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<p>From 4 to 6 August, our Tech Evangelist, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a>, attended <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ai4</a> in Las Vegas, which brought together more than 12,000 people to explore the latest developments shaping artificial intelligence.</p>
<p>During the event, David moderated a panel on the rise of AI coding assistants, exploring how organisations can use agents to augment software development. He also spoke with several digital leaders for Harvey Nash&rsquo;s long-running <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-talks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tech Talks</a> podcast.</p>
<p>While much of the conference focused on deploying AI at scale, David&rsquo;s conversations raised another question: what happens when organisations actually succeed?</p>
<p>Below, David shares his reflections from the event and the questions technology leaders need to consider as AI moves from experimentation to implementation.</p>
<hr>
<p>At Ai4, I found myself among a community of people who I would describe as mature in their thinking and understanding of AI.</p>
<p>Ai4 positions itself as North America&rsquo;s largest AI conference, and more than 12,000 people gathered at the Venetian in Las Vegas to hear from industry leaders, exchange ideas and explore the next phase of AI adoption.</p>
<p>I was invited to moderate a session on the rise of AI coding assistants. The panel brought together engineers, senior technology leaders and security experts to discuss how agents can augment the code being written across many organisations.</p>
<p>Alongside the panel, I sat down with a number of leaders for Harvey Nash&rsquo;s Tech Talks podcast. Across those conversations, several important themes emerged.</p>
<h2>Even AI-mature audiences are still searching for answers</h2>
<p>You never really know who will be sitting in the audience at a conference session. Partway through our discussion on AI coding assistants, I asked how many people in the room were software engineers.</p>
<p>Around 95% of the audience raised their hands.</p>
<p>I found that fascinating. I had assumed the session would primarily attract leaders or less technically minded professionals looking to understand how these tools might affect their organisations.</p>
<p>Many of the surveys we have covered on Tech Talks suggest that engineers feel they have a better understanding than their leaders of how to use AI in practice. Yet even within this technically experienced audience, people were looking for insight, reassurance and peer-to-peer support.</p>
<p>Being further along the AI journey does not mean having all the answers.</p>
<p>One question stood out in particular. A teacher asked for the microphone and said: &ldquo;What should I be teaching my kids?&rdquo;</p>
<p>It cut through the technical discussion and brought us back to the people who will inherit the decisions organisations are making today.</p>
<p>For all that AI promises, it will not deliver without human oversight. Some organisations that reduced their workforces in anticipation of AI-driven productivity may have moved too far, too quickly. As the technology evolves, there will still be an important place for people. There may be fewer people completing certain tasks, but their judgement, creativity and accountability could become even more instrumental.</p>
<p>Giving the next generation the skills, confidence and sense of purpose to succeed has never been more important.</p>
<h2>Define the destination, not just the deployment</h2>
<p>At the end of every Tech Talks interview, I ask the same question: &ldquo;What aren&rsquo;t we talking about?&rdquo;</p>
<p>I have been asking it for around a year, and it often makes guests pause. It forces them to look beyond the dominant industry conversations and consider the potential blind spots.</p>
<p>At Ai4, one rather large blind spot quickly came into view.</p>
<p>People want to talk about how to deploy AI at scale. Almost nobody wants to talk about what happens after they succeed.</p>
<p>Erin Boyd, Chief Digital Strategy and AI Officer at The AES Corporation, put it most bluntly:</p>
<p>&ldquo;I do personally think we are not focusing enough on what happens when we actually successfully deploy agentic AI.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Organisations are rightly investing time in choosing models, developing agent frameworks and establishing guardrails. But deployment is not the destination.</p>
<p>What does an organisation look like once agentic AI is operating successfully at scale? How do roles, teams and decision-making structures change? Who remains accountable when agents begin completing more business-critical work?</p>
<p>These questions need to be considered before deployment, not after it.</p>
<h2>Work backwards from business impact</h2>
<p>Stephen Henn, Managing Director of AI Innovation at DLA Piper, approached the conversation from the perspective of return on investment.</p>
<p>He suggested that many organisations begin with the tool and then look for processes or problems to apply it to. Those seeing a genuine return start from the opposite direction:</p>
<p>&ldquo;What do I want to get out of it? What is the big impact? We know that if we solve this problem, we&rsquo;re going to get ROI. Then work backwards.&rdquo;</p>
<p>This distinction is becoming increasingly important. Successful AI implementation does not begin with asking where a new model or agent can be used. It begins with a clearly defined business problem and an understanding of what solving it would achieve.</p>
<p>The technology should follow the outcome.</p>
<p>Without that clarity, organisations risk deploying AI successfully from a technical perspective without creating meaningful business value.</p>
<h2>Bring financial accountability into the conversation</h2>
<p>Arjun Srinivasan, SVP of AI and Data Science at ShipStation Global, identified another voice that is often missing from discussions around AI deployment:</p>
<p>&ldquo;I would love to hear more from a CFO&rsquo;s perspective. They&rsquo;re the ones who sign the cheque. They&rsquo;re the ones who are answerable to the board. I&rsquo;m not hearing that.&rdquo;</p>
<p>AI strategy cannot remain solely a technology conversation. As investment increases and organisations move from experimentation to scaled deployment, financial leaders need to be part of defining what success looks like, how it will be measured and who will be accountable for delivering it.</p>
<p>The people approving the investment and answering to the board should not enter the conversation only when the costs arrive.</p>
<h2>So what happens next?</h2>
<p>Ai4 was largely built around the on-ramp to AI adoption. That is not a criticism. Many organisations are still trying to achieve their first meaningful deployment, and there is enormous value in discussing models, frameworks and guardrails.</p>
<p>But very few conversations focused on the destination.</p>
<p>Across different sectors and roles, the same gap appeared repeatedly. Organisations are concentrating on how to deploy AI without giving enough attention to what happens when it works.</p>
<p>What does success actually look like? How will it change the organisation? Who owns the outcome? What role will people continue to play?</p>
<p>If your AI strategy has a clear answer for &ldquo;how do we deploy?&rdquo; but a blank space where &ldquo;what does success look like, and who owns it?&rdquo; should be, you do not have a deployment problem.</p>
<p>You have a destination problem.</p>
<hr>
<p>Hear more insights from Ai4 as David&rsquo;s conversations with digital leaders are released on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3DugvTFpGLOhle28qyw0JR">Tech Talks podcast.</a></p>
<p>Watch the video below to hear David&rsquo;s conversations with digital leaders at Ai4:</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mdx4ax8kC9w?si=kG9yhVTmZ-lxgJ60" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Reflections for the 2026 AI4 conference

<p class="isSelectedEnd">Our Tech Evangelist, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a>, attended the 2026 &lsquo;One&rsquo;, OutSystems&rsquo; annual conference in Amsterdam, bringing together employees, customers and technology leaders from across the globe to explore the future of digital transformation.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">With AI dominating conversations across the technology landscape, the event focused on one critical question: how can organisations move beyond the hype and turn AI innovation into meaningful business impact?</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Throughout the conference, David spoke with industry leaders to uncover the key challenges and opportunities facing organisations as they navigate the next phase of AI adoption.</p>
<p>Below, David shares his reflections from the event and the key themes that emerged from those conversations.</p>
<hr>
<p>In early June, I was invited to attend&nbsp;<a href="https://www.outsystems.com/event/ONE-Conference-2026/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;One&rsquo;, OutSystems&rsquo;</a> annual conference, bringing their employees, customers and tech leaders together in Amsterdam. Threading all the conversations together was one big idea: moving from AI hype to meaningful impact.</p>
<p>Central to fulfilling that ambition was agentic AI. Woodson Martin (CEO of OutSystems) opened proceedings, promising to showcase real AI results from a range of global brands, whilst his colleagues helped attendees explore the latest innovations the OutSystems platform has to offer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whilst there, I had the chance to sit down with Woodson, as well as Luis Blando (Chief Product and Technology Officer), and OutSystems&rsquo; customer Lucy Donaldson (CIO at Globus). Three clear ideas came through the interviews.</p>
<h1>Establish strong governance to prevent "shadow AI" and technical debt</h1>
<p>As AI technology accelerates, Luis Blando told us leaders face the &ldquo;terrible&rdquo; tension present between rapid innovation and the need to maintain control and safety. Experimenting with disparate AI tools, without a cohesive platform approach, is creating a mountain of technical debt and compliance risks for enterprises.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The accessibility of AI empowers employees to solve problems on their own, leading to the growth of shadow AI. To avoid repeating past mistakes, technology leaders have to shift their roles to become more governance-led.</p>
<h1>Optimise AI costs by matching the right model to the specific use case</h1>
<p>It&rsquo;s a message that is not new, but the power of AI highlights why &lsquo;use the right tool&rsquo; needs repeating. The financial impact of widespread AI adoption is becoming a major concern for the C-suite, culminating in what is being described by some as a "token-o-palypse" (or tokenomics). Advanced models that loop through reasoning steps are burning through tokens, leading to massive and unexpected expenses.</p>
<p>Tech and digital leaders must recognise that they do not always need a Ferrari to solve every problem, when a bicycle is often perfectly adequate. For up to 90% of daily enterprise workloads, such as basic sentiment analysis, leaders should build systems with the flexibility to swap in smaller or open-source models at a fraction of the cost.</p>
<h1>Prioritise cultural transformation and foundational data management</h1>
<p>Organisations are rethinking their workflows and roles whilst AI agents begin completing tasks. But integrating AI effectively is fundamentally about people and data, not the tool. Adopting agentic AI systems requires a cultural transformation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Bringing established teams along on this journey and shifting organisational dialogue requires dedicated leadership and can benefit from a beginner's mindset, where decisions are fully discussed and understood. Underpinning this cultural shift must be a rigorous focus on data. AI implementation will fail without proper context, making a master data management journey the essential first stepping stone for any AI strategy.</p>
<h1>So what happens next?</h1>
<p>Heading for the airport, I couldn&rsquo;t help but reflect on the conversations I&rsquo;d heard. Not just the interviews I conducted but the chats with vendors at their stations. Providers of AI are acutely aware that the products they are selling are leading to complex challenges, both structural and cultural. They themselves are urging organisations to slow down, to scale back on broad experimentation. But after three years of feeling like they&rsquo;re falling behind, most companies aren&rsquo;t ready to heed those warnings.</p>
<p>The irony is that the people selling the Ferrari are the ones telling you to take the bus. Until the bills arrive, nobody's listening.</p>
<hr>
<p><strong>Hear more from the event as David shares his conversations with digital leaders on the ground at OutSystems&rsquo; One conference via the video below</strong></p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ok6GpKRW92o?si=7ZsMIuhFBX9skvB2" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Key takeaways from OutSystems’ One conference

<p data-start="0" data-end="319">At the <a href="https://dublintechsummit.tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dublin Tech Summit 2026</a>, tech evangelist <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a> spent time moderating discussions on talent, skills, and the future of technology across Ireland and beyond. What stood out most was the confidence with which people spoke about Ireland's future, not just as a home for global tech companies, but as a destination for innovation, investment, and talent in its own right.</p>
<p class="zlAe0W_TextBase zlAe0W_Text" data-w-component="text">In this piece, David reflects on a conversation that caught his attention during the summit and explores a bigger question that emerged from his time in Dublin. As Ireland's tech sector continues to grow and AI adoption accelerates, is the country becoming one of Europe's most compelling technology success stories?</p>
<hr>
<h1 dir="ltr">Ireland claims to be Europe&rsquo;s Silicon Valley, but does it have the talent to back that up?</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Last week, I was asked to moderate a talk at Dublin Tech Summit exploring how Ireland builds a competitive talent pool. Whilst on a panellist had a little, playful dig at me. Not personally, but in my status as a British person.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Let's not forget that we are the only English-speaking EU member."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Personally, I always felt Brexit would diminish Britain&rsquo;s economy and standing internationally. However, London in particular is such a strong hub that the technology sector felt somewhat insulated. But the teasing comment shows the growing confidence across the Irish Sea that they are uniquely placed to compete in the technology space.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Right across the panel, there was a belief that they could offer opportunities to talented tech professionals to help fuel the country&rsquo;s growth. But is there evidence to suggest that confidence isn&rsquo;t misplaced?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Certainly, sitting in the same timezone as London is a business advantage. According to Investor Monitor (between mid 2016 and early 2021), Dublin welcomed 135 new financial companies, a quarter of all Brexit-related corporate relocations. That&rsquo;s more than Paris, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, with firms like Bank of America, Citi, and JPMorgan all moving into town. As of April this year, Ireland now hosts 5178 tech companies and 2200 startups, contributing approximately &euro;48 billion to the economy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Clearly, this is some way short of the UK tech sector&rsquo;s size and contribution, but the number of new UK tech incorporations has tumbled in recent years. I&rsquo;m not suggesting Dublin will supplant London (still Europe&rsquo;s unicorn leader and a genuine global city) any time soon, but it is an increasingly attractive destination for tech talent.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Ireland Feels Like a Country-Sized Sandbox</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Ireland is a world-leading hub for AI adoption and the European home for giants like Google and Microsoft. In fact <a href="http://nucamp.co">nucamp.co</a> point to the fact that there are many opportunities for senior specialists in AI and cloud roles, salaries are highly competitive (senior AI professionals earn over &euro;140,000), and regions like Cork offer a wonderful quality of life that&rsquo;s hard to match elsewhere.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The point about Ireland being a world-leader for AI adoption cannot be overlooked either. It&rsquo;s estimated that 70% of Irish workers use AI regularly, higher percentages than we find in either the UK or the US.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ireland offers businesses the room to grow and provides flexibility within the EU, whilst remaining close to London. The UK often talks about our place as a &ldquo;Goldilocks Zone&rdquo;, taking the best of governance, talent, and investment to help grow our AI capacity. Is that &lsquo;zone&rsquo; really found in our neighbours in the North Atlantic?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Whilst the jibe about language and the EU was playful, there are several indicators to suggest that Ireland has every reason to feel bullish about its ability to compete in technology.</p>

Dublin Tech Summit 2026 Recap

<p data-start="0" data-end="217">At <a href="https://vancouver.websummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit Vancouver</a> last month, Tech Evangelist <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a> spent time speaking with leaders, practitioners, and students across the tech ecosystem, exploring how AI is reshaping work, leadership, and creativity.</p>
<p data-start="219" data-end="572">Across conversations on the floor and on stage, a set of recurring questions emerged on whether fears around AI-driven job displacement are justified or a failure of imagination, whether leaders are truly keeping pace with the technology they are expected to guide, and what the rise of machine-generated content means for human creativity and connection.</p>
<p data-start="574" data-end="796" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In this piece, David explores a series of overlapping tensions that emerged from his time in Vancouver. Rather than presenting a single clear narrative, he reflects on the questions and contradictions that continue to shape the debate around AI&rsquo;s impact on work, leadership, and society</p>
<hr>
<h1 dir="ltr">Is the fear of AI job creep justified, or showing a lack of imagination?</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Are leaders able to keep up with the challenges presented by AI, and if not, what does that mean for people further down the career ladder?</p>
<p dir="ltr">AI is creating hyper-realistic content at a staggering scale, but is the human void at its heart pushing us closer together?</p>
<p dir="ltr">These are just three questions I left Vancouver pondering following my time at Web Summit last month.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I spoke to leaders, guests, and students across the floor, on the stages, and huddled around meeting room tables, and these ideas were simply inescapable. The same concerns surfaced again and again, in different accents, different industries, different contexts, but circling the same anxious orbit.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The co-pilot in the room</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Let's start with the fear. Because there is genuine fear out there (and it would be dishonest to dismiss it out of hand). But a striking number of the people I spoke to in Vancouver weren't just pushing back on the panic; they were frustrated by it.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasmuy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nick Muy</a> of Scrut Automation was blunt about it. He argued that the idea that AI will simply eliminate jobs represents a fundamental &ldquo;lack of imagination&rdquo;. History is on his side; new technology has consistently led to task expansion. More work, not less. The narrative of mass redundancy ignores the pattern we've seen play out with every major technological shift.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjwittman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eric Wittman</a> of VSCO made the same point from a creative angle. The fear that AI will replace photographers, he told me, misunderstands what AI actually does in practice. His experience is that it functions as a vital assistant, helping creatives cull hundreds of photos in a fraction of the time. It shoulders the administrative burden of running a creative business. It doesn't replace the eye. It clears the path for it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It&rsquo;s clear leaders are positive about how AI can increase the capabilities of their people. Realta Fusion&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-forest-969113a/?skipRedirect=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cary Forest</a> described using generative AI as a scientific collaborator, a tool that helped him solve complex calculus and algebra problems in minutes that would previously have taken months. Cary believes AI is accelerating, not replacing humans. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/apenwarr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avery Pennarun</a> from Tailscale framed it as an equaliser. AI helps everyone level up, turning non-coders into coders, junior developers into seniors, and multiplying the output of those already operating at the top of their game.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I got the overwhelming impression that those I spoke to felt that human problem-solving would stay at the core of work. The machine just does the warm-up work.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The leaders who can't keep up</h1>
<p dir="ltr">If AI is accelerating everything, what happens when the people leading us through that acceleration struggle to keep up?</p>
<p dir="ltr">This came up repeatedly, and it wasn't comfortable. The consensus was that leaders no longer have the luxury of delegating their understanding of AI to someone else in the organisation.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wangnancy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nancy Wang</a>, CTO of 1Password, put it clearly. The role of CTOs and CISOs has fundamentally shifted from compliance-focused or background technical roles to becoming the face of AI transformation. That's a significant change, and not every leader has made the adjustment. At 1Password, the shift is visible even in how they hire. Traditional coding tests have been replaced. Candidates are now evaluated on how well they can instruct and debug alongside an AI coding agent.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Eric Wittman was equally direct: leaders need to lead from the front. Not brief on AI, but actually use it, test it, break it. The skills that got you to your current position are worth scrutinising. The organisations whose leaders are engaged hands-on are the ones building faster. Nick Muy echoed this. AI, he said, gives tech leaders no excuse not to be doing it themselves. The tools are accessible. The opportunity to stay close to the build is there. The question is whether leaders have the appetite to take it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">And for those further down the career ladder? If leaders are struggling to keep up, the implications cascade. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bttanner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Tanner</a> of Artificial Agency offered a more optimistic lens here. He sees AI agents becoming interactive coaches, helping people build skills in everything from public speaking to customer service in real-world settings. The classroom, in other words, may increasingly look less like a classroom. This is timely, especially given the suspicion that the value of a traditional four-year degree has dramatically fallen.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The human hunger underneath it all</h1>
<p dir="ltr">The more people talked about AI's capacity to generate content at scale, the more another theme emerged. A hunger for things that feel unmistakably human.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/myles-palmer-b1b70519/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Myles Palmer,</a> of Metalab raised what he called the question of trust in the age of AI. Because AI can generate a convincing digital experience in minutes, he argued that consumers are now searching for that extra 10 to 15 per cent of human care and craft, or perhaps the unmistakable signs that something is a little less polished and real. Myles also called out the psychological exhaustion of using AI to process unsustainable volumes of work. We are asking human beings to keep pace with machine-speed throughput, and there are limits. If anything, it&rsquo;s dangerous as we sacrifice critical thinking just to keep up.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Brian Tanner's work at Artificial Agency is a fascinating response to this tension. The future of AI in entertainment (they&rsquo;re in gaming) isn't about making bigger worlds, it's about making deeper ones. He's focused on replicating the social dynamics of playing board games with friends; characters that hold grudges, form political alliances, and create experiences with genuine emotional weight and memory.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nancy Wang approached the human question from the security side. As we delegate more tasks to AI agents, the challenge of managing the identities and credentials those agents use (the trust access gap) becomes critical. Who is acting on your behalf, and how do you know?</p>
<p dir="ltr">So what did I walk away from Vancouver with? Answers? No, but a much sharper set of questions and a renewed sense that the people worth listening to are the ones who are sitting with the complexity rather than attempting to downplay it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To hear these perspectives first-hand, <a href="https://youtu.be/QL2gkuUTr58?si=crcN8Sm1TK0wM89d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">watch our on-the-ground video from Web Summit Vancouver</a>, where David Savage explores the realities of AI-driven change, the pressures on leadership to keep pace, and what rising machine capability means for work, creativity, and human value.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QL2gkuUTr58?si=vJ6hzPLx3QDHY5Mx" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p data-start="574" data-end="796" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">&nbsp;</p>

Reflections from Web Summit Vancouver 2026

<p data-start="0" data-end="355">As organisations race to turn AI investment into real business value, industry events are becoming a critical space to separate hype from reality. At this year&rsquo;s <a href="https://datadecoded.com/ldn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Data Decoded London</span></span></a>, leaders, practitioners, and technologists came together to share honest perspectives on what it really takes to make AI work in practice.</p>
<p data-start="357" data-end="615" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In this piece, Tech Evangelist <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">David Savage</span></span></a> reflects on the key conversations from the event, exploring the growing disconnect between leadership ambition and on-the-ground execution, and what organisations must do to close that gap.</p>
<hr>
<p dir="ltr">Despite a tube strike, London&rsquo;s Olympia was packed for the very first Data Decoded conference. It&rsquo;s clear that AI is keeping business leaders awake at night; they&rsquo;ve invested a huge amount of money and are desperate to see a return on that investment. But as the conversations over the two days revealed, you can't run before you can walk.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Going into the event, we carried a tension-filled statistic from our latest <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/tech-talent-and-salary-report-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tech talent salary survey</a>: &ldquo;after speaking to over 3,000 tech professionals, we found that 46% (nearly half) don't believe their leadership truly understands AI&rdquo;. Here&rsquo;s how the conversations we had at Data Decoded unfolded.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Making sense of tech: The reality gap between the C-Suite and the ground</h1>
<p dir="ltr">We put that 46% stat to the experts on the floor, and the reactions were revealing. Surprisingly, many felt the number was actually too low. Kam Karaji, Director of Cybersecurity at the NFL, told us he expected it to be higher because there is a distinct education gap we haven't bridged. Leaders often assume AI will magically "solve their world" and give them all the information they need, but they fail to translate that into valuable business decisions.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Josie Reinhardt, Enterprise GTM at Hex, felt that the C-suite is pretty far removed from the realities of capturing value from AI. &ldquo;You can't just throw AI on top of data and expect magic to happen; there is vital, foundational "boots on the ground" work required to make it successful&rdquo;.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Navigating the maze: The nuts and bolts of governance</h1>
<p dir="ltr">Before AI can revolutionise a business, or as NASA Duty Branch Chief Dr Jeevan Perera brilliantly pointed out, handle the mundane maintenance of a lunar base so humans can focus on the "cool science", the foundations must be solid. The recurring theme at Data Decoded wasn't about the flashiest new algorithm, but rather the unglamorous necessities: &ldquo;data governance, data strategy, security, and sustainability&rdquo;. These are the critical policy and governance conversations that organisations absolutely must get right before deploying the tech at scale.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The talent blueprint: Closing the understanding gap</h1>
<p dir="ltr">As organisations scale, the disconnect between practitioners and leaders becomes a critical operational hurdle. It's naturally expected that practitioners on the ground will have a deeper grasp of AI tools than the executives above them. However, as the ECB&rsquo;s Performance Data Analyst Aaron Briggs told us, we need leadership groups to actively engage with these tools and understand how practitioners are using them. Only by understanding this base level of operation can leaders design effective, accountable strategies.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">The vibe: A thirst for substance</h1>
<p dir="ltr">What stood out most over the two days wasn't just what was said on stage, but how it was received. At many conferences, it's not uncommon to see people &lsquo;phoning it in, scrolling on their phones instead of being present during talks. At Data Decoded, attendees were completely plugged in, present, and actively taking notes.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The technology is evolving so rapidly that there's a palpable realisation of how much there is to learn. The fact that almost half of technologists doubt their leaders' AI comprehension underlines a massive need for education, awareness, and better implementation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To hear these perspectives firsthand, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJyLQfBbxQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">watch our exclusive on-the-ground video from&nbsp;<span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">Data Decoded London</span></span></a>, where digital leaders share their candid views on AI adoption, leadership challenges, and what&rsquo;s next.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBJyLQfBbxQ?si=RK8UJjaRulPPVnvk" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

The truth about AI leadership: Reflections from London's first Data Decoded

<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">On the&nbsp;26</span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span data-fontsize="12">t</span><span data-fontsize="12">h</span><span data-fontsize="12">&nbsp;</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">February,&nbsp;legal firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mills-reeve.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mills &amp; Reeve</a>&nbsp;welcomed the Harvey Nash Leeds team to their offices as we screened our latest &lsquo;Tech Flix&rsquo; documentary, &lsquo;The AI Skills Paradox: AI is Scaling, Skills are Not&rsquo;&nbsp;for the first time.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">The sixth&nbsp;edition of&nbsp;our documentary series explores&nbsp;a paradox at the heart of the tech sector,&nbsp;where,&nbsp;despite surging demand,&nbsp;we&rsquo;re&nbsp;seeing&nbsp;relatively little&nbsp;evidence of organisations upskilling their own staff.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">According to the latest edition of the Harvey Nash&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Leadership Report</a>,&nbsp;there has been an 83% year-on-year&nbsp;rise&nbsp;in the level of demand&nbsp;for&nbsp;professionals with AI skills. This is the single biggest rise in any skill set&nbsp;we&rsquo;ve&nbsp;ever reported.&nbsp;At its core, the documentary examines what those skills&nbsp;actually are&nbsp;and the impact this pressure is having on the decisions made by organisations and their leaders.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<h2><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">From documentary to debate</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">The documentary has a run-time of 30-minutes,&nbsp;and&nbsp;whilst it gathers insights from the likes of Arm,&nbsp;Genio,&nbsp;Audacia, and the Tony Blair Institute, there is still a huge amount of room left for debate.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">After screening the film,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a> (Harvey Nash Technology Evangelist) was joined by Iain Murdoch (Mills &amp; Reeve), Hannah Bruce (Lloyds Banking Group), and Jennifer Anderson (National Wealth Fund) to explore what strategies and actions are key to ensuring people harness AI and use it to a positive effect.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">The debate was lively with regular questions and perspectives</span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">from the audience. Leadership was brought&nbsp;into&nbsp;sharp focus, primarily the role of leaders in being seen to embrace and use new AI tools themselves. Top-down sponsorship is not a new concept, but it does seem to carry significant importance where the successful adoption of AI tooling is concerned.&nbsp;The panel stressed the importance of creating real permission to experiment, making it clear where AI can be used, setting guardrails, and reassuring teams&nbsp;they&rsquo;re&nbsp;supported to test and learn without fear of getting it wrong.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">In a week where reports have&nbsp;emerged&nbsp;that Accenture is tying promotion to the use of AI, it was put to the panel that they might also consider a move to ensure AI is used across their&nbsp;organisation. Whilst Lloyds do have mandatory AI training for all employees, all three leaders stopped short of making AI&nbsp;part&nbsp;of the promotion process,&nbsp;calling the approach absolutist.&nbsp;Encouraging AI adoption is&nbsp;critical, but&nbsp;mandating it too rigidly was seen as potentially creating the wrong behaviours.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<h2><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">Risk, responsibility and cautious optimism</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">Whilst questions on the failure rates of AI and its inherent sexism also came from the floor, the panel&nbsp;sought&nbsp;to create a positive narrative.&nbsp;Whilst acknowledging the issues, there was recognition of the pace of change and the need to build flexibility into policies and systems. The industry</span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">&rsquo;s</span><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;response may not have been perfect, but leaders are adapting,&nbsp;and the opportunities are too significant to ignore.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">Iain Murdoch cited the creation of new roles and the approach of Mills &amp; Reeve to experiment with AI for good within its own organisation as reasons to remain optimistic.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">With &lsquo;Big Tech&rsquo; and &lsquo;Tech Bros&rsquo; receiving criticism from the floor, Alex Newman (Partner at Mills &amp; Reeve) used his closing remarks to remind the room that &ldquo;the tool isn&rsquo;t the problem&rdquo; and that&nbsp;it&nbsp;was important to keep persevering with the implementation and use of AI.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">There was also a note of caution for individuals, that&nbsp;if you&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;keep learning&nbsp;and adapting,&nbsp;someone else will. Whilst organisations have a responsibility to their employees, self-determined continuous learning was seen as crucial.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">Although this is a challenging and frantic period to navigate, the overall feeling in the room was one of cautious optimism, balanced with a healthy dose of accountability.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">Watch &lsquo;The AI Skills Paradox: AI is Scaling, Skills are not&rsquo; from March 9th <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-flix-the-ai-paradox">here.</a></span><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-flix-the-ai-paradox"><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></a></p>
</div>

Tech Flix: The AI Skills Paradox - Leeds Premiere

<p class="MsoNormal">On 19 November, our Scotland team, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/graeme-mcnaull" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graeme McNaull</a>, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/craig-ross" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Craig Ross</a>, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/lewis-wright" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lewis Wright</a>, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/alan-o-mahony" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alan <span data-teams="true">O'Mahony</span></a> and <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/fiona-macleod" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fiona Macleod</a>, attended <a href="https://futurescot.com/futurescot-conferences/digitalscotland-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DigitalScotland 2025</a>, an event that marked a significant milestone for the country&rsquo;s digital future.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the conference coincided with the launch of Scotland&rsquo;s refreshed national digital strategy, setting the tone for a year focused on real delivery and meaningful progress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the opening discussions, it was clear the message across government and public-sector leadership was consistent that the foundations laid in 2021 are strong, now it&rsquo;s about execution, and doing it at pace.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Turning strategy into action</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">Senior voices from across Scottish Government and Local Government took to the stage, including Minister Ivan McKee, Permanent Secretary Joe Griffin, Digital Director Geoff Huggins, and CDO for Local Government Martyn Wallace. Together, they set out what the next phase of Scotland&rsquo;s digital journey must look like.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Key themes throughout the day included:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Connected public services that are easier for the public to access and navigate</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Clear accountability across departments and delivery teams</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Strong data flows and the use of reusable digital components</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Modular, flexible procurement to accelerate innovation</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Shared talent pools and less internal competition</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Leadership mindset is the true differentiator</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">Transparency, speed, and tangible delivery are what the public expects, and what Scotland now aims to deliver.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">A strategy shaped by collaboration</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">The event also highlighted Scotland&rsquo;s growing international influence in digital public services. Denmark&rsquo;s Ambassador to the UK, Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard, shared examples of ongoing collaboration and the strengthening digital partnership between the two countries.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We also heard from Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London&rsquo;s public services, who spoke about how Scotland&rsquo;s model, particularly the work led by Martyn Wallace and the Digital Office, has directly inspired approaches in London, Liverpool and even Tokyo.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a reminder that Scotland is no longer just following global best practice, it&rsquo;s helping to set it.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">How we support Scotland&rsquo;s journey</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our team at Harvey Nash, DigitalScotland 2025 was a powerful reminder of just how critical the right talent is to delivering on the country&rsquo;s refreshed digital strategy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We work closely with public-sector organisations across Scotland to help them build the teams, skills and leadership needed to turn big ambitions into real outcomes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From digital transformation to data modernisation, Scotland&rsquo;s next phase of delivery will depend on attracting, developing and retaining exceptional tech talent. That&rsquo;s where we come in by supporting organisations to scale effectively while helping candidates find meaningful, impactful roles within the sector.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you're interested in shaping Scotland&rsquo;s digital future, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/jobs/#/scotland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explore our latest opportunities in Scotland</a>.</p>

Reflections from DigitalScotland 2025

Computer Weekly/Harvey Nash Diversity in Tech Conference 2025: Highlights

<p class="MsoNormal">Harvey Nash proudly represented the intersection of talent, technology, and sustainability at <a href="https://websummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Web Summit Lisbon 2025</a>. Nash Squared&rsquo;s Group Technology Evangelist, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a>, hosted two pivotal sessions on 11<sup>th</sup> November, bringing critical discussions on the environmental footprint of AI and the essential perspectives of young innovators to the forefront.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Savage, who is also a filmmaker, podcaster, and host of <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tech Talks</a>, delivered a keynote on the crisis of computational power and moderated a vital panel that explored how established organisations can better engage with and support the next generation of tech leaders.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Hidden data, visible cost</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">David Savage&rsquo;s keynote, titled &ldquo;Hidden data, visible cost: The alternative approach to tackling technology&rsquo;s green blind spot&rdquo;, was held on Stage 7 as part of the New Energy Summit, where he showcased the latest <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-flix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tech Flix</a> film, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/videos/tech-flix-data-untold-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'Data's Untold Story'</a>.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The crisis of power and scalability</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">The keynote focused on the urgent challenge that AI&rsquo;s accelerating opportunity is colliding head-on with a physical force: power. David emphasised that every prompt typed, every token generated, and every model trained consumes real, finite power. This is not merely a climate discussion but fundamentally a scalability issue. If the power problem remains unsolved, the significant opportunities AI presents across healthcare, education, and society will not be realised.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Key data points highlighted the severity of the infrastructure stress:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">The global data sphere is projected to hit 175 zettabytes by 2025.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">AI data centres demand vastly more power, requiring 150+ kilowatts per rack, compared with traditional cloud data centres, which typically need only 10&ndash;20 kW per rack.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">To meet the peak load of just 90 new AI data centres being built in Ohio, the estimated power requirements equate to that of 21 million households.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The digital landfill and unseen emissions</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">David argued that the problem is invisible, making it difficult for people to grasp the full scale of the impact. A central focus was the &ldquo;digital landfill&rdquo;: a staggering 68% of the data currently stored is single-use, never utilised again.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This unused data poses a major environmental risk, with the emissions it creates typically exceeding those produced by the entire airline industry combined. Despite this reality, research suggests an abdication of responsibility across the industry. Our <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nash Squared/Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report</a> found that only 44% of boards support net zero targets to a great or extreme extent, leaving half of leadership still disengaged. David noted that this overwhelming challenge persists because, unlike a smoking car or plane, the data is invisible, and we &ldquo;forget that it burns&rdquo;.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The call for engineering and accountability</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">To move forward sustainably, David urged the audience to pivot the discussion away from just ethics and ideology, stressing the need to focus on engineering and business goals. The industry must shift its focus from maximising performance to prioritising the minimisation of resource consumption through innovation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Examples of meaningful action were presented, such as a project that detected and deleted 600 billion commercial and promotional emails in a year, which in turn reduced carbon emissions by 6,500 tonnes of CO₂. The concluding message stressed that the industry must implement energy efficiency in designs, demand accountability across policies, and embrace collaborative solutions. Only through these actions can the progress of AI be ensured as sustainable, inclusive, and scalable for everyone.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Young minds, big impact</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later that afternoon, David Savage moderated the &ldquo;Young minds, big impact&rdquo; panel on Stage 8 as part of the People Summit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Introducing the next generation of innovators</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The session offered deep insights into how young people are approaching major global problems through technology, featuring three exceptional innovators:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemanbekele/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heman Bekele</a>, Founder &amp; Researcher, Skin Cancer Treating Soap: Developed an affordable bar of soap intended to treat the early stages of skin cancer. He also founded Care for All, a non-profit focused on providing platforms for young people to make an impact.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/raya-mardani-3b988b307/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raya Mardani</a>, Founder, Lunniva: Creating a period pain belt using Brain&ndash;Computer Interface (BCI) technologies to send electrical signals to the brain to release endorphins, aiming to alleviate pain.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarav-sharma-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aarav Sharma</a>, Founder &amp; Researcher, Smart Bin AI &amp; Brain&ndash;Computer Interfaces: Focused on restoring independence for paralysed individuals by using BCI to control an exoskeleton arm through thought.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Redefining youth engagement and education</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">A major theme discussed was how established corporations engage with the next generation. The panellists felt that many companies often focus on &ldquo;selling to&rdquo; young people rather than treating them as active participants. Instead, companies should aim to integrate youth, providing them with a seat at the table and enabling the actual implementation of their ideas.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Regarding education, Raya highlighted that programmes like TKS (<a href="https://www.tks.world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Knowledge Society</a>) are vital because they offer long-term, committed project work, which is often missing from traditional education. Aarav proposed decreasing traditional school hours and allocating that time for students to build projects and explore their passions, arguing that the future of work requires complex, applied skills that AI cannot yet master.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Mentorship and the power of indifference</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">The panel addressed the frustration that arises when their ambitious projects are dismissed as mere &ldquo;school projects&rdquo; by older professionals. The consensus was that maturity is far more dependent on the individual than their age.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The panellists stressed that successful engagement requires mentorship. They also emphasised that for allies to be effective, they must be indifferent to age.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David noted that this generation should be treated like any other professional pitching an idea, with critical feedback and advice, but without letting age shield the interaction. The message was clear that young people are the future, and investing in them is paramount for any company looking to be innovative and competitive.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">About David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Savage</a> is <a href="https://www.careers.nashsquared.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nash Squared</a>&rsquo;s Group Technology Evangelist. He creates podcasts, hosts video debates, and regularly chairs keynote stages at major events. A passionate advocate for technology, he explores both its challenges and opportunities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since 2015, David has been the editor and host of <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tech Talks</a>, a leading global podcast on technology and leadership.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He has spoken at top international events, including Web Summit, Collision, IFA Berlin, Web Summit Rio, Unleash World, Unleash Paris, Unbound, Big Data World, and VivaTech.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><em>Watch both sessions below to explore these discussions in full. From tackling AI&rsquo;s hidden environmental cost to empowering the next generation of innovators.</em></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i7yBHe9YUuQ?si=cPiH8nwzm81VgcrI" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-R3zKNQOGUs?si=9ESg2_8IeMHKz7j6" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></p>

Web Summit Lisbon 2025 Recap

<p class="MsoNormal">This year marked a special milestone for <a href="https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leeds Digital Festival</a>, its 10th anniversary. Over two weeks, the city came alive with events celebrating innovation, collaboration, and creativity across the region&rsquo;s thriving digital community.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As part of the celebrations, the Harvey Nash Leeds team was proud to host a screening of our latest Tech Flix film, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/videos/tech-flix-data-untold-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Data&rsquo;s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis</em></a>. The film explores the growing energy demands of AI and data, and the urgent balance between innovation and sustainability.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It set the tone for a festival full of big ideas, important questions, and inspiring conversations about where technology is heading next.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">The human element in an AI-driven world</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">A recurring theme throughout the festival was clear: while AI is rapidly transforming industries, people remain at the centre of progress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From cybersecurity discussions highlighting how &ldquo;when AI strikes, humans defend,&rdquo; to debates on where humans belong in an AI-driven future, the message was consistent that although technology may redefine roles, it can&rsquo;t replace the creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgment that humans bring.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many sessions explored how businesses can harness AI to augment human ability rather than replace it. The conversations touched on responsible innovation, the importance of embedding ethics and sustainability from the outset, and the growing need for frameworks to guide AI&rsquo;s impact across sectors.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Building, innovating, and transforming at speed</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leeds Digital Festival also showcased just how quickly ideas can move from concept to creation. Live demonstrations, including building a functional app in under 90 minutes, captured the energy and collaboration driving the city&rsquo;s tech scene.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our team, it was a reminder that in fast-moving environments, having access to people with the right mix of skills and adaptability is just as critical as the tools they use. This reinforces the importance of understanding emerging roles, new skill sets, and the ways organisations are leveraging talent to bring ideas to life quickly.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Laying the foundations for responsible AI</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another standout theme was the strategic role of AI across industries, including the public sector. Sessions highlighted the need for ethics, governance, and trust, as well as the infrastructure, skills, and institutions required to scale AI responsibly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Discussions explored how governments, public bodies, and major tech players can work together to ensure AI benefits everyone, from fostering innovation and investment to embedding transparency and accountability in deployment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These insights drove a key message that responsible AI isn&rsquo;t just a technical challenge; it&rsquo;s a collaborative, strategic one.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Data as a force for change</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">The festival also showcased the power of data to drive smarter, more human-centred decision-making. From retail to logistics, data leaders shared how they&rsquo;re turning insights into tangible outcomes, improving customer experiences, streamlining operations, and driving value across organisations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hearing from ASDA&rsquo;s Data Science team offered a glimpse into how large-scale analytics can be both technical and practical, balancing innovation with real-world business impact.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">The evolving landscape of digital innovation in Leeds</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">Across every discussion, Leeds&rsquo; digital community demonstrated why the city continues to lead in tech. From AI ethics and cybersecurity to logistics automation and app innovation, the festival spotlighted a region that&rsquo;s pushing boundaries while staying grounded in purpose.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Harvey Nash Leeds team, it was a chance to connect, learn, and reflect on the role people, partnerships, and responsible innovation play in shaping the future.</p>
<h1 class="MsoNormal">Looking ahead</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we wrap up this year&rsquo;s festival, one thing stands out: technology will continue to evolve at pace, but it&rsquo;s collaboration, creativity, and conscience that will define its true impact.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A huge thank you to Leeds Digital Festival for an incredible 10th anniversary celebration, and to everyone who made it such an inspiring two weeks for the city&rsquo;s digital community.</p>

Leeds Digital Festival 2025: Round Up

<p data-start="234" data-end="480">On 25th September, we were delighted to host an event as part of <a href="https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leeds Digital Festival</a>&rsquo;s 10th anniversary celebrations,&nbsp;a two-week programme showcasing innovation, collaboration and creativity across the city&rsquo;s thriving digital community.</p>
<p data-start="482" data-end="624">As part of the festival, we screened the latest instalment in our Tech Flix documentary series: <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/videos/tech-flix-data-untold-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em data-start="578" data-end="621">Data&rsquo;s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis</em></a>.</p>
<p data-start="626" data-end="968">The film takes a closer look at one of technology&rsquo;s most urgent challenges, the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence and data. Both inspiring and sobering, it highlights the duality of AI: its enormous potential to transform the way we live and work, and the equally significant risks it poses to our planet if left unchecked.</p>
<h1 data-start="970" data-end="1009">A panel with diverse perspectives</h1>
<p data-start="1011" data-end="1111">Following the screening, we welcomed an expert panel to reflect on the film and debate its themes:</p>
<ul>
<li data-start="1115" data-end="1171">Vinny Leach, Portfolio Delivery Manager at Avanade</li>
<li data-start="1174" data-end="1252">Heather Dawe, Chief Data Scientist, UK and Head of Responsible AI at UST</li>
<li data-start="1255" data-end="1315">Arash Rabbani, Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the University of Leeds</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1317" data-end="1411">Together, they brought perspectives spanning industry, academia and responsible AI practice.</p>
<h1 data-start="1413" data-end="1447">Sustainability versus profit</h1>
<p data-start="1449" data-end="1513">One of the central questions raised during the discussion was:</p>
<p data-start="1515" data-end="1668"><em data-start="1515" data-end="1666">Are we, as individuals and organisations, truly prioritising the environmental impact of AI, or are we too focused on the profit margins it promises?</em></p>
<p data-start="1670" data-end="1990">This prompted a rich debate. Some argued that the drive for commercial gain too often overshadows the urgent need to address sustainability, while others highlighted the potential for businesses to align profit with positive impact, provided they embed sustainability into their innovation strategies from the outset.</p>
<h1 data-start="1992" data-end="2036">The call for regulation and frameworks</h1>
<p data-start="2038" data-end="2453">Another recurring theme was the pressing need for regulation. As AI adoption accelerates across industries, the panel stressed that without a robust framework to govern its development and deployment, the environmental and ethical risks will only deepen. True progress, they argued, requires collaboration between industry, academia and government to establish clear guardrails and hold organisations accountable.</p>
<h1 data-start="2455" data-end="2483">A moment of reflection</h1>
<p data-start="2485" data-end="2700">As the credits rolled and the conversation continued, it was clear that the event had done more than just spark dialogue &mdash; it had left attendees with important questions to carry back into their own organisations.</p>
<p data-start="2702" data-end="2882">For many of us, one question lingered above all: <em data-start="2751" data-end="2880">are we doing enough, quickly enough, to ensure that AI is not only innovative and profitable, but also ethical and sustainable?</em></p>
<h1 data-start="2884" data-end="2899">Thank you</h1>
<p data-start="2901" data-end="3199">A huge thank you to <a href="https://leedsdigitalfestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leeds Digital Festival</a> for welcoming us as part of their milestone 10th anniversary edition, and to everyone who joined us for the session. Most of all, we&rsquo;d like to thank our brilliant panellists for sharing their insight and sparking such a thought-provoking discussion.</p>
<p data-start="3201" data-end="3426">You can now watch <a href="As%20the%20Tech%20Flix%20series%20continues%20its%20tour%20across%20the%20UK,%20you%20can%20now%20watch%20Data&rsquo;s%20Untold%20Story:%20The%20AI%20Energy%20Crisis%20online%20here%20.%20We%20hope%20it%20sparks%20conversation,%20reflection,%20and%20action%20towards%20a%20more%20responsible%20and%20sustainable%20digital%20future." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em data-start="163" data-end="206">Data&rsquo;s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis</em> online</a>. We hope it sparks conversation, reflection, and action towards a more responsible and sustainable digital future.</p>

Exploring the AI energy crisis: Leeds Digital Festival 2025

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">On 11th September 2025, we welcomed digital and business leaders to the Dakota Hotel in Newcastle for our <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report</a> launch event. The breakfast event brought together a vibrant group of peers to explore the latest findings from our <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report</a>, in a session moderated by David Savage, Tech Evangelist at Nash Squared and featuring a fireside chat with John Whitlow, CIO at Nixon Hire.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">The conversation was lively, candid, and deeply connected to the challenges shaping leadership today. Here are some of the key themes we explored together:</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">AI: Still in the foothills</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">AI dominated discussion, with 82% of organisations now actively engaging with it. But while enthusiasm is high, many remain in the discovery stage, working to clarify use cases and overcome fragmented understanding across senior leadership. Unlike previous shifts such as SaaS and Cloud, AI is seen as a more profound, societal transformation that demands cohesion and vision.</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">The data imperative</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">A recurring question was whether organisations have the right data foundations in place. Do they have a clear operating model? Are teams truly data literate? Is stewardship strong enough? Without this, AI risks becoming scattered experimentation rather than a strategic asset.</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">Innovation by stealth</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">The rise of &ldquo;Shadow AI&rdquo; emerged as a fascinating theme. Across many businesses, individuals are experimenting with tools independently, creating grassroots momentum but also bypassing governance. While this shows appetite for innovation, it also highlights the need for structure to avoid fragmentation and missed opportunities.</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">Hybrid working: Still in flux</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">Hybrid work continues to evolve, with no one-size-fits-all answer. The discussion highlighted the importance of workforce welfare and the need to balance flexibility with intentional design. For hybrid to truly succeed, empathy and adaptability remain essential.</span></p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">The journey ahead</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">The morning underscored the complexity of leading through this moment of change. At the intersection of AI, data, and workforce transformation, digital leaders are being challenged to act with clarity, cohesion, and care.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji';">A big thank you to all our guests for joining us and contributing to such a thoughtful and engaging morning.</span></p>

Newcastle Digital Leadership Report launch event highlights

<p>On 16th July 2025, we gathered with some of Yorkshire&rsquo;s most influential tech leaders to mark the Leeds launch of the <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025</a>. This wasn&rsquo;t just a celebration of 26 years of industry-leading insight; it was a chance to reflect on how national and global trends are being shaped and challenged on a local level.</p>
<p>With data drawn from over 2,000 digital leaders across 62 countries, the DLR is a global barometer for tech strategy, transformation, and talent. But at our Leeds event, the spotlight was on the voices shaping that strategy here in the North.</p>
<h2>What the data tells us</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>, Tech Evangelist at Nash Squared, opened the event by walking us through the key findings of this year&rsquo;s report, highlighting rapid growth in AI investment, mounting cybersecurity concerns, the shifting shape of hybrid work, and how digital leaders are recalibrating priorities in an uncertain economic landscape.</p>
<p>But while the stats were compelling, it was the panel that brought the numbers to life.</p>
<h2>Panel: Leadership in action</h2>
<p>Our panel featured a diverse mix of digital leaders from across public services, healthcare, financial services and academia:</p>
<p>Jennifer Anderson, CIO, National Wealth Fund</p>
<p>Jo Graham, CDIO, Pharmacy2U</p>
<p>Ann-Marie Orange, CIO &amp; Global Head of R&amp;D, ArisGlobal</p>
<p>Tyrrell Basson, Director of Information Technology, University of York</p>
<p>Each panellist shared their lived experience of leadership, what&rsquo;s shifting in their own teams, and how the report&rsquo;s trends are unfolding in real-time.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/d8fk89qbsyd0wzhv8xwwhxehxo6v" alt="" width="500" height="375"></p>
<h2>Tech leadership is becoming more human</h2>
<p>One of the strongest takeaways from the panel was how human the role of a digital leader has become. It&rsquo;s no longer just about tools and transformation; it&rsquo;s about trust, empathy, and bringing people with you.</p>
<p>The panel reflected on the challenge of modernising critical public infrastructure while maintaining public trust and securing stakeholder alignment. They also discussed the broader challenge of driving innovation in a way that builds confidence, ensures ethical implementation, and delivers meaningful outcomes, particularly when introducing technologies like AI that require cultural change as much as technical capability.</p>
<p>The panel highlighted the growing need for cross-functional leadership in increasingly tech-driven environments. Effective digital leaders, they noted, are those who blend technical expertise with emotional intelligence, and who understand that meaningful innovation is driven by people as much as by technology.</p>
<h2>AI, skills and the new competitive edge</h2>
<p>There was a clear consensus that AI is no longer a future trend; it&rsquo;s today&rsquo;s reality. But the panel pushed beyond the hype, focusing on how businesses can practically apply AI to drive outcomes, not just headlines.</p>
<p>The panel discussed the importance of investing in both infrastructure and people to support the growing role of AI across industries. They also touched on the widening digital skills gap, emphasising the shared responsibility organisations have, not just to adopt new technologies, but to help build and sustain the workforce needed to support them. A recurring theme was that while AI has the power to transform tasks, it&rsquo;s human talent that will ultimately determine success.</p>
<h2>Cyber resilience is a board-level conversation</h2>
<p>With the report showing a rise in major cyber incidents, our panel didn&rsquo;t shy away from tough conversations. There was agreement that cybersecurity can no longer be siloed within IT; leaders need to create cultures of cyber awareness and resilience across every level of the business. Importantly, this isn&rsquo;t just a risk issue, but a leadership one.</p>
<h2>Leeds: A digital hub with a human heart</h2>
<p>The event highlighted what makes Leeds and the broader Yorkshire tech ecosystem so unique, with innovation grounded in purpose. Whether delivering public services, developing life-changing drugs, or rethinking education delivery, our panel showed that digital leadership here is values-led, community-focused, and deeply collaborative.</p>
<p>Thank you to our brilliant panel and all who attended for making the Leeds launch such a powerful conversation. We left with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead through change and how local leadership is helping to shape global impact.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">Explore the full findings in the Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025.</a></p>

Leeds Digital Leadership Report launch event highlights

<p>On 26th June 2025, we gathered with a brilliant group of digital and business leaders in<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us/birmingham"> Birmingham</a> to mark the regional launch of the Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report 2025. The event brought together voices from across the Midlands to explore what digital leadership looks like in a time of constraint, transformation, and opportunity.</p>
<p>Now in its 26th year, the <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">Digital Leadership Report</a> is the world&rsquo;s largest and longest-running survey of senior technology decision-makers. It continues to offer a unique lens into the evolving priorities, technologies, and risks shaping the digital landscape &mdash; and the leaders navigating it.</p>
<p>This year&rsquo;s report draws on insights from 2,015 digital leaders across 62 countries. It captures a global moment of recalibration, where AI is moving from experimentation to execution, cybersecurity threats are rising again, and hybrid work continues to evolve. But more than anything, it reflects a shift in mindset: from growth at all costs to clarity, focus, and resilience.</p>
<h2>Voices from the frontline of public sector transformation</h2>
<p>The evening was hosted by Nash Squared&rsquo;s Tech Evangelist, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>, and featured two keynote speakers who brought the report&rsquo;s themes to life through the lens of public sector leadership.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-goodwin-mba-citp-mbcs-1b932655/">Kelly Goodwin </a>MBA, CITP MBCS, CIO at the University of Wolverhampton, opened the evening with a keynote focused on navigating digital transformation in higher education. Her presentation, titled &ldquo;Mission Impossible: Finding power in priorities when investment slows,&rdquo; explored how institutions can move beyond reactive decision-making and instead focus on strategic clarity. She spoke about the importance of prioritising what truly matters, especially when resources are limited, a theme that echoed the report&rsquo;s finding that while investment is slowing, priorities are sharpening&nbsp;</p>
<p>Her emphasis on resilience over speed aligned with the report&rsquo;s broader narrative around leadership recalibration. As AI adoption accelerates, digital leaders are being called to lead with intention, not urgency. The report revealed that organisations furthest ahead with AI are 24% more likely to be increasing tech headcount, particularly in areas like AI and data.</p>
<p>Kelly reinforced this by highlighting the need to build empowered teams that can drive transformation, not just implement it.</p>
<h2>Doing more with less</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinjsadler/">Martin Sadler</a>, Director of Digital &amp; Technology Services at Birmingham City Council, followed with a keynote that offered a candid look at digital leadership in the context of financial constraint. His talk focused on the challenge of delivering scalable digital services in a time of budget pressure , a reality faced by many public sector organisations.</p>
<p>The report&rsquo;s findings on board-level priorities felt especially relevant to the discussion. Despite signs of slowing investment, over half of digital leaders (53%) say their number one priority is using technology to improve operational efficiency.</p>
<p>Martin explored how this shift applies in the public sector, where the goal is not profit but public value. His reflections on cross-sector collaboration and strategic reinvestment brought the report&rsquo;s themes into sharp focus, showing how local authorities can remain agile and impactful even in difficult circumstances.</p>
<h2>AI, cybersecurity and the skills challenge</h2>
<p>Both speakers touched on the growing role of AI in shaping digital strategy. The report shows that nearly 1 in 5 organisations are now running large-scale AI projects, almost double last year&rsquo;s figure&nbsp;</p>
<p>But the message from Birmingham was clear: AI must be purposeful. It&rsquo;s not about chasing trends, but about solving real problems and unlocking capacity.</p>
<p>Cybersecurity also featured prominently in the discussion. With 29% of digital leaders reporting a major cyberattack in the past two years, the report highlights a renewed urgency around digital risk&nbsp;</p>
<p>Martin spoke about embedding resilience into every layer of the organisation, not just in systems, but in culture and leadership.</p>
<p>The skills gap was another shared concern. The report revealed an 82% increase in organisations citing AI as their top skills challenge&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kelly addressed this directly, emphasising the need to invest in people, not just platforms. Her call to &ldquo;build the A-Team&rdquo; reflected a broader shift in leadership thinking, one that values capability, adaptability, and collaboration.</p>
<h2>Beyond the numbers</h2>
<p>The Birmingham launch wasn&rsquo;t just a presentation of findings; it was a conversation. A moment to reflect on the data, but also to hear how it&rsquo;s being lived, challenged, and reimagined by leaders on the ground. From universities to city councils, the evening showcased the courage, creativity, and clarity that define today&rsquo;s digital leadership.</p>
<p>Thank you to our keynote speakers, Kelly Goodwin and Martin Sadler, and to all our guests for making the Birmingham launch such a thoughtful and noteworthy event.</p>

Birmingham Digital Leadership Report Launch Event Highlights

Digital Leadership Report 2025: London Event Launch Highlights

<p class="MsoNormal">On 17th June, the <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us/newcastle">Harvey Nash Newcastle</a> team attended TechNExt, the North East&rsquo;s flagship technology festival, bringing together thousands of attendees across five days to celebrate the region&rsquo;s thriving tech scene.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As part of the festival the team took to the TechNExt Sustainability Hub alongside <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>, Group Technology Evangelist, to showcase the fifth instalment of the <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-flix">Tech Flix docuseries</a>, &lsquo;Data&rsquo;s Untold Story: The AI Energy Crisis&rsquo;, a thought-provoking documentary exploring the growing tension between innovation, data and sustainability.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Held in Blyth, the session welcomed attendees with an introduction by <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/michael-day">Michael Day, Associate Consultant</a>, 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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Following the screening, a panel of industry leaders took to the stage to reflect on the film&rsquo;s themes and share their own perspectives. The panel featured:</p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Joanne Todd, CIO, St John Ambulance</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Jayne Routledge, Digital, Data and Technology Director, Everyturn Mental Health</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Paul Fitton, Director of Digital and Innovation Northern Powergrid</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Stuart Redshaw, IT Manager, Tombola</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moderated by David Savage, the panel tackled some of the film&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">Digital Leadership Report 2025</a>.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Key themes from the discussion included:</h2>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Return on impact</strong>: 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.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Leadership turnover and continuity</strong>: 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.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Shared responsibility in the digital supply chain</strong>: 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.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>The ethics of AI and data consumption</strong>: 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&rsquo;re not, but they <em>should</em> be.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Should data consumption be taxed?</strong> One particularly provocative idea raised by the audience was the introduction of a &ldquo;gigabyte tax&rdquo; 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.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">While the session didn&rsquo;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&rsquo;s role in sustainability.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As <a href="https://www.nashsquared.com/">Nash Squared</a>/Harvey Nash&rsquo;s Tech Flix series continues to tour the UK, events like this provide a critical platform to drive forward the conversation - not just about <em>what</em> the problems are, but about <em>who</em> is responsible and <em>how</em> we move forward together.</p>

TechNExt 2025: Tech Flix goes North

<p>This year, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>, Tech Evangelist at <a href="https://www.nashsquared.com/">Nash Squared</a>/Harvey Nash, returned to <a href="https://londontechweek.com/speakers/david-savage">London Tech Week</a>, an event that unites global innovators, investors, and enterprise leaders shaping the technologies of tomorrow.</p>
<p>Between moderating main-stage conversations and connecting with leaders across the City, David found this year&rsquo;s agenda striking a more urgent tone, one focused not just on innovation, but on responsibility.</p>
<p>Read on for David&rsquo;s reflections on the moments that mattered, the voices that stood out, and the powerful reminder that tech done right means putting deeds before dogma.</p>
<h2>A week that hit differently</h2>
<p>There are conference weeks, and then there are weeks. My London Tech Week 2025 (and its wider supporting events) definitely fell into the latter category.</p>
<p>Between moderating on-stage at Olympia alongside NetApp&rsquo;s wonderfully engaging Director Paul van der Lingen, and screening our latest Tech Flix documentary inside Parliament, the week sparked some urgent conversations around leadership, sustainability, and the environmental cost of our digital future - conversations I felt were echoed around the City the whole week!</p>
<h2>Deed over dogma</h2>
<p>The phrase that kept ringing in my ears all week was &ldquo;Deed over dogma.&rdquo; It came from Ali Zaidi, a climate policy advisor in President Biden&rsquo;s administration, a speaker I was lucky to meet after his talk on the Sustainability Stage.</p>
<p>It perfectly captured the tone of the discussions we were having and hearing. In a space increasingly filled with hype and half-truths, there&rsquo;s a growing appetite from technologists and business leaders alike to cut through the noise and focus on meaningful, measurable action.</p>
<p>The hidden footprint of digital innovation</p>
<p>That sentiment was front and centre in our <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-flix">Tech Flix</a> film, which shines a light on the environmental impact of unused data and AI workloads. 68% of enterprise data sits idle, consuming power, water, and resources, often stored &ldquo;just in case&rdquo;. It&rsquo;s a silent crisis, one that&rsquo;s growing in scale, yet rarely discussed in mainstream AI conversations. NetApp labelled it the &ldquo;digital landfill&rdquo;.</p>
<p>Screening Tech Flix 5 at Parliament, with support from MP Victoria Collins (the LibDem Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson), brought the message into the heart of policy conversations. If we want AI to scale responsibly, we can&rsquo;t ignore the physical footprint it leaves behind.</p>
<h2>From problem-spotting to problem-solving</h2>
<p>But <a href="https://londontechweek.com/">London Tech Week</a> didn&rsquo;t just expose the problems, it also brought forward real momentum for solutions. Across stages, we heard calls for better questions, clearer measurement, and more inclusive innovation. This isn&rsquo;t just about moving faster, it&rsquo;s about moving smarter - and that&rsquo;s the real challenge for digital leaders.</p>
<p>The answer isn&rsquo;t to slow down innovation (there is zero appetite from the board or customers for that), but to lead it with intent. To rethink what progress looks like, to measure not only how much data we collect, but what value we actually derive from it. To interrogate our architectures, our platforms, and our policies and ask if they&rsquo;re fit for the future we say we want.</p>
<h2>A new kind of digital transformation</h2>
<p>If London Tech Week was a reminder of anything, it&rsquo;s that digital transformation can&rsquo;t afford to be a buzzword anymore. It must be grounded in responsibility, sustainability, and a sense of urgency that extends beyond quarterly metrics.</p>
<p>Because we&rsquo;re not just building tech ecosystems. We&rsquo;re shaping the infrastructure of society itself.</p>
<p>The question is: are we building something worth sustaining?</p>
<h2>About David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist</h2>
<p>David is Nash Squared's Group Technology Evangelist. He crafts podcasts, hosts video debates, speaks, moderates conferences, and chairs keynote stages. A passionate advocate for technology, David focuses on exploring both its challenges and opportunities.</p>
<p>Since 2015, he has been the editor and host of <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-talks">Tech Talks, </a>a podcast about leadership and technology that&rsquo;s ranked among the most popular podcasts in the world.</p>
<p>David has spoken at leading global events including Web Summit, Collision, IFA Berlin, Web Summit Rio, Unleash World, Unleash Paris, Unbound, Big Data World, and Viva Tech.</p>

London Tech Week 2025 - Reflections from David Savage

<p class="MsoNormal">This year, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>, Tech Evangelist at Harvey Nash attended <a href="https://dublintechsummit.tech/">Dublin Tech Summit</a> for the first time, immersing himself in the tech community of Ireland&rsquo;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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Discover David&rsquo;s own reflection on the summit and the themes that stayed with him.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">My trip to Dublin Tech Summit</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">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&rsquo;s easy for the themes and stories to blur together - &ldquo;Did someone really say that? And was it in Lisbon, London, or Amsterdam?!&rdquo; 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.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The illusion of intelligence in AI</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Several speakers challenged the notion that AI is truly intelligent. We know it&rsquo;s not &ldquo;smart&rdquo; in the human sense, it&rsquo;s fundamentally about predicting patterns in zeros and ones. But when the output sounds convincing, it&rsquo;s easy to forget that. A chatbot saying it wants to see the mountains doesn&rsquo;t come across as fake, it sounds self-aware. But it isn&rsquo;t.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fawad Qureshi, Field CTO at Snowflake, put it well when he called AI a &ldquo;stochastic parrot&rdquo;, 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.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">From problem-solving to problem-framing</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">As AI tools grow more powerful, our role evolves. Richard Skinner of Phased AI described this as the last digital transformation we&rsquo;ll experience. Going forward, it&rsquo;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.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">AI adoption from the ground up</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">It&rsquo;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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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&rsquo;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?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Democratisation is exciting, but boundaries and oversight remain crucial.</p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Meaningful debate and authentic conversations</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I&rsquo;m also excited to share that we recorded six &lsquo;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/tech-talks">Tech Talks</a>&rsquo; 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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>David Savage, Tech Evangelist and host of Tech Talks, hosted two panels at DTS:</strong><br><br>'Ops! AI Did it Again!'<br><br>AI is driving business and redefining how we work, but let&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll dive into: When does AI&rsquo;s confidence become its biggest flaw? How do enterprises build AI that knows what it doesn&rsquo;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&rsquo;s unpack what happens when machines make mistakes at scale and what to do when it&rsquo;s your AI that screws up.<br><br><em>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.&nbsp;</em><br><br>&lsquo;The New Org Chart: Humans, AI, and the End of Traditional Leadership.&rsquo;<br><br>In a world driven by disruption, the future of leadership isn&rsquo;t just about being faster or smarter, it&rsquo;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&rsquo;t about scaling for the sake of growth, it&rsquo;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&mdash;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&nbsp; Fractional Leadership for Smart Scaling&nbsp; Human-AI Synergy for Ethical Decision-Making&nbsp; Building an Agile, Impact-First Organisation&nbsp; Scaling With Purpose.<br><br><em>Panel included: Charlene Hunter MBE, CEO &amp; Founder, Coding Black Females, Mark Jordan, CEO, Skillnet, Samuel Legrand, EMEA Field CTO, ControlUp, Essam Elhalhuli, Senior Enterprise Account Manager, Coursera.&nbsp;</em><br><br>These sessions dove deep into how AI is reshaping continuous learning, leadership models, and the delicate balance between risk and opportunity.</p>

Dublin Tech Summit 2025: Highlights from David Savage

<p>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&rsquo;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.</p>
<p>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 &amp; Entrepreneurship; and M. Brett McMickell, Chief Technology Officer at Kubota Corporation North America. Together, they unpacked the report&rsquo;s key themes, offering real-world perspectives on how organisations are navigating the complexities of digital transformation, talent shortages, and emerging technologies.</p>
<p>Among the most compelling discussions were those focused on artificial intelligence&mdash;what&rsquo;s working, what&rsquo;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.</p>
<p>We are grateful to everyone who joined us live and contributed to the dynamic Q&amp;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.&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPjDBpUVSMs?si=MfaaX7vMmZuofGFk" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h2>Harvey Nash Digital Leadership report 2025&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The&nbsp;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&rsquo;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.</p>
<p>You can find out more about the report <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report-2025">here.</a></p>

Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report EMEA webinar

<p>We were delighted to sponsor and host the latest <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/producttank-newcastle/">ProductTank Newcastle</a> event last night, welcoming members of the Product Management community from across the North East.</p>
<p>Our guest speaker, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vkorzhova/">Viktoria Korzhova</a> (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.</p>
<p>The event was expertly hosted by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tolukolawole001/">Tolu Kolawale</a> (Product Manager at IriusRisk) and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasrogers/">Toby Rogers</a> (Head of Product at Hedgehog Lab), who regularly host ProductTank events on the last Wednesday of each month.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/a2tzmhlh0p7ozrio0u5h39i09nhv" alt="&quot;&quot;" width="438" height="292"></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Viktoria, an experienced Product Leader, shared insights from her work at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/getproductpeople/">Product People,</a> a Germany-based Product Management consultancy. She emphasised the need for Product Managers to focus on technology, users and business when making decisions.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The presentation concluded with a Q&amp;A session, sparking further discussion and insights into business cases and the current state of Product Management, with a focus on adding value.</p>
<p>If you would like to hear more about the event or discuss it further, please contact <a title="mailto:david.quearns@harveynash.com" href="mailto:david.quearns@harveynash.com" data-ogsc="" data-linkindex="0">david.quearns@harveynash.com</a>.</p>

ProductTank Newcastle with guest speaker Viktoria Korzhova

<div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
</div>
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<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto">This webinar was hosted to empower organisations with the knowledge and tools needed to support neurodivergent employees effectively, ensuring a diverse and dynamic workforce.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Our incredible panel included:</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meriwilliams/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Meri Williams</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, Chief Technology Officer, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8">Pleo</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="listitem" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-botting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Russell Botting</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8">Neuroinclusion</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> Services Director (UK), </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8">Auticon</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="listitem" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-dupr%C3%A9-echeverria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Sophie Dupre-Echeverria</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, Chief Risk &amp; Compliance Officer, GIB Asset Management</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="listitem" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebohn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Kate Bohn</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, Global Advisory Council Member, Diversity Economics Institute (DEI)</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="listitem" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyfagelman/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Tony Fagelman</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, Global President, Xerox&rsquo;s </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8">Enable_All</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> ERG</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<li class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="listitem" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW214600910 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/georgina-lindsey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Georgina Lindsey</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">, Senior Consultant, Harvey Nash (host)</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="heading" aria-level="1">&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="heading" aria-level="1"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">Key takeaways</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}">&nbsp;</span></h1>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Definition and Importance of Neuro-Inclusivity</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">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.</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Challenges and Barriers</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Neurodivergent individuals often face significant barriers, including stigma, lack of understanding, and fear of disclosure. Creating a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">disclosing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> their needs is crucial.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Practical Measures and Accommodations</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Implementing practical measures such as clear communication, written instructions, flexible schedules, and real-world applicable tasks can significantly support neurodivergent employees. These accommodations </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">benefit</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> everyone, not just neurodivergent individuals.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Role of Leadership and Middle Management</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">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.</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Employee Resource Groups and Peer Support</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">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.</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Strategic and Policy Integration</span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Embedding diversity and inclusion in organi</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">ational 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.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="heading" aria-level="1"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">Watch the full </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">webinar</span></span></h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JKRQhPLlFPU?si=Gr4pYZw21sGvg4vg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe></span></span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8" role="heading" aria-level="1"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">About </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">N</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">ASHa</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">bility</span></span></h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW214600910 BCX8">NASHability</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> is our Nash Squared ERG (employee resource group), who stri</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> to highlight, educate and celebrate our (unique/differing) abilities, raising awareness for all visible and invisible disabilities alike.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW214600910 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">Working to foster a culture of understanding, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8">support</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW214600910 BCX8"> and acceptance throughout the business and beyond alongside implementing impactful initiatives that will help to shape the future accessibility of our working environment.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW214600910 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>

Neuro-Inclusivity in the Workplace Webinar

<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Once seated we enjoyed an insightful presentation from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-finlayson-33bb2a8/">Ian Finlayson</a>, CISSO at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/edge7networks/">Edge7 Networks</a> on the key requirements of NIS-2 and how the impact of this on businesses.&nbsp; Ian also led a discussion on the critical implications of the directive and shared best practices with the attendees.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/novawnrvt44l2v17qsws71e2d99a" alt="&quot;&quot;" width="438" height="292"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The evening was a great success, with all the guest valuable ideas, challenging one another&rsquo;s thinking and having peers who understood many of the challenges they&rsquo;re facing in today&rsquo;s market.</p>
<p>If you would like to hear more about the event or discuss it further, please contact <a href="mailto:fiona.devine@harveynash.ie">fiona.devine@harveynash.ie</a>.</p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re interested in finding out more about how Harvey Nash can support your hiring needs,&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW187573017 BCX0" title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="">please contact us here.</a>&nbsp;</p>

NIS-2 Directive: Navigating the new cybersecurity landscape

<p>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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.</p>
<h3>Tech leader panel</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The panel discussed some of the key challenges facing digital leaders currently including: economic uncertainty; regulatory hurdles; funding constraints; infrastructure limitations and talent shortage.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We recorded this brilliant discussion as a Tech Talks podcast episode which you can listen to <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/videos-podcasts/tech-talks-manchester-digital-feast-panel-discussion">here.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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 <a href="https://www.manchesterdigital.com/">Manchester Digital</a> for organising the festival week and <a href="https://www.slalom.com/us/en">Slalom</a> for sponsoring this specific event.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/l8423uu5a7e82r3642ztm89cck3n" alt="" width="300" height="300"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Panel L-R: David Savage, Caroline Grant, Alison Ross MBE and Rob Sugden.</p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Manchester Digital</h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Find more about Manchester Digital <a href="https://www.manchesterdigital.com/post/manchester-digital/digital-skills-feast-talking-tech-and-digital-for-2025">here.&nbsp;</a></p>

Harvey Nash attends Manchester Digital Skills Feast 

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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&rsquo;t disappoint.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, similar challenges effect all delegates including driving successful digital transformations, the ongoing need for strong cyber credentials as well as maximising a company&rsquo;s data to deliver business and customer value return. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once seated we enjoyed a lovely meal with breaks for keynote speeches. The first was from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgette-bigmore/">Bridgette Bigmore</a>, 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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We learnt that they provide best in class test and evaluation capabilities to safeguard the UKs critical national telecoms infrastructure from external threats. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Later <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwoodforth/">Jon Woodforth</a>, 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. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The evening was a great success, with all the digital and technology leaders sharing valuable ideas, challenging one another&rsquo;s thinking and having peers who understood many of the challenges they&rsquo;re facing in today&rsquo;s market. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you&rsquo;re interested in finding out more about our events, please <a href="mailto:ukmarketing@harveynash.com?subject=Find%20out%20more:%20Harvey%20Nash%20events">reach out to our team here.</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And to find out more about our services at Harvey Nash, please <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contact our team&nbsp;here.</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<h1>About the author: Peter Birch</h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/peter-birch">Peter</a> is a Director with over 20 years of experience specialising in hiring C-suite level individuals across the globe. Working across various companies, Peter&rsquo;s experience extends from large corporations through to start-up enterprises.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you&rsquo;re interested in speaking with Peter, please get in touch at <a href="mailto:peter.birch@harveynash.com?subject=Get%20in%20touch%20-%20Midlands%20CIO%20Digital%20&amp;%20Technology%20Dinner">peter.birch@harveynash.com</a>.</span></p>

Midlands Digital and Technology Leadership Dinner

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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><em><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">What do</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> digital leaders think of</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">current </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">technology landscape</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></em></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">On the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">28th of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> November we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">hosted</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> our 25</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-fontsize="10.5">th</span><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> annual Digital Leadership Report </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">dinner</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> at the Scotsman Hotel</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, which gathered digital leaders </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">from across Edinburgh to discuss the key topics shaping the technology sector</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">The evening was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">enlightening</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, with </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">insights from </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">cross section of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">Technology</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW18111730 BCX8">organisations</span> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">across</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> financial services, public and private sectors</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> a</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ll from</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> corporate scale to SME </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> start-ups.</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">Our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">diverse guests </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">provid</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> a truly</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> vari</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ed range of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">opinions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> and experiences</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">on </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">the current </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">state of the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">technology industry</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, allowing us to consider many different </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">perspectives</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> on some of the biggest questions currently in the industry</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</span><br class="SCXW18111730 BCX8"></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Heading 1 Char">AI adoption</span></h1>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">One of the most fascinating disc</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ussions </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">of the evening </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">was</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">regarding</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> the adoption of AI within the workplace and the vast differences</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">in</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">utilisation</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">between the smaller</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> technology companies and the larger corporate environments.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">Interestingly enough, many</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">leaders in the room </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">perceived </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">need </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">for </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">&lsquo;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">Chief AI Officer</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">&rsquo;</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">type role, as </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">organisation's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> grapple with the governance</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> of the pace of change within this realm.</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">We are beginning to see a trend towards appointment of, at the very least, AI &ldquo;</span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW18111730 BCX8">SME&rsquo;s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">&rdquo; with o</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">n</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">e client already commi</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">tting to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">an </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">AI </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">board</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, overseeing </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">best </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">practice</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, areas of application and hypothetical integration in future.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Heading 1 Char">Turning our focus to NetZero</span></h1>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">O</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ne area that stood out as needing attention</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> is sustainability. A</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">ccording to our Digital Leadership Report, a</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> staggering 58% of tech companies currently have no plans for achieving Net Zero. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the sector to innovate and lead in environmental responsibility.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/k3l9052h5hk578dlnccw1dc5j7x7" alt="&quot;&quot;" width="516" height="255"></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Heading 1 Char">Thinking towards the future</span></h1>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">As we head into the new year, leaders are beginning to plan towards 2025, and discussions around the dinner table revealed that a quarter of&nbsp;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW18111730 BCX8">organisations</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> in Scotland are engaged in large-scale projects involving AI, data, and the Metaverse.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">This revelation is a clear </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">indication</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> of the forward-thinking approach many digital leaders and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW18111730 BCX8">organisations</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> are adopting, to position themselves in the most efficient way to manage emerging, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">cutting-edge</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> technological advancements.</span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</span><br class="SCXW18111730 BCX8"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</span><br class="SCXW18111730 BCX8"></span><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">It should come as no surprise that a notable discussion point throughout the evening was the role of AI in the workforce. Tech leaders in Edinburgh support the sentiment that AI is not replacing jobs but rather supporting and enhancing </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW18111730 BCX8">organisational</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> operations. This positive perspective is further </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">evidenced</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> by the emergence of AI boards and the role of the Chief AI Officer within companies.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</p>
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<h1 class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8" role="heading" aria-level="1"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-parastyle="heading 1">Summary</span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}">&nbsp;</span></h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">he evening provide</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">d</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">all thos</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">e who attended with the opportunity to connect with </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">like-minded </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">digital leaders across Edinburgh</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> explore the largest topics affecting the tech industry</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">&nbsp;</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">Thank you to everyone that joined us and to our Harvey Nash team who </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">supported</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> in bringing this group together. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">It was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">truly fabulous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> to connect, network, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">have insightful discussions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> with such a dynamic group of individuals.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">If </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">you&rsquo;re</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> interested in finding</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> out more about the evening, please reach out to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> our</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> Director</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> in Scotland</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/cameron-macgrain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Cameron MacGrain</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">And to find out more about our services at Harvey Nash, please contact our team </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">here</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW18111730 BCX8"><span class="TextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">I</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">f you would like to connect with the rest of our Harvey Nash team</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, you can find more </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">information</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> here</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">: </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/andy-heyes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Andy Heyes</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/kirsteen-bell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Kirsteen Bell</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/kevin-robson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Kevin Robson</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/bethany-mckenzie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW18111730 BCX8" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Bethany </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">McKenzie</span></span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8"> and </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW18111730 BCX8" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/craig-ross" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Craig Ross</span></a><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW18111730 BCX8">.</span></p>
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Edinburgh 25th Digital Leadership Report Dinner

<p><strong>Harvey Nash exhibits at annual conference for public sector technology professionals</strong></p>
<p>As an exhibitor at Scotland's largest digital transformation summit, we were thrilled to be part of an event that brought together over 1,200 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and more than 70 speakers. Digital Scotland is the premier gathering for public sector policy and technology leaders, dedicated to enhancing government services through cutting-edge technology.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our Scotland public sector team who attended included Executive Director <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/graeme-mcnaull">Graeme McNaull</a> and consultants <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/craig-ross">Craig Ross</a>, <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/shauna-cavanagh">Shauna Cavanagh</a> and <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/luke-thornborrow">Luke Thornborrow</a>. This is the second year exhibiting at this conference and the team thoroughly enjoyed attending the variety of speeches and discussions as well as seeing and meeting technology professionals within the public sector.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The team have summarised the conference's whole day agenda below.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Event Highlights:</strong></p>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Ministerial Keynote:</strong> The summit kicked off with a keynote from Kim McAllister, reflecting on the past year's achievements and the strategic direction for the coming year. This set the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and innovative ideas.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>International Perspectives:</strong> H.E. Mr. Viljar Lubi from the Estonian Government shared valuable insights on building a future digital society in the era of AI, emphasizing the relevance of past successes in shaping future strategies.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Addressing Key Challenges:</strong> Hayden Edwards from BT Business highlighted Scotland's top digital transformation challenges, including budget constraints, talent acquisition, service improvement, legacy systems, sustainability, and security.</li>
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<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><em>&ldquo;This was a brilliant speech focusing on how Scotland's public sector's transformation challenges, which we have seen with many of our existing clients. Hayden spoke about ensuring the right talent can not only be attracted into the public sector but also retained to ensure they can reach their digital transformation goals.</em></p>
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<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><em><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/graeme-mcnaull">Graeme McNaull,</a> Executive Director, Harvey Nash Public Sector</em></p>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Digital Home Nations Panel:</strong> A panel featuring Geoff Huggins, Paul Duffy, and Gina Gill discussed shared experiences and common challenges in delivering best-in-class digital public services across the UK.</li>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Geoff Huggins: Emphasised the need to focus on solutions that benefit multiple government services over the medium term rather than solving individual problems urgently.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gina Gill: Highlighted the importance of prioritising the best user experience for citizens to mobilise collective efforts towards better-connected services.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul Duffy: Noted the impact of leadership gaps on service transformation in Northern Ireland but shared a positive vision with the establishment of a central digital office to drive improvements.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Masterclass Sessions:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The summit featured parallel masterclass sessions covering a wide range of topics:</p>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Connecting Scotland for Good:</strong> Alan Lees, Sally Fuller, and Robert Thorburn explored the future of ubiquitous connectivity and its potential to drive innovation and bridge the digital divide in Scotland.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Leveraging AI:</strong> Jon Palin from Objective Corporation discussed how AI can enhance information governance outcomes within the Scottish public sector, providing practical knowledge on navigating AI complexities.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Future-proofing Connectivity:</strong> Ewan Ferguson and David Nicoll shared insights on securing Scotland's public sector networks with Zero Trust architectures and Fortinet's SD-WAN solutions.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><strong>Denmark's Digital Success:</strong> Thomas Rysgaard Christiansen from Netcompany showcased how Denmark's digital transformation journey can inspire and shape Scotland's future.</li>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Networking Opportunities:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The event provided ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations during the networking breaks, fostering connections that will drive future innovations. Our public sector team thoroughly enjoyed seeing current clients as well as making new connections, hearing how digital transformation is at the core of Scotland's public sector.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><em>"It was great to see a lot of familiar faces at the conference as we have been delivering to Scotland's public sector for over two decades. It was a great opportunity to speak to delegates about what digital transformation targets they have in the pipeline but also how they will be resourcing these."</em></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><em><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team/craig-ross">Craig Ross,</a> Senior Consultant, Harvey Nash Public Sector</em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Leadership Streams:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the afternoon, leadership streams focused on key areas such as cloud, citizen services, data, digital transformation, and automation. These sessions provided deep dives into specific topics, offering attendees valuable insights and practical strategies.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our team attended the cloud focused session titled, "from vision to reality - driving digital transformation and innovation". The session included Nia Lewis from the Scottish Government who chaired the discussion, Alison McLaughlin from Disclosure Scotland, Isaac Smith from The Scottish Government, Dinesh Kumar Subramani from Amazon Web Services and Ann-Maries Gallacher from NHS 24. It was a great discussion delving into real example of successful digital transformation and innovation across the private and public sector.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/7ol33dmovc94b33t39d3i4cj2r5t" alt="Woman standing in front of screen speaking at conference" width="516" height="255"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ann-Marie Gallacher speaking during this leadership stream session.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Closing Remarks:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The conference concluded with a session on adapting and changing to keep public services at the forefront of the digital revolution. John-Paul Marks and Sidsel Skovborg emphasised the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation in the public sector.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Digital Scotland 2024 was an inspiring and informative event, showcasing the latest advancements in GovTech, digital ID, cloud services, payments, AI, IoT, and cybersecurity. As exhibitors, we were proud to be part of the conversation and contribute to the future of digital government services. We look forward to continuing our support Scotland's public sector and help our clients to deliver world-class digital experiences.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you to all the speakers, exhibitors, and delegates who made this event a success. An a massive thank you to FutureScot for organising the whole conference. We look forward to exhibiting next year. If you would like to find out more about the conference please visit FutureScot<a href="https://futurescot.com/futurescot-conferences/">here</a> or reach out to one of our public sector recruitment consultants<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/team?filter=ef4fecad-465d-41d1-bed8-3a68a7c9e773"> here.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><u>Harvey Nash Public sector </u></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At Harvey Nash, we bring extensive experience in providing a comprehensive range of public sector recruitment services across the UK and Ireland. We understand the critical role that frameworks play in developing strong, formalised, and measurable partnerships with public sector clients. Our expertise ensures that we can guide you through these frameworks, helping you select the most suitable engagement route based on your specific needs. Let us help you navigate the complexities of public sector recruitment to achieve the best outcomes for your organisation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Discover our public sector recruitment <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/sectors/public-sector">here.</a></p>

Digital Scotland conference 2024

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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">We were delighted to host digital leaders from across Leeds during this year's Leeds Digital Festival, as we premiered our last Tech Flix film, &ldquo;AI &amp; Robotics: A Near Future You&rsquo;re Not Prepared For&rdquo;, followed by an insightful panel discussion lead by Director of Technology &amp; Solutions at NashTech, George Lynch. &nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Our incredible panel included:&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisajohnsonuk/" aria-label="">Lisa Johnson</a>, VP of Starship Technologies&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamroney/" aria-label="">Adam Roney</a>, Founder &amp; CEO of Calls9</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/crispinread/" aria-label="">Crispin Read</a>, Found &amp; CEO of Coders Guild&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW223391880 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcushunter/" aria-label="">Marcus Hunter</a>, CTO of Evri&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW107752911 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The event was jam-packed with discussions on the future of technology, AI, regulations and self-driving robots, among so much more. Lucky for us, we were able to pick George&rsquo;s brain about the event and have a full break-down of the event.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Leeds Digital Festival through the eyes of George Lynch&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW107752911 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">I was charged with &lsquo;looking after&rsquo; our panel members who represented a range of local and international organisations and managed to grab a few minutes with them as we waited for the film to start. It was amazing to see how all the leaders provided so much insight which spanned across so many different sectors and areas within technology, robotics and AI.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW107752911 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Having then invited our guests to join us in the theatre we viewed the short but compelling Tech Flix documentary, &ldquo;AI &amp; Robotics: A Near Future You're Not Prepared For&rdquo; presented by David Savage, Technology Evangelist at Nash Squared.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW107752911 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">I first viewed the documentary at the National Robotarium in Edinburgh a few months ago and it was amazing how even in that short period of time things have moved on again&hellip;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>The documentary seeks to focus on the practical application of AI &amp; Robotics in business and society discussing a variety of important topics like policy &amp; regulation, education and skills for the future.</p>
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<p><img src="https://cdn.sourceflow.co.uk/3qv6um17rix4l24higqfckysm3zz" alt="&quot;&quot;" width="395" height="220"></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Inevitability though the documentary does explore some areas where the answer is unknowable i.e. as &ldquo;overall productivity increases but individual productivity reduces&rdquo; what impact will this have on the global economy?&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The panel provided insightful and challenging answers to the questions I posed. Everything from data governance &amp; self-regulation to commercialisation of AI and the impact of talent. I was left with a sense of cautious optimism. The panel and all our guests viewed the documentary as both a challenge and a call to action&hellip; and it&rsquo;s the word &ldquo;action&rdquo; that is most important to me.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Key takeaways from our panelists&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Lisa Johnson</strong>, VP of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs for Starship Technologies not only talked eloquently about the legal and regulatory challenges facing robotics and AI they also just happened to have one of Starships autonomous self-driving robots for all to see.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><em>&ldquo;Be an ambassador for AI &amp; Robotics and talk positively about it. Fundamentally, politicians need to do more around regulation."</em>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Adam Rooney</strong>, CEO and Founder of Calls9, gave his views on how digital leaders can create policies for responsible AI that foster innovation rather than act as a barrier. &nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><em>"SME's need to understand more. Do not wait for the government or anyone else to tell you that this is important, it's important now!"&nbsp;</em></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Crispin Read</strong>, CEO &amp; Founder, of the Coder&rsquo;s Guild had already attended a few Leeds Digital Festival events. Crispin&rsquo;s unique perspective on education and awareness of all things Robotics and AI was very much appreciated as we wrestled with the role of software engineers in the medium to long term.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><em>"Progress is a shared responsibility. Economic and social sustainability is the goal."&nbsp;</em></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Finally, I managed to spend some time with&nbsp;<strong>Marcus Hunter</strong>, CTO of Evri, who was able to share how Evri has already created an AI policy and framework to ensure AI is not perceived as a threat but rather a business enabler.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><em>"It's a playground out there! Play, but play responsibly and sustainably."&nbsp;</em></p>
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<h1>Conclusion&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">As digital leaders, we need to act now so that our organisations can take advantage of recent breakthroughs in AI &amp; Robotics whilst exerting our influence on policy makers, governments &amp; big tech to make sure we embed ethics and good practice in everything we do.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">It&rsquo;s worth calling out the National Robotarium which provided a fusion of academia and industry allowing SMEs to innovate and adopt a &ldquo;fail fast&rdquo; approach to product development.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The telltale sign of a great event is the number of guests who linger to discuss the big topics raised by the film and panel discussion. Needless to say, the discussions at the Everyman Theatre went on late into the evening.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">For more information&nbsp;about this event, please contact&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/charlie-deacon" aria-label="">Charlie Deacon</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW187573017 BCX0" title="" href="mailto:Charlie.Deacon@harveynash.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="">Charlie.Deacon@harveynash.com</a>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">If you&rsquo;re interested in finding out more about how Harvey Nash can support your hiring needs,&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW187573017 BCX0" title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="">please contact us here.</a>&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>About the author&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW187573017 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-lynch-21064314/" aria-label="">George Lynch</a>&nbsp;is the Director of Technology &amp; Solutions at&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.nashtechglobal.com/" aria-label="">NashTech</a>, our sister brand as part of the Nash Squared business. With over two decades of experience in the tech world, George has a real passion and understanding of technology, and how business can use it to their advantage.&nbsp;</p>
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2024 Leeds Digital Festival Event

Data & BI Leaders Event 2024

<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>What questions are leaders thinking about now where AI and robotics are concerned?</strong></div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Last week <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/">Amazon Web Services</a> (AWS) teamed up with Harvey Nash to host over 100 digital leaders to engage in a discussion focused on the frontier of autonomy. As we start to grapple with the impact of AI and robotics it feels more important than ever to dive into the topic with our community.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The afternoon was built around a second public screening of <a href="https://www.nashsquared.com/">Nash Squared</a>&rsquo;s film <em>&lsquo;A Near Future You're Not Prepared For&rsquo; </em>which explores how organisations are preparing for the disruption caused by emerging technology like AI. It highlights the lack of cohesive AI policies and regulation across organisations and governments, which threatens to stifle innovation and put talent at risk.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">In the film academics and leaders discuss how best to ethically implement AI while supporting their workforce through current technological disruption akin to the industrial revolution, especially given the concerns of job losses to automation. The film provides a nuanced perspective: AI can alleviate humans from dangerous or monotonous work, creating new opportunities in an AI-driven economy.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">With the scene set we heard from a number of expert voices including Slalom&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-fayers-7bb4a94/">Richard Fayers</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/niallhrobinson/">Niall Robinson </a>from the <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">Met Office</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-seymour-9372b8/">Eddie Seymour </a>of <a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-gb/">Nvidia</a>, <a href="https://bladebug.co.uk/">BladeBug</a>&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cieslak-95a83416/">Chris Cieslak</a>, this year&rsquo;s most influential woman in tech (<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/">Computer Weekly</a>) <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukifuller/">Suki Fuller</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-curtis-rouse-0a82629/">Mike Curtis-Rouse </a>of <a href="https://www.catapult.com/">Catapult</a>. The discussions were hosted by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylrazzell/">Cheryl Razzell </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhammant/">Jon Hammant</a>, both from AWS.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">So where does such a broad and knowledgeable group feel we need to spend time really thinking about this technology?</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The panel explored the potential of AI-powered "smart cities" to improve urban planning, transportation, utilities and more, but also raised challenges around data privacy and equitable access.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">There was reference to AI guilt and the idea that younger members of teams will use AI tools available to them, but they may also hide the fact that they do because it could be frowned upon. If the right guardrails are in place then there is zero reason to feel any guilt, but addressing that emotion is something leaders need to do to stop adoption happening out of sight and with unintended consequences. It will also compound any efforts made to get the workforce GenAI ready.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Data privacy and a particular focus on bias was a recurring theme. How do we address bias present in the data used to train AI models? The need was placed on emphasising diverse data sets and rigorous testing to mitigate discrimination and unintended consequences. One panelist warned that lax data governance might lead to some form of &lsquo;mad cow&rsquo; for AI.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">The panel took time to consider the current state and future advancements of robotics and automation technology, and the potential for societal change. Are we giving enough thought to the ethical questions posed by building technology? Technology used in the development of a wind farm can be used to propel a rocket. Whilst tech is rarely ever developed with bad intentions we are culpable as an industry if we simply fail to engage in the debate.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">That may be the most pertinent take away. Much of the technology innovation to emerge in the past decade has been narrow in it's application, even if it's unlocked huge benefits (Cloud for example). AI is a tool set that's being applied to so many situations that it's hard to assess its impact.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Almost as quickly as we have an understanding of one aspect of the change we face, the picture evolves, and at this point in time debate and community is more important than ever.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">About the Panel</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">
<ul>
<li>Jon Hammant,&nbsp;Head of Compute for EMEA at Amazon Web Services (AWS)</li>
<li>Niall Robinson,&nbsp;Head of Product Futures at Met Office</li>
<li>Mike Curtis-Rouse,&nbsp;Head of In-Orbit Servicing &amp; Manufacturing - Satellite Applications at Catapult</li>
<li>Eddie Seymour,&nbsp;European Director at NVIDIA</li>
<li>Chris Cieslak, Founder and Director at BladeBUG Limited</li>
<li>Suki Fuller, Founder | Analytical Storyteller,&nbsp;WINNER 2023 Most Influential Women in UK Technology</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">About the author</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidajsavage/">David Savage</a> is the Group Technology Evangelist for our parent company, Nash Squared. He has a deep understanding of the technology and talent markets and spends his time crafting podcasts, hosting video debates, speaking, moderating conferences, and chairing keynote stages.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Since 2017, he has been the editor and host of Tech Talks, a show about leadership and technology currently ranked as one of the most popular podcasts in the world.</div>

Exploring the Frontiers of Autonomyevent with AWS

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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><em>What topics are currently at the forefront of the minds of digital leaders? Nash Squared Technology Evangelist, David Savage breaks down the key discussions from the evening.&nbsp;</em></p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Last week we brought together digital leaders from across Leeds to join us for our annual Digital Leadership Report (DLR) event. Throughout the evening, several key topics were pulled out of the data and expanded by the leadership community.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">I think it would be a shock to you if AI hadn&rsquo;t dominated conversations. Since we released the initial DLR we&rsquo;ve also conducted a pulse survey. It goes into even greater detail about Generative AI and the challenges faced by technology and digital leaders.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Now, full disclosure. Making notes whilst presenting can be hard. But I did note down the key topics and some commentary from the room. Those notes are as exhaustive as &lsquo;tech debt v business debt, yes&rsquo;. Highly insightful.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">So, I had some fun. I fleshed out my notes as much as possible. I then prompted Copilot to reference it against the DLR and pulse survey, and finally to rewrite it in my own style. The results are below!&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">At once this highlights how great these tools are for productivity. But it&rsquo;s not me, and when I read the text, it doesn&rsquo;t sound like me. The point is these tools are great but the data we have internally to query isn&rsquo;t always the best. My writing style in emails is not how I&rsquo;d approach an article.&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">We have a long way to go until AI takes our place, a point raised in our research. Just 1% of roles are currently being replaced. It&rsquo;s how we adopt AI, not the fact that we can adapt it. The honeymoon is over and that&rsquo;s a good thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">So here they are, the key points from our digital leaders within Leeds, written by Copilot with a little steer from me.</p>
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<h1>Projects That Pay Off vs. Cost-Cutting: What&rsquo;s the Smart Move?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Let&rsquo;s face it, we&rsquo;re all looking for the next big thing that&rsquo;ll make the cash registers sing. Right now, it&rsquo;s all about those projects that bring in the dough. But hey, don&rsquo;t forget, the big bosses are breathing down our necks for more than just revenue &ndash; they want us to be ninjas at cutting costs too. It&rsquo;s a tightrope walk, but who said being a digital leader was easy?&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>GenAI: Friend or Foe to Developers?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW112565023 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Here&rsquo;s the million-dollar question &ndash; is Generative AI the trusty sidekick for our software developers, or is it the villain in disguise? It&rsquo;s a hot debate, and I&rsquo;m all ears for your thoughts. Are we looking at a game-changer or just another tech headache?&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Transforming Business: Can We Make Magic Without Top-Notch Data?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Alright, let&rsquo;s talk turkey. Can we really shake up the business world if our data&rsquo;s not up to snuff? It&rsquo;s like trying to paint a masterpiece with a blunt pencil. Sure, we might make some headway, but without that golden data, we&rsquo;re almost flying blind.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Net Zero and GenAI: A Match Made in Tech Heaven or a Carbon Footprint Nightmare?</h1>
<p>Net zero &ndash; it&rsquo;s the goal we&rsquo;re all chasing, but as we dive headfirst into the world of GenAI tools, are we helping or hindering the cause? The jury&rsquo;s out, and the clock&rsquo;s ticking. We&rsquo;ve got tech giants like Google waving red flags about missing the 2030 targets, so it&rsquo;s time to get real about where GenAI fits into our green dreams.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Technical Debt vs. Business Debt: Two Sides of the Same Coin?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Technical debts like that drawer we all have &ndash; full of stuff we&rsquo;ll &lsquo;sort out later.&rsquo; But let&rsquo;s not kid ourselves, it&rsquo;s not just a tech problem. It&rsquo;s a business problem too. Ignore it, and you&rsquo;ll see the financial side start to wobble. The trick? Keep it all in check, balance the books, and never let that debt drawer overflow.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>The Rise of the Chief AI Officer: Are We Ready to Roll Out the Red Carpet?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The tech world&rsquo;s buzzing with talk of a new VIP &ndash; the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. It&rsquo;s a role that&rsquo;s picking up steam, with companies getting wise to the need for some AI smarts at the top table. Will it stick around, or is it just a passing trend? Time will tell, but for now, the CAIO is the talk of the town.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>And finally&hellip;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Thank you to everyone who attended our event, and all the digital leaders who took part in our research. We appreciate your time, and hope you get value out of our insights and the connections you make.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">We also hope it encourages you to find out more about what we do, so &ndash; and here is the marketing bit &ndash; if you would like to find out more about our Harvey Nash tech recruitment services, or how NashTech can help you build your software development capability, Natalie or Steve would love to hear from you:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW233481416 BCX0" href="mailto:Natalie.Dobson@harveynash.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natalie.Dobson@harveynash.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW233481416 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW233481416 BCX0" href="mailto:Steve.Rake@nashtechglobal.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steve.Rake@nashtechglobal.com</a>&nbsp;</p>
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Leeds 25th Anniversary Digital Leadership Report 2024

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<p class="Paragraph SCXW179924345 BCX0">So, what really is on the minds of tech leaders in Manchester?&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW179924345 BCX0">Well the Digital Leadership Report event, which took place on 27th June, was one excellent way to find out. Over forty tech leaders gathered at HOME Manchester to explore the results of the DLR, engage in fascinating discussion and hear the exclusive announcement of Computer Weekly's UKTech50 - the most UK's influence people in tech.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Our panel were:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Christopher Williamson, Group Technology Director, N Brown Group&nbsp;</li>
<li>Patrick Smith, CEO, Zally&nbsp;</li>
<li>Nick Woods, CIO, MAG (Airports Group)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Hosted by: David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist, Nash Squared&nbsp;</li>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW179924345 BCX0">We were also joined by:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<ul>
<li>Bryan Glick, Editor-in-Chief, Computer Weekly</li>
<li>&hellip;and by video message, the #1 most influence person in tech: Sir Alan Bates, campaigner on the Post Office Horizon scandal&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW179924345 BCX0">You can view photos from the&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW179924345 BCX0" title="" href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBxHQe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="">event here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Five things we learnt&nbsp;&nbsp;</h1>
<h2>1. Investment up, despite economic headwinds&nbsp;</h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW82681416 BCX0">Despite a difficult and unpredictable global economy, investment in technology remains relatively strong &ndash; in the next 12 months over four in ten expect to increase tech budgets, and one third to increase tech headcount.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. GenAI widely adopted, with mixed success&nbsp;</h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW82681416 BCX0">Almost three-quarters of organisations have deployed GenAI to at least some extent to their employees, and one in five have deployed it enterprise-wide. While deployment of GenAI has been rapid, there has been mixed success in its impact. Over half feel a lack of business case is holding them back, others are concerned by misuse of the tools.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>3. The birth of the Chief AI Officer</h2>
<p>For the majority of organisations, the AI strategy sits with the technology leader; typically the CIO or CTO. But for others that responsibility will lie with the Chief AI Officer (CAIO). One in twenty organisations have one, a similar proportion expect to appoint one.&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>4. Hybrid working come of age?</h2>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW241301703 BCX0">Since our last DLR in late 2023, one in six organisations have increased the number of days expected in the office, moving the typical time expected there from 2-3 days, to 3 days. And they seem happy with the results, four in ten report it working &lsquo;extremely well&rsquo;, a big jump from our last report. But there are potential consequences to this change, especially in attracting talent who also need to juggle caring responsibilities.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5. Tech &ndash; it really all comes down to people&nbsp;</h2>
<p>It was very telling that the #1 most influential person in tech was a non-technologist: Sir Alan Bates. It is a strong reminder that the ultimate consumers of technology are humans. When it goes right everyone can benefit. But when it goes wrong, the human impact can be significant. You can see Alan&rsquo;s video acceptance speech&nbsp;<a class="Hyperlink SCXW241301703 BCX0" href="https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/I2hACAnm4Fv09BYh8YdA_?domain=computerweekly.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>&nbsp;</h1>
<h1>Ten quotes from the panel</h1>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Christopher Williamson, Group Technology Director, N Brown Group:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;Last time I was at a DLR event ChatGPT had just been launched. The business really wants to get its hands on AI. We&rsquo;ve set up an AI function to drive it forward, with representation across data, legal, business - reviewing the use cases regularly. Right now we are using AI for pricing. I&rsquo;m keen to allow the business to use AI, but within a framework we set.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Patrick Smith, CEO, Zally:&nbsp;</strong>&ldquo;The key to AI is who owns the right to IP? If you generate code using AI, who is the owner? It&rsquo;s unclear right now.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Nick Woods, CIO, MAG (Airports Group):</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;We&rsquo;re spending &pound;1.3bn on expanding the Manchester airport terminal. We&rsquo;re using AI to inform the plans, especially how we manage the flow of aircraft. It&rsquo;s looking like we will be able to get &pound;30m more of value from this activity.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Nick:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;Boards care about four things: risk, cost, revenue and - increasingly - sustainability. If you want to influence at board level, your conversations should be focused on those things.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Patrick:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;I think a big business opportunity is to educate people on how to use AI. Right now it&rsquo;s a buzzword like blockchain was. If OpenAI shuts down their API, what happens to all the businesses reliant on it?&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Christopher:&nbsp;</strong>&ldquo;We should all be using AI in our roles. In N Brown Group we have set up tribes to look at specific journeys.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Nick:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;I have a CISO, CDO and at some time we might have a Chief AI Officer, but either way you need to start with business transformation. The role of CIAO may come and go. Over time we will see more citizen development as the business becomes empowered with the tools.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Patrick:&nbsp;</strong>&lt;on reports that cyber-attacks are going down&gt; &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think these numbers reflect what&rsquo;s really happening. Maybe people are under reporting, or people have got used to working under regular attack.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Patrick:&nbsp;</strong>&lt;on promoting women in tech&gt; &ldquo;It&rsquo;s up to us as leaders. We need to hire on skills. A tech startup is not a 9-5 job. We need to find better ways to support both men and women. Women have a perception of IT not being a welcome space.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><strong>Christopher:</strong>&nbsp;&ldquo;Hybrid working is here to stay. Productivity went up during the pandemic. We don&rsquo;t have a mandate for people to be in the office, but we do encourage people come in. For instance we had a mini tech festival. You need to be flexible - I have an out of office when I do the school run, and make it clear to all of my team that this is totally OK.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0">&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>And finally&hellip;&nbsp;</h1>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW216380794 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0">Thank you to everyone who attended our event, and all the digital leaders who took part in our research. We really appreciate your time, and hope you get value out of our insights and the connections you make.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW216380794 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0">We also hope it encourages you to find out more about what we do, so &ndash; and here is the marketing bit &ndash; if you would like to find out more about our Harvey Nash tech recruitment services, or how NashTech can help you build your software development capability, Emma or Steve would love to hear from you:&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW216380794 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW216380794 BCX0" href="mailto:Emma.Gardiner@harveynash.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emma.Gardiner@harveynash.com</a>&nbsp;</p>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW216380794 BCX0"><a title="" href="mailto:Steve.Rake@nashtechglobal.com" aria-label="">Steve.Rake@nashtechglobal.com&nbsp;</a></p>
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Manchester 25th Anniversary Digital Leadership Report 2024

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<p><em>On the 23<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;of May, Nash Squared premiered our latest documentary in the 'Tech Flix' series at the National Robotarium, just outside Edinburgh. This third edition was titled, &lsquo;AI and Robotics: A Near Future You&rsquo;re Not Prepared For&rsquo; and explored the issues facing digital leaders looking to adopt automation with analysis from across the sector.</em></p>
<p>Whilst the film itself will be released later in the summer after further screenings in New York and London, a local panel of experts added a huge amount of context and detail following the credits.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Joining&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-macgrain-b870531a/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Cameron Macgrain</a>&nbsp;(Harvey Nash Regional Director) on the panel were&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/crawfrd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Gary Crawford</a>&nbsp;(Waracle),&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjersti-f-3ab7a51b/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Kjersti Ferguson</a>&nbsp;(Scottish Government),&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-rhynas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Samantha Rhynas</a>&nbsp;(Effini),&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamhosking/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Graham Hosking</a>&nbsp;(Quorum Cyber) and&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angusa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="external-link">Angus Allan</a>&nbsp;(xDesign).</p>
<p>So, what were the key discussion points in the room when the credits started to roll?</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly one of the key themes was the need to maintain the human element in decision-making. Angus Allan was at pains to stress the point. In fact, human qualities appear to be hugely important when dealing with AI.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We know that AI is prone to hallucinating and therefore spreading misinformation. When we encounter another person doing that, we spot it and we are sceptical, but we fail to look at the results we are getting from GenAI tools in anything more than binary: yes or no, or right and wrong.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kjersti also made the point that we spend rather too much time worrying about AI&rsquo;s impact on humans and society, and not enough on how we actually want to use it.</p>
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<p>Another topic of discussion was policy and regulation; but through the prism of its impact on innovation.&nbsp;Gary pointed out that it was crucial to ensure innovative ideas were not constrained. There was clear concern amongst the panel that due to the rate of change, organisations needed to consider building flexibility into their policies to respond to a rapidly evolving technology landscape.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Graham also added that none of this is new, so we really cannot afford to wait for the government, and we should have the policies in place already!</p>
<p>Data governance was raised, as was the need to ensure we only use AI where it helps.&nbsp;Both points rely on education and understanding of the challenges presented.&nbsp;</p>
<p>One terrifying thought highlighted, was that we are moving from an attention economy to a relationship economy, where the public might view AI as a friend.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Given its intentions will always have another purpose behind them, owned elsewhere, that is a real concern; especially for parents trying to navigate technology with impressionable children.</p>
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<p>Samantha also made the point that just because someone might have experience working as a technology professional, or as an engineer, it does not mean you are an expert in AI. It is a point that underscores that this really is an area where there are still many more questions than answers.</p>
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<p>It all begs the question, what are the biggest questions you have concerning the adoption of AI in business, and do&nbsp;<strong><em>you&nbsp;</em></strong>feel prepared?</p>
<h1>About the author</h1>
<p><a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidajsavage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="">David Savage</a>&nbsp;is the Group Technology Evangelist for our parent company, Nash Squared. He has a deep understanding of the technology and talent markets and spends his time crafting podcasts, hosting video debates, speaking, moderating conferences, and chairing keynote stages.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Since 2017, he has been the editor and host of Tech Talks, a show about leadership and technology currently ranked as one of the most popular podcasts in the world.</p>
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The launch of 'AI and Robotics: A Near Future You're Not Prepared For'

<p><strong>Resetting the Exodus: 50% of Women in Tech roles leave by Age 35, what does this mean for the Financial Services Sector?</strong></p>
<p>I was delighted to recently host my first corporate event, exploring the stark reality that women are leaving technology roles at double the rate men are.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As a member of Wo+Men@Nash (our gender Employee Resource Group) - and a politics university graduate - I've been an advocate for gender parity in all aspects of my life.&nbsp;As the dust settles from my recent panel discussion, the resounding echoes of concern linger.&nbsp;My position: change starts with one individual; we all have a voice; we have a duty to use it.</p>
<p>The exodus demands our attention.</p>
<p>Consider this: Closing the gender gap in tech not only addresses talent shortages but also fosters innovation, business performance, and overall company growth. Championing gender parity in the workplace isn&rsquo;t just &ldquo;the right thing to do&rdquo;, it&rsquo;s imperative for the future.</p>
<p>When I learned about the 50% attrition rate during a talk at the&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://women-in-technology.com/" aria-label="">Women of Silicon Roundabout</a>&nbsp;last year, it got me wondering. I work with companies that talk the talk on gender equality, but why are we still hemorrhaging so much talent?</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s clear that collective action is required for meaningful change.</p>
<p>The statistics paint an alarming picture: women are leaving the tech industry at double the rate of men.&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/women-are-leaving-tech-roles-heres-how-we-can-support-them-to-improve-retention/" aria-label="">Despite comprising 57% of the overall workforce, they represent only 22% of the tech workforce.</a></p>
<p>A key takeaway from the evening: the distinction between talent attraction and retention.&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.womenintech.co.uk/women-in-tech-survey-2023/" aria-label="">Women hold 32.8% of entry-level technology roles, but only 10.9% of CEO or senior leadership positions.</a>&nbsp;Has the focus on improved representation in graduate cohorts been at the expense of retaining them?</p>
<p>The departure of talent is happening somewhere in the middle. The Q&amp;A discussion mentioned the absence of thought-through development plans, limited representation at executive level and maternity/paternity policies, as factors contributing to these pretty alarming retention rates.</p>
<p>Promotion bias exacerbates this issue, with managers favouring men,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>who hold 60% of managerial positions, leaving fewer opportunities for women to advance. As&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace" aria-label="">McKinsey&rsquo;s 2023 report</a>&nbsp;noted, for every 100 men promoted from entry level to manager, 87 women were promoted.</p>
<p>And this gap is trending the wrong way for women of colour: this year, 73 women of colour were promoted to manager for every 100 men, down from 82 women of colour last year. McKinsey's research reveals that despite their aspirations, women face significant obstacles in climbing the corporate ladder.</p>
<p>This bias is rooted in societal norms, as highlighted by&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-saujani?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAAibQQBTiAn2pwkbuO-2jMyWyMMBr30PqM&amp;lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BbfycMEapQsOhdVKla1oF2A%3D%3D" aria-label="">Reshma Saujani</a>, founder of<a title="" href="https://girlswhocode.com/" aria-label="">&nbsp;Girls Who Code</a>. From a young age, girls are conditioned to prioritise perfection over bravery, hindering their ability to take risks and self-advocate. This point was touched upon further during the evening; it was noted that societal pressure manifests in the workplace, perpetuating a culture where women feel compelled to conform rather than challenge. In banking, unfortunately, the system isn&rsquo;t designed for passiveness. It&rsquo;s very much a &ldquo;if you don&rsquo;t ask, you don&rsquo;t get&rdquo; culture.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Company culture also plays a significant role. A staggering 76% of women in tech report experiencing gender bias or discrimination in the workplace. Women are twice as likely to be mistaken for someone junior and hear comments on their emotional state.</p>
<p>But it's not just about promotions and company culture: it's about pay too. The gender pay gap in the tech industry stands at a staggering 16%, significantly higher than the national average of 11.6%. Women earn up to 28% less than their male colleagues in the same tech roles, a discrepancy that's particularly pronounced in early career stages. Around 78% of large organisations admitted to having a gender pay gap in the technology sector.</p>
<p>Even in companies we often hold as paragons of the tech industry, such as Google and Apple, the statistics reveal glaring inequalities. Google reports that women earn 83p an hour for every &pound;1 their male colleagues earn, and women's average bonuses are 43% lower than men's. Similarly, at Apple, women earn 74p for every &pound;1 their male counterparts earn, with only 88% of women receiving bonuses compared to 94% of men.</p>
<p>It all sounds quite depressing doesn&rsquo;t it? But the future is not all doom and gloom. Through my research I noticed a collective sense of hope for the future. The tech industry is facing a talent shortage, with McKinsey projecting an increase of the tech talent gap from 1.4 million to 3.9 million people by 2027. If Europe could double the share of women in the tech workforce to about 45 percent, an estimated 4 million additional women would be available &ndash; this would close the talent gap and benefit from a GDP increase of as much as &euro;260 billion to &euro;600 billion.</p>
<p>Addressing these systemic inequities requires a multifaceted and nuanced approach. Firstly, companies must acknowledge and actively combat gender bias and discrimination in the workplace. This includes implementing diversity training programmes, fostering inclusive company cultures, and promoting equal opportunities for career advancement.</p>
<p>Additionally, leaders must serve as champions for change, advocating for policies that prioritise gender equality and holding themselves accountable for creating environments where all employees can thrive.</p>
<p>As I reflect on the insights offered from our panellists, it's clear that the tech exodus is not a women's issue&mdash;it's a societal one. By dismantling barriers to entry, fostering inclusive workplaces, and championing gender equality, we can create a future where women are not only welcomed in tech but empowered to thrive.</p>
<p>A huge thank you to my panellists, Catherine, Rashada, Ed and Matt &ndash; I couldn&rsquo;t have done it without you. I&rsquo;m optimistic for the future and proud to be a part of this movement.</p>
<p>After all the only constant in technology, is change. If we&rsquo;re not evolving, we&rsquo;re losing.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1><strong>About the Author&nbsp;</strong></h1>
<p><a title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/Profile/catherine-astier" aria-label="">Catherine Astier</a>, is a Recruitment Consultant within the Financial Services team, at Harvey Nash. She primarily focuses on the contract market, helping to deliver exceptional talent to a range of our clients including: banks, insurers and investment managers. Outside her day-to-day cat is passionate about social issues and championing diversity in the workplace.&nbsp;</p>

Resetting the Exodus Event

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<p>Our parent company, Nash Squared and the Department for Education, in association with Mazars, were delighted to host an event as part of National Apprenticeship Week, to discuss the UK tech talent pipeline and showcase T Levels &ndash; the technical qualification providing a wider entry route into technology for 16&ndash;19-year-olds.</p>
<p>You can read more in&nbsp;<a href="https://assets-global.website-files.com/626a518e6507e342004ee1fe/65d8a62a9f95bc1329bc0be5_T%20Level%20Thursday%20-%20The%20Tech%20talent%20pipeline%20-%20Nash%20Squared%20and%20DfE-UD.pdf">our summary here (PDF)</a>&nbsp;or below.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Speakers</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Jim Dolan</strong>, Partner, Technology and Digital Consulting Practice, Mazars</li>
<li><strong>Robert Grimsey</strong>, Group Marketing Director, Nash Squared</li>
<li><strong>Andy Heyes</strong>, Managing Director UK &amp; Central Europe, Harvey Nash</li>
<li><strong>Phil Callow</strong>, Managing Director, Ark ICT Solutions Ltd</li>
<li><strong>Andrea Kay</strong>, Head of T Level Industry Placements Policy, Department for Education</li>
<li><strong>Jenny Docherty</strong>, Apprenticeship &amp; Funding Lead, Housing 21</li>
<li><strong>Nayan Patel</strong>, Associate IT Service Engineer and former T Level student, Housing 21</li>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Key takeaways from the event</h2>
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<li>Technical education is the future and T Levels form part of the answer to the UK&rsquo;s lagging productivity and skills shortage.</li>
<li>T Levels can assist with the government&rsquo;s levelling up agenda by anchoring regional tech clusters, and they enable businesses to attract and retain employees without having to pivot to London for talent.</li>
<li>T Levels can broaden diversity in tech by offering an entry route for students from backgrounds not traditionally associated with the sector.</li>
<li>Skills shortages in the technology sector are a perennial concern voiced by industry decision-makers. T Levels will help the country equip young people with work-ready, practically focused skills and attributes that will keep the wheels of the economy turning.</li>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What are T Levels?</h2>
<p>First introduced in 2020, T Levels are a further education route that allows young people to specialise in skills such as cyber security and software design through a combination of both classroom teaching and an industry placement of at least 315 hours &ndash; approximately 45 days.</p>
<p>The placement is at the heart of each T Level course. It allows students to experience life in the workplace and utilise the skills they have developed at school or college. For employers, hosting placements offers early access to the brightest young tech talent, helping to fill skills shortages and inspire the next generation to pursue a career in tech, especially those students for whom a career in tech is not an obvious choice.</p>
<p>There are currently over 250 colleges and providers offering T Levels, with 18 qualifications now available and three more to come in the summer. Andrea Kay from the Department for Education reported that over 16,000 students are studying T Levels on pathways designed in alignment with industry needs.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Cyber Security T Level</h2>
<p>Nash Squared, along with other technology businesses, worked with the Department for Education to develop a curriculum for a new cyber security T Level pathway, which launched in September 2023. Nash Squared have since partnered with DfE to increase the number of employers offering T Level placements in England. The event in Birmingham was a key part of this activity, bringing together employers, students and educational providers to raise awareness of the qualification and the wider importance of technical education.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Digital Support Services T Level</h2>
<p>The&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/digital-leadership-report" aria-label="">2023 Digital Leadership Report</a>&nbsp;&ndash; an annual survey of senior decision-makers &ndash; found that cybersecurity remains a top priority, with 25% of digital leaders still struggling to find the right skills, at a time when over 70% of organisations are concerned about organised cybercrime and 45% are worried about cyberattacks from foreign powers.</p>
<p>This is where the T Level in Digital Support Services has a role to play. This qualification gives students a grounding in all aspects of digital, including software design and virtual/ cloud environments, and covers the key areas of cyber security, privacy and confidentiality. With the government reporting an acute cyber skills shortage of 11,200 last July, T Levels can ease pressure on the sector and ensure a pipeline of talent moving forward.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Tech talent pipeline</h2>
<p>In order to remain a global technology leader, the UK needs to have a broad range of world-leading technical expertise that can be adaptable to an ever-changing technological landscape. The tech sector &ndash; like many other industries &ndash; struggles to meet its entry-level talent needs and build a sustainable pipeline of future employees.</p>
<p>Skills shortages and gaps remain a perennial issue for the tech sector and many of the speakers in Birmingham echoed this point: Andy Heyes, Managing Director of Harvey Nash UK &amp; Central Europe, referenced their 2023 Digital Leadership Report which found that 54% of business leaders experienced a shortage of technology talent. He remarked during the event that the &ldquo;biggest skills in demand remain cyber, expertise in machine learning, data science and software engineering&rdquo;.</p>
<p>This is where T Levels can play such a crucial role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and the workplace and provide a route to the well-paid, skilled jobs of the future because many employers retain students on completion of their course.</p>
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<p>When asked whether bringing new talent into a company fosters greater enthusiasm and innovation, Phil Callow, Managing Director of Ark ICT Solutions, responded emphatically that &lsquo;young people generally bring in a real amount of enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge that is rare in senior recruitment&rsquo;.</p>
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<p>As an employer who has taken on numerous T Level students and offered 50 work experience placements last year, Mr Callow has all but given up on traditional routes to recruit tech talent. In the past he found that the quality of the talent coming through these routes and, to a large extent, their salary expectations were out of kilter.</p>
<p>He found a solution by working in close partnership with a local college: Ark uses work placements to &lsquo;cherry pick students before they get released to the wider job market&rsquo; and essentially acts as Boston College&rsquo;s nominated technology work experience provider.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is a phenomenal route of getting talent into your company if you spend the time to enable that upskilling&rdquo;, he added.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Diversity matters</h2>
<p>&lsquo;It is not just a question of attracting talent into the sector; there is also an issue with the make-up of that talent&rsquo;, according to Andy Heyes of Harvey Nash.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Progress on gender representation in the sector has been glacial&rdquo;.</p>
<p>The&nbsp;<a title="" href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/digital-leadership-report" aria-label="">2023 Digital Leadership Report</a>&nbsp;found that only 23% of technology professionals are women, and this reduces to 14% when you look at leadership positions. Companies are increasingly keen to make sure that the people developing influential technology are truly reflective of the needs of their customers.</p>
<p>Traditional routes into tech tend to be dominated by students from certain demographic backgrounds. That is why in recent years alternative pathways including apprenticeships and placement schemes have attracted increasing attention and investment. Traditional pathways, such as A Levels and university, are not suited to everyone and may result in some young people being denied the opportunity to develop to their full potential.</p>
<p>Building a wider pipeline of talent at entry level helps address skills shortages and increases diversity, enabling businesses to better reflect the communities in which they operate. T Levels act as a vehicle for social mobility for those students who feel the more academic route is not for them but now have a direct route into the technology sector.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>West Midlands tech sector</h2>
<p>The importance of the West Midlands as a centre for economic growth and innovation cannot be understated, and this was reflected in the wide variety of organisations represented at the event in Birmingham. The tech sector is often criticised as being too London- centric and this is not a baseless charge; however, Birmingham is not only the second largest metropolitan area, it also hosts&nbsp;the number one regional tech cluster, with over 65,000 people employed by 12,500 businesses.</p>
<p>T Levels can help level up regional economies by diversifying the talent pipeline: if tech companies can look to local schools and colleges for entry-level talent through a T Levels pathway, they do not need to compete with other sectors for graduates, many of whom gravitate to London and the South East for employment, meaning that regions across the UK benefit from innovative local economies and well- paid, secure employment.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Call for action</h2>
<p>Get in touch with Nash Squared if you would like to learn about T Levels or meet a T Level provider in your constituency via:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nashsquared@40connectpa.co.uk?subject=T%20Level%20Thursday">nashsquared@connectpa.co.uk</a></p>
<p>To support employers, the Department for Education have a dedicated T Level employer website where you will find practical resources including case studies,&nbsp;<a href="https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/8481078453138-Register-an-interest-in-T-Levels-and-industry-placements">connect with T Level providers</a>&nbsp;and free-to-attend webinars to help you plan and host T Level industry placements.</p>
<p>The Department has also partnered with the Strategic Development Network to offer a comprehensive support package that includes 1:1 support for employers who are thinking about hosting an industry placement. &nbsp;If you would value a call with an industry placement specialist to help you decide, plan or prepare to host placements, you can request this through the Level employer&nbsp;<a href="https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/requests/new">website</a>.</p>
<p>Photos from the event can be accessed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21283461@N06/albums/72177720314671836/">here.</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>About Nash Squared</h2>
<p>With over 3,300 employees in 48 locations across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Nash Squared is a leading global provider of talent and technology solutions. They have helped many of the world&rsquo;s organisations recruit highly skilled technology talent, including Meta and leading banks, supporting the British workforce into high-skilled and long-lasting jobs. Their mission is for Nash Squared to tackle the technology skills deficit within the United Kingdom by empowering employees to long-lasting careers.</p>
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Help us transform the tech talent pipeline in Birmingham

<p>In the realm of software development, our focal point revolves around addressing the challenges posed by technical debt, which can be just as detrimental as financial debt.</p>
<p>We were delighted to recently host our first technical debt roundtable in our London HQ offices, led by Senior Consultants,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/morgan-fox">Morgan Fox</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/emmanuel-sackey">Emmanuel Sackey</a>. It was incredible to have the opportunity to gather such an insightful group of Engineering leaders who have experience dealing with technical debt.</p>
<p>Our team opened the evening by welcoming everyone, explaining the purpose of this roundtable and what led them to host it. David Savage, our Technology Evangelist, then opened the discussion by calling on a Chief Technology Officer, with a simple question:</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;What is technical debt?&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>Although this seems straightforward, it caused much debate among the group of experts within the room. The CTO explained how technical debt has many different definitions today, adding to its overall problem. They then went on to explain their personal experience dealing with technical debt in an organisation, causing one major theme throughout the evening to be highlighted.</p>
<p>One of the biggest causes of technical debt is a lack of communication. It was unanimously agreed that a lack of communication between the development and product teams is often the foundational issue in this circumstance.</p>
<p>Technical debt often becomes the responsibility of the technology team, due to it being considered &lsquo;technical, however, this is not the case. It is often caused by tight deadlines imposed on the technology teams and a lack of technical understanding from the product and management teams.</p>
<p>It was clear that the issue cannot be solved separately; it needs to be solved by one brain that understands things from both a technical and sales or product perspective.</p>
<p>Although it may seem it, technical debt is not always a bad thing. Many of the experts around the table expressed how having technical debt within an organisation can be beneficial. It may seem counter-intuitive, but if companies are smart and know how to correctly pay off the debt; instead of breaking the cycle of technical debt, they can use it to their advantage.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><br>Overall, it was clear the conversation could continue for ages, but the key takeaways were as follows:</p>
<ol>
<li>The biggest issue relating to technical debt is communication. Technical debt is emotive, so teams must learn how to express it to others within the organisation.</li>
<li>Technical debt is an organisational problem. Although the term suggests otherwise, technology only covers half of the actual issue which is technical debt.</li>
<li>Accruing technical debt should be considered. Technical debt can be a useful tool which should be leveraged; however, it needs to be done so carefully and expertly.</li>
</ol>
<p><br>What was clear from the discussion is that many technology leaders experience similar struggles when it comes to managing technical debt. Technical debt has the power to destroy companies, but if it is managed with careful consideration, it could become a useful ally.</p>
<p>We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended the event, and we look forward to hosting future discussions.</p>
<p>If you would like to find out more, please reach out to our team at Harvey Nash:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/morgan-fox">Morgan Fox</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/emmanuel-sackey">Emmanuel Sackey</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/ben-munson">Ben Munson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/matthew-holmes">Matthew Holmes</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>About the authors</h1>
<p><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/morgan-fox">Morgan</a>&nbsp;is a Senior Consultant with over 3 years of experience, specialising in Software Development. Morgan, along with the Technology Specialisms team, provides support and expertise for a range of clients in our portfolio across all industries. He covers talent roles ranging from scaling technology start-up companies to enterprise-level software houses.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/emmanuel-sackey">Emmanuel&nbsp;</a>is a Senior Consultant with over 7 years of experience, specialising in Software Development. With over a decade of experience within Technology, he has a wealth of knowledge and knows exactly how to find talent worth investing in. Discover our latest roles&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/candidates">here</a>.</p>
<p>To find out how Harvey Nash can support you with your recruitment needs, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/">here</a>.</p>

Breaking the Chains of Technical Debt Event

<h1>Exploring the future of Engineering with AIOps event</h1>
<p>In the world of engineering and architecture, the potential of AI is limitless. AI has the potential to transform your workload, making it not only more manageable but also more effective.</p>
<p>We were delighted to recently host our first AIOps roundtable in our London HQ office, led by Cloud Specialist, Jonathan Horwitz. It was amazing to bring together a range of technology enthusiasts from a range of backgrounds who were eager to explore the AI-driven future of their work.</p>
<p>We opened up the event by introducing everyone in the room. We were delighted to be joined by a range of experts, all within the AI space, including Data Engineers, DevOps Engineers, Architects, Platform Engineers and Machine Learning Analysts from industries within technology, finance and hospitality.</p>
<p>During the discussion, it was agreed that AI is the perfect tool which can be utilised to handle tasks which are mundane, yet crucial for a business. By implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence within the workplace, efficiency is enhanced, enabling employees to redirect their focus towards more high-value work.</p>
<p>Overall the key takeaways were as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>A significant challenge in using AI is the occurrence of data hallucinations. This occurs when AI generates links or information pieces that are non-existent. It is imperative that AI-generated content is subject to quality checks, to ensure accuracy and relevance.</li>
<li>A balance is required to responsibly regulate AI. We need to ensure there is an equal balance between innovation and consumer protection, as AI becomes more routinely used in the workplace.</li>
</ul>
<p>What was clear from the discussion is that a pivotal skillset is needed in the form of Prompt Engineering, which focuses on the structuring of text in a way that can be interpreted and understood by generative AI. This approach may lead to more accessible job roles, where software engineering involves not only coding but rather utilising coding to complement Prompt Engineering.</p>
<p>We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended the event and we look forward to hosting future discussions.</p>
<p>If you would like to find out more, please reach out to our team at Harvey Nash: Jonathan Horwitz and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/profile/emmanuel-sackey">]</a>.</p>
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<h1>About the author</h1>
<p>Jonathan is a Senior Consultant with over 10 years experience specialising in Cloud and Devops requirements. Jonathan along with the Technology Specialisms team provide support and expertise for a range of clients in our portfolio across all industries. He focuses on contractor roles but also has extensive experience in high level placements for Technical Project and Programme Managers. Discover our latest roles here.&nbsp;</p>
<p>To find out how Harvey Nash can support you with your recruitment needs please click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Unlocking the Future of Engineering with AIOps Event

<div class="ewa-rteLine">We were delighted to host our first ever Harvey Nash Newcastle Data event, &lsquo;Demystifying Data&rsquo;, led by Consultant, <a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/rachael-whitburn">Rachael Whitburn</a>.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The event was a huge success and was attended by Data Leaders from all over the North-East. We invited two guest speakers, who presented around several discussion topics for the evening, such as AI, data governance and data literacy.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Our first speaker of the evening was Andrew Blance, an Innovation Consultant at a leading North-East based IT consultancy company. He is also a member of the Institute of Data Science at Durham University and holds a PHD in Data Intensive Science.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Andrew explored the challenges and opportunities around AI, while highlighting the importance of responsibility and practicality in a data-driven world. He expressed how fully understanding AI today is pivotal, and emphasised the impact AI has on human resources.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">After Andrew&rsquo;s speech, we had an interval for guests before our second speaker of the evening. The break allowed time for our guests to enjoy the complimentary food and drinks, and also discuss their thoughts on Andrew&rsquo;s presentation.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Following our break, Kevin Marsden, our second and final guest speaker for the evening, began his presentation. Kevin is an Information Architect at a national housing association based in Newcastle. He is at the forefront of devising their data strategy and provided practical takeaways during his presentation.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">During his speech, Kevin highlighted the importance of data literacy and data governance. He presented vital skills for navigating the data landscape responsibly and showcased how to properly utilise data and how it can be used effectively within an organisation.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Two key takeaways for the evening:</div>
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<li>The importance of on-going learning across an organisation regarding data literacy and introducing new ways of making this happen. For example creating an academy or game to assist with this.</li>
<li>Taking responsibility for how AI impacts sustainability.</li>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Overall, our evening at the Supernatural Caf&eacute; was incredible. The gorgeous venue provided an amazing ambience and great food, while our speakers drove many interesting discussions with Data Leaders from across the North-East.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended the event and we look forward to hosting future discussions.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">If you are interested in getting involved in any future events, please reach out to the team based in Newcastle or directly with <a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/rachael-whitburn">Rachael Whitburn</a>.</div>

Newcastle Demystifying Data discussion

<div class="ewa-rteLine">Our organisation Nash Squared were delighted to host a pre-launch event of the Digital Leadership Report 2023 at the House of Commons.</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Attended by over 120 members of parliament, government officials, business and technology leaders the event provided a brilliant opportunity to explore and discuss this years report&rsquo;s key findings and insights.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The event featured speeches from the following;</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>Dame Caroline Dinenage MP</strong>, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, who kindly hosted the event and introduced the report.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>Bev White</strong>, CEO of our organisation Nash Squared, who highlighted the longevity of the report, now it&rsquo;s in 25th year and the key findings and insights.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Bev also commented: &ldquo;Technology is increasingly affecting everything around us, and as the digital leadership report celebrates its 25th year I am delighted this event drew such a wide and diverse range of influential business leaders and parliamentarians&rdquo;</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>Paul Scully MP</strong>, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, who referred to the report as &lsquo;very important&rsquo; emphasising how every minister should read it.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>Charlotte Baldwin</strong>, CDIO, Costa part of Coca Cola Group, who gave a passionate and inspiring speech on diversity in technology to help inspire the next generation of talent. And who also highlighted the worrying gender diversity figures that this years report has found.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>Chi Onwurah MP</strong>, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, shared her extensive experience within the technology sector and the need for us to listen to the report findings.</div>
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<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">The Nash Squared Digital Leadership Report</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">In its 25th year of publication, the <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report">2023 Nash Squared Digital Leadership Report</a> is the world&rsquo;s largest and longest running survey of senior technology decision makers. Launched in 1998 and previously called the CIO Survey, it has been an influential and respected indicator of major trends in technology and digital for over two decades. This year a survey of 2,104 technology/digital leaders globally took place between 22nd June 2023 and 18th September 2023, across 86 countries.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The event was very well received and we were delighted so many influential individuals could attend and spread the Digital Leadership Report findings. We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended as well as Dame Caroline Dinenage MP for hosting.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">To view photographs from the event please visit our <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/21283461@N06/albums/72177720312545142/">photo album</a>.</div>
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Parliamentary launch of the Digital Leadership Report

<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">AI: Where is it actually being used, and what for?</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">It's a minefield, it's power is potentially awesome, but what are the user-cases; how are you securing and anonymising data and where is the tipping point to evolve your organisation? In this roundtable we pushed theory to the side and asked who is using AI in anger?</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We were delighted to recently host our first AI Roundtable in London lead by Senior Consultant, Amber Harrison and Technology Evangelist,&nbsp;<a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/david-savage">David Savage</a>.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">It was amazing to bring together a range of Data and AI Leaders from across London to discuss a range of big questions regarding AI and using it within organisations.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The roundtable focused on the emergence of AI and data ethics, with these conversations being very timely given the real light that has been placed on AI since the release of Chat GPT and generative AI recently.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We opened up the event by introducing everyone in the room. We were delighted to be joined by a range of Senior Leaders in the AI space including Heads of Data Science, leaders in Data Engineering and Directors of Data from reputable financial services, media and oil and gas companies.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">It was agreed, that we must evolve operational software development practices to ensure that designers, developers and deployers of automated systems take proactive measures to protect individuals from discrimination. AI has the power to cause irreversible damage for diverse and inclusive thought if we&rsquo;re not careful.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Overall the key takeaways were as follows:</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We shouldn&rsquo;t fear AI and it&rsquo;s potential. However we should be mindful and cautious of how and where we use it. We need to ensure we find a sustainable way to ensure that AI powered automation coexists with job creation and safeguards workers rights. The group also acknowledged the positives of AI and where it can be used to automate jobs and processes to give significant cost and time benefits to the organisation.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Good practice needs to be embedded into all organisations. Collectively we recognised the importance of this to drive AI corporate values and ethical underpinnings. We discussed whose responsibility this would be and how do we make sure this is being followed. Whilst weighing up the pros and cons we agreed that there are excellent benefits to AI and this shouldn&rsquo;t go unrecognised amongst the dangers.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Finally, we discussed when and where we should trust AI to avoid blindly following whatever outcome it provides. What was clear from the roundtable discussion is that the vast majority of our attendees agreed that there should be tighter regulations in place but this shouldn&rsquo;t be made in hast. The attendees were predominately from Financial Services and regulated industries and therefore recognised the negative implications of AI and where it can be used in anger. They also recognised, tighter regulation around data bias, security and privacy may stunt the innovation and progress of AI systems.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended the event and we look forward to hosting future discussions.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">If you would like to find our more, please reach out to our team at Harvey Nash: Amber Harrison,&nbsp;<a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/alex-reeder">Alexander Reeder</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/akeesh-khokar">Akeesh Khokar</a>, Harry Hargreaves,&nbsp;<a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/kishan-shah">Kishan Shah</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://harvey-nash-uk.sites.sourceflow.co.uk/team/matthew-holmes">Matthew Holmes</a>.</div>

London AI Roundtable Event

<div class="ewa-rteLine">We were delighted to recently host our 2nd Data Alliance Meet-up in Dublin, led by our Data Specialist Consultant, Marina Saric.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">It was great to bring together a range of Data experts from across Dublin to discuss the dynamic world of data, the event mainly focused on how to improve and enable a more effective data journey using new innovative tools and methods.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The attendees discussed interesting topics presented by speakers Hrvoje (Harvey) Smolic, Vaibhav Oberoi, and Unal Erbayraktar. The discussions revolved around Data Maturity and the application of predictive data using AI tools, modern-day Data Migration tools, and Microsoft Fabrics' effectiveness compared to other tools.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Hrvoje (Harvey) Smolic opened the event by explaining how AI can contribute to Data Maturity. He emphasised the need to move from the traditional historical data analysis method to a more dynamic method involving predictive data. By applying AI to predict future leads and customer behaviour, businesses can work more efficiently and cost-effectively. This method was well-received by attendees, who asked questions and saw the benefits of working more efficiently for their clients.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Vaibhav Oberoi presented on Data Migration using modern-day data tools. He explained that the process can be more effective by applying a clear data journey, starting from raw data and transforming it using ETL methods from Data Lakes to Data Warehouses using Snowflake and how the tool is evolving and providing greater productivity than competitors. Vaibhav gave valuable insights from his career journey and advised participants to "create expectations on the data" to allow more effectiveness in the data journey. Attendees shared their experiences on where an ELT method could be more beneficial than an ETL method and the effective tools for data transformation.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Unal Erbayraktar discussed how the new Microsoft Fabrics can be a game-changer compared to older versions of Microsoft products and competitors' tools such as Databricks and Snowflake. Attendees who haven't used the technology were curious about how it compares with traditional and more widely-used tools.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The Data experts at the event emphasised the importance of using new technologies to work more efficiently and cost-effectively. They encouraged everyone to explore different methods and tools and experiment to find what works best for them. The discussions made it clear that data professionals are interested in using new technologies to drive efficiencies not only for themselves but also for their clients.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended the event despite a gloomy Autumn evening allowing us to grow and expand the Data community in Dublin. Also, a massive thanks to our speakers who were informative and engaging.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">If you are interested in getting involved in any future events in the Data space, please reach out to the team at <a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/contact-us">Harvey Nash Ireland</a>.</div>
<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">Find out more about our speakers</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Hrvoje Smolic is the founder and CEO of Graphite Note a Predictive Analytics, Auto ML, and Data Storytelling Platform. Graphite runs Predictive Analytics algorithms on raw data to provide objective data patterns that humans cannot detect, to increase lead conversion, help optimise marketing spend and reduce customer churn by highlighting characteristics of churn ahead of time. They deliver this in the platform by combining visuals and narrative to share insights so everyone can understand it. Hrvoje gave a talk titled- Navigating the data analytics maturity curve: real-world insights&rsquo;.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Vaibhav Oberoi is a Senior data Engineer at Optum which is a health services and innovation company on a mission to help people live healthier lives and to help make the health system work better for everyone. Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is powering modern health care by connecting and serving the whole health system across 150 countries. They combine cutting-edge technology, the world&rsquo;s largest health care database and vast expertise to improve health care delivery, quality and efficiency. Vaibhav, kindly presented a talk around &lsquo;Data migration- using modern day tools.&rsquo;</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Unal Erbayraktar is a data solution architect at Transact Campus after spending being a SQL / DW / BI Developer at Sun Life Financial and spending over 5 years at the Kerry Group. Unal provided a talk during this event around &lsquo;Microsoft Fabric, is it a game-changer?&rsquo;.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Marina Saric is a Recruitment Consultant within the Data/AI/ML space of Technology Recruitment at Harvey Nash Ireland. Since starting her recruiting career, she has facilitated the job search for many professionals, successfully delivering for diverse roles within the Technology space, from Junior to Director level positions. Her primary focus lies in the Data area, encompassing Data Engineering, Data Science, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence.</div>

Dublin Data Alliance Meet Up

<div class="ewa-rteLine">An invitation from the Department for Education &amp; Nash Squared</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">14:30-16:30, Monday 16th October</div>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">3 Noble Street, London, EC2V 7EE</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Register <a href="https://hello.nashsquared.com/DofE-T-Level-Event-Oct-2023-Launch-Event/hello.html">here </a>for the event.</div>
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<h1 class="ewa-rteLine">Nash Squared is excited to announce a new partnership with the Department for Education to support our mission to build the UK&rsquo;s tech talent pipeline</h1>
<div class="ewa-rteLine">Last year&rsquo;s annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harveynash.co.uk/research-whitepapers/digital-leadership-report">Digital Leadership Report</a> found 70% of tech leaders feel that a skills shortage prevents them from keeping up with the pace of change; the highest we have seen since we started reporting 24 years ago. The three most desired skillsets within tech are cybersecurity experts, big data analysts, and technical architects, meaning the competition for talent is higher than ever.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">That is why we are proud to be working with the Department for Education on T Levels &ndash; the next level qualification designed to catapult young people into the careers of tomorrow. T Levels are a rigorous further education route that allows young people between the ages of 16 and 19 to specialise in skills such as cyber security and software design through both academic study and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours &ndash; approximately 45 days.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The placement is at the heart of each T Level course. For students, it allows them to experience the world of work and put into practice the skills they have developed at school or college. For employers, it gives them early access to the very brightest young talent, helping to fill skills gaps and allowing them to inspire and shape the future of their industry.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">Nash Squared has been part of an influential group of employers involved in the development of the curriculum for the cyber security T Level pathway, and we are now excited to be taking our relationships with the Department for Education further as we help to build the number of employers offering T Level placements in England.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">We are therefore delighted to invite you to our official launch event on Monday 16th October from 14:30-16:30 at 3 Noble Street, EC2V 7EE, our City of London headquarters. This event will be an opportunity to hear more about the government&rsquo;s plans for digital skills, including T Levels, the role you can play as an employer in supporting this, and how engagement in early talent development will help you get ahead of the game when it comes to filling your skills gaps and make you a more attractive and competitive employer. It will also be a chance to network with senior government figures, and high-profile members of London and the South East&rsquo;s tech economy.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">The Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, The Rt Hon. Robert Halfon MP, has confirmed his attendance.</div>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine">At a time when our industry is in desperate need of a sustainable solution to the talent shortage, Nash Squared is proud to be partnering with the Department for Education to bring together policy makers and tech employers from across the country to create a solution to this. We hope to see you on 16th October to find out more.</div>
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<h2 class="ewa-rteLine">Agenda</h2>
<ul>
<li class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>14:30 </strong>Arrival and networking</li>
<li class="ewa-rteLine">1<strong>5:00</strong> Minister of State address</li>
<li class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>15:15</strong> Panel discussion on T Levels</li>
<li class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>15:35</strong> Q&amp;A</li>
<li class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>15:50</strong> Coffee &amp; cakes, networking</li>
<li class="ewa-rteLine"><strong>16:30</strong> End</li>
</ul>
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<div class="ewa-rteLine"><a href="https://hello.nashsquared.com/DofE-T-Level-Event-Oct-2023-Launch-Event/hello.html">Register here for the event.</a></div>

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