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 *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

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

In honour of National Robotics Week, this episode features a guest who’s on a mission to create a world where people “work with robots, not like robots”. Anders Billesø Beck joins Gareth on this week’s episode of The Tech Leaders Podcast to discuss his journey to tech leadership in the revolutionary field of robotics. From his poolside background as a national swimmer, Anders recounts how he dove headfirst into the world of robotics during his time studying at the Technical University of Denmark. Championing the innovative Danish tech scene, Anders’ current role at Universal Robots aims to bring robotics into the mainstream through the groundbreaking creation of ‘Cobots’: robots that are designed specifically for direct human interaction. Not only is Anders an expert in tech innovation, as he also has stellar advice for thriving as a tech leader, encouraging people to “draw the line and find your time” to ensure a positive work-life balance. Time stamps · What does good leadership mean to Anders? (01:43) · Diving into the world of robotics (03:57) · The dawn of Denmark as a tech hub (09:32) · Universal Robots and the rise of Cobots (13:30) · Will a robot take your job? (21:57) · Making robots mainstream (23:58) · How Generative AI is enhancing the field of robotics (30:47) · How to achieve balance as a tech leader (38:23) · What Anders would tell his 21-year-old self (42:40) *Book recommendation - The Wide Lens, Ron Adner The Wide Lens By Ron Adner | Used | 9781591846291 | World of Books (wob.com)

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 *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

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

“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

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

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

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 *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

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

This week, in a TTLP first, we have a second guest from a company that’s already made waves on our podcast, KPMG. There’s no better guest to return to represent this powerhouse consultancy than Paul Henninger, UK Head of Connected Technology and Global of Digital Lighthouse. Paul joins Gareth to discuss his journey (and return) to leadership within KPMG, as well as the key milestones that he reached along the way. From working on the groundbreaking development of machine learning for cancer diagnoses 15 years ago, Paul’s passion for automation has marked his career and driven him to be a leader in the space. This episode delves into the intricacies of AI adoption and what that means for big organisations like KPMG, as well as the wider labour market. If you’re interested in hearing about Paul’s journey to the top, be sure to tune in to hear his incredible AI insights! Time stamps

This week, Helen Kelisky, MD at Google Cloud UKI joins Gareth to discuss her leadership journey; from securing a role in juggernaut IBM, marking her entry into the tech space, to joining the powerhouse that is Google Cloud as the Managing Director UKI. A proud advocate for diversity in tech, Helen has been recognised on Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in Tech list for the last 6 years, exemplifying both her career successes and her external volunteering in organisations such as Women in Telecoms & Technology (WiTT). Helen gives us insight into her leadership success and how to manage a team in the most effective way possible, ensuring that ‘every day is a learning day’, even for leaders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious to know more about cloud computing or anyone in need of some stellar leadership advice— we’ve got you covered. Timestamps *Book recommendations: Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, Arbinger institute Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting... by Arbinger Institute (amazon.co.uk) / The Tipping Point, Malcom Gladwell The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference: Amazon.co.uk: Malcolm Gladwell: 9780349113463: Books / Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling & Ola Rosling & Anna Rosling Rönnlund Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About... by Rosling, Hans (amazon.co.uk)

On this week’s episode, we delve into a topic that’s a bit closer to home for us at TTLP and bedigital: IT software and licensing. Combining bedigital’s expert software services and our TTLP mission statement to uncover the stories of the biggest names in tech, this week’s guest is a leader in the software management space. Phil Hames, MD at The Business Software Centre (TBSC), joins Gareth to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s riding the wave of the Software-as-a-Service evolution. Phil and his team at TBSC utilise their expertise to help customers optimise their software usage in a quick and cost-effective way, ensuring that companies make the most of their SaaS. With an innovative focus on cybersecurity within Microsoft 365, TBSC’s unique products and services mean that they’re leaders in the software management industry. Having been in this field since the 80s, Phil’s career has been shaped by the rise of SaaS and his career journey to forming TBSC has proven that he truly is an expert in the space. Want to smarten up your knowledge on SaaS? Then this is the perfect episode for you! Time stamps Book recommendation- The Strangest Secret, Earl Nightingale The Strangest Secret: Amazon.co.uk: Nightingale, Earl: 9781603865579: Books

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 *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

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. *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

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 *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 *

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

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

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

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.