Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy

How do you transform a business when every project is different, supply chains span thousands of organisations and margins leave little room for error? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Tom Gould, Director of Digital Transformation at Skanska UK, to explore what it takes to digitise construction. Tom explains how Skanska is working towards consistent processes across projects, connecting its technology and capturing data that can help teams spot risks earlier. They discuss why these foundations matter for AI adoption, how uncontrolled usage costs could erode profits and the challenge of turning individual time savings into measurable business value. The conversation also explores digital twins, including Tom's experience of achieving energy savings of up to 30%, and the potential for robotics to improve safety and address workforce shortages. Throughout, Tom returns to the people behind the change: involving them early, understanding their concerns and giving them space to learn. A practical conversation for leaders navigating transformation in complex organisations.

Being right isn't enough. If people don't understand the insight, trust it or know what to do with it, its value can quickly disappear.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Aubrey HB, senior executive data leader, to explore why communication and storytelling are such critical skills for data leaders.   Drawing on Aubrey's journey from computational mathematics and data science into senior leadership, they discuss the shift from explaining how something works to making clear why it matters. They explore how data teams can move beyond being order takers by asking what decision an insight will enable and what value it is ultimately there to create.   The conversation also looks at adapting your message for different audiences, building trust through the story behind the data and coaching teams to communicate with greater impact. Because whether you're speaking to a CEO, presenting to a board or working with a business stakeholder, how you communicate the insight can be just as important as the work itself.

AI might be moving quickly, but moving quickly without the right foundations can create more problems than it solves.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Judy Howarth, Director of Data and AI at the Law Society, to explore how a 200-year-old institution is approaching data and AI while staying true to its purpose.   Judy shares why trusted, well-governed data has to come before ambitious AI adoption. She explains how the Law Society is balancing enthusiasm for new technology with responsible implementation and the importance of keeping human oversight at the heart of its use.   They also discuss how to give people the skills and confidence to use AI effectively, particularly when appetite across the organisation is high and there are plenty of opportunities to pursue.   The conversation explores where value is already emerging, from removing time-consuming manual tasks to creating more tailored AI tools that could improve how the organisation serves its members.   Judy also shares her perspective on leadership and why different experiences and backgrounds matter when building strong data and technology teams.

What does it really take to create an environment where different ways of thinking can thrive?   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Peter Laflin, senior data leader and former CDO at Morrisons, to explore neurodiversity in data and AI and what it means for building high performing teams. Peter explains why many strengths associated with neurodivergent thinking are particularly valuable in data and AI. From spotting patterns to thinking in systems, different ways of processing information can bring huge value to the work these teams do.   The conversation also looks at strength based leadership and the importance of understanding how individuals work best. They explore where traditional recruitment processes can create barriers and the practical changes leaders can make to help people thrive.   Ultimately, it is about moving away from a one size fits all approach to leadership and creating teams where different ways of thinking are recognized as a strength.

Most organisations were built for a world that no longer exists.   Traditional structures were designed around hierarchy, control and clearly defined responsibilities. But today's knowledge based organisations operate differently. People are expected to spot problems, connect information across teams and make decisions at speed. And AI is accelerating that shift even further.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Andros Payne, Founder and Managing Partner of Humatica and organisational transformation specialist, to explore what makes an organisation genuinely adaptable.   They discuss: Why leadership needs to move from solving problems to enabling others to solve them Why trust is fundamental to an organisation's ability to respond to change How data and transparency help people recognise and act on the signals around them.   The conversation also turns to AI and the fundamental impact it could have on knowledge work, organisational structures and the role of leaders themselves.   A timely conversation about building organisations that can respond, adapt and keep moving as the world around them changes.

AI may be advancing at extraordinary speed, but making it work inside an organisation is about far more than the technology.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Alex Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer at Zurich Insurance, to explore how leaders can move from AI experimentation towards meaningful business value - while bringing their people with them.   They discuss why organisations need to start with the problem, not the technology, and why the businesses that succeed won't necessarily be those using the most AI, but those putting it in the right places.   The conversation also tackles one of the harder questions surrounding AI: trust. From employees being asked to work differently without knowing exactly what the future looks like, to customers wanting human empathy at critical moments, successful adoption depends on understanding where technology helps and where human judgement and connection still matter.   Jason and Alex explore the role of leadership, governance, skills and culture in making that happen, and why middle managers could ultimately determine whether AI transformation succeeds or fails.

Leadership is often shaped long before someone reaches the boardroom.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Kate Boyle, AI, data and technology leader, to explore the experiences that define great leadership. From starting work at 16 and building a career across financial services and the public sector, to leading data and AI transformation, Kate shares the personal and professional lessons that have shaped her approach to leading people.   The conversation explores resilience, empathy, workplace culture and why striving for perfection often holds leaders back. Kate also reflects on how organisations can better develop future leaders, the importance of creating environments where people can thrive, and why understanding people is just as important as understanding technology.   They also discuss one of the biggest leadership challenges today: balancing the excitement around AI with the responsibility to implement it safely. From governance and data quality to realistic expectations, Kate explains why strong leadership will determine whether organisations realise AI's potential or simply chase the latest trend.

As AI becomes more capable, the question for leaders is no longer what technology can do, but what people should do.   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Ollie Pickup, Human Work Evolution Storyteller, to explore how organisations can embrace AI without losing the qualities that make people indispensable. Together, they discuss why removing every ounce of friction from work may come at a cost, whether businesses are unintentionally cutting off the next generation of talent, and why trust, judgement and human connection will become increasingly valuable in an AI-driven world.   The conversation explores the changing role of education, the impact of AI on graduate opportunities, and the responsibility organisations have to develop future leaders rather than simply automate entry-level work. Ollie also shares his framework of the "Seven Cs" - the human capabilities he believes will matter most as machines become more intelligent - from curiosity and creativity to communication, compassion and critical thinking.   This is a thoughtful discussion about balancing technological progress with human potential, and how leaders can ensure AI strengthens organisations without diminishing the people who power them.

Creating a data-driven culture has become one of the most common ambitions in business. It's written into strategies, discussed in boardrooms and increasingly sits alongside AI transformation plans. But what if organisations have been approaching it the wrong way?   In this episode, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, challenges the idea that culture is something you can create through awareness campaigns, training or communications alone. Instead, he argues that culture is the outcome of how an organisation is designed - from its incentives and decision-making processes to the systems, behaviours and leadership it rewards every day.   Drawing on leadership theory and practical experience, Jason explores why organisations should stop trying to change the "shadow" and instead focus on changing what's casting it. He explains why making data easier to access, embedding evidence into decisions, rewarding the right behaviours and solving real business problems will naturally create a stronger data culture.   As organisations race to become AI-first, the episode also offers a timely warning: don't repeat the same mistakes. Design the environment first, and the culture will follow.

Agentic AI is moving beyond experimentation. Organisations are beginning to explore how autonomous agents can automate decisions, orchestrate complex processes and unlock new levels of productivity. But how do you build these systems in a way that is scalable, secure and trustworthy?   In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Matt Clarke, Director of Architecture at Cynozure, to explore what it really takes to design and govern agentic AI architectures in enterprise environments.   They discuss how agentic systems differ from traditional software, the growing importance of governance-by-design, and why trust, observability and control are becoming critical architectural principles. Matt shares practical examples of how agents are already being used to automate decision-making, personalise experiences and streamline operations, while highlighting the challenges organisations face as they move from proof of concept to production.   The conversation also explores how governance can accelerate rather than hinder innovation, why every organisation needs an effective "off switch" for AI systems, and why flexibility may be the most important design principle as agentic AI continues to evolve.