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PODCAST

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

The original data podcast. The Hub and Spoken podcast is a series of fascinating discussions with today"s top data and business leaders from across the business world. The conversations explore how to add most value to organisations through the use of data and analytics, and how best to organise yourself to achieve that value. It talks about how to define and deliver data strategy, and the best way to return business value.

technology

All Episodes

33:00

Getting the foundations right: Building responsible...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/10/01

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

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45:56

Neurodiversity in data & AI: rethinking high performance

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/09/17

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,

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40:40

How to build an organisation that can keep adapting

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/09/03

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

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40:40

Making AI Work: From Business Value to Human Trust

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/08/20

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

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37:46

What really shapes great leaders in the age of AI

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/08/06

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

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43:36

As AI gets smarter, what makes humans more valuable?

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/07/23

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

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17:27

The truth about building a data-driven culture

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/07/09

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

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44:03

Building agentic AI that scales: Architecture,...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/06/25

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

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35:13

Can AI improve social mobility or deepen inequality?

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/06/11

Artificial Intelligence is often positioned as the great democratiser of knowledge. But could it also widen existing inequalities? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster is joined by Dipi McKernan, Chief Controls Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, to explore the intersection of AI and social mobility. Drawing on her own journey and extensive work championing socioeconomic diversity, Dipi shares why social mobility remains a significant challenge across financial and professional services,

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37:50

The human side of AI: building customer-centricity at...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/05/28

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Tom Spencer, Director of Customer Data Sciences at Aviva, about what it takes to build a genuinely customer-centric organisation using data and AI. Tom shares how Aviva is using customer analytics, machine learning and emerging AI technologies to improve customer relevance, strengthen retention and create more joined-up experiences across millions of customers and multiple product lines. The conversation explores

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38:10

AI, algorithms and the future of the internet...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/05/14

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Alessandra Di Lorenzo, advisor to CMOs, author of Adjust and TEDx speaker, about how AI is reshaping the internet business model. They explore the rise of zero-click search, recommendation engines and feed-based commerce, and discuss why brand trust, direct traffic and consumer awareness are becoming more important as AI increasingly acts as a gatekeeper between brands and audiences. For senior business and

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53:17

A data and AI time capsule: what's changed, what...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/04/30

In this special 10th anniversary episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, creates a time capsule for the data and AI industry: looking back at the last decade, reflecting on where we are today and exploring what the next ten years could bring. Drawing on voices from people who have seen the shifts, lived the challenges and done the work, Jason explores what the industry got right, where expectations have run ahead of reality and what still matters when it comes to

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46:00

Building data and AI capability inside the UK's data...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/04/16

What does it take to build a modern data and AI capability inside the organisation responsible for protecting information rights across the UK? In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Rob Holtom, Executive Director for Digital, Data, Technology and Customer Experience at the ICO, the UK's independent regulator for information rights. Together, they explore what it means to lead data and AI adoption from inside a regulator: balancing innovation with

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49:01

Data, cyber and the business of defence: lessons in...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/04/02

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE, Former Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command at the Ministry of Defence. Lieutenant General Sir Tom shares his journey from a traditional infantry career through deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to leading one of the UK's most important cyber and data capabilities. Drawing on decades of operational experience, he explains how the realities

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41:37

Why now is a great time to be a woman in data and AI

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/03/19

In this International Women's Day special of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, Founder and CEO of Cynozure, is joined by Kavita Sandhu, Client Services Manager, and Jane Usoskina, Senior Solution Architect, for an honest conversation about careers, confidence and change in the data industry. Together, they explore how data has shifted from a back-office reporting function to a strategic business capability and why that change is creating new opportunities for more diverse talent to thrive. They discuss

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37:17

How to prioritise data when everything is important

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/03/05

As organisations grow, data teams face a familiar challenge - staying focused on what matters while supporting an increasingly complex operation. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Rob Kent, Head of Data and AI at Greggs, to explore what pragmatic data leadership looks like in practice. Rob shares how he prioritises work, aligns data initiatives to business strategy and builds trust with stakeholders across the organisation. The discussion

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47:16

The Next Horizon: What Cynozure's 2026 Data & AI...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/02/19

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by returning guest Pete Williams, former Director of Data at Penguin Random House, to discuss the findings of Cynozure's 2026 report, The Next Horizon: Data, AI and Impact. Drawing on insights from senior data and analytics leaders, they explore a persistent challenge: while expectations of data teams have shifted towards impact, investment often remains focused on platforms and foundations. Jason and Pete

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40:58

Why entrepreneurial thinking is essential for data...

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/02/05

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Roisin McCarthy, Founder of Women in Data®, to discuss why entrepreneurial thinking is fast becoming a core skill for data leaders. Drawing on experience in data, technology and talent, Roisin reflects on how expectations of data teams have changed and why technical excellence alone no longer guarantees impact. The conversation explores the growing need for commercial awareness, accountability and influence,

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34:55

How to make your team visible as a data leader

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/01/22

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Lindsay Mason, a senior data leader with 20 years of experience across retail and the public sector. Lindsay shares her journey from analysing sales and forecasting trends at Debenhams, where frustration with poor data quality led her into data, to leading data strategy at John Lewis Partnership and moving into the civil service four years ago. The conversation explores what makes data teams visible and valued

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39:11

How organisations understand what customers value

Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer |... ·

2026/01/08

In this guest episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Kate Sargent, Chief Data Officer at the Financial Times, to discuss how customer understanding drives strategy, growth and trust in a digital-first organisation. Kate explains how the FT has evolved from a traditional publisher into a subscription-led business serving audiences from classroom to boardroom. She shares how customer insight underpins everything from acquisition and retention to product design

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