In Episode 38, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Executive Career Coach, Julia Westland. Julia spent many years as a Data & Analytics professional working in management consulting before transitioning into headhunting where she led Spencer Stuarts Digital, Data & AI practice, before becoming a career coach.

Together they unpick the current Data & Analytics job market, the trends they're seeing, forecast what is to come and give a whole host of advice around job searching in the current market, which includes;

• Why the demand for data leaders remains strong despite ongoing economic uncertainty and market shifts.
• Why organisations are prioritising specificity in defining and sourcing data leadership roles.
• The importance of understanding company context when navigating data leadership opportunities.
• Why the CDO role varies widely in scope and the consequences that has on career progression.
• The skills required for data leaders aiming to influence at the top table.
• How some CDAOs have transitioned into broader business roles and why.
• Aligning your background with a company’s data maturity level to increase your fit and success.
• How GenAI is reviving focus on foundational capabilities like data governance, quality, and data management.
• Why leadership, change management, and stakeholder influence now outweigh technical depth alone in senior data roles.
• How the evolving data landscape is opening up new career paths across operations, product analytics, and AI strategy.
• How to position your CV and LinkedIn profile as strategic assets in your job search.
• Why tailoring your CV with exact job description keywords boosts visibility in AI-powered hiring tools.
• The importance of clean, simple formatting to ensure your CV is readable by applicant tracking systems.
• How to craft a strong headline and summary that align with the role you’re targeting.
• Creating a compelling, results-driven CV by quantifying your achievements.
• How LinkedIn and CV alignment improves discoverability and impact when being headhunted.
• Why developing a concise personal pitch helps you stand out and stay memorable to recruiters.
• The importance of testing your CV’s narrative using tools like NotebookLM to ensure it communicates your value.
• How intentional communication and storytelling can elevate your positioning and lead to more interviews.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 37, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Ash Dhupar, Chief Data & AI Officer at Analog Devices (Fortune 500) where we explore how data leaders can link their work directly to measurable EBIT and revenue gains, and how the Chief Data Officer role has shifted from “data quality” to “profitability driver.”

Ash shares a real life example of unlocking $50M in yield improvements by connecting siloed manufacturing data, and why predictive AI is key to stopping costly waste before it happens.

We unpack the importance of the three-legged stool; balancing technology, business alignment, and process change, and why CDOs must own delivery end-to-end to shift the outdated perception that data is “just reporting.”

You’ll hear why scaling AI demands new skills, how too many “chiefs” has slowed progress can slow progress. We also discuss why agentic AI at scale is still 18–24 months away, and how AI-first strategies can multiply EBIT impact by 2–10x to create lasting competitive advantage.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 36, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom i re-joined by Daniel Hulme, a leading authority in the world of AI and Chief AI Officer at WPP (as well as being CEO at Satalia and Conscium)

Kyle and Daniel discuss the rapid evolution of AI and its implications for various sectors.

They explore the concept of agentic AI, its real-world applications, and the importance of verification in AI deployment.

The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on jobs, the future of work, and the role of education in preparing graduates for an AI-driven world.

Ethical considerations and the need for aligned AI are emphasised, along with the challenges organisations face in building and adopting these technologies, and placing the right bets with their investments.

Takeaways:

• The evolution of Ai in the last 12 months.
• How AI has graduated from an 'intoxicated graduate' to masters level intelligence and beyond.
• Why Leaders don't have time to place the wrong bets but many are.
• Why companies are wasting time and money on building the wrong agents.
• How to prioritise the correct AI bets to invest in.
• How AI can free society from economic constraints meaning people won't have to work.
• The future of the education system and the impact on graduate jobs.
• Why verification of AI will be imperative to success and also accounts for 80% of deployment cost.
• The five levels of AI verification you need to know about.
• The importance of testing for skills and expertise instead of knowledge.
• When AI may become conscious and we could be at AGI by 2030.
• The disruption we're going to see in the job market.
• The relationship between software and AI and why most firms can't attract the talent they need to build AI.
• Why we should be building AI with values as opposed to implementing guardrails after the fact.
• The three questions to ask when deploying AI.
• The real safety and security issues that companies are going to face.
• Why there will be an explosion of innovation in AI safety.
• The risks of building zombie superintelligence.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 35, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Dan Taffler, Group Director of Data & Analytics at Reach Plc, where they discuss Dan's journey in data leadership, and managing Data & Analytics for a group of 120 brands.

They also delve into the impact of AI on journalism, and the importance of a product mindset in data initiatives.

Dan shares insights on engaging stakeholders, using a 9 box framework for prioritising and measuring value delivery, and navigating the AI hype cycle.

He emphasizes the need for cultural shifts within data teams and the role of an MBA in enhancing leadership skills.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 34, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was re-joined by Malcolm Hawker, Chief Data Officer at Profisee, fresh off the publication of his new book 'The Data Hero Playbook'

They discuss what prompted him to write the book and the insights from within it, how he kept witnessing the same issues and challenges while working at Gartner and the real reason he decided to leave!

Malcolm dives into the challenges faced by data leaders, the importance of shifting from a mindset of limiting beliefs to one of growth and development, and the need for Data Leaders to take accountability.

They discuss why concepts such as Data Culture, Data Literacy and 'Garbage In, Garbage Out' have become excuses and how delivering value solves all of those problems.

Malcolm talks about how external forces often influence the perceptions and actions of data leaders and why accepting them has disempowered us.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 33, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Cali Wood, Head of Data & AI Strategy and Culture at AXA UK and Ireland, where they discuss the evolution of data culture within AXA, the importance of balancing innovation with governance in AI, and the strategies for promoting data literacy across the organisation.

Cali shares insights on building a Data and AI Academy, measuring data literacy success, building skills matrices and competency frameworks for Data & AI teams, and the future of roles in the era of AI.

Takeaways

• Overcoming cultural challenges to ensure successful AI adoption.
• Balancing innovation with governance.
• Promoting data literacy across the organisation.
• Creating engagement strategies for Data and AI initiatives.
• Measuring data literacy effectiveness.
• Translating engagement metrics to business value.
• Creating skills matrices and competency frameworks to build capability.
• Creating blended learning journeys.
• The future of roles in data will evolve with AI.
• The importance of communication strategies.
• Aligning training and L&D to business needs.
• Why AI transformation requires a focus on the human element.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 32, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Arun Nandi, Chief Data and AI Officer at Carrier, where they discuss the transformative role of AI in business and its potential impact on climate change.

They explore the importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives, the need for cultural alignment and stakeholder engagement, and the significance of reskilling the workforce in the AI era.

Arun shares insights on building an AI accelerator programme and the challenges of measuring value in AI projects, emphasising the need for discipline and consistency in tracking outcomes.

Takeaways:

• AI is a powerful enabler for business transformation.
• The importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives.
• AI's impact on climate change and sustainability is significant.
• Building an AI accelerator can drive innovation and speed.
• Cultural alignment is crucial for successful AI adoption.
• Measuring value in AI requires discipline and consistency.
• Stakeholder engagement is key to successful AI projects.
• Reskilling the workforce is essential in the AI era.
• AI should be viewed as a horizontal capability across organizations.
• The future of work will involve collaboration between humans and AI.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to AI and Data Leadership
• 03:03 Carrier's Evolution and Purpose
• 05:50 The Current AI Landscape and Its Future
• 12:13 Navigating the AI Hype Cycle
• 17:59 Keys to Success for AI Leaders
• 27:31 The Shift to AI-First Mindset
• 29:06 Prioritizing Value in AI Use Cases
• 34:42 Fostering a Value-First Mindset
• 39:43 Problem-Solving with AI as an Enabler
• 46:16 Accelerating AI Implementation
• 50:26 Cultural Alignment and Co-Ownership in AI
• 53:25 AI's Role in Climate Change and Sustainability

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 31, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Catarina Miranda, Global AI Director at Pandora, where she shares her unique journey from biomedical engineering to AI and machine learning.

She discusses the importance of AI literacy and governance within organisations, the recent breakthroughs in AI technology, and common misconceptions surrounding its capabilities.

Catarina emphasises the need for businesses to focus on outcomes rather than the technology itself and provides insights into how organisations can effectively adopt AI while preparing for the future of work.

• 00:00 Introduction to Catarina Miranda and Her Journey
• 03:07 Pandora: The World's Largest Jewellery Brand
• 06:11 The Role of AI in Personalisation at Pandora
• 08:45 AI Literacy and Governance in Organizations
• 11:49 Recent Breakthroughs in AI Technology
• 14:52 Common Misconceptions About AI
• 18:12 The Importance of AI Literacy in Business
• 20:57 Facilitating AI Literacy and Training
• 27:24 Empowering AI Teams through Decentralisation
• 28:34 The Importance of Testing in AI Systems
• 32:07 Prioritising AI Use Cases for Business
• 36:49 Evaluating the Business Impact of AI
• 40:32 Understanding AI's Role in Job Transformation
• 48:40 Lessons from Virtual Reality for AI Adoption
• 52:08 Key Takeaways for Organisations Embracing AI

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 30, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Vin Vashishta, CEO & Founder of V Squared and author of best-selling book 'From Data to Profit' where they discuss the evolution of AI and data strategy in businesses.

Vin shares insights from his book 'Data to Profit', discussing the importance of data in achieving ROI from AI initiatives, emphasising the need for businesses to transform their strategies and workflows to integrate AI effectively.

The conversation also touches on the changing roles of CEOs, the challenges faced by Chief Data and AI Officers, and the impact of AI on job roles and skills in the workforce.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background of V Squared AI
• 02:42 The Journey of Writing 'Data to Profit'
• 05:54 Key Factors for AI Success in Businesses
• 08:38 Transformational Strategies for Competitive Advantage
• 11:14 The Importance of Incremental Change
• 14:28 Navigating the AI Landscape: Use Cases and Business Strategy
• 17:22 The Role of C-Level Executives in AI Transformation
• 20:13 Cultural and Strategic Challenges in AI Implementation
• 22:58 The Shift Towards Information Architecture in AI
• 25:56 The Future of AI: Agents and Information Management
• 29:13 The Evolution of Information Architecture
• 30:36 AI's Impact on Data Roles
• 35:20 Shifting Responsibilities in Data Teams
• 36:58 The Value of Customer-Facing Products
• 41:02 The Future of Data Roles and Job Market
• 45:06 The Need for Continuous Reskilling
• 52:46 Navigating Rapid Changes in the Job Market

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.

If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.

At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.

We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.

Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 29, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Sam Hancock, Global Head of Data Science at Octopus Energy. Sam shares his unconventional career journey from Capital One to Google and Waymo and ultimately to Octopus Energy, where he focuses on leveraging data to drive the company's mission of accelerating the energy transition.

The conversation explores the balance between data-driven decision-making and instinct, the unique culture at Octopus Energy, and the company's innovative approach to sustainability and customer service.

Sam and Kyle explore the critical role of data and AI in driving sustainability within the energy sector and they discuss the challenges of integrating data into business practices, the importance of fostering relationships across teams, and the innovations in energy management that can help achieve sustainability targets.

The conversation also delves into the complexities of carbon emissions, the electrification of industries, and the potential of smart tariffs to optimize energy usage.

Overall, the discussion highlights the need for collaboration and innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges of climate change.

Takeaways:

• Sam Hancock's journey includes roles at Capital One, Waymo, and Octopus Energy.
• He emphasizes the importance of diverse experiences in shaping his current role.
• Octopus Energy is focused on accelerating the energy transition.
• The company is customer-obsessed and aims to disrupt the energy sector.
• Sam's role allows for entrepreneurial freedom in data strategy.
• Balancing data-driven decisions with instinct is crucial for innovation.
• Octopus Energy's culture encourages entrepreneurship and high standards.
• The company has ambitious targets for customer growth and sustainability.
• Data is a strategic asset at Octopus, with significant data ingestion capabilities.
• The tech platform developed by Octopus is designed for the energy sector. Understanding the data challenge is crucial for effective pricing.
• Data integration should start at the beginning of business processes.
• Building relationships within teams enhances data-driven decision-making.
• Electrification is key to achieving net-zero emissions.
• Smart tariffs can optimize energy usage based on grid demands.
• AI systems are essential for managing the energy transition.
• Data centres can be a force for good in sustainability efforts.
• Zonal pricing could incentivize greener energy usage.
• Companies need to be transparent about their carbon emissions.
• Nature-based solutions and carbon capture are vital for sustainability.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Sam Hancock and His Journey
• 01:00 Career Path: From Capital One to Waymo
• 04:30 Transition to Climate Tech and Octopus Energy
• 07:20 Overview of Octopus Energy's Mission and Operations
• 09:48 Sam's Role and Data Strategy at Octopus Energy
• 13:16 Balancing Data and Instinct in Decision Making
• 18:28 The Unique Culture and Vision of Octopus Energy
• 22:12 Leveraging Data as a Strategic Asset
• 25:17 Understanding the Data Challenge
• 28:10 The Role of Data in Sustainability
• 31:31 Innovations in Energy Management
• 37:39 Navigating Carbon Emissions and Sustainability Targets
• 42:15 The Intersection of Data and Energy Solutions

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