Driven by Data: The Podcast

In Episode 5, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Richard Masters, Vice President of Data & AI at Virgin Atlantic where they discuss how a "signal over noise” mindset helps cut through complexity, and enables better decision-making and real business impact, which includes;How an astrophysics background shaped a “signal over noise” mindset for data and decision-making.How reducing data noise and surfacing the right signal drives meaningful business action.Why decision support should be the North Star for every data team.How aligning data work to business strategy requires constant iteration, challenge, and course correction.Why iterative improvement wins the day.How data context and metadata are critical to trust, usability, and adoption.Why data lineage, governance and trust are foundational to scaling AI successfully.How prioritisation should be driven by impact vs feasibility, not technical curiosity.Why a product mindset enables reuse, scalability, and faster value realisation.How platforms act as the governed foundation for reusable data, AI and decision-making capabilities.Why simplifying to fewer platforms improves trust and speed of delivery.How observability and adoption tracking link data products to real decision-making and P&L impact.Why AI success depends on evaluation frameworks (“is it right?”) and human-in-the-loop validation.How AI is shifting roles from coders to builders using and diversifying D&A talent beyond traditional STEM backgrounds.

In Episode 4, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Peter Everill, Head of Data Product at IAG, where they discuss why most organisations still invest heavily in data, analytics and AI capabilities without ever connecting that work to the handful of decisions that truly move business performance. They break down why the future of data transformation is really decision transformation, sharing a practical five-layer framework that links performance visibility, root cause, budget trade-offs, automated decisioning and enterprise optimisation directly to P&L impact, which includes;Why the real purpose of data and AI is not building outputs, but improving the decisions that materially change business performance.How Peter’s career shifted from historical reporting into transforming decisions and workflows that directly influence operating models.Why the biggest capability gap in most organisations is linking technical capability to strategy, commercial priorities and P&L outcomes.How starting with business decisions instead of tools helps avoid the common trap of capability-first transformation.Why stakeholder requests that cannot be tied to action or performance change should rarely make the roadmap.How bottom-up demand creates sprawl, fragmented priorities and lots of activity that never ladders up to enterprise value.What the five decision layers are that connect data transformation directly to P&L impact.Why performance visibility is the first step to stop leadership teams debating numbers instead of making decisions.How root cause analysis becomes the turning point where prioritisation, ownership and commercial focus become clear.Why smarter budget trade-offs matter more than simply asking for more investment.How AI creates the most value when it improves decision quality before automating workflows at scale.Why automating workflows without improving the decision just helps organisations get to the wrong answer faster.How enterprise optimisation exposes where one team’s success is unintentionally creating cost or lost sales elsewhere.Why local optimisation inside siloed teams often damages enterprise performance without leaders realising it.How making performance problems visible requires executive sponsorship because transparency can create organisational tension.Why root cause is usually the point where leaders realise they still lack clarity on what really drives performance.How both business leaders and data leaders should start by focusing on one decision that matters most.

In Episode 3, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Daragh Kelly, Chief Data Officer at The Economist, where they discuss why most AI initiatives are still failing, why there's not much measurable progress and how insight functions have become toolmakers and decision intelligence partners, which includes;Why most AI initiatives fail because they as a solution looking for problems.The importance of aligning AI use cases to strategic goals, KPIs and measurable outcomes.Why speed rather than velocity leads to very little measurable progress.Why compelling POCs create false confidence before the real production challenges begin.The deployment gap: why robust, scalable and commercially viable AI is still hard.Why disconnected tools and poor workflow integration stall AI value realisation.The simple test for prioritisation: is this problem big enough to matter?Why the best AI use cases act as building blocks for future capability.How AI and UX together are driving true self-service insight generation.Why insight teams are evolving from answer providers to toolmakers.The growing importance of data governance, quality and observability in an AI-first world.How distributed insight creation can weaken corporate memory and knowledge curation.The skills shift toward UX, enablement, storytelling and decision intelligence.Practical build vs buy criteria in fast-moving and rapidly commoditising AI markets.Why operating models matters less than discipline, purpose and capability building.

In Episode 2, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was re-joined (over 2.5 years on) by Barry Panayi, Group Chief Data Officer at Howden, where they discuss, how the CDAO role continues to evolve and whether accountability is being diluted, which includes;Why the CDAO role is splitting between commercial outcomes and BAU leadershipWhy the biggest trade-off today is speed vs sustainable valueA pragmatic view on AI ownership: enterprise enablement vs bespoke buildThe risk of over-indexing on ROI and neglecting foundational data capabilityThe danger of the CDAO role being watered downWhy many organisations still hire CDAOs for the wrong mandateHow culture and incentives shape whether data leaders can succeedHow AI is making value measurement easier than traditional data workWhy proving quick wins can sometimes slow long-term progressWhy CDAO–CTO chemistry now matters more than job titlesThe leadership lesson: make the least bad decision with convictionWhy Barry wrote The AI of the Beholder as a leadership decision simulatorThe reality that there is rarely one “right” leadership choiceWhy future board opportunities for CDAOs require broader leadership breadthWhat boards actually value from ex-CDAO leaders in NED roles

In Episode 1, of Season 7 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Kevin Cassar, Chief Data Officer at TalkTalk, where they discuss how to accelerate the speed of value delivery, which includes;Why speed to value is becoming as important as ROI itselfThe macroeconomic and GenAI forces increasing pressure on delivery timelinesHow TalkTalk’s data strategy is focused on profitability, trust, and customer satisfactionThe “triangle of value”: data, business action, and financial outcomesWhy federated data operating models can accelerate adoption and executionThe balance between experimentation and implementation at scaleHow governance should act as an enabler, not a blocker, to faster deliveryThe pyramid framework linking ExCo priorities to data products and modelsWhy culture, psychological safety, and upskilling are critical to speedThe five pillars of organisational readiness for faster value creationReal examples of reducing delivery from 12 months to under 8 weeksKevin’s three practical leadership principles: vision, collaboration, and investing in peopleWhy ExCo maturity and sponsorship are the hidden drivers of speed to valueHow direct CEO access materially reduces time from idea to productionWhy poor data foundations still kill speed, regardless of AI ambitionWhy adoption velocity, not just build velocity, determines realised value

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Alexandra Sidgreaves, Chief Data Officer for Zurich InsuranceToday's theme is all about 'Transformation the right way' - together, Alex & Catherine talk about the errors of forgetting people in great big transformations, how AI is shaking up the entire world, not just data teams and importantly, how to avoid getting someone fired on your first day!Listen wherever you get your podcasts!Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Dan Kellett, Chief Data Officer for Carmoola! Together they talk about Leadership Legends vs Leadership Lows!Dan walks through his thoughts on what makes a leader a legend, vs a loser! They discuss stories about candidates crying during interviews and team members making rookie errors.Dan shares some candid experiences of when it all went wrong, and he needed to walk away from his desk.Listen wherever you get your podcasts!Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast, released every Thursday. Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Tim Lum, Global Chief Intelligence Officer, WPP | Ford | VML In this episode, they discuss three key stories surrounding when it all goes wrong. From deleting 11 years' worth of data, to a business unit causing the data servers to screech.Tim walks us through how to manage data teams when it's all gone a bit pear-shaped.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Lisa Allen, Director of Data, The Pensions Regulator. In this episode, they discuss three key stories surrounding a career crisis. They discuss how someone can come into the data world as entry-level talent, someone re-adjusting their role in the data space, and the challenges being seen in the data engineer market.Lisa offers her advice on entering the market and how to be a competitive candidate, and words of caution to her fellow leaders.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com, and Catherine will gladly read them to our expert guests to answer and provide their own insight on.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

Today on the Driven by Data Dilemmas Show, host Catherine Dowden-King is joined by Nick Blewden, Director of Data for Co-op. In today's show, they discuss all things data MESS! From sticky situations where someone goes and deletes things in prod, to the woes of a student in their first 3 months of "real-life" data work.Remember, you can send your own dilemmas to community@orbitiongroup.com and Catherine will put them to our expert guests to answer.Driven by Data Dilemmas is the spin-off show from the Driven by Data Podcast! Catherine Dowden-King is joined by some of our best-loved senior leaders in the data, analytics and AI space to ask them to share their experiences, advice and thoughts on data dilemmas.

In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.The third panel discussion saw Catherine King joined by;Paul Hollands, Chief Data & AI Officer, AXA,Johanna Hutchinson, Chief Data Officer, BAE SystemsNick Blewden, Director of Data, CoopSam Hancock, Global Head of Data Science, Octopus EnergyWhere they discussed, Leading with a Legacy of Impact, How Data can Change the World, which includes; How to distinguish between short-term value creation and long-term impact when shaping your data strategy.The decisions made that will outlive tenure and define data leadership legacy.The boldest thing a CDO should be doing today, but most aren’t.The people-first principles that anchor leadership when making high-stakes data decisions.Experiencing the “this is why we do it” moment and the times when data work had a direct, unforgettable human impact.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In October 2025, Orbition Group hosted Driven by Data LIVE, where they welcomed 120 CDOs/Data Leaders to Tobacco Dock in London for a half-day event, which included 3 panel discussions and some roundtable conversations.The first panel discussion saw Kyle Winterbottom joined by;Davin Crowley-Sweet, Chief Data Officer at National HighwaysKelly Hume, Lead Partner at BaringaKinnari Ladha, Chief Data Officer at Merlin EntertainmentsDaniel Hulme, Chief Data & AI Officer at WPPWhere they debated; The Biggest Challenges in Data, Analytics & AI and How They're Being Tackled, which includes;Why perceived data quality challenges are actually data confidence and communication issues.Why business leaders need a stronger data vocabulary to drive better outcomes. How shifting from projects to products improves data ownership and accountability.Why lack of trust in data stems from unclear standards and outdated systems.Why hype has led to organisations chasing use cases without defining problems.Why Low-hanging fruit often yields superficial success. Why true business value from AI comes from addressing complex, strategic problems.Why organisations must rethink processes not just adopt new tools.How brave leadership unlocks better digital decisions.Why data leaders must simplify the AI conversation for executives.How a dual AI strategy balances innovation and control.Why AI regulation is necessary but only when thoughtfully designed.Why ethical AI depends on explainability, not intentions.Why traditional company values don’t guide AI ethics.Why building trust in data starts with being trusted as a data leader.Why orchestration, not capability, is often the barrier to delivery.How reframing data roles helps escape the ‘service desk’ trap.Why tension in organisations can lead to better outcomes.Why upskilling execs in data requires empathy, not just education.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

In Episode 49, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Adrian Estala, Field Chief Data & AI Officer at Starburst, where they discuss how to deliver successful AI innovation and transformation by letting 'the business' lead, which includes;Why we need to let business teams to lead AI innovation for meaningful transformation.How business-led approaches to AI translate into practical, real-world examples.The major differences that set AI apart from previous waves of technological business transformation like ERP, Cyber and Cloud.Why AI demands a fundamentally different approach compared to traditional IT-led transformations.How organisations are adapting to the rapid pace of change driven by AI advancements.Balancing the need for AI experimentation with the discipline of effective governance and control.Identifying high-impact AI use cases that deliver competitive advantage through targeted experimentation.Adapting delivery models and governance structures to meet accelerated AI project timelines.Why organisations need a (business) semantic layer in enabling faster and more responsible AI innovation.Why the era of migration is over and what that shift means for digital strategy.Rethinking data foundations to support AI-driven decision-making across the business.The concept of “big data, small agents” and its implications for the future of work.What will distinguish successful AI adopters from those who remain stuck in experimentation over the next 12 months.Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.