GCC Tech Talks

In this episode of GCC Tech Talks, we take a different angle: less tech, more talent — and what it really takes to build teams in the UAE’s fast-growing financial ecosystem.

Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman are joined by Oscar Orellana-Hyder, founder of a boutique recruitment firm focused on DIFC and ADGM, to unpack how the market has evolved - from regulation and compliance hiring, to the end of “fly-in, fly-out,” to how AI is changing recruitment workflows.

We cover:

• Why commitment to the region now matters more than ever

• The rise of compliance, governance, and regulation as growth enablers

• How global firms are treating the UAE as a real investment hub

• What AI is changing in hiring -  and what still needs a human touch

• The shift toward family offices, private capital, and new asset classes

If you’re hiring, relocating, or building in the GCC -  this is a practical look at what’s driving the UAE’s next wave of growth.

In this episode of GCC Tech Talks, Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman sit down with Richard Steward — a transformation leader with 35+ years advising CEOs on large-scale digital and AI-led change.

Most digital and AI transformations don’t fail because of the tech — they fail because of unclear leadership, slow decisions, and misaligned priorities.

We cover:
• Business-first thinking (technology second)• Clarity and decision speed as momentum builders• Why people and data matter more than tools• When to stop, pivot, or kill a transformation programme• What leaders should know about AI, agentic systems, and data foundations• Why “failed” projects are often just expensive feedback

If you’re navigating AI, data, or digital transformation in the GCC, this episode is about cutting through the hype and focusing on what creates real value.

In this episode of GCC Tech Talks, Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman sit down with Mark Primett, a project and programme manager who has led complex digital transformations across fintechs, financial services and large organisations in the GCC.

Mark shares what project management really looks like on the ground: from moving to Dubai and building a career in delivery, to starting the Project Management Collective community for practitioners in the region.

We talk about:

• Why demand for strong project managers is growing in the GCC

• Project management methods and best practices that actually work in technology and transformation

• Why project and programme management are critical for digital and AI initiatives

• Real project examples and the business outcomes they delivered

• The qualities every good project manager should have

• How organisations should prepare for digital/AI transformations – tools, roles, responsibilities and governance included

• What might change in the GCC over the next 10–12 months, and whether leaders really need to spend time learning AI

If you’re leading projects, technology or transformation in the GCC – or you want a clearer view of how work really gets delivered beyond the slideware this episode is for you.

Most “digital transformations” don’t fail because of the tech – they fail because of culture, governance and how decisions actually get made in the organisation.

In this episode of GCC Tech Talks, Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman sit down with Ezzeddine, a digital transformation and sustainability leader with 25+ years’ experience across banking, utilities and the GCC, to unpack what real transformation looks like beyond the slides and buzzwords.

They talk about:

• Why culture is the real blocker (or accelerator) for data & AI, not the tools

• How to turn tools into products the business actually understands and uses

• Bringing governance and internal audit in from day zero instead of cleaning up later

• Using sustainability as a data project that links decisions, emissions and ROI

• How transformation leaders should work with the CFO and the board to link change to financial impact

If you’re leading data, technology or transformation in the GCC or trying to move a large, successful organisation beyond “8–5” ways of working this one’s for you.

We’re launching a new podcast exploring real stories from the GCC’s technology and innovation leaders – cutting through the hype to get into what actually works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.

Our Intro Episode – “GCC Tech Talks: Who We Are and Why We’re Here” features hosts Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman talking about why the GCC needs more real talk on tech and innovation, and what you can expect from the show.

Stay tuned, hit subscribe, and sign up to get new episodes as they go live.

This intro episode of GCC Tech Talks by 7Dxperts, recorded in Dubai, sets the scene for a podcast focused on real stories from the people actually building technology, data and digital products across the GCC. No buzzwords, no fluffy panels – just operators talking about what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.

Hosts Tom Stroud and Sye Rahman discuss:
• Why the GCC needs more real talk on tech, data and AI

• The gap between slides, buzzwords and what’s really happening inside organisations

• Who this show is for – and what to expect from upcoming episodes

• How stories from both startups and large enterprises will shape the series

Whether you’re leading a data team, driving digital transformation or just curious how things really get built behind the scenes, this episode sets the tone for what GCC Tech Talks is all about.