Episodes
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At TTLP, we’ve been fortunate to have numerous tech leaders from Google join us to offer stellar advice. This week’s guest, Cristina Pitarch, is no different. As the General Manager EMEA at Google Cloud Security, Cristina leads a team that is responsible for keeping not only one of the biggest technology companies in the world secure, but also their customer list containing some of the largest businesses in the world.
From moving across the world to study at the University of California with very little English-speaking ability, Cristina took the plunge to move away from her law school background and enter the innovative world of technology. Joining Salesforce at the early stages meant that Cristina was able to climb the ranks quickly and become a driving force in the company’s expansion before moving to the technology powerhouse that is Google.
This episode reveals the key aspects of Google’s Clouds security strategy, and why GCP should be the number one choice for CTOs from security standpoint. From an unlikely career trajectory to astute advice on how to prioritise security within a business, this episode is value packed!
What does good leadership mean to Cristina? (02:42) Cristina’s unconventional path into tech (04:21) The biggest cultural differences between studying in USA vs. Spain (06:36) Joining Salesforce in its growth phase (07:33) Harnessing innovation at Google (11:42) The core principles of Google Cloud’s Security strategy (21:57) Current cybersecurity trends (24:27) Why should CTO’s choose Google Cloud Platform? (31:52) Advice to women in tech in 2024 (32:22) How does Cristina achieve balance in her life? (43:37)
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When you think of supermarkets, you probably think more about groceries than AI. This week’s guests are helping evolve Tesco into a technology-led organisation driving innovation in the highly competitive grocery space.
Head of Product, Aji Bawo and Graduate Software Engineer, Naamua Dodoo join Gareth on this week’s episode of TTLP to discuss their experiences joining the biggest supermarket in the UK as a tech graduate.
This episode explores the role of Tesco as an employer, the importance of diversity and inclusion within tech, and the key considerations for graduates looking to start a career in the industry. If you’re someone who’s looking to embark on a career in tech, or a technology leader considering hiring entry level talent, this episode provides incredible insight you won’t want to miss!
Time stamps· How both Naamua and Aji got into tech (03:00)
· What good leadership means to Aji (06:06)
· What Naamua looks for in a leader (07:45)
· The main technology skills graduates need to know (11:25)
· How graduate recruitment has changed at Tesco (23:14)
· Is the technology industry becoming more diverse? (33:00)
· How Tesco is leveraging AI (42:28)
· Will graduates be replaced by AI? (48:40)
· Naamua’s advice to new graduates (54:02)
· Aji’s advice to her younger self (54:54)
Book recommendations: How Women Rise, Sally Helgesen amazon.co.uk/How-Women-Rise-Habits-Holding/dp/1847942253/ref=sr_1_1?crid=164GS4TGSBHLA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.arPA90K8OERoOH18pbxgFCNT4yI7xZTObt3ShCkf4yOu6ELcJ9_kKmmjm7S_kgpOvsXCDOPCFPzbfr-YdkZhZaHw_DJ_TZO4PcQsS3xY_MOXtq_2JmFWNVx-dG_NFSuaIWoAwhR_BGIcsjfVw3rFUS9Mkw--cAxEbMyOTcPG7mk2RoNAZgF8-tHwlVniJh-9cvjjcHryqIuTIaaOU3cgDR2RMT6G2hVeuD7j8ebmGPU.W6MXP5nlQURJdUjCr0QLxNd5JFckjJeldjs5jPfAODE&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+women+rise&qid=1724776577&s=audible&sprefix=how+women+rise%2Caudible%2C81&sr=1-1-catcorr
Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office, Lois. P. Frankel amazon.co.uk/Nice-Girls-Dont-Corner-Office/dp/1455558893/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S29EGCNUWI36&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DemEIEROR7o2-ucu3AZavFTXXFmHMxi661IIVRmxnHFB62YF1dD7SlN2YWSoKOvvXwtAhch5D04a36vDqxRzq1MMtPd8GvebQyigSBvLAxy4VY1VcbQ3KHyuA0TS086l3VW--U4nz5AAMkU5SRxQ7VwXrHIkEyOZmqCHKGqjatBagmJZ4sAydkT3QnmijCu_2fRu3a-jN0eBwb4umq7oHNtl1BPe4xUCYr03WFqeMj8.88jZKu3vXEm-RCdDNXOJpx2Uc22lLhT9_c2zuzLUWR8&dib_tag=se&keywords=nice+girls+don%27t+get+the+corner+office&qid=1724776632&sprefix=nice+girls+%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1
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Missing episodes?
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We’ve reached (and now surpassed) 100 episodes!
To commemorate this milestone, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to recap on some of the best pieces of advice from our stellar guest list over the years.
One of TTLP’s most iconic questions, ‘what advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?’, has encouraged our guests to deliver some incredible guidance on navigating the tech space and what it takes to make it as a tech leader.
In this episode, we have compiled 14 of our favourite responses that offer advice from how to achieve work-life balance to ensuring you have one more cocktail— cheers to that!
Time stamps:
1) Jamie Bartlett - fake it until you make it (04:16)
2) Priya Lakhani OBE - keep kindness and welcome challenge (09:00)
3) Quentyn Taylor - invest in legacy tech (12:20)
4) Helen Kelisky - fail fast and learn from it (16:30)
5) Rodger Werkhoven – try fun tech (18:42)
6) Lisa Heneghan – be open to what you can do tomorrow (21:11)
7) Catriona Campbell – test and learn (25:00)
8) David Buttress – balance work life with home life (28:40)
9) Flavilla Fongang - don’t wait to be recognised (34:13)
10) Tom O’Sullivan - get out of your own way (39:05)
11) Jazz Carlin OLY – never be afraid to ask questions (41:30)
12) Greg Jackson – follow the path least trodden (44:15)
13) Joe Baguley – don’t fit into other people’s moulds (45:58)
14) Emilia Molimpakis – 70% is good enough (50:17)
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What better way to celebrate TTLP’s 100th episode milestone than by featuring a guest who’s responsible for the biggest tech publication in the UK. Editor in chief of Computer Weekly, Bryan Glick, is a tech leader who has had a unique vantage point when observing the changing technology landscape over his last 14 years whilst in this role.
From starting out in tech sales to covering one of the biggest tech scandals in British history, Bryan’s career journey is unparalleled. Over the course of 15 years and 400 articles, Bryan and his team helped break the news of the Post Office Horizon scandal, which helped uncover both the systemic and technological issues within the institution.
Gareth and Bryan cover everything from leadership advice to insight into how to make it on Computer Weekly’s prestigious UKTech50 list. This episode is jampacked with interesting anecdotes and insightful advice from Bryan, making it the perfect 100th TTLP episode!
Time stamps· What does good leadership mean to Bryan? (03:40)
· Accidentally falling into the tech space (06:35)
· Transitioning into tech journalism (09:48)
· Becoming Editor in chief at Computer Weekly (18:35)
· Breaking Computer Weekly’s biggest story (21:05)
· How the Post Office Horizon scandal got leaked (23:59)
· The role of investigative journalism in the tech industry (34:36)
· How Computer Weekly decide what to publish (38:32)
· Invention vs. innovation- what’s the difference? (43:48)
· How to make it on a Computer Weekly list (56:35)
· Bryan’s advice to his 21-year-old self (59:35)
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This week’s guest was part of a vision to build a “software powerhouse” through innovating SaaS like never before. Sridhar Iyengar, MD Europe at Zoho Corporation, joined the company at the time it was founded, and over the last 28 years, has played a crucial part in its success.
Navigating the scale-up phase through the dotcom boom, Sridhar’s journey within Zoho has been marked by the shift from telecoms to cloud computing, to more recently the advancement of AI. Throughout each technological shift, one thing has remained the same: Sridhar’s passion for innovating the software landscape.
By helping create a platform that can scale up to meet the needs of a changing society, Sridhar is a leader who is driven by ensuring the sustainability of SaaS for the future.
Time stamps
What does good leadership mean to Sridhar? (02:02) Growing your career whilst growing a business (03:00) The impact of the dotcom boom (09:00) Accelerating growth in a changing technology landscape (10:50) The biggest differences between the European and Asian tech markets (14:04) Identifying your competitors (16:24) The effect of AI on SaaS (18:15) How Zoho is training employees for AI readiness (22:40) Achieving balance as a leader (31:10)*Book recommendation- The Culture Map, Erin Meyer https://www.amazon.co.uk/Culture-Map-Decoding-People-Cultures/dp/1610392760/ref=asc_df_1610392760?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401845130381&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001419460783&psc=1
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In the UK, the housing market is a topic of conversation that’s on everyone’s lips right now. As soaring interest rates are making mortgages unobtainable for many, this has become a nation-wide crisis.
This week’s guest has designed a platform to remedy many of the issues caused by the outdated British mortgage process, as Arjan Verbeek, Co-Founder and CEO of Perenna, is revolutionising mortgages for the masses. Taking influence from Danish banking practices, Perenna offer users flexible fixed-rate mortgages which are fully protected from interest rate fluctuations.
Having worked in some of the most prominent banks across the globe, including Barclays and BNP Paribas, Arjan witnessed first-hand the financial problems within the housing market and set out to change them. Arjan’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by a desire to disrupt old systems and utilise tech for good. This episode is not to be missed!
Time stamps
What does good leadership mean to Arjan? (02:12) Arjan’s insight into the financial crisis of 2008 (08:20) Creating a challenger bank and securing a UK banking licence (12:20) What’s wrong with the UK’s mortgage market? (18:51) How Perenna makes mortgages accessible (22:28) Keeping a working culture cohesive (28:40) Technology trends that will innovate banking (33:57) Arjan’s tips for maintaining balance and productivity (40:28) Advice to his 21-year-old self (43:44) -
This week’s guest is an extremely experienced entrepreneur, as after being a founder 15 times, Tim Levy, Founder and CEO of Twyn, has made waves in industries from insurance to entertainment. Tim joins Gareth to discuss his colourful career journey that has brought him most recently to the world of AI.
After leaving his position as director at an insurance broker firm, Tim set his entrepreneurial sights on the bright lights of Hollywood and plunged into the waters of the entertainment industry. His first company Factor 8 Films helped finance, produce and distribute many iconic movies, including Jurassic World and Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 & 3.
Now, Tim’s latest venture harnesses his experience in the entertainment industry and combines it with cutting-edge technology. Twyn is a platform that aims to ‘revolutionise digital interaction’ by creating digital twins of celebrities, whereby users can engage in conversation with them; starting with football legend, Lionel Messi. This conversation explores the interesting concept of authenticity in AI and is not to be missed!
· What does good leadership mean to Tim? (02:14)· Making a drastic career change (06:02)
· Generating 10 billion dollars in the film industry (09:50)
· Tim’s investment strategy (14:50)
· Investing in sustainability to invest in the future (17:52)
· Tim’s top advice for investors and entrepreneurs (28:10)
· What is Twyn and how does it work? (35:09)
· Working with Lionel Messi (41:39)
· What excites Tim most about the future of AI (47:00)
· Tim’s advice to his 21-year-old self (50:38)
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This week’s guest turned tragedy into tech innovation with a platform designed to transform the way we all deal with death. Sam Grice, CEO and Founder of Octopus Legacy (formerly Guardian Angel) has created a platform that manages all aspects surrounding death; from will creation to bereavement support.
Sam was always destined from entrepreneurial success, as both his parents were keen entrepreneurs, and he put his hereditary expertise to the test with a food and supplement side hustle. However, it wasn’t until the tragic loss of his mum, did the full extent of Sam’s passion for innovation flourish with the creation of Guardian Angel (now Octopus Legacy).
Being a key player in propelling the death-tech industry forward, Sam is a tech leader that is paving the way in an industry that affects each and every one of us. This episode covers an incredibly inspirational entrepreneurial journey and is not to be missed!
What does good leadership mean to Sam? (02:10) Early exposure to life as an entrepreneur (03:25) Starting out with a side hustle (06:00) The tragedy that shaped Sam’s tech career (08:18) Creating Guardian Angel (12:12) Overcoming the obstacles within death-tech (17:04) What is a founder’s ‘kryptonite’? (22:00) Acquisition by Octopus Group (29:12) The Future of Octopus Legacy (33:31) How Sam achieves balance (43:10) Advice to young founders (44:43)
Time stamps
Book recommendation: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, Dr, Dan Ariely - Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions: Amazon.co.uk: Ariely, Dr Dan: 9780061854545: Books -
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
What does good leadership mean to Simon? (02:21) “High school drop-out” to computer game innovator (04:18) Developing Championship Manager (08:49) The beginning of quantum computing (13:50) The reality of quantum computing today (22:40) Real-world applications of quantum computing (27:19) The next phase of human-technology interactions (38:08) Simon’s stellar productivity advice (40:53) His advice to his younger self (42:50)*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
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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
What does good leadership mean to Kelly? (02:00) The journey to becoming a consulting industry veteran (03:28) Lessons from joining Accenture as a graduate (05:54) Leaving the corporate world for success in a start-up (08:26) The role of a Global CEO (14:25) Benefits of being a B Corp? (19:00) The difference between British and US consulting firms (21:50) Are companies really embracing AI? (27:50) Kelly’s top productivity tips (38:08) Advice to her younger self (41:01) The future of the female CEO (42:43) -
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
What good leadership means to Bernd (02:06) The early years of Dynatrace (06:28) The case for taking acquiring public investment (18:35) The 3 emerging types of AI (21:22) The rise of the Chief AI Officer (20:58) Bernd’s biggest cybersecurity concerns (27:35) Dynatrace’s revolutionary new tech (35:00) Achieving balance to battle burnout (40:37) Bernd’s advice to his 21-year-old self (43:40)*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
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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
What does good leadership mean to Lianne? (01:30) Lianne’s unconventional journey into tech (10:00) Combatting the digital divide (12:34) Switching careers in your 30’s (17:31) The current, most concerning cyber threats (24:00) What is Cyber Anthropology (25:22) Developing AnthroSecurist (29:18) AI and the democratisation of productivity (33:20) Lianne’s Compromising Positions (41:57) Advice to her 21- year-old self (44:40) -
“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.
What good leadership means to Renaud (02:20) The journey to CFO (04:02) Evolving the role of a CFO (09:09) The benefits of SAP cloud migration (14:35) SAP’s influence in developing nations (21:55) How ready are SAP customers for AI capability? (23:49) Renaud’s view on the future of AI (31:19) How to make it big in the finance industry (32:50) SAP’s new sustainable tech (38:44) Renaud’s advice to his 21-year-old self (42:52)
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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
What does Good Leadership means to Chris? (02:20) Pioneering the start of cybersecurity (04:20) Starting a hacker collective (07:18) L0pht’s biggest cybersecurity breakthroughs (12:47) Challenging the US Senate with cyber risks (18:00) Are governments doing enough to prevent cyber-attacks? (22:12) GenAI’s role in cybersecurity (32:00) An introduction to Veracode (34:24) Chris’ advice to his 21-year-old self (43:24) -
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!
What does good leadership mean to Tom? (02:26) Lessons learned from Tom’s time in the army (05:20) Mindful meditation (09:15) Starting a cybersecurity start-up (17:02) Facing failure as a founder (22:57) What is Animus Bytes? (27:45) How Animus Bytes is combatting the migration problem (30:35) The similarities between AI and nuclear weapons (45:18) Tom’s advice to his pre-military self (53:25)
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.
An introduction to ‘Tap’ (01:34) What good leadership means to Brian (02:17) The milestones that made him (03:55) The dotcom boom vs. the AI revolution (07:41) The biggest lessons from building Bitcasa (10:05) What surprised Brian most when joining AWS (13:39) The relationship between AWS and Amazon (16:00) Brian’s prediction of AWS’ future evolution (30:15) Brian’s best productivity tips (41:18)
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
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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
What does good leadership mean to Sarah? (01:49) Sarah’s transition into tech (03:15) First experience with a start-up (06:35) What is the purpose of Angel Academe? (13:06) Female-focused entrepreneurship (17:15) Angel Academe’s unique selling points (23:20) Sarah’s stellar advice for entrepreneurs (25:15) The biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make (28:55) Talking ChatGPT and its impact (41:00) Sarah’s advice to her younger self (41:40) -
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!
What does good leadership mean to Paul? (01:37) Paul’s early involvement in machine learning and cancer detection (06:05) The big move from New York to London (08:20) Keeping with KPMG (14:40) AI and job displacement (18:25) Regional differences in AI adoption (27:43) What Paul fears most about AI (33:45) Paul’s advice to his 21-year-old self (39:25) How Paul stays productive (41:13)
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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
What does good leadership mean to Helen? (01:36) Inclusivity in tech (04:42) An introduction to Helen (07:22) Helen’s journey into tech (09:30) The workplace cultures of IBM, Salesforce and Google (13:15) What problems are Google Cloud trying to solve? (19:10) Helen’s productivity and work-life balance tips (29:26) Advice to her younger self (32:20) Helen’s charitable initiatives outside of work (33:44)*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)
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