S1 E5: Helen Crooks

As non-data leaders who now run very successful data capabilities, Jo and Phil provide invaluable insight into how to build and develop effective, game-changing data functions. They explain how data has fundamentally shifted the ability of some businesses to future-proof, achieve profitable growth, and protect brand trust in the age of misinformation.This is a relevant and fascinating insight into career development, skills, story-telling, leadership and commercial success. 

In this episode we hear from Kate Holden and Priya Guha MBE about how organisations can be more competitive, what we can learn from start-ups, the Board’s responsibility on data, and at what point we no longer need the Chief Data Officer (much to Barry’s dismay!). Priya and Kate have decades of experience in executive and non-exec positions across a range of industries, stat-ups, FTSE listed businesses and government. 

The Data Files is back! This series we shift our focus away from data leaders, to commercial leaders. We learn what businesses really want from their data functions and how Board and Executive leadership teams can, and should, be driving this capability, what questions to ask, how to structure your teams, what skills your Board needs and explore the importance of story-telling.With the now traditional mix of laughter, controversy, and pin-point insight into today’s organisational challenges, you’ll hear from our esteemed guests; Priya Guha MBE, Kate Holden, Phil Baty and Jo Holdaway, as Barry Panayi and Tony Cassin-Scott return to the mic as our hosts. 

All good things must come to an end. After a series of brilliant guests sharing their insights and experience, Tony and Barry recap what’s been uncovered and put their necks on the line by making some new predictions for the next 5 years.

Roshan Awatar (Group Director, Data & Analytics at Sky) joins Barry and Tony to de-bunk the myth that ethics and governance are boring and restrictive. A refreshing breath of honesty and reality help shine a light on the opportunities available when you re-frame your thinking.

Strategy, leadership, team structures, collaboration, culture; you name it, Barry, Tony and Pete Williams (Director of Data at Penguin Random House) discussed it! A blueprint on how to maximise the impact of data and data teams.Transcript: Episode 7 Pete Williams Further resources:Organisational design

Data veteran and multiple CDO, Brian Price, joins Barry and Tony to chat through what he’s seen work, not work and change over the last two decades of businesses and people working with data.  

The role of the CDO and impact of getting the right leadership for the right job. Helen Crooks (NED & Chair, Transforming Digital Advisory Board at the Parliamentary Digital Service) joins Barry and Tony and makes them re-think some things by offering her experience of seeing the space evolve over the last 40 years.

Barry and Tony delve into the world of leadership with Steve Green (Executive Director & Head of EMEA Data Office at SMBC). They explore what makes a good data leader, whether data leaders are any different to other leaders and how communication is vital to success.

Lydia Collett (Data & Insight Product Lead at John Lewis Partnership) joins Barry and Tony to discuss the growth of data products. What are they? How do businesses use them? How will product and data combine in the future?