DTX Unplugged

In this episode, Biju Chudasama, Chief Technology Officer at Wilson James, shares his perspective on what it takes to make transformation work in complex, operational businesses where technology has to support people in the real world, not just on a screen.

Drawing on more than 25 years of cross-sector experience, Biju explores why successful transformation starts with listening, understanding the problem and designing around the people who will actually use the technology. From AI-enabled recruitment and threat intelligence to inclusion, frontline communication and five-generation workforces, he explains why AI should be embedded into business processes, not treated as a separate bolt-on.

Key Topics:

• Why AI needs to be embedded into everyday business processes
• How to cut through the noise and focus on practical AI value
• Why flexibility matters in complex, operational environments
• The importance of putting people before platforms
• How leaders can improve adoption across dispersed frontline teams
• Lessons from delivering mobile proof-of-delivery technology for 15,000 schools
• Why inclusion should be seen as a competitive edge, not a compliance exercise
• How Wilson James is exploring AI in recruitment, threat intelligence and internal knowledge sharing
• The challenges of leading a workforce spanning five generations
• Practical advice for leaders starting their AI transformation journey

📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Biju on LinkedIn: Biju Chudasama | LinkedIn

In this episode, Tiffany St James, the UKs first regional public sector Chief AI Officer, shares her perspective on what it takes to lead responsible AI transformation at a regional level and why clear ownership, maturity and purpose are essential as AI moves from experimentation to real-world deployment.

Drawing on her experience across government, consultancy and crisis response, Tiffany explores how leaders can build AI capability in a way that is ethical, transparent and grounded in better outcomes for people. From AI in education, transport and health to lessons from the Grenfell response, she explains why successful transformation is not about chasing technology first, but about sequencing people, process, technology and data in the right way.

Key Topics:

• Why lack of ownership is a major barrier to successful AI transformation
 • Moving from AI experimentation to delivering real, scalable value
 • Why starting with maturity, not just problems, leads to better outcomes
 • The importance of sequencing people, process, technology and data
 • What responsible, transparent and ethical AI looks like in practice
 • How Liverpool City Region is building AI capability across public services
 • Lessons from Grenfell on crisis leadership and clarity of purpose
 • How to address fear and build trust in AI adoption
 • The key skills needed to lead AI transformation successfully
 • Practical advice for leaders starting their AI journey

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn: Tiffany St James | LinkedIn
🎤 Check out Tiffany's TedX talk: 3 key tactics for rebel change-makers | Tiffany St James | TEDxWinchester — TEDxWinchester

In this episode, Howard Marshall, former Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division and former Managing Director at Accenture Security, shares frontline insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape and what it really takes to lead transformation under pressure.

From leading intelligence operations across 24 countries to challenging the hype around AI in cyber defence, Howard explores why people, not technology, remain the hardest and most critical part of any transformation. Discover how to cut through noise, build resilient cyber strategies, and focus on outcomes that actually matter in a world of accelerating threats.

Key Topics:

•  Why people, not technology, are the hardest part of transformation 
•  The dangers of over-relying on tech to drive change 
•  How to cut through AI hype and focus on meaningful cyber outcomes 
•  Why speed, not sophistication, is the real AI-driven threat in cybercrime 
•  The importance of intelligence-led decision making in cyber defence 
•  How “fail fast” cultures drive more successful transformation 
•  Lessons from the FBI on leadership, collaboration, and high-stakes decision making 
•  Why clarity of purpose is essential when adopting AI in cybersecurity 
•  The growing role of collaboration and intelligence sharing across industries 
•  Practical advice for leaders navigating cyber transformation in complex environments 

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌Check out our website at: Message from DTX Team
🔗 Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: Howard Marshall | LinkedIn

Episode Description
In this episode, Zahraa Murtaza, Senior Vice President and Agile Coach at BNY, shares practical insights into leading transformation in complex, regulated environments. From agile delivery and cloud migration to ethical AI and leadership, Zahraa explores why organisations should focus on optimising what they already have before chasing new tools. Discover how to balance people, process and technology, the difference between proactive and reactive transformation, and why long-term success often comes from playing the long game.

Key Topics:

•  Why transformation should start with better use of existing tools and capabilities 
•  The difference between proactive and reactive transformation, and why it matters 
•  How organisations can avoid the “lift and shift” trap in cloud and digital transformation 
•  Where leaders get the balance between people, process and technology wrong 
•  Why agile and waterfall are more connected than they seem 
•  How to challenge hype and make smarter, more practical technology decisions 
•  The importance of ethical, inclusive data in AI development 
•  Strategic invisibility, and how being overlooked can become a career advantage 
•  Practical advice for leaders and early-career professionals navigating transformation 

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
 📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Zahraa: Zahraa Murtaza | LinkedIn

In this episode, Ben Morris, Head of Cybersecurity Operations at the UK Home Office, shares deep insights into modern cybersecurity leadership amidst geopolitical tensions, digital transformation, and AI debates. Discover practical frameworks, leadership tips, and the importance of curiosity in building resilient cyber defenses.

Key Topics:

• The “Triad of Pain”: balancing effort, cost, and agility in cybersecurity initiatives
• How business and cyber leadership must collaborate to manage transformation challenges
• The critical role of people and processes over technology alone
• Real-world examples of data digitization in sports organizations like World Rugby and Formula 1
• The risks and benefits of AI in cybersecurity - a cautious perspective
• Strategies to prevent burnout and foster team well-being
• Practical advice for new cyber leaders starting their transformation journey
• The importance of curiosity, networking, and industry awareness for future-proofing cybersecurity careers

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Ben: Ben M. | LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore digital transformation in environments where the stakes couldn’t be higher. In healthcare, cyber security isn’t just about protecting systems or data – it’s about protecting lives.

Our guest is Hammond Reddie, Chief Information Security Officer at Spire Healthcare, the UK’s second largest private healthcare provider. Before joining Spire in January 2025, Hammond was CTO at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, where he managed a £60 million technology budget and built one of the NHS’s largest cyber security teams. His career spans database vulnerability and compliance at Barclays, CTO roles in fleet technology and NHS healthcare, and now security leadership in private healthcare.

It’s an unusual and powerful career path, one that gives Hammond a rare perspective on how different sectors approach risk, resilience and transformation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Balancing innovation with security and compliance
• Defending as one: lessons from the NHS
• People before technology
• From finance to frontline care
• When failure costs lives
• Boardrooms, budgets and hard truths
• Third-party risk and smarter procurement
• Minimum viable business in a black swan event

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events 
🔗 Connect with Hammond on LinkedIn: Hammond Reddie | LinkedIn 

In this episode of DTX Unplugged, Sarah Leteney, Group CIO at Urenco, discusses the challenges and strategies of digital transformation in the highly regulated nuclear sector. She emphasises the importance of cultural considerations, the impact of AI, and the need for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Sarah shares insights on attracting talent, particularly younger generations, and highlights the significance of neurodiversity initiatives within the organisation.

The conversation concludes with advice for leaders embarking on their transformation journeys, focusing on the importance of co-creation and prioritising impactful changes.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is a significant challenge for business leaders today
• Cultural aspects are critical in technology adoption
• Transformation requires collaboration across departments
• Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence in interest
• Attracting younger talent is essential for the nuclear sector
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives are vital for organisational success
• Neurodiversity networks can enhance workplace culture
• Job sharing and flexible hours can support diverse needs
• Leadership commitment is crucial for successful transformation
• Focus on impactful changes rather than overplanning

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at dtxevents.io
🔗 Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

In this episode, Fergus Hay, CEO & Co-Founder of The Hacking Games explores the fascinating overlap between gaming, cybersecurity, and the power of neurodivergent minds. Recorded live at DTX London 2025, join Fergus and DTX Unplugged hosts Ollie Pickup and Sabrina Berko in solving one of today’s biggest challenges - the cyber talent gap.

From shocking stats about youth cybercrime to the inspiring mission behind The Hacking Games, Fergus discusses how to turn potential offenders into ethical defenders. He shares insights on why young hackers are driven by recognition and competition, how businesses can better identify unconventional talent, and why parents and educators play a crucial role in nurturing digital curiosity.

The conversation also unpacks the cultural shifts needed to make cybersecurity “cool,” the right way to approach AI as a tool rather than a goal, and how early engagement can shape the next generation of ethical hackers.

Key Takeaways:

• 61% of cybercrime suspects started hacking before age 16
• The Hacking Games is redirecting young hackers toward ethical careers
• Neurodivergent minds bring unique, high-speed problem-solving skills
• AI should be treated as an enabler, not an endpoint
• Cybersecurity needs rebranding - it’s the new cool
• Parents, educators, and businesses all have a role to play

This is one of our most powerful episodes yet.

🎙️ Catch this special episode that was recorded LIVE at DTX London 2025!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at dtxevents.io
🔗 Connect with Fergus on LinkedIn

In this episode of DTX Unplugged, hosts Ollie Pickup and Sabrina Berko sat down with Gina Gill, Chief Information Officer at Apollo, live at DTX London 2025 to unpack the realities of digital transformation across both public and private sectors.

Together, they explore what it really means to transform while keeping the business running, why curiosity and learning are non-negotiable leadership traits, and how focusing on user needs - not just shiny new tech - can make or break transformation efforts. Gina also shares her perspective on why the insurance industry is such an exciting, data-driven space, offers examples of meaningful transformation done right, and leaves business leaders with practical advice for navigating the messy middle of change!

Key Takeaways:

• Transformation is about keeping operations running while evolving
• The term “transformation” is broad - clarity of purpose is essential
• Superficial fixes (“lipstick on a pig”) won’t solve structural issues
• Curiosity and continuous learning are critical for effective leadership
• Too many organisations focus on tech instead of user needs
• Learning velocity helps teams adapt faster to change
• Sometimes, “boring” services drive the greatest efficiency
• The insurance sector is inherently data-driven and ripe for innovation
• Leaders should define a clear vision anchored in user outcomes
• Adaptability is key to thriving through transformation

🎙️ Catch this special episode that was recorded LIVE at DTX London 2025!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at dtxevents.io
🔗 Connect with Gina on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode of DTX Unplugged, we sit down with Kam Karaji, Cybersecurity Director at the NFL, whose extraordinary career journey spans from counter-terrorism operations as a decorated police officer, to protecting global digital infrastructure for some of the world's biggest brands.

Now one of the Wall Street Journal’s top 140 CISOs, Kam opens up about what real leadership looks like under pressure - and why building resilient teams means starting with empathy, not technology.

Join hosts Sabrina Berko and Ollie Pickup as they explore:

• Why the biggest transformation challenge is balancing pace with resilience
• The problem with “tech-first” thinking - and how to flip the script
• How tactical police training translates into cyber incident leadership
• Kam’s people-first approach to leadership through life-altering health challenges
• How to calculate the ROI of risk in an uncertain geopolitical climate
• Turning young hackers into cyber defenders through restorative approaches
• Practical steps to build inclusive, psychologically safe security cultures
• Kam’s one piece of advice for leaders about to start their transformation journey

👉 “Security is about people - not just protocols. If you get the people right, the processes and technology will follow.” – Kam Karaji

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
 💻 Register for our upcoming DTX London event, taking place on 1-2 October here
📌 Check out our website at dtxevents.io
🔗 Connect with Kam on LinkedIn