The Digital Lighthouse

In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse - The Softwire Podcast, host Zoe Cunningham is joined by Richard G Brown, Founding CTO and Advisor to the CEO at R3. Together, they explore the practical applications of enterprise blockchain, digital currencies, and confidential computing. From scaling high-performance tech teams to navigating emerging technologies, Richard shares invaluable insights on how businesses can evaluate and integrate blockchain solutions for maximum value.

In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, host Zoe Cunningham is joined by Sasha Burgoyne, Head of Academy Operations, and Esme Chant, DE&I Lead at Softwire. Together, they discuss the importance of creating inclusive workplaces for employees with disabilities, sharing personal experiences and practical strategies for both employers and employees.

In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, host Zoe Cunningham explores the challenges and opportunities for women career switchers in tech with Sasha Burgoyne and Esme Chant from Softwire.

Join them as they discuss:

Why women career switchers need additional support in tech

Creating supportive workplace environments for career switchers

The value career switchers bring to tech organisations

The structure and benefits of the TechSwitch program

About Guests

Sasha Burgoyne is the co-founder of TechSwitch, an award-winning software development training programme for career switches looking to move into tech, as well as people looking to return to the workplace. She is also Head of Academy at Softwire which delivers training in DevOps and software development and has been part of Softwire’s DEI Working Group since its inception.

Esme Chant is the D&I Lead and a People Advisor at Softwire. She has played a key role in enhancing inclusivity within the company by implementing practical solutions, such as neurodiversity awareness training, facilitating reasonable adjustments, and creating a D&I calendar to ensure that various identities are recognised and celebrated.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:01] Introduction and welcome

[00:00:32] Esme's background and DE&I role

[00:00:48] Sasha's role in TechSwitch program

[00:01:11] Discussion on supporting women career switchers

[00:02:30] Overview of TechSwitch program

[00:06:49] Career switchers' value in the workplace

[00:08:38] Softwire's workplace support initiatives

[00:10:42] LevelUp program details

[00:16:11] How to prepare for TechSwitch

[00:17:30] TechSwitch application process

Resources:

TechSwitch- www.techswitch.co.uk

Softwire - https://www.softwire.com/

Codecademy - https://www.codecademy.com/

Code Wars - https://www.codewars.com/

In this episode of Softwire Tech Talks, host Zoe Cunningham is joined by Nick Bates, COO of CTO Craft, and Yemi Olegbaiye, Client Portfolio Director at Softwire. Together, they discuss the importance of building strong tech leadership communities, navigating digital transformation, and fostering meaningful connections in the technology sector.

It can sometimes feel like people are just born to network, schmooze and hold court.

For others, it’s this big, forced, uncomfortable thing that they’d happily avoid forever - especially when some people dominate the room.

It doesn’t have to be that way - nor should it be.

Because, at its heart, networking is about connection and community. And everyone deserves the opportunity to get involved, get value, and feel part of something.

In our latest episode, Helen Jackson (Principal Technical Consultant) and Laura Phillips (Delivery Director), share their experiences and provide sage advice on how you can rethink and reapproach networking:

- Key ways to make networking more inclusive at events

- How to apply the C-shape (Pac-Man technique)

- Other ways to network outside of events

- Top tips for being a better networker

User research is the linchpin behind the core services we rely on in every part of our lives.

A fundamental part of the work is inclusive design (also known as universal design) to ensure all products and services work for everybody - regardless of age, ability or circumstance.

In our latest episode of The Digital Lighthouse, Softwire’s Research Principal, Callum Bates, delves into all the moving pieces that ensure no stone is left unturned when creating exceptional experiences for everyone.

Modernising legacy software and infrastructure is hard. Really hard.

Nobody wants to be lumbered in a clunky inefficient system. But “slaying the monolith” is easier said than done.

Just ask Anthony Nolan. Increasingly hampered by its existing technology, the stem cell transplant charity was struggling to iterate and facing increasingly high levels of friction.

So what do you do? Build a totally new piece of technology? Or rewire the existing system? Turns out, it’s a bit of both.

In our latest episode, Softwire’s Ben Below details how the organisation successfully embarked on a modernisation journey.

In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, Zoe Cunningham is joined by Monal Sangvhi, an experienced technology leader in investment banking technology,

Adept a leading high-performing, cross-functional teams—most recently at Tray.ai—Monal shares her invaluable insights on how highly-regulated organisations can innovate safely.

In this episode, Monal explains how:

The importance of encouraging risk

Giving teams the freedom to embrace innovation initiatives

How agility doesn’t mean “fragility”

Practical approaches to organising your teams

The Digital Lighthouse - Softwire Podcast - Monal Sanghvi by Softwire

In this episode of The Digital Lighthouse, Zoe Cunningham is joined by Glen McCracken, the Head of Data and Analytics at ION, a leading firm in automation solutions for the financial sector.

With a rich background in corporate finance and applied statistics, Glen delves into the pivotal role of data analytics in shaping business strategies and enhancing operational efficiency. His unique perspective, born from years of experience and a passion for innovation, offers invaluable insights into harnessing technology for better decision-making.