On 11th September 2025, we welcomed digital and business leaders to the Dakota Hotel in Newcastle for the Harvey Nash Digital Leaders event. The evening brought together a vibrant group of peers to explore the latest findings from our Nash Squared / Harvey Nash Digital Leadership Report, in a session moderated by David Savage, Tech Evangelist at Nash Squared and featuring a fireside chat with John Whitlow, CIO at Nixon Hire.
The conversation was lively, candid, and deeply connected to the challenges shaping leadership today. Here are some of the key themes we explored together:
AI: Still in the foothills
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.
The data imperative
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.
Innovation by stealth
The rise of “Shadow AI” 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.
Hybrid working: Still in flux
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.
The journey ahead
The evening 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.
A big thank you to all our guests for joining us and contributing to such a thoughtful and engaging evening.
