Driven by Data: The Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven by Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom unpack Tuesday's episode, share what's been on their minds, and explore the realities of leadership, culture, and capability across the data and AI landscape.This week, Catherine and Kyle reflect on the conversation with Edward Chenard, diving deeper into what it actually takes to step outside your lane as a data leader, make yourself redundancy-proof, and shift the conversation from technical delivery to commercial impact.They cover:Why Edward's unattached, portfolio career status meant the episode landed differently, and why the growing constraints around PR and corporate communications are making truly candid guest conversations increasingly rare on podcastsHow the fractional and advisory model is reshaping what value creation looks like in data leadership, and why organisations often get more commercial clarity from a contracted external than a full-time hireWhy delivering exactly what the job spec asks of you is, in reality, a risky career strategy for any enterprise data leader or CDOThe mindset behind becoming redundancy-proof, and why Edward's firsthand experience of layoffs shaped his willingness to step outside his mandate rather than stay safely within itThe "ask forgiveness rather than permission" approach to data leadership, and why professional arrogance, done with nuance, is often what separates those who reshape mandates from those who get trapped by themWhy "talk numbers, not tech" should be on a post-it note in every data leader's office, and how reading the room determines whether your message lands or loses the room entirelyThe importance of knowing when to geek out with peers at industry events versus when to translate everything into conversion rates, revenue targets, and business outcomes at the board levelHow skill and will both play a role in whether data leaders break out of their comfort zones — and why going back to what feels familiar is the enemy of executive credibilityWhy sitting at "the children's table" is a mindset problem as much as a structural one, and what it actually takes to earn a seat in the room where the real decisions are madeThe growing challenge of getting guests to speak candidly on record as geopolitics and economic uncertainty push businesses toward risk aversion and comms-approved messagingKyle's thought of the week: why perfect conditions don't exist — and why waiting for the mandate to fix itself, the business to catch up, or the industry to finally get it right is a strategy that history has already proven doesn't work. The leaders who succeed are the ones who go and create the conditions themselves.Catherine's thought of the week: what happened when Orbition ran a NED webinar that LinkedIn declared a dead format — 67 senior leaders from across the UK, US, and Europe later, and the lesson is clear: don't let someone else's data point on what doesn't work override what your own experience and evidence tells you is worth trying.This episode is a practical, honest unpacking of what it means to go beyond the mandate, not by working harder or taking on more, but by having different conversations, building broader context, and being willing to step into rooms that weren't originally part of the brief.

In Episode 7, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Edward Chenard, Fractional Chief Data and Analytics Officer, where they discuss how data leaders can break free from the cost centre trap and drive measurable, quantifiable business value, having personally delivered over $2.5 billion in revenue across Fortune 500s and start-ups alike, which includes;How a career in product management at GE laid the foundation for an outcome-first approach to data leadership.Why not having a seat at the table is not an excuse and why the biggest commercial wins came from several levels below the C-suite.How to read the type of organisation you are in and choose your influence strategy accordingly.Why the shift from AI-as-tool to AI-as-strategy matters for how data leaders position themselves now.Why data teams are correctly perceived as overheads.Building a personalisation platform at Best Buy that generated over $1 billion in revenue.Why identifying the metrics the C-suite actually obsess over is the only way to get and keep their attention.Why delivering what the job description says is the riskiest career move a data leader can make.How a predictive shipping tool built in four months turned a century-old logistics company into a recognised innovator.Why agreeing attribution with business stakeholders before the work starts is the only way to get the credit you deserve.Why the individual contributor mindset of doing what you are told actively works against data leaders when they step into leadership roles.Why data leaders need to think like intrapreneurs, owning a P&L and speaking the language of finance, VCs, and private equity rather than just tech.Why a background in international business and theology turned out to be better preparation for data leadership than a technical degree.Why philosophy and physics majors often outperform computer science graduates in data roles because thinking through problems without solid facts is the real differentiator.Why IT cultures that lead with process are structurally incapable of delivering transformation.Why training your team on AI regardless of what the C-suite thinks is a leadership obligation, not insubordination.How Edwards frameworks for moving data teams from dashboard builders to decision-makers are publicly available.Why it is human as the loop, not human in the loop, and why AI will quickly expose those who have been faking it.Thanks to our sponsor, Data & AI Literacy Academy.Data & AI Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data & AI literacy first.At Data & AI Literacy Academy, they don't just teach data skills. They empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. They're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data & AI literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that they offer. They embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.They take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

Welcome to another episode of the Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven by Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom unpack Tuesday's episode, share what's been on their minds, and explore the realities of leadership, culture, and capability across the data and AI landscape.This week, Catherine and Kyle reflect on the conversation with Dru Patel from the FA, diving deeper into the human side of data leadership, from storytelling and self-awareness to the commercial realities of what it actually takes to succeed at the executive level.They cover:Why Dru Patel's approach to storytelling and communication stood out as one of the most compelling conversations the podcast has hosted to dateHow technical capability alone has become “table stakes” in data leadership, and why the differentiator is now influence, communication, and the ability to shape perceptionWhy “soft skills” might be the most damaging phrase in the industry, and how cultural buy-in and human-centred leadership are often the real drivers of ROIThe uncomfortable reality that working hard and being technically brilliant doesn't automatically lead to progression, and why self-awareness is becoming a critical leadership traitHow data leaders can shift conversations away from platforms, dashboards, and governance, and toward decisions, business outcomes, and commercial impactWhy organisations still struggle with the perception of data teams as back-office technical functions, and how that perception shapes hiring, mandates, and ultimately failureThe difference between data literacy and data culture, and why culture is what happens when nobody is watchingHow lived experience, industry context, and organisational history shape expectations around data quality, trust, and value creationWhy many CDO mandates continue to fail, not because the individuals lack capability, but because organisations hire for technical delivery while expecting commercial transformationThe growing disconnect between what data leaders are hired to do and what boards actually expect them to achieveThey also dig into the future of data leadership and organisational accountability:Why businesses are now entering their third, fourth, and even fifth iteration of the CDO role, and what those repeated resets reveal about the maturity of the marketHow hiring behaviour has unintentionally incentivised technical specialisation over commercial leadership for more than a decadeWhy asking questions around decisions, KPIs, revenue targets, and business performance during interviews can quickly reveal an organisation's true perception of data leadershipKyle's thought of the week: why the debate around failed CDO mandates is becoming too polarised between “it's the organisation's fault” and “it's the individual's fault,” and why the reality sits somewhere in the middleCatherine's thought of the week: what happened after asking LinkedIn for web developer recommendations, and what the overwhelming response revealed about vendor outreach, personalisation, and the growing problem of AI-generated sales noiseThey also discuss:Why AI has enabled many organisations to operate “badly at scale, but faster”How senior leaders increasingly avoid broad vendor engagement unless there is an immediate needThe importance of building trusted communities where candid conversations can happen openly and safelyWhy Orbition Group's private membership community continues to grow as leaders look for more meaningful peer-to-peer discussion away from the public spotlightThis episode is a candid exploration of the skills gap that rarely gets discussed in data and AI leadership, not the technical gap, but the commercial, cultural, and human capability gap that increasingly determines who succeeds, who gets overlooked, and why so many organisations still struggle to realise value from data.

In Episode 6, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Dru Patel, Data Lead at The Football Association, where they discuss how embracing failure fuels a human-centred approach to data leadership that unlocks adoption, trust, and real organisational change, which includes;How an unconventional background spanning Kenya, the Cabinet Office, and a life coaching qualification shaped a distinctly human approach to data leadership.Why hard work alone has a ceiling, and how the first ten years of Dru's career proved that technical output without soft skills will only take you so far.Why starting with the "why" is the most powerful tool a data leader has for driving engagement, adoption, and business buy-in.How asking "why" five times gets you to the real root of what a stakeholder actually needs, and why most data teams stop at the first answer.How the gap between data teams and the business is normal, and why failing to challenge it with the right questions is the real problem.Why data teams need to push back on the brief rather than just building what's requested.How a dashboard that stops being used isn't always a failure, and why it often signals that the business is ready to ask bigger questions of the data.Why data literacy and data culture are not the same thing, and what it actually takes to move from one to the other.How the six blind men and the elephant illustrates what happens when everyone is right in their own context and nobody is looking at the whole picture.Why treating data like the organisation's own money, rather than a technical function, is the mindset shift that drives real literacy.Why data leaders take failure far harder than anyone else in the room, and what a 1980 psychology study reveals about the stories we tell themselves.How building a PPE supplier system in six days during COVID taught Dru that perfection is the enemy of progress.Why owning failure openly builds more trust than silence, and how to reframe the conversation from blame to improvement.How imposter syndrome shows up in data leadership, why it never fully goes away, and what mentors and trusted voices can do to help reframe it.Why nerves and excitement are the same feeling, and how the most effective leaders choose which one to act on.Why listening, really listening, before jumping to solutions is the soft skill most data professionals underestimate.How a human-centred lens, not a technical one, is what ultimately bridges the gap between data teams and the decisions that matter.

Welcome to another episode of the Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven by Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom unpack Tuesday's episode, share what's been on their minds, and explore what's really happening across the data and AI landscape.This week, Catherine and Kyle reflect on their conversation with Richard Masters, VP of Data & Analytics at Virgin Atlantic, diving deeper into the themes that matter most right now, from decision-led data strategies to the realities of building for reusability in an AI-driven world.They cover:Why Virgin Atlantic's surprisingly lean fleet of 44 planes is a masterclass in doing more with less, and what data teams can learn from itRichard's astrophysics background and how the principle of signal over noise shapes his entire approach to dataWhy the North Star of any data function should be decision support, and how working backwards from decisions changes everythingThe shift from "collect all the data" to "what decisions are we trying to impact" — and why that transition is still hard for most organisationsThe move from single-use data projects to reusable, scalable products, and why building for one use case is the old way of thinkingHow AI is democratising business capability, the rise of the "builders vs coders" mindset, and what that means for how data teams are structuredWhy fewer platforms, used well, will beat a sprawling vendor stack, and what that means for the vendor community going forwardThey also dig into the future of talent and skills in data:Why critical thinking, curiosity, and imagination are becoming more valuable than technical qualificationsHow the widening talent pool challenges universities and educators to stop being anti-AI and start teaching people how to use it responsiblyWhy neurodiversity and unconventional backgrounds will be a competitive advantage in an AI-augmented worldCatherine's thought of the week: why data professionals have a duty to educate those around them as AI misinformation spreads, from the boardroom to the toddler groupKyle's thought of the week: why the CDO role may be heading toward a fractional, advisory model, and what that split between strategy and execution means for the future of data leadership hiringThis episode is a candid look at where data is heading, where the real value is created, and why the leaders who thrive will be the ones who connect commercial strategy to the decisions that actually move the needle.

In Episode 5, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Richard Masters, Vice President of Data & AI at Virgin Atlantic where they discuss how a "signal over noise” mindset helps cut through complexity, and enables better decision-making and real business impact, which includes;How an astrophysics background shaped a “signal over noise” mindset for data and decision-making.How reducing data noise and surfacing the right signal drives meaningful business action.Why decision support should be the North Star for every data team.How aligning data work to business strategy requires constant iteration, challenge, and course correction.Why iterative improvement wins the day.How data context and metadata are critical to trust, usability, and adoption.Why data lineage, governance and trust are foundational to scaling AI successfully.How prioritisation should be driven by impact vs feasibility, not technical curiosity.Why a product mindset enables reuse, scalability, and faster value realisation.How platforms act as the governed foundation for reusable data, AI and decision-making capabilities.Why simplifying to fewer platforms improves trust and speed of delivery.How observability and adoption tracking link data products to real decision-making and P&L impact.Why AI success depends on evaluation frameworks (“is it right?”) and human-in-the-loop validation.How AI is shifting roles from coders to builders using and diversifying D&A talent beyond traditional STEM backgrounds.

Welcome to another episode of Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven by Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom unpack Tuesday's episode, share what's been on their minds, and explore what's really happening across the data and AI landscape.This week, Catherine and Kyle reflect on the conversation with Peter Everill, diving deeper into the themes that matter most right now, from decision-led data strategies to the realities of operating in an AI-hyped market.They cover:Why the market is becoming saturated with “AI-everything” messaging, and how vendors are losing differentiationThe growing gap between activity and impact, and why many data teams are busy but not moving the needlePeter Everle's decision-making framework, and why focusing on decisions that impact P&L is the only thing that really mattersThe cultural challenge of empowering teams to push back, and why most organisations still operate like a ticketing service deskThe tension data leaders face between challenging the business vs protecting their role, especially under board-level pressure to “do AI”Why this AI cycle feels different from previous hype cycles, and how pressure is now coming from every function, not just ITWhat separates leaders who deliver real commercial value from those who don'tThey also dive into the current hiring market:Why data leadership hiring has become overwhelmingly saturated, with thousands of candidates for a single roleHow CVs are becoming indistinguishable in the age of LLMsWhy job applications are no longer an effective strategy on their ownThe shift from traditional hiring to network-led, trust-based recruitmentAnd what candidates must do differently to stand out in a market that's noisier than everThis episode is a candid look at the realities of data leadership today, where every path carries risk, AI pressure is unavoidable, and success comes down to judgement, influence, and the ability to focus on what truly drives value.

In Episode 4, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Peter Everill, Head of Data Product at IAG, where they discuss why most organisations still invest heavily in data, analytics and AI capabilities without ever connecting that work to the handful of decisions that truly move business performance. They break down why the future of data transformation is really decision transformation, sharing a practical five-layer framework that links performance visibility, root cause, budget trade-offs, automated decisioning and enterprise optimisation directly to P&L impact, which includes;Why the real purpose of data and AI is not building outputs, but improving the decisions that materially change business performance.How Peter's career shifted from historical reporting into transforming decisions and workflows that directly influence operating models.Why the biggest capability gap in most organisations is linking technical capability to strategy, commercial priorities and P&L outcomes.How starting with business decisions instead of tools helps avoid the common trap of capability-first transformation.Why stakeholder requests that cannot be tied to action or performance change should rarely make the roadmap.How bottom-up demand creates sprawl, fragmented priorities and lots of activity that never ladders up to enterprise value.What the five decision layers are that connect data transformation directly to P&L impact.Why performance visibility is the first step to stop leadership teams debating numbers instead of making decisions.How root cause analysis becomes the turning point where prioritisation, ownership and commercial focus become clear.Why smarter budget trade-offs matter more than simply asking for more investment.How AI creates the most value when it improves decision quality before automating workflows at scale.Why automating workflows without improving the decision just helps organisations get to the wrong answer faster.How enterprise optimisation exposes where one team's success is unintentionally creating cost or lost sales elsewhere.Why local optimisation inside siloed teams often damages enterprise performance without leaders realising it.How making performance problems visible requires executive sponsorship because transparency can create organisational tension.Why root cause is usually the point where leaders realise they still lack clarity on what really drives performance.How both business leaders and data leaders should start by focusing on one decision that matters most.

Welcome to another episode of Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven By Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom sit down to unpack Tuesday's conversation, share what's been on their minds, and explore what's really happening across the data and AI landscape.Fresh off Kyle's return from holiday, the pair dive into Tuesday's episode with Daragh Kelly, Chief Data Officer at The Economist, unpacking the ideas that stood out most, and a few that challenge the dominant narratives in the market right now.They cover:Why the concept of “Trad AI” (traditional machine learning and data science) is a useful lens, and how the market is blurring the lines between legacy AI and the new wave of generative and agentic capabilitiesThe ongoing hype cycle in AI, why it's nothing new, and how organisations risk getting distracted by buzzwords rather than focusing on real outcomesThe growing gap between building AI solutions and making them scalable, reusable, and commercially viableThe importance of defining what “AI” actually means inside your organisation, and why vague language is creating confusion at the board levelThe tension between speed and direction, and why moving fast means nothing if you're not solving problems that actually matterWhether operating models really need to change for AI, and why Dara's perspective challenges the prevailing narrativeThe shift from analysts as insight generators to “toolmakers”, and what that means for the future of data and analytics rolesThe rise of self-serve capability across organisations, and the risks of uncontrolled experimentation without governanceThe ongoing power struggle between CDOs, CIOs, and CTOs over AI ownership, and why the answer is far from settledThe role of optics, titles, and external brand in shaping career progression for data leaders in an AI-first marketPlus, in this week's Thoughts of the Week, Kyle challenges the long-standing narrative around “having a seat at the table,” arguing that it's often used as an excuse for not delivering value, and that true impact comes from driving outcomes, regardless of reporting lines. Catherine reflects on the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the data community, why the conversation is still far from where it should be, and the responsibility leaders have to actively shape a more inclusive industry.Like and subscribe wherever you listen, and if you've got a question or topic you'd like the team to cover, email community@orbitiongroup.com

In Episode 3, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Daragh Kelly, Chief Data Officer at The Economist, where they discuss why most AI initiatives are still failing, why there's not much measurable progress and how insight functions have become toolmakers and decision intelligence partners, which includes;Why most AI initiatives fail because they as a solution looking for problems.The importance of aligning AI use cases to strategic goals, KPIs and measurable outcomes.Why speed rather than velocity leads to very little measurable progress.Why compelling POCs create false confidence before the real production challenges begin.The deployment gap: why robust, scalable and commercially viable AI is still hard.Why disconnected tools and poor workflow integration stall AI value realisation.The simple test for prioritisation: is this problem big enough to matter?Why the best AI use cases act as building blocks for future capability.How AI and UX together are driving true self-service insight generation.Why insight teams are evolving from answer providers to toolmakers.The growing importance of data governance, quality and observability in an AI-first world.How distributed insight creation can weaken corporate memory and knowledge curation.The skills shift toward UX, enablement, storytelling and decision intelligence.Practical build vs buy criteria in fast-moving and rapidly commoditising AI markets.Why operating models matters less than discipline, purpose and capability building.

Welcome to another episode of Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven By Data: The Podcast, where hosts Catherine Dowden-King and Kyle Winterbottom sit down to unpack Tuesday's conversation, share what's been on their minds, and explore what's really happening across the data and AI landscape.With Kyle away this week, Catherine is joined by Kinnari Ladha, CDO, Travelodge, to reflect on Tuesday's episode with Barry Panayi, diving deeper into the themes that sparked the most discussion, and a few that deserve even more attention.They cover:Why the path from CDO to NED is becoming increasingly attractive, but remains unclear, relationship-driven, and difficult to break intoWhat boards actually expect from data leaders, and why being “the data expert” is only a small part of the valueThe growing lack of standardisation in the CDO role, and how differing mandates, ownership, and expectations are shaping success or failureThe emerging split between data foundations and value delivery, and whether the CDO role is becoming too big for one personThe ongoing tension between CDO, CIO, and CTO over AI ownership, and why no single function can truly own itThe challenge of balancing short-term ROI with long-term foundational investment, and why many organisations are still getting this wrongWhy strong collaboration between data and technology leaders is critical, and how misalignment can derail even the best strategiesThe widening maturity gap across organisations, from those deploying AI at scale to those still grappling with basic data challengesWhy data and AI literacy remains one of the most overlooked barriers to success, despite heavy investment in tools and platformsThe growing pressure on organisations to drive adoption, and the reality that without behaviour change, even the best technology failsPlus, in this week's Thoughts of the Week, Catherine shares her perspective on the growing divide in organisational maturity and how the AI boom is widening the gap between leaders and laggards. Kinnari reflects on the often-overlooked challenge of data and AI literacy, and why organisations must prioritise workforce capability if they want to unlock real value from their investments.Like and subscribe wherever you listen, and if you've got a question or topic you'd like the team to cover, email community@orbitiongroup.com

In Episode 2, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was re-joined (over 2.5 years on) by Barry Panayi, Group Chief Data Officer at Howden, where they discuss, how the CDAO role continues to evolve and whether accountability is being diluted, which includes;Why the CDAO role is splitting between commercial outcomes and BAU leadershipWhy the biggest trade-off today is speed vs sustainable valueA pragmatic view on AI ownership: enterprise enablement vs bespoke buildThe risk of over-indexing on ROI and neglecting foundational data capabilityThe danger of the CDAO role being watered downWhy many organisations still hire CDAOs for the wrong mandateHow culture and incentives shape whether data leaders can succeedHow AI is making value measurement easier than traditional data workWhy proving quick wins can sometimes slow long-term progressWhy CDAO–CTO chemistry now matters more than job titlesThe leadership lesson: make the least bad decision with convictionWhy Barry wrote The AI of the Beholder as a leadership decision simulatorThe reality that there is rarely one “right” leadership choiceWhy future board opportunities for CDAOs require broader leadership breadthWhat boards actually value from ex-CDAO leaders in NED roles

Welcome to the very first episode of Data Debrief, the companion show to Driven By Data: The Podcast, where hosts Kyle Winterbottom and Catherine Dowden-King sit down every Thursday to unpack Tuesday's episode, share what's been on their minds, and discuss what's really happening across the data and AI market.In this debut episode, Kyle and Catherine reflect on Tuesday's conversation with Kevin Cassar, diving deeper into the themes that sparked the most discussion, and a few that didn't make it into the main episode.They cover:Why the data conversation is shifting from delivering ROI to accelerating it, and what that means for data leaders still stuck in output-factory modeThe growing pressure on organisations to be seen doing AI, regardless of whether it's actually delivering value, and why the optics of inaction are now costlier than wasting budgetThe internal land grab between CDOs and CIOs over who owns AI, and why the answer is often more cultural than technicalWhy rolling out enterprise ChatGPT to an entire bank doesn't necessarily mean your organisation is embracing AIKevin's people-first philosophy, and why understanding where your team actually sits on the AI adoption curve matters more than having an aggressive strategyThe evolving role of the data professional: from coder to builder, from report-puller to AI quality controllerPlus, in their new Thoughts of the Week segment, Catherine raises a question that's hard to shake: are we over-optimising our downtime? From boiling water taps to washing up, she makes the case that friction isn't always the enemy, and that some of our best thinking happens precisely when we're not being productive. Kyle agrees and admits most of his best ideas arrive at 3am or are written on a shower panel.Like and subscribe wherever you listen, and if you've got a question or topic you'd like Kyle and Catherine to cover, email the team at community@orbitiongroup.com

In Episode 1, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Kevin Cassar, Chief Data Officer at TalkTalk, where they discuss how to accelerate the speed of value delivery, which includes;Why speed to value is becoming as important as ROI itselfThe macroeconomic and GenAI forces increasing pressure on delivery timelinesHow TalkTalk's data strategy is focused on profitability, trust, and customer satisfactionThe “triangle of value”: data, business action, and financial outcomesWhy federated data operating models can accelerate adoption and executionThe balance between experimentation and implementation at scaleHow governance should act as an enabler, not a blocker, to faster deliveryThe pyramid framework linking ExCo priorities to data products and modelsWhy culture, psychological safety, and upskilling are critical to speedThe five pillars of organisational readiness for faster value creationReal examples of reducing delivery from 12 months to under 8 weeksKevin's three practical leadership principles: vision, collaboration, and investing in peopleWhy ExCo maturity and sponsorship are the hidden drivers of speed to valueHow direct CEO access materially reduces time from idea to productionWhy poor data foundations still kill speed, regardless of AI ambitionWhy adoption velocity, not just build velocity, determines realised value

For our final episode of the Driven by Data Dilemmas spin-off show, Catherine is joined by Kyle Winterbottom as they talk through their favourite parts of season six, and what's to come on the Driven by Data Podcast as it resumes next week with season seven!Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Alexandra Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer for Zurich InsuranceToday's theme is all about 'Transformation the right way' - together, Alex & Catherine talk about the errors of forgetting people in great big transformations, how AI is shaking up the entire world, not just data teams and importantly, how to avoid getting someone fired on your first day!Listen wherever you get your podcasts!Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Steve Janoo, Chief Data Analytics Officer & Global Digital Technology SVP for Diageo! Together, they talk about Data Leadership Sink or Swim!In a special IRL recording, Steve talks through his thoughts on what allows a data leader to swim freely towards success, and what causes them to sink. There's politics, exec buy-in and the evolution from player to coach.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Dan Kellett, Chief Data Officer for Carmoola! Together they talk about Leadership Legends vs Leadership Lows!Dan walks through his thoughts on what makes a leader a legend, vs a loser! They discuss stories about candidates crying during interviews and team members making rookie errors.Dan shares some candid experiences of when it all went wrong, and he needed to walk away from his desk.Listen wherever you get your podcasts!Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Ines Ashton, Digital & AI Strategy Director (CIO), The Compleat Food Group. Together, they talk about how to avoid falling for FOMO!Ines walks through her experience of staying laser-focused on her strategy, her role, and her priorities, avoiding falling for FOMO. They also discuss how to avoid falling for the "shiny object syndrome" in an AI-Powered world.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Tim Lum, Global Chief Intelligence Officer, WPP | Ford | VML In this episode, they discuss three key stories surrounding when it all goes wrong. From deleting 11 years' worth of data, to a business unit causing the data servers to screech.Tim walks us through how to manage data teams when it's all gone a bit pear-shaped.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Irina Mihai, Director of Data Foundations, Decision & Data Science function, adidas. In this episode, they discuss three key stories surrounding an AI Adoption or Anarchy. They discuss the how behind adoption, the wins organisations are seeing in real-time, and the final story offers an alternative perspective on the mass layoff fears.Irina offers her candid views on how to tame anarchy and lays out some of her plans for adidas' AI adoption.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Lisa Allen, Director of Data, The Pensions Regulator. In this episode, they discuss three key stories surrounding a career crisis. They discuss how someone can come into the data world as entry-level talent, someone re-adjusting their role in the data space, and the challenges being seen in the data engineer market.Lisa offers her advice on entering the market and how to be a competitive candidate, and words of caution to her fellow leaders.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Zachery Anderson, Former CDAO for NatWest Group. In this episode, they discuss how, for many people, the data work is great, but it's the people that suck. From nightmare managers who make you want to scream into a pillow, to everything now being branded AI. Zachery gives his takes on our dilemmas and shares some of his personal experiences of where people have sucked!Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Nick Blewden, Director of Data for Co-op. In today's show, they discuss all things data MESS! From sticky situations where someone goes and deletes things in prod, to the woes of a student in their first 3 months of "real-life" data work.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com and Catherine will put them to our expert guests to answer.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Lyndsay Weir, CDAO, Barilla Group. In this episode, they discuss the highs and lows of people management and how dramatically a culture can impact your work life, data team, and overall business value. They talk about 100% attendance at school, Lyndsay's 5 core values and why she's always going to ask "so what?"Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.The third panel discussion saw Catherine King joined by;Paul Hollands, Chief Data & AI Officer, AXA,Johanna Hutchinson, Chief Data Officer, BAE SystemsNick Blewden, Director of Data, CoopSam Hancock, Global Head of Data Science, Octopus EnergyWhere they discussed, Leading with a Legacy of Impact, How Data can Change the World, which includes; How to distinguish between short-term value creation and long-term impact when shaping your data strategy.The decisions made that will outlive tenure and define data leadership legacy.The boldest thing a CDO should be doing today, but most aren't.The people-first principles that anchor leadership when making high-stakes data decisions.Experiencing the “this is why we do it” moment and the times when data work had a direct, unforgettable human impact.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half-day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.The second panel discussion saw Kyle Winterbottom joined by;Ranil Boteju, Chief Data Officer, Lloyds Banking GroupLoretta Franks, Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer, KellanovaSteve Pimblett, Chief Data Officer, RightmoveAimee Smith, Director of Data, Metropolitan PoliceJane Smith, Field CDAO, ThoughtSpotWhere they debated; Making Data Count by Providing Tangible Value the Business Can Touch, which includes;How you transform from a technological-centred data function, into a business value centred function? How to decide which data projects get resourced, and what hard evidence do you use to show they are delivering business value? Which projects you've killed because they couldn't scale, and what did you learn from them? Which action from; Building a brand identity, aligning capabilities to value levers, designing a fluid operating model and broadcasting data wins, moves the needle most?Where Agentic AI fits into the business value discussion?Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through...

In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half-day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.The first panel discussion saw Kyle Winterbottom joined by;Davin Crowley-Sweet, Chief Data Officer at National HighwaysKelly Hume, Lead Partner at BaringaKinnari Ladha, Chief Data Officer at Merlin EntertainmentsDaniel Hulme, Chief Data & AI Officer at WPPWhere they debated; The Biggest Challenges in Data, Analytics & AI and How They're Being Tackled, which includes;Why perceived data quality challenges are actually data confidence and communication issues.Why business leaders need a stronger data vocabulary to drive better outcomes. How shifting from projects to products improves data ownership and accountability.Why lack of trust in data stems from unclear standards and outdated systems.Why hype has led to organisations chasing use cases without defining problems.Why Low-hanging fruit often yields superficial success. Why true business value from AI comes from addressing complex, strategic problems.Why organisations must rethink processes not just adopt new tools.How brave leadership unlocks better digital decisions.Why data leaders must simplify the AI conversation for executives.How a dual AI strategy balances innovation and control.Why AI regulation is necessary but only when thoughtfully designed.Why ethical AI depends on explainability, not intentions.Why traditional company values don't guide AI ethics.Why building trust in data starts with being trusted as a data leader.Why orchestration, not capability, is often the barrier to delivery.How reframing data roles helps escape the ‘service desk' trap.Why tension in organisations can lead to better outcomes.Why upskilling execs in data requires empathy, not just...

In Episode 50, the season finale of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by James Benford, Director General of Surveys, Economic and Social Statistics at Office for National Statistics, where they have a candid discussion regarding the turnaround job at hand after recent public scrutiny and high-profile errors.They dig into what went wrong, the impact on trust, and how new leadership is refocusing priorities, rebuilding quality, and resetting culture, plus more, which includes;How a turnaround mandate is reshaping ONS culture, leadership, and structure after the June review.Why transparent acknowledgment and correction of high-profile errors is central to rebuilding trust.How grand tech ambitions drift without clear use cases and why that must change.Why building a single data platform without a clear use case became a costly lesson in purpose-led design.How ruthless focus and prioritisation are creating space for excellence in core statistics.Why survey response rates are falling globally and how ONS is adapting to the new reality.How digital-first, user-centred survey design can lift completion and reduce bias.How alternative data sources add power and why third-party data quality and governance matter.Why multidisciplinary teams are non-negotiable.How recognising data and AI as economic assets will reshape national accounting.Why GenAI and ML can raise quality while saving time.How “Stats GPT” style access can make official statistics easier to find, query, and use.Find more information on the general reset underway at the ONS, and the detail on the statistics and the surveys discussed in this episode.If you wish to provide feedback on what ONS is currently doing, please use this mailbox:

In Episode 49, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Adrian Estala, Field Chief Data & AI Officer at Starburst, where they discuss how to deliver successful AI innovation and transformation by letting 'the business' lead, which includes;Why we need to let business teams to lead AI innovation for meaningful transformation.How business-led approaches to AI translate into practical, real-world examples.The major differences that set AI apart from previous waves of technological business transformation like ERP, Cyber and Cloud.Why AI demands a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional IT-led transformations.How organisations are adapting to the rapid pace of change driven by AI advancements.Balancing the need for AI experimentation with the discipline of effective governance and control.Identifying high-impact AI use cases that deliver competitive advantage through targeted experimentation.Adapting delivery models and governance structures to meet accelerated AI project timelines.Why organisations need a (business) semantic layer in enabling faster and more responsible AI innovation.Why the era of migration is over and what that shift means for digital strategy.Rethinking data foundations to support AI-driven decision-making across the business.The concept of “big data, small agents” and its implications for the future of work.What will distinguish successful AI adopters from those who remain stuck in experimentation over the next 12...

In Episode 48, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Susan Laine, Chief Technology Officer (Data) at Quest Software, where they discuss the concept of building 'AI for AI', which includes;The state of data in the AI era and why garbage in equals disaster outHow ‘AI for AI' is helping organisations manage data at scale and speedWhere AI is being used to optimise AI and why that mattersWhy most AI POCs still don't make it out of production and what to do about itBalancing the race for speed with the realities of trust, governance, and riskBuilding a modern data trust model looks like and why it's critical for AI successThe key metrics that matter most when measuring trust in data The rise of the data marketplace and what it means for data sharing and adoptionHow data management convergence is changing the game for modelling and intelligenceHow user feedback loops are helping to mature data products over timeWhy context and semantic layers are essential for AI you can trustHow GenAI is reshaping how we build and scale data productsThe structural and cultural shifts AI is triggering across data teamsThe changing roles and skillsets needed to succeed in AI-led data teamsWhy building your own capability is slowing you down and what to do insteadThree smart steps to build trusted, scalable AI and data capabilities...

In Episode 47, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Mike Leverington, Senior Director of Data & Analytics at Skyscanner, where they discuss the evolving landscape of data analytics in the era of AI, which includes;How AI and GenAI are transforming not only the way we work but the way we think, impacting creativity and originality across the workforce.Why the decline of junior and entry-level data roles is reshaping the traditional career ladder in data.The societal and ethical implications of AI-driven workforce changes.How the automation of foundational work could affect how the next generation of data professionals learn and develop.How leaders can strike the right balance between “future-fitting” now and managing the risks of waiting.The implications of AI becoming a key trainer of the workforce, and what that means for learning, upskilling, and talent development.The potential risks smaller businesses face in the AI race against well-funded competitors.Whether the industry is over-talking “data value” and what that means for real business impact.Why a persistent gap remains between how data teams define value and what executives actually care about.The lessons from the “bold claims” era when inflated ROI promises were needed to secure investment.How organisations can hedge their bets in a rapidly shifting AI landscape.What an “AI-ready culture” truly looks like and why it matters for long-term...

In Episode 46, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Ming Tang, Chief Data & Analytics Officer & Chief Digital & Information Officer at NHS England where they discuss the the governments 10-year strategy for the future of healthcare and the role that data and digital will play, which includes; From pharmacist to Chief Data and Analytics Officer at NHS England.The reason for trialling a dual role of CDAO and CDIO leading both digital and data strategies across the NHS.How the government's ten-year plan is driving a major shift in how digital and data support healthcare delivery.Why a single patient record is a cornerstone of the NHS's strategy.What the future of healthcare may look like in ten years.How digital transformation is already improving patient outcomes.How patients engage with the NHS will change dramatically. The impact the strategy will have on Staff of the NHS. The data challenges associated with building a single patient record.Why AI is delivering real impact in areas like diagnostics, software development, and operational efficiency.Why Digital inclusion remains a key focus, with efforts to support both patients and staff across varying levels of digital confidence.The challenges of building digital and data literacy at scale across different audiences.Why patient-centred design, multidisciplinary collaboration, and reimagining workflows are critical to success.Moving from treatment to prevention is a top priority.Moving from siloed data to real-time, person-centred, interoperable data flows.How AI is supporting clinicians by tools such as ambient voice technology. How proposed legislation could support seamless data sharing across NHS, suppliers, and public...

In Episode 45, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Catherine King takes the hot-seat as she hosts a live panel discussion alongside, Pete Williams, Director of Data at Penguin Random House and Greg Freeman, CEO & Founder at Data Literacy Academy, where they discuss how to allow your organisation to climb the data & AI literacy ladder, which includes;Why Data & AI literacy isn't about technical skills or tools.How practical implementation and belief in the value of literacy are still recent developments.How there are no decisions in modern business that are free of data.Why people don't use what they don't trust and they don't trust what they don't understand.Why literacy must address taught fears and cultural resistance.Why companies are still falling into the trap of thinking tools and tech will drive transformation.Why Generative AI is proving to be a Trojan Horse and the opportunity it provides for enterprise impact. Why literacy efforts need to go beyond 'tick-box' training to personalised, job-relevant learning that connects directly to business outcomes.Why you should track productivity improvements, promotion rates, and qualitative feedback from learners.How to use behavioural metrics and ROI-linked business initiatives to measure literacy impact.How you can create effective feedback loops from the frontline that are essential for iteration and broader...

In Episode 44, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Nick Blewden, Director of Data at Co-Op where they explore how one of the UK's most recognised brands is harnessing data not just to improve performance, but to deliver meaningful social impact. Nick shares how the Co-op's member-owned model shapes its approach to loyalty, personalisation and ethics, why balancing commercial success with social good is central to its strategy, and how initiatives in data culture, literacy and governance are helping to build trust at every level of the business. The episode explores;Why consulting experience equips many data leaders for senior roles in industry.How the Co-op's unique member-owned model drives its approach to data and decision-making.The importance of aligning commercial success with social good.How partnerships with universities have unlocked new insights into health, nutrition and deprivation.Why ethical guardrails and clear consent are critical to building trust in personalisation.How loyalty and membership schemes powered by data science deepen customer engagement.Growing membership from 4 million to nearly 7 million and he role that data played.How personalisation is used to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.Why balancing valuable personalisation with privacy concerns is one of retail's biggest challenges.How the Co-op uses its member councils, youth councils and surveys to shape data-driven initiatives.The role of rapid delivery and quick commerce data in reshaping retail behaviour.How they equipped front-line staff with data products to transform decision-making.Why building data literacy depends on addressing both “will” and “skill” across teams.How embedding ethics and governance early safeguards impact and reputation.Why leadership engagement strengthens confidence and trust in data.How evolving operating models keep data teams aligned with fast-changing business needs.For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event;...

In Episode 43, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Sarah Hardison. Product Director, Analytics Enablement at GSK where they discuss the results from a research project on the investment and value in Data and AI that was conducted to support an MBA Thesis in partnership with University of Cambridge, which includes;Why aligning data and AI initiatives with overarching business strategy is the most critical factor for success, with 80% of respondents citing it as essential to delivering value.How failing to measure value directly correlates with an inability to demonstrate impact. All organisations that had not shown value also reported not tracking any metrics.Why only 50% of surveyed organisations reported actively measuring the value of their data and AI initiatives, despite it being foundational to demonstrating return.How 65% of participants believed they had successfully demonstrated value. The remaining 35% had not, and all of those lacked measurement frameworks.Why cost reduction and revenue generation were reported as the primary ways value is defined, yet only a few sectors could clearly demonstrate revenue impact.Why metrics such as customer satisfaction and innovation are harder to quantify but still considered essential soft indicators of value.How the perceived value of data as an asset varies depending on business context and use case, making standard valuation challenging.Why telling success stories and communicating achievements across the business was identified as a critical enabler for cultural adoption and stakeholder engagement.How incremental delivery through proofs of concept helps secure long-term value and supports agile execution.Why business cases are more compelling when they include both financial metrics and alignment with strategic objectives.How the cultural orientation of a company, whether strategy-driven or metrics-driven, should guide how data leaders approach value articulation.How networking internally and understanding business pain points leads to more relevant and supported data solutions.Why data's value is similar to that of brand equity, being intangible, influential, and entirely context specific.For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event;...

In Episode 42, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Carl Smith, Group Data Officer at JCB, where they discuss why everyone hates data governance, the motivation behind his 3-part book series, and why organisations face in implementing effective data strategies, which includes;Why everyone hates governance (until they need it).How most organisations are stuck in “governance theatre” Repositioning governance as a business enabler, not a compliance exercise.Using governance to support faster, safer decision-making. Concrete tools and templates that make it stick. Unmasking the theatre of strategy to avoid PowerPoint-fuelled nonsense that never lands.Framing strategy as a vehicle for change, not documentation. Fixing the disconnect between strategy and execution.Aligning with business outcomes, not buzzwords. Designing for agility, relevance, and real-world political constraints.Running Data like a business function. Moving from delivery to accountability.how to own outcomes, not just projects. Building the operating model for a modern data function.Budgeting, staffing, and positioning the function for credibility.Designing services, not just capabilities.Navigating exec influence and organisational politics. For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event;...

In Episode 41, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Joyce Myers, Chief Data Officer at MTSI where they discuss the critical facets of effective change leadership, which includes;Why we should aspire for 'Change Leadership' not 'Change Management'Joyce's journey from the military to Data Leadership.The use of data in the defence industry.The core facets of Change Leadership in Data.The cultural impact on data adoption.The role of building relationships for success with data.How culture and buy-in is different in an employee-owned organisation.The interplay between change and culture.Influencing people to act without relying on authority or mandates.Why we should maintain a positive mindset.Why Goodness In, Goodness Out is better than Garbage In, Garbage OutHow to celebrate celebrate success and build trust.Communication strategies that 'sell the vision' of data transformation. Experiencing momentum in the journey of change leadership. Strategies used to keep teams engaged and motivated when change is slow. For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event; https://orbitiongroup.com/driven-by-data-live/Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at

In Episode 40, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Carlos Soares, SVP Data, Analytics & AI at Brenntag, where they discuss how Brenntag is reshaping global operations by applying data, analytics, and AI to drive measurable business value. From tackling transformation through dual streams to building a data culture rooted in EBITDA impact, this conversation uncovers the practical realities and hidden complexities of delivering scalable value with data, which includes;Why defining the true problem statement is the most important part of successful transformation. Why many confuse the problem statement and pain points.The importance of hiring ‘purple' people and building ‘purple teams for transformation.Why data and analytics work should deliver EBITDA impact and why that's an issue for our industry. Building models and controls groups to measure value creation but more importantly drive it internally.The two streams of successful D&A transformation. How quick wins can deliver commercial returns to drive credibility and further investment.Why low-hanging fruit often gets overlooked.Why cross-collaboration and working in partnership with business stakeholders is the only way to succeed.The phenomenal success of their ‘Customer Growth Engine' that's delivered insane results. Why AI will augment human-decision making not automate it. Why the association to IT limits strategic potential and value creation.Why we need to reskill for relevance in an AI enabled world.Plus, much more. For more information on our upcoming Driven by Data LIVE event;...

In Episode 39, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Alex Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer at Zurich Insurance, Indhira Mani, Chief Data Officer at RSA and Greg Freeman, CEO at Data Literacy Academy where they discuss how to successfully adopt AI inside organisations, which includes;Why AI adoption is a business transformation journey, not just a technical implementation.How aligning AI with core business priorities drives meaningful outcomes and stakeholder engagement.The importance of clearly defined use cases to avoid over-engineering and misaligned efforts.Why cross-functional collaboration between business, data, and IT is crucial for scalable success.How solid data foundations and governance underpin responsible and effective AI deployment.The importance of developing AI literacy across all levels to support confident and informed decision-making.Why focusing on business value and outcomes, not algorithms, helps demystify AI and gain broader support.How adjusting the language used around AI can make it more accessible and reduce resistance.The importance of embedding ethics and transparency from the outset of AI initiatives.Why mindset, culture, and change management are the true enablers, or blockers, of successful AI adoption.How leadership curiosity and openness accelerates cultural readiness for AI.The importance of managing expectations to prevent fatigue and maintain organisational trust in AI efforts.How continuous storytelling and iteration help build momentum and credibility throughout the AI...

In Episode 38, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Executive Career Coach, Julia Westland. Julia spent many years as a Data & Analytics professional working in management consulting before transitioning into headhunting where she led Spencer Stuarts Digital, Data & AI practice, before becoming a career coach. Together they unpick the current Data & Analytics job market, the trends they're seeing, forecast what is to come and give a whole host of advice around job searching in the current market, which includes;Why the demand for data leaders remains strong despite ongoing economic uncertainty and market shifts.Why organisations are prioritising specificity in defining and sourcing data leadership roles.The importance of understanding company context when navigating data leadership opportunities.Why the CDO role varies widely in scope and the consequences that has on career progression.The skills required for data leaders aiming to influence at the top table.How some CDAOs have transitioned into broader business roles and why.Aligning your background with a company's data maturity level to increase your fit and success. How GenAI is reviving focus on foundational capabilities like data governance, quality, and data management.Why leadership, change management, and stakeholder influence now outweigh technical depth alone in senior data roles.How the evolving data landscape is opening up new career paths across operations, product analytics, and AI strategy.How to position your CV and LinkedIn profile as strategic assets in your job search.Why tailoring your CV with exact job description keywords boosts visibility in AI-powered hiring tools.The importance of clean, simple formatting to ensure your CV is readable by applicant tracking systems.How to craft a strong headline and summary that align with the role you're targeting.Creating a compelling, results-driven CV by quantifying your achievements. How LinkedIn and CV alignment improves discoverability and impact when being headhunted.Why developing a concise personal pitch helps you stand out and stay memorable to recruiters.The importance of testing your CV's narrative using tools like NotebookLM to ensure it communicates your value.How intentional communication and storytelling can elevate your positioning and lead to more...

In Episode 37, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Ash Dhupar, Chief Data & AI Officer at Analog Devices (Fortune 500) where we explore how data leaders can link their work directly to measurable EBIT and revenue gains, and how the Chief Data Officer role has shifted from “data quality” to “profitability driver.” Ash shares a real life example of unlocking $50M in yield improvements by connecting siloed manufacturing data, and why predictive AI is key to stopping costly waste before it happens. We unpack the importance of the three-legged stool; balancing technology, business alignment, and process change, and why CDOs must own delivery end-to-end to shift the outdated perception that data is “just reporting.” You'll hear why scaling AI demands new skills, how too many “chiefs” has slowed progress can slow progress. We also discuss why agentic AI at scale is still 18–24 months away, and how AI-first strategies can multiply EBIT impact by 2–10x to create lasting competitive advantage.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 36, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom i re-joined by Daniel Hulme, a leading authority in the world of AI and Chief AI Officer at WPP (as well as being CEO at Satalia and Conscium) Kyle and Daniel discuss the rapid evolution of AI and its implications for various sectors. They explore the concept of agentic AI, its real-world applications, and the importance of verification in AI deployment. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on jobs, the future of work, and the role of education in preparing graduates for an AI-driven world. Ethical considerations and the need for aligned AI are emphasised, along with the challenges organisations face in building and adopting these technologies, and placing the right bets with their investments.Takeaways:The evolution of Ai in the last 12 months.How AI has graduated from an 'intoxicated graduate' to masters level intelligence and beyond.Why Leaders don't have time to place the wrong bets but many are. Why companies are wasting time and money on building the wrong agents. How to prioritise the correct AI bets to invest in.How AI can free society from economic constraints meaning people won't have to work. The future of the education system and the impact on graduate jobs. Why verification of AI will be imperative to success and also accounts for 80% of deployment cost.The five levels of AI verification you need to know about. The importance of testing for skills and expertise instead of knowledge.When AI may become conscious and we could be at AGI by 2030.The disruption we're going to see in the job market.The relationship between software and AI and why most firms can't attract the talent they need to build AI.Why we should be building AI with values as opposed to implementing guardrails after the fact. The three questions to ask when deploying AI.The real safety and security issues that companies are going to face. Why there will be an explosion of innovation in AI safety.The risks of building zombie superintelligence....

In Episode 35, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Dan Taffler, Group Director of Data & Analytics at Reach Plc, where they discuss Dan's journey in data leadership, and managing Data & Analytics for a group of 120 brands. They also delve into the impact of AI on journalism, and the importance of a product mindset in data initiatives. Dan shares insights on engaging stakeholders, using a 9 box framework for prioritising and measuring value delivery, and navigating the AI hype cycle. He emphasizes the need for cultural shifts within data teams and the role of an MBA in enhancing leadership skills. Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 34, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was re-joined by Malcolm Hawker, Chief Data Officer at Profisee, fresh off the publication of his new book 'The Data Hero Playbook' They discuss what prompted him to write the book and the insights from within it, how he kept witnessing the same issues and challenges while working at Gartner and the real reason he decided to leave! Malcolm dives into the challenges faced by data leaders, the importance of shifting from a mindset of limiting beliefs to one of growth and development, and the need for Data Leaders to take accountability. They discuss why concepts such as Data Culture, Data Literacy and 'Garbage In, Garbage Out' have become excuses and how delivering value solves all of those problems. Malcolm talks about how external forces often influence the perceptions and actions of data leaders and why accepting them has disempowered us.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 33, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Cali Wood, Head of Data & AI Strategy and Culture at AXA UK and Ireland, where they discuss the evolution of data culture within AXA, the importance of balancing innovation with governance in AI, and the strategies for promoting data literacy across the organisation.Cali shares insights on building a Data and AI Academy, measuring data literacy success, building skills matrices and competency frameworks for Data & AI teams, and the future of roles in the era of AI. TakeawaysOvercoming cultural challenges to ensure successful AI adoption.Balancing innovation with governance.Promoting data literacy across the organisation.Creating engagement strategies for Data and AI initiatives.Measuring data literacy effectiveness.Translating engagement metrics to business value.Creating skills matrices and competency frameworks to build capability.Creating blended learning journeys. The future of roles in data will evolve with AI.The importance of communication strategies.Aligning training and L&D to business needs.Why AI transformation requires a focus on the human element.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at

In Episode 32, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Arun Nandi, Chief Data and AI Officer at Carrier, where they discuss the transformative role of AI in business and its potential impact on climate change. They explore the importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives, the need for cultural alignment and stakeholder engagement, and the significance of reskilling the workforce in the AI era. Arun shares insights on building an AI accelerator programme and the challenges of measuring value in AI projects, emphasising the need for discipline and consistency in tracking outcomes.Takeaways:AI is a powerful enabler for business transformation.The importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives.AI's impact on climate change and sustainability is significant.Building an AI accelerator can drive innovation and speed.Cultural alignment is crucial for successful AI adoption.Measuring value in AI requires discipline and consistency.Stakeholder engagement is key to successful AI projects.Reskilling the workforce is essential in the AI era.AI should be viewed as a horizontal capability across organizations.The future of work will involve collaboration between humans and AI.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to AI and Data Leadership03:03 Carrier's Evolution and Purpose05:50 The Current AI Landscape and Its Future12:13 Navigating the AI Hype Cycle17:59 Keys to Success for AI Leaders27:31 The Shift to AI-First Mindset29:06 Prioritizing Value in AI Use Cases34:42 Fostering a Value-First Mindset39:43 Problem-Solving with AI as an Enabler46:16 Accelerating AI Implementation50:26 Cultural Alignment and Co-Ownership in AI53:25 AI's Role in Climate Change and...

In Episode 31, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Catarina Miranda, Global AI Director at Pandora, where she shares her unique journey from biomedical engineering to AI and machine learning.She discusses the importance of AI literacy and governance within organisations, the recent breakthroughs in AI technology, and common misconceptions surrounding its capabilities.Catarina emphasises the need for businesses to focus on outcomes rather than the technology itself and provides insights into how organisations can effectively adopt AI while preparing for the future of work.00:00 Introduction to Catarina Miranda and Her Journey03:07 Pandora: The World's Largest Jewellery Brand06:11 The Role of AI in Personalisation at Pandora08:45 AI Literacy and Governance in Organizations11:49 Recent Breakthroughs in AI Technology14:52 Common Misconceptions About AI18:12 The Importance of AI Literacy in Business20:57 Facilitating AI Literacy and Training27:24 Empowering AI Teams through Decentralisation28:34 The Importance of Testing in AI Systems32:07 Prioritising AI Use Cases for Business36:49 Evaluating the Business Impact of AI40:32 Understanding AI's Role in Job Transformation48:40 Lessons from Virtual Reality for AI Adoption52:08 Key Takeaways for Organisations Embracing...

In Episode 30, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Vin Vashishta, CEO & Founder of V Squared and author of best-selling book 'From Data to Profit' where they discuss the evolution of AI and data strategy in businesses. Vin shares insights from his book 'Data to Profit', discussing the importance of data in achieving ROI from AI initiatives, emphasising the need for businesses to transform their strategies and workflows to integrate AI effectively. The conversation also touches on the changing roles of CEOs, the challenges faced by Chief Data and AI Officers, and the impact of AI on job roles and skills in the workforce. Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Background of V Squared AI02:42 The Journey of Writing 'Data to Profit'05:54 Key Factors for AI Success in Businesses08:38 Transformational Strategies for Competitive Advantage11:14 The Importance of Incremental Change14:28 Navigating the AI Landscape: Use Cases and Business Strategy17:22 The Role of C-Level Executives in AI Transformation20:13 Cultural and Strategic Challenges in AI Implementation22:58 The Shift Towards Information Architecture in AI25:56 The Future of AI: Agents and Information Management29:13 The Evolution of Information Architecture30:36 AI's Impact on Data Roles35:20 Shifting Responsibilities in Data Teams36:58 The Value of Customer-Facing Products41:02 The Future of Data Roles and Job Market45:06 The Need for Continuous Reskilling52:46 Navigating Rapid Changes in the Job...

In Episode 29, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Sam Hancock, Global Head of Data Science at Octopus Energy. Sam shares his unconventional career journey from Capital One to Google and Waymo and ultimately to Octopus Energy, where he focuses on leveraging data to drive the company's mission of accelerating the energy transition. The conversation explores the balance between data-driven decision-making and instinct, the unique culture at Octopus Energy, and the company's innovative approach to sustainability and customer service. Sam and Kyle explore the critical role of data and AI in driving sustainability within the energy sector and they discuss the challenges of integrating data into business practices, the importance of fostering relationships across teams, and the innovations in energy management that can help achieve sustainability targets. The conversation also delves into the complexities of carbon emissions, the electrification of industries, and the potential of smart tariffs to optimize energy usage. Overall, the discussion highlights the need for collaboration and innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change.Takeaways:Sam Hancock's journey includes roles at Capital One, Waymo, and Octopus Energy.He emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences in shaping his current role.Octopus Energy is focused on accelerating the energy transition.The company is customer-obsessed and aims to disrupt the energy sector.Sam's role allows for entrepreneurial freedom in data strategy.Balancing data-driven decisions with instinct is crucial for innovation.Octopus Energy's culture encourages entrepreneurship and high standards.The company has ambitious targets for customer growth and sustainability.Data is a strategic asset at Octopus, with significant data ingestion capabilities.The tech platform developed by Octopus is designed for the energy sector. Understanding the data challenge is crucial for effective pricing.Data integration should start at the beginning of business processes.Building relationships within teams enhances data-driven decision-making.Electrification is key to achieving net-zero emissions.Smart tariffs can optimize energy usage based on grid demands.AI systems are essential for managing the energy transition.Data centres can be a force for good in sustainability efforts.Zonal pricing could incentivize greener energy usage.Companies need to be transparent about their carbon emissions.Nature-based solutions and carbon capture are vital for sustainability.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Sam Hancock and His Journey01:00 Career Path: From Capital One to Waymo04:30 Transition to Climate Tech and Octopus Energy07:20 Overview of Octopus Energy's Mission and Operations09:48 Sam's Role and Data Strategy at Octopus Energy13:16 Balancing Data and Instinct in Decision Making18:28 The Unique Culture and Vision of Octopus Energy22:12 Leveraging Data as a Strategic Asset25:17 Understanding the Data Challenge28:10 The Role of Data in Sustainability31:31 Innovations in Energy Management37:39 Navigating Carbon Emissions and Sustainability Targets42:15 The Intersection of Data and Energy Solutions...

In Episode 28, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by McKinley Hyden, Director of Data Value & Strategy at Financial Times, where they discuss McKinley's journey from a background in literature to a career in data, the role of the Financial Times in providing quality journalism, and the importance of data in driving strategic decisions. McKinley shares insights on the challenges of valuing data, the need for cultural change in organisations to embrace data as an asset, and the significance of upskilling in AI. The conversation also touches on the importance of effective communication and knowledge management in data analytics, as well as the future of AI in business. In this conversation, McKinley Hyden and Kyle Winterbottom explore the profound impact of technology, particularly AI, on society, education, and the workforce. They discuss the moral implications of AI, the need for responsible use, and the importance of upskilling to navigate the changing landscape. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of creating effective AI policies to ensure ethical practices and the potential for job transformation in the face of technological advancements.00:00 Introduction to Data and Storytelling02:14 Understanding the Financial Times04:19 The Role of Data Value and Strategy09:33 Upskilling in Data and AI10:44 Valuing Data as an Asset14:12 Overcoming Resistance to Change19:25 Defining Value in Data22:20 Communications and Knowledge Management27:31 The Future of AI in Business28:44 The Impact of Technology on Society30:53 Navigating the Moral Hazards of AI32:44 The Future of Education in an AI World35:19 Job Transformation and the Role of AI41:47 Upskilling for the AI Era44:42 Creating an AI Policy for Responsible...