The esynergy Podcast

Join us this week as we delve into the intricacies of the EU AI Act with two distinguished guests alongside our host, Sunny. In this episode, Alex McKeown, the Head of Data Ethics at Information Governance Services, and Prasad Prabhakaran, the Gen AI Practice Lead at esynergy, will guide us through the implications of the EU AI Act for your business. Tune in to gain insights on navigating the fine balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and mitigating associated risks. Discover how AI adoption can drive innovation while staying compliant with regulatory frameworks. The trio will explore the dynamic landscape of risk assessment in AI, emphasizing the significance of ethics and the necessity of observability, explainability, and maintaining an AI inventory. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion!

Join Sunny this week as he sits down with Neal Venables, Head of Data Engineering at Marie Curie. In this captivating episode, Neal unravels the intricacies of how Marie Curie remains at the forefront of innovation by harnessing cutting-edge technologies. Tune in as Neal navigates the challenges and triumphs of transitioning data to the cloud, harnessing the power of CRM systems to optimize operations, and embracing groundbreaking tools such as Splink to accelerate the adoption of a single customer view. Plus, delve into the fascinating world of LLMs and discover how incorporating case notes is revolutionizing patient services, all in the quest for delivering better patient services. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion!

Tune into this week's episode as Sunny is joined by Simone Rabie, Data Governance Manager at Close Brothers. Simone takes us on a deep dive into the realm of climate reporting, sharing her personal journey into the space and illuminating its current landscape. Explore with Simone as she navigates the complexities of international regulations, greenwashing, and greenhushing, shedding light on the vital importance of adopting a proactive federated data governance approach. Prepare to gain invaluable insights on leveraging the power of GenAI sustainably within the intricate world of ESG considerations. Discover the significance of building communities for the cross-sharing of knowledge and collective action in combating climate issues. Don't miss out on this episode filled with enlightening perspectives and actionable strategies for navigating the intersection of data governance, sustainability, and climate reporting.

In this week's podcast episode, Sunny is joined by Jinto Jose, a seasoned Product Manager and Product Area Lead at ING. Discover the unique blend of inspirations—from cricket to NASA and Netflix—that ignited Jinto's passion for all things data. Gain valuable insights as Jinto shares the significance of incorporating product disciplines into your data projects. Drawing on his extensive experience at ING, Shell, and Citigroup, Jinto delves into the nuances of building successful data products at the enterprise level. Explore the critical role of data governance in establishing trust for the seamless execution of your data product projects. Tune in for an engaging conversation that unveils the keys to success in the dynamic realm of data products.

Join Sunny as he welcomes Jimmy Kozlow, Product Manager, Data Mesh at Northern Trust. Jimmy will unravel the core elements of a successful data mesh implementation, delving into the challenges surrounding organizational structure and the decentralization of data. Explore the current maturity landscape of data mesh patterns and gain insights into navigating the adoption curve while transforming team behaviors. Jimmy takes a deep dive into the impactful intersection of GenAI and data mesh, discussing how it has disrupted existing patterns and emphasizing why data mesh remains the indispensable foundation for cutting-edge projects. In a thought-provoking conclusion, Jimmy makes a compelling case for making data governance not just essential but downright sexy. Don't miss this episode filled with illuminating perspectives on the intricacies of data mesh, its challenges, and its pivotal role in the evolving landscape of data management.

Embark on a fascinating journey with Sunny as he welcomes Neil McIvor, the Chief Data Officer at the Department for Education, to the spotlight. In this episode, Neil leverages his profound experience in the public sector to unveil the omnipresence of data – from mundane tasks like painting your house to the high-octane world of Formula 1! Get ready for a deep dive as Neil simplifies the complexities of end-to-end data platforms, offering invaluable insights into the challenges of steering data strategies within the public sector. Discover the weight of responsibility to the taxpayer and gain a nuanced understanding of the delicate balance required in managing public data. Don't miss out on Neil's ingenious "stratical" solution approach, and learn the secrets behind keeping effective teams motivated. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge and practical wisdom, making the intricate world of data not only accessible but downright intriguing.

Join Sunny as he welcomes our first guest Graeme Howard, NED, and strategic advisor. Tune in as Graeme, drawing from his wealth of experience in the insurance industry, delves into the dynamic realm of transformation projects. In this episode, explore Graeme's fascinating transition into Non-exec roles, unravel the significance of value-based delivery, and the key traits that define a stellar tech company in our ever-evolving landscape. Get ready for insights into building exceptionally effective teams, as Graeme shares invaluable tips. Discover his perspective on the transformative impact of GenAI in reshaping the operational landscape of the insurance sector. Gain profound insights into why it's crucial to separate the hype from reality, ensuring that GenAI not only captures attention but genuinely delivers tangible business value. Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom, anecdotes, and forward-thinking perspectives on the intersection of technology and the insurance industry.

How do leaders make confident decisions in a world ofconstant disruption, rapid technological change, and growing complexity? In this episode of The esynergy Podcast, Ulrike Eder (CMO, esynergy) sits down with Simon Wardley, renowned strategist and creator of Wardley Maps, to explore why so many organisations struggle with situational awareness — and how mapping can change that.Simon shares the origins of Wardley Mapping, the patterns he observed in historical strategy, and how maps help leaders understand their competitive landscape, user needs, and sources of value. The conversation also dives into the evolution of AI, predictions for future technology shifts, and the risks of chasing “shiny new” innovations without strategic context.Key topics covered:• Why leaders struggle to make informed decisions without effective maps• Situational awareness and its role in modern business strategy• The evolution of Wardley Mapping and how it reveals hidden complexity• AI, large language models, and what’s coming next• Common strategic mistakes, organisational inertia, and how leaders can overcome them• The emerging role of games and open-source models in executive decision-makingThis episode is essential listening for business leaders, strategists, technologists, and executives looking to sharpen their strategic thinking, navigate uncertainty, and make better decisions in complex environments.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.