on the future of the charity sector, and how technology will continue to play a crucial role in driving innovation and creating impact.
Whether you're a charity professional, a software developer, or simply interested in the intersection of technology and social impact, this episode is sure to provide valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to hear Matthew's story and discover how you can use your skills and passions to make a difference in the world.

Mar 2, 2023 • 23min
Transforming Retail with Robotic Item Manipulation: Insights from Guy Walker, Head of Product – Robotic Manipulation at Ocado Technology
In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Guy Walker, the Head of Product for Robotic Manipulation at Ocado Technology. Guy is an expert in the field of robotics and automation and specialises in picking and packing robots. He shares his insights on the unique challenges his teams are solving and the transformative potential of this technology.
Creating a robot that is capable of picking over 50,000 different possible grocery products without prior knowledge of what they are about to pick is no small feat. We explore how robotics systems are trained through observation of human actions and learn to control different forces and interact with their environment to complete tasks. Guy shares the challenges and opportunities that come with developing these types of systems, and how Ocado Technology is leading the way in this space.
Join us for this insightful conversation around the cutting-edge of automation technology. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in robotics, technology, innovation, and the future of retail. A huge thank you to Ocado Technology for hosting us in their beautiful offices for the day!

Mar 2, 2023 • 46min
Revolutionising Housing Management: A Conversation with Gavin Sherratt and Steve Todd from Mashbo
we sit down with Gavin Sherratt and Steve Todd from Mashbo, a company that's changing the way housing is managed through their new disruptive proptech product.
In this episode, we delve into the unique working relationship between Gavin and Steve, exploring how they collaborate and bring their individual strengths to the table. We gain insight into their shared passion for innovation and their drive to push boundaries in the industry.
The main focus of our conversation is Mashbo's latest proptech product, which is set to revolutionize the way housing is managed. Gavin and Steve share their vision for the product and how it's poised to disrupt the market. We discuss the key features and benefits of the product, as well as its potential impact on the wider industry.

Feb 28, 2023 • 41min
Scaling SaaS: Insights from Ben Downey, COO of Smartrr
Welcome to this episode of the podcast where we are joined by Ben Downey, the COO of Smartrr, a leading SaaS company. In this conversation, Ben shares his insights on SaaS fundamentals for early-stage companies, discussing the things he wishes they had done earlier before going public.
Ben also delves into the topic of engineering organizational structure, sharing his expertise on structuring incentives to create a high-performing team. He provides valuable insights on how to align the goals and incentives of the team members to create a collaborative and effective working environment.
The discussion then turns to the topic of mechanisms versus intentions and how to drive repeatable results. Ben shares his thoughts on the importance of putting in place the right mechanisms to drive repeatable results, and how to balance them with good intentions to ensure that the team is aligned with the company's mission and vision.
Join us for this engaging and informative conversation with Ben Downey as we explore the fundamentals of SaaS, engineering organizational structure, and driving repeatable results in a fast-paced and dynamic industry.