5 APR 2024 · https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-marjot-7589301/ understands what needs to happen in order to make business transformations in the BFSI field a success. Yes, the company must be fully committed, and risks must be mitigated, but it is equally important that transformations must help the staff make them happen as much as help families and small businesses thrive. In an increasingly digital world where customer demands are growing, transformations must be based around people internally rather than the other way around. Serving the colleague so they can serve the customer is how an organization ensures its own prosperous, sustainable, transformative outcomes.   Join host https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-goodwin-9538197a/ on this illuminating episode of Tech Leaders Intel as he talks with Stephen about the vitality of framing transformations as journeys for both customers and colleagues alike using https://appian.com/ low-code solutions. During his years of consulting in insurance and oil and gas retail, he set transformations in motion but didn’t get to see them through to completion. In his current position as Head of Change Centre of Excellence with https://www.natwest.com/. NatWest Group, the UK's largest business bank, has been honored with the https://appian.com/about/explore/press-releases/2024/congratulations-to-natwest-for-winning-the-celent-model-risk-man.html for its successful initiative to simplify and automate change and risk governance processes. This award recognises the company's ability to reduce multiple assessment cycle times using patterns of governance. Stephen places the utmost importance on creating a solid problem statement, and for him the solution lies in simplifying processes to create value and organizing projects around people to mitigate risks and make the most valuable products. They dive deep into topics such as: - Reconciling change with risk governance in the transformation process - Creating a “colleague journey” to parallel the customer journey - Hearing who is “making the most noise” to recognize transformation impediments - The goal of reducing transformation times from 73 days to 73 minutes - How Appian engaged with Natwest’s issues and goals as a true partner …and lots more. Lots of transformation tips, notes, and details abound, so this is an episode that requires your full focus. Opinions expressed in this episode are solely Stephen’s own and do not express the views or opinions of his employer. Any discussion around vendors in no way suggests a positive endorsement.   For more of Stephen’s business transformation wisdom, reach out to him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-marjot-7589301/.

27 MAR 2024 · For this episode of "Tech Leaders Intel," host https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-giesa/ interviews https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmneu/, Team Lead and Product Owner at Volkswagen. Having gained a global outlook on his profession and life, Timm took a long and winding path to get to Volkswagen; he has studied law, worked in India and the US, and even served a stint with the German embassy in Luxembourg! Timm then spent about 10 years in IT law, including as General Cousel of Cleverbridge and Group Legal Cousel at Volkswagen. He eventually transitioned into IT products and international software development Timm shares his general technology leadership insights based on his career experiences and as a product owner. Throughout the conversation, it’s clear that Timm is all about the value of bridging the gap between IT and business, as well as facing the challenges of managing legal compliance in large, international corporations head-on. The conversation also touches on implications and issues at hand for coming legal tech evolutions, highlighting the need for balance in growth and compliance.   And that’s not all. Andreas and Timm get into the weeds on salient tech topics such as: - Legal tech challenges and winning strategies - The importance of involving legal counsel in the early phases of product consulting - The need for the commitment to legal compliance in large corporations - Legal and technology challenges of startups and large companies alike - Balancing legal and technology considerations in business growth …and of course, much more. Timm is a highly insightful individual with a strategic mindset, not to mention a thorough understanding of the intricacies of law and dynamism of current technology trends, all of which are boosted by his intercultural acumen and showcase his unique expertise and leadership in the legal technology sphere. Connect with Timm https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmneu/ for more of his know-how.

20 MAR 2024 · This week on Tech Leaders Intel, our Mark Jacks sits down with Viator’s Head of Data and Revenue Management, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-padavala/. Viator is an Experience Marketplace that inspires travelers to plan and book unique experiences. As a part of the TripAdvisor family, they are continuing to scale following impressive trading results and ambitious plans. Kiran is an experienced technology leader, with a developed playbook that focusses on the core pillars, enablers and metrics to enable successful scaling of technology teams on a global level.    One thing that’s evident about Kiran from the outset, is that, through hands on experience, really knows about what it takes to scale, understanding that people are involved as much as processes. He knows that culture and workflow are as paramount to a successful scaling-up as any roadmap, and stresses cohesion and honesty in the digital transformation process. As the episode progresses, Kiran runs through his playbook, and touch on topics such as:    - Understanding the context behind a company’s growth story  - How to maintain a cohesive team culture and sense of purpose whilst of scaling up  - Practices for managing and synchronizing distributed teams  - Selecting the right toolset  - Effectively connecting autonomous teams to “the mothership”  - Ensuring the alignment of vendors with the company’s transformation roadmap  - How and why success looks different for data teams  - What to look for when processes aren’t scaling as expected - Being upfront and honest about when processes don’t work - What an effective onboarding process looks like for a scaling team    You’ll find these and many more insights on this episode of TLI. It’s a listen chock-full of valuable gems for enterprising business leaders looking to adopt scalable technologies and processes. Press play to get started, and for more from Kiran, reach out to him https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-padavala/. 

14 MAR 2024 · On the newest episode of Tech Leaders Intel, Lewis Bicknell sits down with https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkobrien/, a senior platform manager with the https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/ At the start of his career Mark didn’t expect to find himself in such a role having earned a degree in mathematics and working in fields such as development and architecture. He took up a service operations role for LBS and changed the way it works, transformed from batch process-oriented to event-driven organization, which helped fine-tune the Society’s web presence and make it more responsive for potential homeowners using technologies such as AI and SRE. All of which helped the organization elevate its customer experience through gleaning insight from the large amounts of data they collect. Moreover, Mark didn’t see himself cut out for management. However, he enjoys leadership, building durable professional relationships, and bringing people together from various teams to work on problems. It is through these lenses that Mark approaches his everything related to his work and career, and it’s fascinating to listen to him apply it to the innovations emerging today. Join Lewis and Mark as they discuss: - Managing people vs. managing managers - The importance of building meaningful long-term relationships with suppliers - Keeping options open for career advancement vs. focusing on obtaining a particular role - The impact of technology failures being made real for ordinary people - Delivering solutions vs. delivering experiences - The key differentiator of being purpose-driven rather than profit-driven - His sense of the technology challenges for 2024 …and of course, much more. Mark is ultra-focused on using technology to the bottom of issues that hamper the customer experience for homebuyers, and we are sincerely grateful for his wisdom on this episode of TLI! You can connect with Mark on https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkobrien/, and find out more about his work at https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/.

28 FEB 2024 · In this insightful episode, host Louis Bicknell engages in a thought-provoking conversation with guest https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasbobb/, who serves as a trustee of https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedatalab/ and boasts an extensive background in the financial services industry. Nicholas Bobb's story is particularly compelling as he traces his roots back to the West Indies, detailing his transformative journey to becoming a seasoned data professional in Scotland. Throughout the episode, Nik places a strong emphasis on the critical role of diversity within the realm of data analysis. Key topics discussed in the episode include: - Nicholas Bobb's Personal Journey: His transition from an immigrant from the West Indies to a prominent figure in Scotland's data scene. - Diversity in Data Analysis: The importance of having diverse perspectives in data-related fields and how it can lead to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. - Evolution of Data in Finance: How data has revolutionized the financial services industry, changing the way financial institutions operate and make decisions. - Data Skills in Education: The integration of data analytics skills into undergraduate curricula, preparing the next generation of professionals for the data-driven economy. - Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The need for collaboration between different fields of study to enhance data analysis and utilize data effectively across various sectors. - Mentorship and Networking: The role of mentorship in personal and professional growth, and how networking can open doors to new opportunities in the data science field. - Challenging Stereotypes: The necessity to confront and dispel the common stereotypes associated with data analysts to foster a more inclusive and dynamic environment. - Data's Role in Sports and Gaming: An exploration of how data analytics is becoming increasingly influential in the sports and gaming industries, transforming how performance is measured and strategies are developed. - Involvement with The Data Lab: Nick encourages listeners to engage with The Data Lab's initiatives, which aim to support and promote data science and its applications. The episode serves as an inspiring narrative that not only sheds light on Nik's personal and professional growth but also delves into the broader implications of data in today's world. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the diverse applications of data science and consider how they might contribute to or benefit from the initiatives spearheaded by https://thedatalab.com/.

21 FEB 2024 · What makes a leader? Not just an executive title or self-appointed honorific on social media, but someone who can take the breadth of their living and professional experience and channel it into enriching the work of their peers and championing their ideas and efforts to improve their field of expertise. That’s what https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-restrepo-technology-leader/, a Products, Technology and Innovation Manager at https://www.vanderlande.com/ and https://www.idgevents.com/event/7f584594-8a16-48f8-a912-afae142a0d8d/websitePage:cc1ebdf2-aaa0-4d36-a424-36603b55e565, aims to do. Carolina drives innovation and value by emphasizing storytelling as an approach to illustrate the positive changes that technological processes can bring to firms. As someone born in Colombia and having lived all over the world, not to mention a background spanning from industrial engineering to product management in technology, she understands acutely how complex processes lead to winning outcomes. Host https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-jacks/ leads a discussion with Carolina spanning a wide variety of topics including: - The use of storytelling to convey messages and explain trends & processes - How she adapted in transitioning from industrial engineering to being a leader in technology - The importance of defining the value technology can bring to an organization - Being a relatable role model to empower women in the tech industry - Inclusivity and valuing different voices in taking on feedback - What winning a Next CIO Award means for someone in her position This discussion with Carolina is full of candor and sincerity, qualities which have made her a renowned leader. She is a leader’s leader, and this episode is a vital lesson for those aspiring to make it to the top of their field.

12 JAN 2024 · In a time when insurance providers are pulling coverage due to the increased frequency of events brought on by climate change, more must be done to offer policies that protect people, their homes, and their belongings, as well as ensure that policyholders can get quick initial relief aid in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters. On the newest installment of Tech Leaders’ Intel, Nick Goodwin sits down with https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosina-s-56421530/, Chief Product Officer at https://mckenzieintelligence.com/. Rosina’s work focuses on event response and closing the knowledge gap in writing premiums for disaster relief and providing claims expeditiously during disaster relief operations, stressing that insurance is an important market that must be understood. She tells us about her research on applying academic findings to practices in the insurance industry, her evolution as a tech-minded professional through her experiences at Allianz and MIS, and her views on innovation in the insurance industry. Among other things, Rosina and Nick discuss: - The importance of “ground truth” in event response - What success looks like in the insurance sector - The need for insurance companies to get people outside the industry talking - Decisions points about data focus in the age of GenAI - The role of disaster relief as the climate crisis steadily grows …and much more. Rosina’s fascination with evolving technology means she has a mind for applying innovations to the rapidly changing world of insurance, and taken together with her singular focus on the customer, this episode is a must-listen for those seeking insights!

20 DEC 2023 · This week on the Tech Leaders Intel podcast, host John Cheng sits down with https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieleforni/, Director of Credit and Lending at https://www.hsbc.com/. Daniele is an author and subject matter expert on risk management who creates analytical solutions for a living, but he’s quite the polymath as well. The first few minutes of the conversation reveal that Daniele formed a band that he recorded albums with, moved to China to study Chinese, and earned his MBA in Economics before settling down to work with HSBC, first in regulatory reporting and then in his current area of expertise. He is truly passionate about understanding how financial institutions leverage data and how different systems connect. Daniele credits his diverse set of interests and enthusiasm for risk analysis to his mid-life diagnosis with autism and ADHD, which has driven his life-long ability to recognize patterns and connect dots. All of which means that Daniele is always on the hunt for ways to optimize risk management. Together with John they cover a lot of ground, including: - The crucial differences between building solutions for private clients and businesses - How understanding data quality impacts hiring for in-demand skillsets in data - How his autism/ADHD diagnoses helped him understand the importance of neurodiversity at work - How neurodiversity advocacy has helped him mentor new hires - His take on the idea that “data is never wrong” …and of course, much much more. It is an enlightening listen, and Daniele also gives us a preview of his book on data strategy “Is It Pronounced Data or Data?” That’s available via his https://www.danieleforni.com/, and you can also follow him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieleforni/.

13 DEC 2023 · In the latest installment of the Tech Leaders’ Intel podcast James Loveridge sits down with https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-upcroft/, VP of Technology at https://oxa.tech/ (formerly known as Oxbotica). Given his background as a researcher, it is clear that Ben is unwaveringly passionate about automation and robotics as he infodumps on the ins and outs of the technology, especially with regards to safety. It follows that OXA’s MetaDriver is a virtual tool that aids a vital step in the safeguarding process, identifying both edge and corner cases in simulated driving scenarios up to thousands of times faster than real-world testing. As Ben explains, MetaDriver was developed for all robotics hardware developers to integrate into their development processes. Over 40 minutes they discuss: - Ben’s career trajectory in automation from academia to R&D - Automated vehicles, from personal automobiles to mass transit to mining machinery - The necessity of building public trust for automated vehicles to be successful on the market - Why citing a number of test-driven miles does not necessarily translate to a safe product And of course, much more. Through MetaDriver, Upcroft and OXA are enabling automated vehicles in all their forms from the personal to the industrial, and are being extremely careful and meticulous in doing so. If you’re a robotics enthusiast, this discussion is not to be missed!

8 NOV 2023 · Join host Nick Goodwin as he sits down with https://www.itcdiaeurope.com/ Head of Content https://www.linkedin.com/in/merlin-beyts-652ab0168/ on the newest Tech Leaders Intel. Merlin is involved in organizing events for ITC DIA, an organization that caters to insurance executives, insurtech investors, associations, brokers, and regulators in the European insurtech industry. He uses content and webinars to promote emerging technologies that get insights from data such as Web3, blockchain, and GenAI. Merlin has his finger on the pulse of burgeoning technologies, leadership moods surrounding them, and the state of the insurance profession, and this week we are fortunate to have him bring his tech acumen to the Tech Leaders’ Intel podcast. On this episode, Nick and Merlin discuss: - The potential for GenAI to generate code for insurtechs, and the urgency of restraint, risk mitigation and regulation in the fight against misinformation - Exciting applications for GenAI in serving customers, such as recommendation engines - The Great Resignation’s impact on attracting tech talent in the insurance industry and why insurtechs have succeeded on the same front - The need for insurance firms to find customers on the platforms they use …and that’s not all. Merlin is full of insights, hosting regular webinars on the last Tuesday of every month. For more information on joining, as well as more on the next ITC DIA event in Munich on Nov. 22-23, https://www.linkedin.com/in/merlin-beyts-652ab0168/.