The Data And AI Podcast

This week on Harnham’s Data & AI Podcast, Lloyd Dunstall sits down with Matthew Nixon, Head of Analytics, EMEA at Incubeta, to dive into one of marketing’s toughest challenges: proving impact when the data is fragmented and signals are fading. Matt explains why effective measurement now relies on combining three approaches: attribution, Marketing Mix Modelling (MMM) and incrementality. Together, they give a clearer view of performance and help businesses build trust in their numbers. Highlights include: Looking ahead, Matt reflects on how AI is already embedded in measurement tools and why the future lies in more continuous, real-time models. He also shares advice for clients on how to get started, and for candidates on combining technical know-how with strong communication to stand out. Catch up on this episode and explore the full podcast series here: https://thedataandaipodcast.podbean.com/

In this episode of Harnham’s Data & AI Podcast, Luc Simpson-Kent is joined by Nathalie Baker, Managing Director and Lead Data Scientist for EMEA at FTI Consulting. They delve into the realities behind AI’s rapid adoption in business. What’s working, what isn’t, and where the real challenges lie. Nathalie shares insights on: Whether you’re building an AI team from scratch or scaling existing efforts, this episode offers straight-talking insights from someone shaping the future of AI in consulting.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Elizabeth Stone, Senior Manager at Harnham, is joined by Charlie Nicholls, CMO, Founder, & Director at Dexata. To mark Harnham’s 15,000 placements, Elizabeth and Charlie reflect on how data talent, technology, and customer expectations have evolved over the past two decades, and what that means for the future of work and experience design. They cover: If you're navigating the intersection of data, AI, and customer experience, or just want to hear what the latest in innovation looks like, this episode is for you. — Want to learn more about what 15,000 placements at Harnham means for data & ai hiring landscape? Check out key insights from Harnham’s CEO, here: https://www.harnham.com/15000-placements-global-data-ai-insights/

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Lloyd Dunstall, Principal Recruitment Consultant at Harnham, is joined by Abi Hough, a seasoned consultant specialising in optimisation and user experience. Abi shares insights from her 20+ years in the industry, discussing why relying solely on data can lead to poor decisions and how combining analytics with a deep understanding of user behaviour can drive better outcomes. They cover: • The risks of data-only decision-making • How to blend data with user research • Real-world examples where human insight improved business performance • The importance of storytelling in data analysis If you want to learn how to improve customer experience, retention, and revenue by looking beyond the numbers, this episode is for you.

This week on The Data & AI Podcast, host Noah Stuckey, Managing Consultant for Market Research & Customer Insight at Harnham, sits down with Abhijeet Roy, Chief Client Officer at Focus Insights, to explore the consumer experience gap, why brands often fail to deliver on their promises and what they can do about it. With over 25 years in the market research industry, Abhijeet shares how businesses invest heavily in product launches and advertising but often overlook the real-world customer experience. He explains why the traditional approaches to market research don’t always capture genuine consumer behaviour, and how social listening, AI, and new methodologies are helping to close the gap. Highlights include: Abhijeet also exposes eye-opening real-world examples, from festive ad campaigns to influencer marketing fails. Keen to learn more? Tune in to the episode to find out. Catch up on this episode and explore the full podcast series here: https://www.harnham.com/data-and-ai-podcast/

This week on The Data & AI Podcast, host Lloyd Dunstall—Principal Recruitment Consultant at Harnham—sits down with Chris Gibbins, Chief Experience Officer at Creative CX, to explore the fascinating evolution of experimentation in digital analytics and CRO. From the early days of small A/B tests to today's expansive, journey-wide experimentation, Chris reflects on how this scientific approach has transformed not just decision-making, but creativity itself. Highlights include: Curious about what makes experimentation so powerful or simply keen to learn what metrics Chris wishes he could measure? Tune in to this episode to find out.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Harnham's Henry Rodriguez sits down with Will Iles and Nicolina Turcan from InsurX to explore the role of data in achieving product-market fit. They discuss how InsurX leverages data to refine its algorithms and improve the efficiency of the London insurance market, the importance of hiring adaptable talent in a data-driven startup, and the future impact of AI on the industry. Tune in for practical insights into creating successful products and navigating the evolving insurance tech landscape.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Harnham's Rosalind Madge sits down with Luke Badger, Head of Analytics at Segro Plc. to talk about the world of geospatial analytics - the history, business use cases, advice for anyone looking to get into the field and future predictions.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Harnham’s Fabian Briceño Toro, Senior Recruitment Consultant, and Piethein Strengholt, Chief Data Officer at Microsoft Netherlands, talk about the critical aspects of democratising data. They discuss the importance of making data accessible across all organisational levels, the common challenges and solutions, and strategies for aligning data democratisation with business goals. Learn about key technologies, the role of leadership, and future trends in data democratisation, with practical insights for organisations at any stage of their data journey.

In the latest episode of The Data & AI Podcast, Harnham's Sam Maughan sits down with Elliot Jackson, a seasoned data leader, to discuss the journey of building and retaining high-performing analytics teams. They cover everything from common challenges and hiring the right talent to securing boardroom buy-in and much more. Tune in for top tips, expert advice, future predictions, and, of course, a little bit on AI!

Join one of our hosts Sam Maughan, a senior leader in Harnham, as he chats with Rob McDowell, CEO of Foremost, about balancing rapid business growth with a people-first philosophy. Rob shares his journey from the early days at Santander to leading 4most, a global consultancy firm with 300 employees across multiple countries. They dive into the evolution of hiring in data, the importance of keeping a strong company culture during periods of accelerated growth, and how to effectively reward and retain top talent. Rob also talks about the future impact of AI on consulting and the significance of regulatory measures like the FCA's consumer duty. Tune in to hear practical insights on leading a company centred around people while navigating the challenges of growth in the competitive data and AI landscape.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast, this month's host Sam Maughan and seasoned fintech leader Tim Trailor embark on a journey through the evolving landscape of Credit Risk Analytics. From the early days at Capital One to the disruptive impact of payday lending, fintech innovations, and the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later schemes, Tim shares invaluable insights into the challenges and transformations in the Credit Risk sector. Sam & Tim discuss the shift from traditional SAS technology to open-source solutions, the impact of AI on consumer lending, and strategies for attracting top talent in this dynamic field. Join us as we delve deep into the past, present, and future of credit risk, exploring the pivotal moments and trends that shape today's financial world. --- Envisso (formerly Kinetic) turns merchant risk into a growth strategy for payments companies. Through a deep understanding of financial risk and the power of AI, their solutions enable clients to identify and mitigate credit, fraud, compliance and overall merchant risk with unprecedented clarity. They also effectively replace outdated practices like manual assessments and collateral requirements with truly merchant-centric solutions, including automated onboarding, real time monitoring of credit, fraud and compliance risks; and embedded protection via insurance. Find out more at: https://envisso.com/

📣 Join Harnham’s Sam Agre in conversation with AI experts Hunter Powers, Theodore Sumers and Julianna Ianni. Tune in as they explore the current landscape and the exciting future possibilities of Machine Learning and AI. Whether you're a professional in the field or simply an AI enthusiast, this episode promises to be an engaging journey through the evolving world of AI and ML. The conversation features insights on the latest advancements, considerations, and transformative potential of AI across various use cases. Join us and ponder the possibilities of what AI might achieve next.

In this episode, Harnham's Holly Neevs sits with Rockborne's CEO and Data Leader, Waseem Ali, and Barry Hosted, Director of Data Management at John Lewis Partnership, to tackle the complex world of data management, governance, and AI policies. Our experts share their expertise and explore the latest trends in the data sphere. This engaging conversation offers something for everyone, from seasoned professionals to those just beginning their journey in data. Give it a listen and subscribe for the latest episodes.

In our latest podcast episode, Rockborne’s CEO Waseem Ali explores the dynamic world of data and AI with Harnham’s CEO Dave Farmer. From the evolution of the market to the balance between well-rounded and specialised skillsets, the conversation explores the critical role of data in decision-making. Our hosts also touch on the AI hype cycle, the future of AI, emerging roles in the field, and the delicate balance between regulation and innovation. The conversation then goes on to predictions for the next few years in the data and AI space.

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast Rockbornes Amy Foster is joined by data leaders Manca Vitorino, Caroline Zimmerman and Harleen Thethy to give their expertise and experiences regarding transitioning into the data industry from a non-STEM background. They discuss a variety of topics, from the biggest challenges they faced initially, to tips for any non-STEM grads looking to get into the industry. Intro 00:00-01:32 What inspired you to start a career in data 01:32-08:40 Were there challenges for you transitioning into data 08:40-16:35 How did you go about learning the technical aspect 16:35-22:40 What are your responsibilities as a leader in data? What are the fields in data one can focus on? 22:40-31:22 What is a fun fact you found in the data industry that changed your life? 31:22-35:22 Most challenging bit of your career to date? 35:22-40:55 Any tips to overcome imposter syndrome? 40:55-45:00 How do you think employers/data industry could encourage more people from a non STEM background to join the industry? 45:00-50:33 Any advice for a non STEM grad looking to get into data? 50:33-53:27 Wrapping up 53:27-54:06

In our most recent podcast episode, Harnham's India Walker-Smith sits down with experienced data leader Anita Caras to discuss leadership in the data space, and why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) needs to be part of every data leader's leadership strategy. This episode focuses on the ups and downs of leading in the data space as well as giving advice to people who may be new in a leadership role. 00:09-1:10 – India introducing Anita and asks her to summarise her career. 1:10-4:45 – Anita explains her career journey. 4:45-7:36 – What was your first leadership role? 07:36-11:34 - How did you end up going for the position of Global Co Chair of the Women’s Inclusion Network. 11:34 – 15:05 –How were your diversity and inclusion initiatives received at the time? 15:05-15:42 –When in your career were these initiatives taking place? 15:42 – 22:13 – What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career? 22:13 – 26:43 – What’s been the biggest success of your career? 26:43 – 31:51 – What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen throughout your career? 31:51 – 34:33 - How inclusive policies can start important conversations, and how can we move beyond them in the future? 34:33 – 39:41 - Any advice for someone who is new to the leadership space? 39:41-41:33 - What can leaders do to facilitate diversity and inclusion? 41:33-End -Thank you’s and outros.

Harnhams McElla Pappas Weber, Sam Jones and Kyle Anzalone get together to discuss the key findings of the 2023 US Salary Guide. They discuss everything from the top reasons data professionals leave a role, to remote working, and of course the hot topic of AI as well as much more. 00:00-03:40 Intro. 03:40- 12:00 Job security in the data industry. 12:00- 19:45 Does company culture matter more than compensation for candidates leaving their current role?/What are the main reasons people leave? 19:45 – 20:33 Are you seeing hiring trends for hiring chief ML/AI management positions? 20:33-22:07 Who’s seeking jobs right now, are middle management positions or entry/senior level positions more sought out? 22:07- 24:28 Do you think hybrid/remote work models are here to stay long term? 24:28-27:06 With the rise of AI/ML are there fewer core analytics roles? 27:06-28:42 How has the current recession impacted the data industry? 28:42- 33:27 What’s driving movement and attracting talent in the marketplace? 33:27-35:57 Is equity not a prime factor? 35:57 41:30 AI 41:30- 45:15 Top 5 technologies used by data professionals. 45:15- 47:47 Do you think diversity of tools used in the data industry is a challenge for job seekers? 47:47-49:32 Within data and tech, are you seeing a trend of employees needing to do ‘everything’ (data architecture, data engineering etc.)? 49:32-53:10 What skills should be considered for a candidate ‘upskilling’ themselves? 53:10-54:32 How do you differentiate the requirement in learning Excel and PowerBI? Which one is more powerful? 54:32- 56:41 Wrapping up.

This episode was recorded LIVE on LinkedIn - Harnham’s Kirsty Garshong, India Walker-Smith, Jamie Smith are joined by Rockborne’s CEO Waseem Ali to discuss the following: - What’s driving people to change roles - What skills and data tools are in high demand - The “AI storm”, and how it’s impacting the sector as a whole - Average salary increases between roles - And much more! 00:00-03:05 Intro 03:05-08:50 Stability through uncertainty for the data industry and pay increases 08:50-16:00 Return to office 16:00-18:05 More JD requiring more technical data skills even in insight-focused roles 18:05-27:39 Main reasons for people leaving their roles and top benefits of attracting candidates 27:39-30:00 Importance on softer skills and how to make sure your CV covers this aspect 30:00-36:19 Top benefits for attracting talent 36:19-44:00 AI and how its affecting jobs in the data & tech industry 44:00-46:00 Most popular technology used in data space 46:00-49:40 How important is cloud and which one is preferred by brands? Is AWS preferred over Azure and Google? 49:40-55:35 Are there any up-and-coming tools expected to be important next year 55:35-57:07 wrapping up Download the UK Salary Guide here: https://datasalaryguide.harnham.com/

In this episode of The Data & AI Podcast Rockborne’s CEO Waseem Ali talks with author and Chief Knowledge Officer of DataIQ - David Reed. They discuss the concept of data literacy – everything from what it is and how to implement it into an organisation's data strategy, to how data literacy and AI will intertwine as AI becomes more prolific. If you want to learn even more about the topics discussed in this episode then pick up David's book ‘Becoming Data Literate’ here. 00:00-04:00 - Introduction to David 04:00-06:08 - What is data literacy? 06:08-27:20 - Proving the value of putting data literacy at the forefront of your data strategy? 27:20-41:15 - Discussion around AI and how it’s impacting data roles and society as a whole. 41:15-46:00 - What role do data leaders have to play in terms of increasing data literacy – the benefits of education and upskilling in the face of AI. 46:00-50:15 - How is the role of the data leader evolving? 50:15-52:15 - Three tips for new data leaders. 52:15-54:38 - David’s question for the next guest – how do you cope with the breadth of the domain? 54:38-End - Wrapping up.