Events

On 18th June 2025, we gathered with an amazing group of tech and business leaders on our London rooftop to celebrate the launch of the Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025. This event marked the 26th year of this incredible study, which delves into the state of digital leadership like no other. With data gathered from 2,015 digital leaders across 62 countries, the report captures the shifting priorities, technologies, risks and realities shaping tech strategy today. Moderated by Nash Squared’s Tech Evangelist, David Savage, the evening’s panel featured four diverse, thought-provoking, and highly respected voices in tech and transformation: Helena Nimmo, Global CIO at IFS Nimisha Patel, CIO at Mishcon de Reya LLP and Non-Executive Director at West Brom Building Society John Finch, Technology & Operations Adviser at Advent International Megan Neale, CEO & Founder of Limitless They brought the report to life, digging into the nuance behind the stats and what they mean for today’s digital leaders. Here’s a summary of the key discussion points we focused on: AI Is everywhere, and the focus is everything The report shows that AI continues to dominate the tech agenda, with nearly 1 in 5 organisations now running large-scale AI projects, almost double last year’s figure. But as the panel made clear, AI for the sake of it won’t cut it. The most successful applications are laser-focused on solving a clear problem, whether that’s speeding up development, streamlining customer service, or supporting legal reviews. Those who treat AI as a silver bullet risk wasting time, money and trust. AI will redefine jobs, and that’s not a bad thing AI’s impact on roles is no longer hypothetical. The Digital Leadership Report revealed that digital leaders expect that around 18% of the workforce will be automated in the next 5 years. But rather than sparking fear, the discussion from our panel reframed this shift as an opportunity, and one that we should embrace. AI is freeing up human potential, allowing people to spend more time on work that truly requires creativity, empathy and judgement. The challenge now is equipping teams to work with AI, not just around it. Is the one-person billion-dollar company coming? The idea of a single entrepreneur using AI to build a billion-dollar business used to sound like a fantasy. But the panel didn’t dismiss it. If anything, the question now is: who will be first? And how will established organisations compete with that kind of scale and agility? The panel made clear that as automation expands, businesses must ask themselves how they structure teams, invest in people, and remain relevant in a world where productivity can be radically redefined. Cybersecurity needs addressing After several years of stabilising, the Digital Leadership Report 2025 revealed that cyber threats are on the rise again, with 29% of digital leaders reporting a major cyberattack in the past two years. Organised crime remains the largest concern for digital leaders, but notably, threats from foreign powers and insiders are both increasing, pointing to the growing complexity of modern risk landscapes. But the panel wasn’t entirely aligned on whether the threat itself is increasing, or we’re just becoming more aware. John Finch, Technology & Operations Adviser at Advent International, noted that cyber incidents may not be occurring more frequently, but rather, organisations and the public are simply hearing about them more. He referenced the idea that there are three types of organisations: those that have had a breach, those that are currently having one, and those that will - with the emphasis firmly placed on how a business responds and recovers. Despite differing views on volume, there was clear agreement on this point: cybersecurity must be treated as a strategic, board-level concern. It can’t be confined to IT or treated as a compliance checkbox. In today’s interconnected and complex digital ecosystems, resilience and readiness are essential, not optional. Hybrid Work: The debate is far from over This year’s Digital Leadership Report found that three office days per week is now the most common working model. The data also revealed a clear trend: organisations requiring fewer in-office days tend to attract more women into tech roles. For example, tech teams in organisations with 0–2 mandatory office days are, on average, 29% female. compared to just 21% where 4–5 days are required. But the panel emphasised that this isn’t simply about being in the office less. Instead, the focus should be on making in-office time meaningful, fostering collaboration, learning, and cultural alignment. For those early in their careers, being physically present offers valuable exposure to senior colleagues, real-time feedback and informal learning that can be hard to replicate remotely. The key takeaway was that hybrid work policies should be intentional, not performative. It's not about benefits or gimmicks, it's about building a culture that supports flexibility, inclusion and growth. From data to dialogue The evening’s discussion reflected the core message of the 2025 report: this is a moment of recalibration. AI is pushing boundaries. Cyber threats are evolving. Employee expectations are shifting. And digital leaders are being called to lead with more clarity, intention and courage than ever before. Thank you to our expert panellists, and all our guests for making this such a thought-provoking and energising launch event.

On 17th June, the Harvey Nash Newcastle team attended TechNExt, the North East’s flagship technology festival, bringing together thousands of attendees across five days to celebrate the region’s thriving tech scene. As part of the festival the team took to the TechNExt Sustainability Hub alongside David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist, to showcase the fifth instalment of the Tech Flix docuseries, ‘Data’s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis’, a thought-provoking documentary exploring the growing tension between innovation, data and sustainability. Held in Blyth, the session welcomed attendees with an introduction by Michael Day, Associate Consultant, who set the scene for what is becoming an increasingly urgent issue: the exponential growth of data versus the energy required to sustain it. The documentary was then presented to the audience, which explores the mounting challenge of energy consumption in technology and data and what that means for our digital future. Following the screening, a panel of industry leaders took to the stage to reflect on the film’s themes and share their own perspectives. The panel featured: Joanne Todd, CIO, St John Ambulance Jayne Routledge, Digital, Data and Technology Director, Everyturn Mental Health Paul Fitton, Director of Digital and Innovation Northern Powergrid Stuart Redshaw, IT Manager, Tombola Moderated by David Savage, the panel tackled some of the film’s most pressing questions: What is the true cost of storing our ever-growing digital data, and how do we maintain long-term sustainability strategies when the average tenure of a senior leader is just over three years? - as reported in the Nash Squared/Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025. Key themes from the discussion included: Return on impact: Rather than focusing solely on traditional ROI, panellists stressed the importance of understanding the broader impact of sustainability projects, both environmentally and socially. Jane Routledge highlighted the challenge of aligning the board with long-term sustainability goals, advocating for a shift in how value is measured and communicated. Leadership turnover and continuity: A recurring theme from both the film and the panel was the issue of leadership churn. With digital leaders often in post for less than four years, the panel questioned how organisations could maintain momentum and accountability for long-term net-zero goals. Shared responsibility in the digital supply chain: The panel also discussed the role of major cloud and tech providers, such as Microsoft and AWS, in the sustainability equation. It's not just about individual business actions; suppliers too must take accountability for the energy their platforms consume. The ethics of AI and data consumption: As AI becomes more integrated into business operations, ethical concerns around its environmental impact surfaced. Questions from the floor explored whether issues like AI governance and energy usage were being properly discussed at board level, the general consensus was that they’re not, but they should be. Should data consumption be taxed? One particularly provocative idea raised by the audience was the introduction of a “gigabyte tax” on data consumption, similar to a carbon tax. While the idea was ultimately deemed unworkable (due to the risk of rising end-user costs), it sparked important dialogue around how governments and regulators might incentivise more sustainable tech practices. While the session didn’t promise clear-cut answers, what it offered was arguably more important: a space for debate, reflection and collective responsibility. From practical strategies to philosophical challenges, the panel opened new ways of thinking about tech’s role in sustainability. As Nash Squared/Harvey Nash’s Tech Flix series continues to tour the UK, events like this provide a critical platform to drive forward the conversation - not just about what the problems are, but about who is responsible and how we move forward together.

This year, David Savage, Tech Evangelist at Harvey Nash attended Dublin Tech Summit for the first time, immersing himself in the tech community of Ireland’s capital. As a seasoned tech evangelist and conference host, David found the event refreshingly human-centred, with conversations that went beyond technology hype to explore real-world impact and challenges. Discover David’s own reflection on the summit and the themes that stayed with him. My trip to Dublin Tech Summit My trip to Dublin Tech Summit marked my first time attending this vibrant event in the heart of the Irish capital. Having been lucky enough to moderate and speak at conferences around the world, it’s easy for the themes and stories to blur together - “Did someone really say that? And was it in Lisbon, London, or Amsterdam?!” But Dublin stood out in a refreshing way. The atmosphere felt distinctly more human and less about tech hype, which made the conversations far more compelling. So, as I sit back at my desk reflecting, here are a few key lessons still resonating with me. The illusion of intelligence in AI Several speakers challenged the notion that AI is truly intelligent. We know it’s not “smart” in the human sense, it’s fundamentally about predicting patterns in zeros and ones. But when the output sounds convincing, it’s easy to forget that. A chatbot saying it wants to see the mountains doesn’t come across as fake, it sounds self-aware. But it isn’t. Fawad Qureshi, Field CTO at Snowflake, put it well when he called AI a “stochastic parrot”, confident, yet a shallow mimicry of real intelligence. The takeaway? We need to stop anthropomorphising AI and remember the philosophical gap: AI will never genuinely understand emotion, values, or principles. From problem-solving to problem-framing As AI tools grow more powerful, our role evolves. Richard Skinner of Phased AI described this as the last digital transformation we’ll experience. Going forward, it’s about how we apply judgement and curation. We must act as the ethical handbrake, because abdicating responsibility risks catastrophic consequences. His argument was a strong one for teaching people to ask better questions, not just to write better code. AI adoption from the ground up It’s not only leaders or IT teams driving change; frontline workers are experimenting with AI tools to solve problems in real time. Shadow ChatGPT usage is on the rise. James Doyle, founder of iReal, is harnessing AI to democratise training insights in sport, levelling the playing field for modestly resourced clubs with high-quality data. But he also cautioned against the risks, sport could become overly robotic as data dominance grows. Arsenal’s obsession with corners, which has hurt their open-play scoring, is a cautionary tale. Is there a lesson there for all of us? If we lean too heavily on AI for creativity, do we risk losing our own human ingenuity? Democratisation is exciting, but boundaries and oversight remain crucial. Meaningful debate and authentic conversations The panels I attended and hosted were rich in debate, authentic, and tackled the real challenges we face - both as an industry and a society. That felt meaningful, and I applaud Dublin Tech Summit for creating the space where this could happen. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and shared their candour. I’m also excited to share that we recorded six ‘Tech Talks’ podcasts live from the conference floor, launching from June 16th. Tune in to hear the voices of Dublin Tech Summit, along with ideas and actions you can take into your own work. David Savage, Tech Evangelist and host of Tech Talks, hosted two panels at DTS:'Ops! AI Did it Again!'AI is driving business and redefining how we work, but let’s be honest, sometimes it gets things dangerously, or financially wrong. From hallucinating chatbots and autopilot failures to AI-generated fake news and billion-dollar compliance risks, this session takes a no-filter look at the most unexpected, absurd, and high-stakes AI blunders and what companies can actually do to prevent them. We’ll dive into: When does AI’s confidence become its biggest flaw? How do enterprises build AI that knows what it doesn’t know? How do businesses prove real AI innovation without getting caught in the hype trap? AI is now making financial, legal, healthcare, and enterprise-critical decisions. But what happens when it gets things very, very wrong? What operational guardrails actually work to stop bad AI decisions before they go live? Key Takeaways: How enterprises can spot and prevent AI hallucinations before they cost money, credibility, or compliance fines. Practical strategies to test, validate, and govern AI outputs before they cause reputational or financial damage. What AI regulations and compliance trends mean for businesses using AI at scale and why no company is immune to AI failures. How AI leaders across industries are building smarter, safer, and more resilient AI ecosystems for real-world deployment Let’s unpack what happens when machines make mistakes at scale and what to do when it’s your AI that screws up.Panel included: Fawad Qureshi, Global Field CTO, Snowflake, Emerald De Leeuw, Global Had of privacy and AI, Logitech, Nathan Cullen, General Manager, IBM Ireland, Laetitita Cailleteau, Accenture Responsible AI Lead, Accenture. ‘The New Org Chart: Humans, AI, and the End of Traditional Leadership.’In a world driven by disruption, the future of leadership isn’t just about being faster or smarter, it’s about being purposeful. The rise of AI-powered intelligence and fractional leadership is shattering old corporate hierarchies and making room for leaner, more agile, and values-driven structures that align with how we should work in the future. This isn’t about scaling for the sake of growth, it’s about rethinking leadership to drive innovation with intention, fuel human potential, and build organisations designed for real impact. Here, AI augments decision-making, and fractional leaders bring precision expertise without the full-time bloat—creating dynamic leadership ecosystems that are flexible, scalable, and ethically focused. This is leadership with purpose blending human ingenuity with machine intelligence to forge teams that lead with vision, not just velocity. Key Takeaways Purpose-Driven Disruption Fractional Leadership for Smart Scaling Human-AI Synergy for Ethical Decision-Making Building an Agile, Impact-First Organisation Scaling With Purpose.Panel included: Charlene Hunter MBE, CEO & Founder, Coding Black Females, Mark Jordan, CEO, Skillnet, Samuel Legrand, EMEA Field CTO, ControlUp, Essam Elhalhuli, Senior Enterprise Account Manager, Coursera. These sessions dove deep into how AI is reshaping continuous learning, leadership models, and the delicate balance between risk and opportunity.

On June 10, 2025, we were proud to host the exclusive launch of the 2025 Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report. This landmark event brought together a global audience to explore the findings of the world’s largest and longest-running study of digital leadership. With insights drawn from over 2,000 digital leaders worldwide, the webinar provided a comprehensive view of the evolving digital landscape and the strategic priorities shaping the future of technology leadership. Our expert panel featured distinguished voices from across the tech and innovation spectrum: Jessica Constantinidis, Innovation Officer EMEA and Chief Strategy Officer at ServiceNow; Jeff Macdonald, Corporate Social Responsibility Lead EMEA at IBM; Lama Arabiat, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Digital Economy & Entrepreneurship; and M. Brett McMickell, Chief Technology Officer at Kubota Corporation North America. Together, they unpacked the report’s key themes, offering real-world perspectives on how organisations are navigating the complexities of digital transformation, talent shortages, and emerging technologies. Among the most compelling discussions were those focused on artificial intelligence—what’s working, what’s not, and where investment is most impactful. The panel also addressed the ongoing tech skills gap, highlighting the most in-demand capabilities and the strategies digital leaders are adopting to attract and retain talent. Cybersecurity emerged as another critical theme, with rising threats prompting a deeper conversation around resilience, risk management, and leadership accountability. We are grateful to everyone who joined us live and contributed to the dynamic Q&A session. For those who were unable to attend or would like to revisit the insights shared, the full recording of the webinar is now available below. Harvey Nash Digital Leadership report 2025 The Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025 stands as the definitive global benchmark for digital leadership, offering unparalleled insight into the strategies, challenges, and priorities shaping the technology landscape. Drawing on the perspectives of over 2,000 senior digital leaders across the world, this year’s report provides a critical lens into how organisations are navigating rapid technological change, talent shortages, and the evolving role of AI. As the longest-running and most comprehensive study of its kind, the report empowers business and technology leaders with the data and foresight needed to drive innovation, resilience, and competitive advantage in an increasingly complex digital era. You can find out more about the report here.

We were delighted to sponsor and host the latest ProductTank Newcastle event last night, welcoming members of the Product Management community from across the North East. Our guest speaker, Viktoria Korzhova (COO/VP of Product at Product People), travelled all the way from Germany to discuss the importance of business knowledge and how to build an effective business case. The event was expertly hosted by Tolu Kolawale (Product Manager at IriusRisk) and Toby Rogers (Head of Product at Hedgehog Lab), who regularly host ProductTank events on the last Wednesday of each month. The evening began with guests arriving in high spirits, engaging in networking and lively discussions about Product Management. Tolu Kolawale and Toby Rogers kicked off the event with an introduction to ProductTank and an overview of the evening's agenda. This was followed by an excellent presentation from Viktoria Korzhova on the importance of incorporating business aspects into the role of a Product Manager. Viktoria, an experienced Product Leader, shared insights from her work at Product People, a Germany-based Product Management consultancy. She emphasised the need for Product Managers to focus on technology, users and business when making decisions. Her discussion prompted us to consider whether Product Managers are sufficiently business-focused in their roles. Viktoria stressed the importance of conducting thorough research and providing data to support business case proposals, including costs, revenue estimates and benefit analysis. She highlighted the necessity of including risks and assumptions in business cases and focusing on the value being delivered. Viktoria's presentation provided brilliant insights into how to approach building business cases without fear. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session, sparking further discussion and insights into business cases and the current state of Product Management, with a focus on adding value. If you would like to hear more about the event or discuss it further, please contact david.quearns@harveynash.com.

On Thursday 6th March, Harvey Nash Ireland had the pleasure of hosting Security and Business Leaders from across Ireland at our offices in Merrion Square for the first event of 2025. Upon arrival the attendees spent an hour networking and making new acquaintances. Our guests came from a variety of industry sectors including banking, retail, Consultancy and Cyber Security. Some working for global enterprises, others employed by mid-size organisations and start up enterprises. The delegates are facing similar challenges as they navigate the new cyber security landscape following the arrival of the NIS-2 directive in 2024. NIS-2 brought a list of new cyber security standards and guidelines that businesses are required to follow in order to be compliant with the directive and there were various discussions during networking in relation to business readiness for this directive. Once seated we enjoyed an insightful presentation from Ian Finlayson, CISSO at Edge7 Networks on the key requirements of NIS-2 and how the impact of this on businesses. Ian also led a discussion on the critical implications of the directive and shared best practices with the attendees. The evening was a great success, with all the guest valuable ideas, challenging one another’s thinking and having peers who understood many of the challenges they’re facing in today’s market. If you would like to hear more about the event or discuss it further, please contact fiona.devine@harveynash.ie. If you’re interested in finding out more about how Harvey Nash can support your hiring needs, please contact us here.

In today's rapidly evolving workplace, promoting neuro-inclusivity is not just a matter of compliance but a strategic imperative that fosters innovation, enhances employee well-being, and drives organisational success. Recognising the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals, our recent webinar aimed to shed light on the importance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. By bringing together experts and advocates, we explored practical strategies, shared real-world examples, and discussed the critical role of leadership in championing neuro-inclusivity. This webinar was hosted to empower organisations with the knowledge and tools needed to support neurodivergent employees effectively, ensuring a diverse and dynamic workforce. Panel Our incredible panel included: Meri Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Pleo Russell Botting, Neuroinclusion Services Director (UK), Auticon Sophie Dupre-Echeverria, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, GIB Asset Management Kate Bohn, Global Advisory Council Member, Diversity Economics Institute (DEI) Tony Fagelman, Global President, Xerox’s Enable_All ERG Georgina Lindsey, Senior Consultant, Harvey Nash (host) Key takeaways Definition and Importance of Neuro-Inclusivity Neuro-inclusivity is about true equity of experience for neurodivergent individuals, recognising their unique strengths and providing necessary support. It addresses historical misconceptions and barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. Challenges and Barriers Neurodivergent individuals often face significant barriers, including stigma, lack of understanding, and fear of disclosure. Creating a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable disclosing their needs is crucial. Practical Measures and Accommodations Implementing practical measures such as clear communication, written instructions, flexible schedules, and real-world applicable tasks can significantly support neurodivergent employees. These accommodations benefit everyone, not just neurodivergent individuals. Role of Leadership and Middle Management Senior leadership buy-in is essential for fostering an inclusive culture. Middle managers play a critical role in implementing inclusive practices and need to be equipped and supported to create environments where diverse individuals can thrive. Employee Resource Groups and Peer Support Employee resource groups (ERGs) and peer support networks are valuable for providing support and fostering a sense of community among neurodivergent employees. These groups can help share challenges, accommodations, and advocate for necessary changes. Strategic and Policy Integration Embedding diversity and inclusion in organisational strategies, governance, and policies is vital. This includes measuring and reporting on inclusivity efforts, ensuring policies protect and support neurodivergent individuals, and promoting a culture of understanding and respect. Watch the full webinar About NASHability NASHability is our Nash Squared ERG (employee resource group), who strive to highlight, educate and celebrate our (unique/differing) abilities, raising awareness for all visible and invisible disabilities alike. Working to foster a culture of understanding, support and acceptance throughout the business and beyond alongside implementing impactful initiatives that will help to shape the future accessibility of our working environment.

Last night, Harvey Nash were delighted to attend the Digital Skills Feast as part of Manchester Digital's Festival, which was sponsored and co-hosted by Slalom. The evening event hosted at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester city centre, invited tech leaders, key decision makers and education partners to celebrate and discuss the region's tech landscape. Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director of Manchester Digital welcomed everyone and reflected on the Manchester Digital Festival as a whole. This was then followed by Councillor Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council and portfolio holder for digital and tech for GMCA. He gave a speech celebrating the region's success and focus on digital innovation and education highlighting AI growth and high graduate retention for those studying computer science. Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the Parliamentary Undersecretary for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety, shared a video message for the event. The speech emphasised Manchester's role as a tech hub and the government's commitment to fostering tech ecosystems across the UK. It highlighted the importance of digital skills, the creation of Skills England, and reforms to apprenticeship programs to support the tech sector. Tech leader panel David Savage, Technology Evangelist and host of our podcast Tech Talks then hosted a panel discussion. The panel included; Caroline Grant, Managing Director at Slalom Manchester; Rob Sugden, Managing Director, ECOM, our Sector Insights Partner and Alison Ross, Chief People and Operations Officer at Auto Trader. The panel discussed some of the key challenges facing digital leaders currently including: economic uncertainty; regulatory hurdles; funding constraints; infrastructure limitations and talent shortage. We recorded this brilliant discussion as a Tech Talks podcast episode which you can listen to here. David Savage, who hosted the panel commented, "Manchester is a vibrant hub for business and technology, with strong, passionate local leadership. One message was clear from our panel; we are living through a period of instability that makes business challenging. With that in mind, it is clear that Manchester can be a model for regional growth across the UK to ensure fragile confidence does not evaporate." Overall, we were thrilled to be part of Manchester Digital Skills Feast which concluded an excellent week of events as part of the festival. We'd like to thank Manchester Digital for organising the festival week and Slalom for sponsoring this specific event. Panel L-R: David Savage, Caroline Grant, Alison Ross MBE and Rob Sugden. Manchester Digital Manchester Digital is the driving force behind Greater Manchester's thriving tech and digital sector. As a dynamic membership organisation, we unite a powerful community of over 400 members - including large corporations, innovative SMEs, cutting-edge startups, freelancers and leading agencies across all tech verticals. Find more about Manchester Digital here.

Last week Harvey Nash and Nash Tech had the pleasure of hosting 30 digital and technology leaders from across the Midlands at the Bank restaurant in central Birmingham. It was the first leadership dinner of 2025 and the evening didn’t disappoint. Upon arrival the attendees spent an hour networking, catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances. Our guests came from a variety of backgrounds and industries, some working for globally recognised corporate brands, others employed by mid-size organisations and start up enterprises. However, similar challenges effect all delegates including driving successful digital transformations, the ongoing need for strong cyber credentials as well as maximising a company’s data to deliver business and customer value return. Once seated we enjoyed a lovely meal with breaks for keynote speeches. The first was from Bridgette Bigmore, the CTO for the UK Telecoms Lab at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Bridgette delivered fascinating insight into the organisation with it being recognised as a world leading centre of excellence in telecoms security. We learnt that they provide best in class test and evaluation capabilities to safeguard the UKs critical national telecoms infrastructure from external threats. Later Jon Woodforth, CTO from Totalmobile talked about their AI focused Unified Data Platform which powers their business and supports the work and lives of over 500,000 field-based workers. Both talks were very well received and were the catalyst for further debate as we enjoyed our main courses and deserts. The evening was a great success, with all the digital and technology leaders sharing valuable ideas, challenging one another’s thinking and having peers who understood many of the challenges they’re facing in today’s market. If you’re interested in finding out more about our events, please reach out to our team here. And to find out more about our services at Harvey Nash, please contact our team here. About the author: Peter Birch Peter is a Director with over 20 years of experience specialising in hiring C-suite level individuals across the globe. Working across various companies, Peter’s experience extends from large corporations through to start-up enterprises. If you’re interested in speaking with Peter, please get in touch at peter.birch@harveynash.com.