SUGTalks

In our latest episode, Craig is joined on the SUGTalks podcast by Fiona Warburg, Solution Architecture Practice Manager at Co-op and Women in SAP Community Lead at UKISUG, and Emma Chambers, Head of Apps & Platforms at Calor, Director and Women in SAP Community Lead at UKISUG. Together they discuss the progress made by the Women in SAP community over the past year and the challenges that still persist across the tech sector. In addition they outline how practical initiatives such as mentoring, networking and allyship are helping to support career progression and representation. They also explore this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” and how contributing time, experience and support can help individuals, organisations and the wider SAP ecosystem thrive. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In our latest senior leader interview, Craig is joined by Emel Morris, CIO at Central Bedfordshire Council. Emel shares her journey from corporate communications into IT leadership and the skills that helped her transition into the role. She also outlines why today’s CIO must focus on stakeholder engagement, change, and aligning technology to real service outcomes. Craig and Emel also discuss pressures on public sector services, cyber security, AI alongside the importance of inclusion and Women in SAP. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Mark Raben, former SAP EMEA CTO, keynote speaker and leadership coach, to explore what really matters in an AI-driven world. Recorded at UKISUG Connect following Mark’s keynote, the conversation looks beyond technology to focus on human behaviour, trust and culture in transformation programmes. Mark explains how the brain works as a prediction machine, why structure alone isn’t enough for successful SAP projects, and how leaders can reduce anxiety by being transparent about intent. Learn more about Mark Raben here: https://www.markraben.com/ 🔗 Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Phil Creek, Intake Demand Lead at the SAP Centre of Expertise at Boots, and Rohan Parikh, SAP Platform Architect at Maersk, to explore the value of building an SAP Customer Centre of Expertise (COE). The conversation builds on the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper, covering why COEs matter, the importance of senior sponsorship, what effective governance looks like, and the skills a modern COE needs. Phil and Rohan share practical perspectives on balancing internal capability with partners, supporting a clean core, and how COEs need to evolve as SAP customers move further into the cloud. 📄 Click Here to download the UKISUG SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Insights paper 💬 Join the UKISUG ALM Community to continue the discussion with fellow SAP users 🔗 Learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

Recorded live at UKISUG Connect 2025 at the ICC in Birmingham, Craig Dale is joined by Cliff Saran, Technology Editor at Computer Weekly, and Gerren Maine, host of SAPCHAT, to unpack the keynotes and what they mean for SAP users. They discuss the key points raised in the keynotes, including the need for balance between AI ambition and practical delivery, why “foundations first” keeps coming up, and how looming maintenance timelines are still shaping transformation plans. They also explore cloud adoption blockers, from security and cost to customisation and clean core, plus the role BTP and partners play in helping customers move forward. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Russell Smith, Vice President of ERP Transformation Technology at AstraZeneca. Together, they unpack SAP’s newly announced partnership with Snowflake and what it really means for SAP customers in practice. Russell shares why AstraZeneca was involved early, how the collaboration supports large-scale S/4HANA transformation, and where zero-copy data sharing can remove complexity and accelerate timelines. The conversation explores semantically rich data, real-time analytics, AI readiness, and the cultural shift required to bring analytics and AI to the data rather than moving data between platforms. Russell also reflects on governance, data trust, and why strong foundations matter before scaling AI across the enterprise. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig continues the conversation with Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to unpack SAP’s cloud roadmap and what that means for customers planning their next steps. They explore the increasing functionality gap between S/4HANA on-prem and cloud editions, including cloud-only AI, sustainability tools, central finance, and new Business Data Cloud apps, as well as the shift to the dedicated S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition product version. The discussion also covers clean core as an ongoing journey, how tools like Signavio, LinaX and BTP support modernisation, and the incentives and support SAP is offering to help customers transition. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme You can find the UKISUG blog on SAP ERP, private edition, transition option here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-cloud-subscription-transition-option.html UKISUG Members can access the SAP S/4HANA and RISE Report 2024 here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-s-4hana-and-rise-report-2024.html

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Ian Mallinson, UKISUG Board Member, and David Yawalkar, Head of Solution Management, RISE with SAP, to explore the real cost of “doing nothing” when it comes to SAP roadmaps and cloud transformation. They break down the key maintenance deadlines and look at the evolving SAP landscape, from on-premise and private cloud to public cloud, and how the SUGEN Transformation Charter is helping users navigate timelines, Clean Core, and cloud-only innovation. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig Dale is joined by UKISUG Chair Conor Riordan and board members Dipti Jakhodia and Emma Chambers to take a look back at SAP Sapphire in Orlando and Madrid. They unpack SAP’s “apps, data and AI” flywheel, the rise of agentic AI and Joule, and what the new RISE and GROW messaging really means for existing SAP customers. In addiyition they delve into Sapphire’s innovation narrative and the reality for ECC and S/4HANA users dealing with technical debt, cloud business cases and licensing complexity. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig sits down with Costa Petrosellini, SAP Technical Services Manager at Dunelm and the new Vice Chair of UKISUG. Costa shares his 15-year journey through the user group – from volunteer to board member and now Vice Chair – reflecting on the confidence, connections, and career growth that came with being part of the community. They discuss lessons from his SAP implementations, what makes a successful project, and how collaboration between customers, partners and SAP depends on trust. Costa also talks about his goals as Vice Chair, his excitement for UKISUG Connect, and why anyone thinking of getting involved should “get stuck in”. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Pip Plah, Head of Sovereign Cloud, SAP UK, and Chris Soden, Head of UK Delivery, SAP Sovereign Cloud Services. Together they explore how SAP Sovereign Cloud is helping organisations in highly regulated industries maintain control over their data while embracing cloud innovation. They discuss what “sovereign” really means in practice, from data residency and legal frameworks to the security-cleared teams managing UK workloads. In addition they unpack the difference between commercial and sovereign cloud models. The conversation also covers customer adoption, the new Sovereign Cloud On-Site model, and how evolving regulations and cyber threats are shaping the cloud landscape. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Neil Gardner, Head of Cloud ERP, RISE with SAP, SAP UK & Ireland. Together they unpack SAP’s new Cloud ERP Transition Option and what it means for customers on their journey to S/4HANA. Neil explains why SAP introduced the transition option, who it’s aimed at, and what’s included, from prerequisites to how it helps large, complex organisations manage their move to the cloud. The pair also discuss common misconceptions, the 2030 maintenance deadline, and why “doing nothing” comes with its own cost. Learn more about SAP's Cloud ERP Transition Option here: https://news.sap.com/2025/08/rise-with-sap-journey-sap-erp-private-edition-transition-option-updates/ Read the SAP Note 3591251 mentioned in the podcast here: https://me.sap.com/notes/3591251/E To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to explore “all or nothing thinking” and how it impacts our daily lives. They discuss cognitive distortions, perfectionism, and why our brains often default to black-and-white thinking. Simon shares practical strategies to regulate thought processes, find balance, and reframe situations in healthier ways. From workplace conversations to personal wellbeing, this episode offers valuable insights for recognising and breaking free from unhelpful thinking traps. To see upcoming UKISUG wellbeing sessions click here: https://www.sapusers.org/event-calendar.html?type=wellbeing-session&sort=date&order=asc You can learn more about Thrive here: https://itstime2thrive.co.uk/ To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Simon Bacon, SAP Operations Manager at QD Group, to discuss how strong partner relationships can make or break SAP projects. Simon shares how QD Group delivered a six-month brownfield migration from ECC to SAP S/4HANA on RISE with zero business disruption, clear cost control and a roadmap to clean core. They discuss selecting a partner for culture fit, aligning AMS and project teams, alongside practical advice for striking the right balance between internal ownership and external expertise – and much more. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this special episode of SUGTalks, guest host Gerren Mayne (regular host of the SAPCHAT podcast) takes the chair while Craig Dale moves into the guest seat. Joining them is Simon Bacon, SAP Operations Manager at QD Group. Together, they provide an exclusive preview of UKISUG Connect 2025, exploring what attendees can expect - from over 100 breakout sessions and hands-on workshops to keynotes, the expanded exhibition space, and new initiatives like the quiet room in partnership with Thrive. Simon also shares the value Connect delivers to QD Group year after year, including hands-on learning, networking, and how they use the event to stay on top of SAP’s fast-moving roadmap. Meanwhile Craig shares advice for first-time attendees, reflects on how AI and automation are shaping this year’s agenda, and teases the futuristic theme of SUGFest. Book your place at UKISUG Connect 2025 here: https://brightelm.eventsair.com/ukisug-connect-2025/homepage/Site/Register To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig welcomes back Simon Nichols, Founder and CEO of Thrive, to discuss negativity bias and the importance of taking a positive mindset to overcome it. They explore why our brains are wired to focus on the negative, how this shows up in our daily experiences, and what practical strategies we can use to reframe our thoughts in a more positive light. From mindfulness and memory recall to workplace communication and psychological safety, Simon shares actionable tools for building resilience and positivity. To see upcoming UKISUG wellbeing sessions click here: https://www.sapusers.org/event-calendar.html?type=wellbeing-session&sort=date&order=asc You can learn more about Thrive here: https://itstime2thrive.co.uk/ To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this second episode of a two-part series, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad (Head of Outbound Product Management, SAP BTP), Richard Henry (Commercial Director, Bluestonex), and Glenn van der Meijden (Senior Director, SAP Platform, AstraZeneca) to explore the key findings of UKISUG’s latest SAP BTP Research Paper. In this episode, they delve into the evolving BTP skills landscape, the importance of internal capability, and how customers are balancing innovation with governance. They explore practical training paths, effective credit management, and how to build compelling business cases by linking BTP to real-world value. The discussion also highlights honest user perspectives and tips for getting the most from your BTP investment. You can download the UKISUG BTP Research Paper here: https://www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-btp-whitepaper.html To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme SAP documents mentioned by Steffen: SAP Integration Suite WhitepaperSAP BTP Guidance Framework

In this first of a two-part series, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad (Head of Outbound Product Management, SAP BTP), Richard Henry (Commercial Director, Bluestonex), and Glenn van der Meijden (Senior Director, SAP Platform, AstraZeneca) to explore the key findings of UKISUG’s latest SAP BTP Whitepaper. In this episode they discuss the road to SAP's Clean Core, evolving customer skillsets, and why reframing BTP around business value, not just technology, is essential. They also discuss SAP’s gamified approach to education, and share honest perspectives from both user and partner communities. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will be published on 30/07. You can download the UKISUG BTP Whitepaper here: www.sapusers.org/resource/sap-btp-whitepaper To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Hagen Jander, Vice President, Product Management & Strategy – SAP Business Data Cloud & Insights. Together, they take a deep dive on SAP Business Data Cloud, exploring, what it is, how it builds on DataSphere, and why harmonised, contextualised data is key to powering AI, overcoming data silos, and unlocking real business value. Hagen also shares how customers can get started and what’s coming next on the Business Data Cloud roadmap. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme

In this episode of SUGTalks, Craig is joined by Steffen Schad, Head of Outbound Product Management for SAP BTP. Together, they explore the latest innovations in SAP's Business Technology Platform – from AI-powered automation and integration advances to the new Joule Studio and Business Data Cloud. Steffen explains how BTP is evolving to support organisations of all sizes, and why AI, data and security are more important than ever. To learn more about the UKISUG referral scheme, visit: https://www.sapusers.org/community-referral-scheme