Venturi's Voice: Technology | Leadership | Staffing | Career | Innovation

Neil Kimmett is a Senior Engineering Manager at ClassPass. Previously, Neil has worked on apps at companies like Harry's, Boiler Room, Marks & Spencers, alongside other startups in London, San Francisco, and New York. ClassPass Inc. is an American company which provides access to different fitness classes such as yoga, strength training, barre, martial arts, pilates, boxing, and indoor cycling classes, as well as use of health clubs via its flat-rate monthly subscription billing service. During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Neil to discuss what lessons he has learned during the pandemic and how he has built the systems at ClassPass to allow the business to adapt so quickly and smoothly during this time. We also hear about what we can expect in the future for ClassPass and how Neil has successfully managed and motivated his team during such challenging times.

Anthony Mayer is Vice President of Engineering at Getsafe. Anthony had previously worked for many start-ups in Silicon Valley, then decided to make the move to rural Germany to help with Getsafe's mission to revolutionize the insurance industry. Since launching in 2018 in Germany, Getsafe has expanded to the UK and is now looking into further European markets. The company is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, with a satellite office in London, and employs more than 120 people. It is one of Europe’s best-funded insurtechs, serving over 150,000 customers. During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Anthony to discuss what it's actually like living and working in Silicon Valley, and what the catalyst was to move away from that life. We also discussed how Getsafe simplifies the insurance industry using cutting-edge technology, and how Anthony stays productive during long periods of focus. Check out the Venturi's Voice Podcast on all streaming platforms, with over 500 interviews with leaders in technology, check out the archive here: https://venturi-group.com/podcast/ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-910706127 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dMy9SJZi8CEn5AelKAwQY?si=L2CR248TTZKDiY6sbySSKg&dl_branch=1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/venturis-voice-technology-leadership-staffing-career/id1206017713 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjI4NzQ0ODkxOC9zb3VuZHMucnNz Be sure to like and subscribe! Thanks, Ben

Chris Allan is MHFA Instructor, Occupational Health Advisor and Co Host at Mind Games Podcast https://linktr.ee/AskMindGames. During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Chris to discuss what businesses can do to support mental health in their workforce, some of the key things organisations can embed into their wellbeing strategy to support employees, some of the most common issues that Chris encounters when advising businesses, and some of the things people can do in general to look after their own mental health. Write into Mind Games Podcast with your questions for Chris here: askmindgamesuk@gmail.com.

Alex Harman is President of TOCA Social. TOCA Social is the world's first interactive football and dining experience, combining immersive gaming and world class food and drink - bridging the physical and digital worlds together in a way never seen before. During the Podcast episode, Ben sits down with Alex to discuss what spawned the idea of TOCA Social, what life was like in the early start up stage of the business, the challenges launching a business during a pandemic, and the importance of good UX in the hospitality and leisure industry. Check out the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/P6cFITpfQgE

Anika Sierk is Lead Data Scientist at Unmind with a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience/Psychology. Unmind is a London-based startup that empowers organisations and employees to measurably improve their mental wellbeing. Their data science team draws actionable insights and valuable information through the application of data mining techniques, predictive models and other related methods to better understand their users' behaviour, and to drive change and improvements across the platform. Anika's background lies in research and holds extensive experience in data analysis and statistical inference through conducting research projects in London (UCL), Berlin (Charité), Cologne (Max Planck), and New York (CUNY). During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Anika to discuss Anika's career in data, what it was like moving into a team lead role after just 18 months, imposter syndrome and how to overcome it, and the resources Anika relies on to stay ahead of the curve in the data space.

Javaad Abdul-Rasool is VP of Talent at Habito, a start-up advisor and mentor. Habito was founded in 2016 with the aim to give people the tools, knowledge and expert support they need to help them buy and finance their homes. Javaad is currently working in the leadership team at Habito to provide the vision, drive and direction of Habito's talent agenda. During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Javaad to discuss how we can keep flying the flag of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, and why it should be important to all of us. As well as how to build on what we already have, and the things we can do to be successful in the DE&I space.

Ken Hunter is an accomplished technology leader with a credible history of success building and transforming state-of-the-art technology systems from conception to completion. Ability to align technology strategy with business needs, vision, and standards. Adept at spearheading top-notch organizations, involving migration to balanced cloud infrastructures, legacy systems modernization, and mobile application strategies execution. He's a transformational technology leader with the ability to build and lead high performing teams across multiple business lines and geographies. Refined communicator; expert in cultivating and strengthening professional relationships with teams, clientele, partners, stakeholders, and management. In Ken's role as Vice President of Technology at The Michales Companies, he directs development of modern eCommerce marketplace, finished goods third-party retail platform; act as cornerstone for organizational growth. He also acts as Interim Technology Officer to monitor and manage Merchandising and Supply Chain Systems for over $5B company. During this podcast episode, Ben sat down with Ken to discuss the future of eCommerce and traditional brick and mortar stores, and how we can leverage technology to save traditional retail.

Fast-forwarding the Future of Healthcare @ Livi | George Jones by Venturi Group: CTO, Data, Development, Cyber Security, Business Intelligence, Infrastructure, Cloud

Rachel Murphy is the CEO at Difrent, a professional services partner to ‘tech for good’ organisations delivering business efficiencies by challenging the status quo for tech-enabled business transformation and Difrent has recently been recognised as overall winner of the Leading Healthcare Awards 2021. Rachel also led the transformation programme of all patient facing, self-care and prevention activities within the Paperless 2020 Programme in the NHS, a £270m digital transformation of all patient-facing services across the NHS. Rachel has an exceptional record defining and executing strategy at top level to deliver change, improve performance and ensure first-class digital/technology services and solutions for blue-chip organisations across multiple sectors. During the podcast episode, Ben sat down with Rachel to discuss the motivation to start Difrent, her journey within the NHS to then building and selling Difrent. They also touched upon a new business Rachel is advising which is bringing cutting-edge technology in the fight against COVID 19.

Rhian Atkins is an experienced Data Analytics Business Consultant and has experience in identifying, scoping, and leading large-scale multi-million pound projects that create value by using data more effectively. Rhian has led large teams working across many clients in several sectors including FMCG, gaming, the NHS and the Ministry of Defence. Rhian is also the Co-founder of Women in all things Data, and is currently Client Director in Data & AI at Avanade. Women in all things Data is a catalyst for positive change, since their beginnings in 2019, they have been driven by the same ideas initially founded their Women Empowerment Non-Profit Organization upon: support, empowerment, and progress. During the podcast episode, Ben sits down with Rhian to discuss Rhian's Career in Data, how Women in all things Data was founded, what we can expect for the future of their platform and this space and how you can get involved.