Ctrl Alt Lead

AI coding tools aren't just about writing code faster. In this episode, OpenAI's Head of Developer Experience Romain Huet explains why tools like Codex are becoming general‑purpose work agents that can handle documentation, reviews, backlog reduction and even operational tasks — and the effect this dramatically compressed time from idea to production will have on the developer ecosystem.

We also tackle the questions keeping CIOs awake at night: security, visibility and control. Huet outlines how OpenAI is thinking about sandboxing, permissions and human‑in‑the‑loop design, and why IT leaders should focus less on replacing developers and more on unleashing them to work on the problems that actually matter.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Mobile scams are no longer isolated or opportunistic. Drawing on global research and collaboration across the mobile industry, the GSMA's Head of industry Security Samantha Kight explains how scams have overtaken traditional crime in profitability, with social engineering now more effective than technical exploits. As generative AI lowers the barrier to entry for this attack path, legacy networks and uneven digital literacy continue to amplify the problem in certain regions.

We also dig into how defenders are responding. For CISOs and IT leaders, the advice is grounded in fundamentals: focus on basic security hygiene, layered defences, early detection and collaboration across supply chains.

Smartphones are both the most trusted and most targeted device in everyday life, so rebuilding trust in the mobile ecosystem is a shared responsibility.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Speed is one of AI’s easiest wins and one of its biggest traps. In this episode Bastien Parizot of Reckitt explains why faster execution alone is not a business case for AI adoption. At Reckitt, AI initiatives live or die by a simple test: can they deliver higher‑quality outcomes? “If it’s faster but not better,” Parizot says, “it’s a lot of investment for not really making our business better.”

Parizot outlines Reckitt’s proof‑of‑value framework and its “deep and narrow” rollout across marketing and R&D, where AI is embedded directly into everyday work rather than siloed pilots. Projects that save time but fail to raise standards are stopped outright.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Penny Horwood is joined by Ajay Pancholi, IT Infrastructure Lead at Carlsberg Britvic and founder of the AI Security, Ethics and Governance UK community, to explore why organisations need to rethink how they approach AI.

Pancholi argues that AI should be treated as critical infrastructure, not “innovation theatre”, warning that most enterprise risk sits outside the models themselves and lies within systems, data pipelines, identity and operations. Drawing on his infrastructure background, he explains why opaque vendor stacks, weak controls and poor integration create hidden risks, from data leaks to vendor lock‑in.

The conversation also tackles AI governance, reframing it as an enabler rather than bureaucracy, and looks at how organisations can design safe spaces for experimentation without inviting shadow AI. Looking ahead, Pancholi outlines what will force the shift from experimentation to accountable deployment, and what IT leaders should be doing now to prepare for greater scrutiny, regulation and scale.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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In this episode, Penny Horwood hears from Fabrizio Pilotti, CIO of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, about how cutting-edge technology is transforming modern Formula One. 

Fabrizio sets out some of the ways that vast data volumes, AI, and machine learning are reshaping race strategy, engineering, and operations, whilst also providing an opportunity to enhance fan engagement through increased data visibility and digital experiences. 

The pair also discuss the challenges of managing global infrastructure, ensuring cybersecurity in a high-risk environment, and managing technology partners. Fabrizio shares his leadership insights on balancing the need for relentless innovation under intense pressure with strategic thinking in one of the world’s fastest-moving, most competitive environments. 

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Recorded at Oracle’s AI World Tour in London, UK country leader Siobhan Wilson tells us what AI actually means for IT leaders right now. She unpacks Oracle’s push to embed agentic AI across infrastructure, data platforms and applications, arguing that the real shift is from chasing AI hype to delivering measurable outcomes at speed.

We also covers major UK‑specific investments, including sovereign cloud and clinical AI, before closing on a critical question for IT leaders: how to balance trust, security and accountability as more responsibility is handed over to AI agents.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's biggest financial services companies, with an estimated one in two British citizens acting as customers.

In this episode Tom speaks to Peter Brown, engineering lead at Lloyds, about how the bank has applied AI at massive scale across retail banking, complaints and internal operations.

Peter explains how AI tools support colleagues and how they were built with not just an outcome, but the bank's core purpose in mind. He also gives a clear account of agent-based systems, how Lloyds defines and governs them, and why language matters when talking about AI with senior stakeholders.

We also cover the skills shift AI demands from leaders and teams, and Peter's own reflections on leadership, inclusion and the value of clarity and trust at scale

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Demands on technology professionals are changing constantly, but hiring hasn't kept up: people still look for coding ninjas rather than recruiting the skills that will really make a difference in the AI age, says E.ON's emerging technology lead Kara Flook.

In this episode, Tom and Kara discuss her journey from a dance background to a career in technology, as well as the growing importance of soft skills; the need to challenge stereotypes; and the significance of diversifying the tech workforce.

Kara emphasises the role of education in shaping perceptions of tech careers, and offers insights into how companies can redesign their recruitment processes to be more inclusive.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, host Penny Horwood is joined by Debbie Janeczek, Global CISO at ING, to explore what cyber resilience really means for a global financial institution operating in an increasingly volatile threat landscape.

Drawing on her background in military intelligence and financial services, Debbie discusses how ING is moving beyond compliance to embed resilience into the way technology is designed, built and operated. The conversation covers the impact of major regulations such as DORA, the shift from reactive defence to proactive resilience, and the challenges of simplifying complex security stacks without increasing risk.

Debbie also shares how automation, threat intelligence and AI are reshaping security operations, why third-party risk has become one of the biggest exposure points for global banks, and how ING is preparing for emerging threats such as post-quantum cryptography. Beyond the technology, the discussion highlights the growing role of the CISO as a business enabler and value creator, rather than a blocker.

The episode concludes with a candid look at leadership under constant pressure, strategies for avoiding burnout in “always-on” security roles, and how the industry can do more to attract and support diverse talent in cybersecurity.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

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Penny Horwood is joined by Kiran Mahil, CIO of Retail Products at Nationwide Building Society, to explore how digitisation and automation are reshaping retail banking while preserving trust, fairness and accessibility.

Kiran explains her role overseeing Nationwide’s core banking platforms, retail products and technology strategy, and outlines how the mutual’s values influence its approach to digital transformation. Rather than focusing solely on online channels, Nationwide is pursuing a multi-channel strategy that combines modern cloud-based platforms with continued investment in branches, ensuring no customers are left behind as services evolve.

Automation is being used to reduce costs, streamline routine tasks and improve resilience, enabling frontline staff to focus on complex customer needs. Kiran also discusses what “good digitisation” looks like in financial services, emphasising seamless customer journeys, strong security, effective use of data and AI, and technology ecosystems that are easier and more efficient to run.

Kiran shares insights into the scale and complexity of integrating Virgin Money into the Nationwide brand and platforms, from aligning technology and partners to maintaining resilience, momentum and staff engagement.

The episode closes with a discussion on widening digital access and preparing the future workforce.

Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk

LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood

Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.