Tech Talks
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Tech Talks (The Podcast about Technology Leaders and Leadership) - A podcast that probes the minds of technology leaders.
Join us as we delve deep into the startup stories, financing, growth, innovation, and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry with host, David Savage.
Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.com
Join us as we delve deep into the startup stories, financing, growth, innovation, and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry with host, David Savage.
Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.com
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Are businesses really ready for AI, or just feeling the pressure to keep up?In this episode, Nixon Hire CIO John Whitlow delivers a clear-eyed reality check. He explains why many organisations, especially SMEs, are still stuck in the foothills of digital transformation, struggling with basics like poor data quality (where up to 80% of data is useless).We dig into:Why AI hype often outpaces digital readinessThe soaring demand for AI skills vs. the lack of real trainingWhy AI strategy must be organisation-wide, not just ITThe role of leadership and DE&I in building high-performing teamsHybrid working’s rebound and the business case for sustainabilityJohn draws on his experience moving from fractional to permanent CIO, showing how human decisions and trade-offs shape tech success far more than flashy tools.Listen in for a grounded perspective on what it really takes to make AI work.Download your copy of the Digital Leadership Report hereTech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's podcast David is joined by Scott Weller, CTO and founder of EnFi. We're asking why 95% of AI projects fail? Scott talks to David about the ongoing shift from individual productivity to systemic AI agents. Together they explore how "swarm intelligence" is rewriting the rules of commercial lending and why increasing speed requires a fundamental rethink of corporate responsibility. From the halls of MasterCard to building a digital workforce, discover how to navigate the transition to the agentic era.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's podcast David is sitting down with Francisco Vigo, CEO (and cofounder) of GeoSurge, a start-up who have just emerged from stealth to tackle a crisis at the heart of marketing departments. ChatGPT is the fastest-growing marketing channel in human history, yet massive brands can vanish from its memory overnight. Francisco tells us why traditional SEO isn't sufficient in the era of Generative AI, and offers an alternative to stricken CMOs and their stakeholders. We unpack the extreme unpredictability of model updates and explore 'corpus engineering': the science of structuring data to ensure persistent visibility, redefine organic traffic, and secure your brand's presence in this critical platform shift.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's show you're going to get to hear about the next social media craze before before anyone else, and get your chance to 'lock in'.Raye Easterly, founder of Byio (By Invite Only), details the launch of the first AI-native, invite-only social universe built by Black women. She explains why she chose a two-invite-per-user model, deliberately counterintuitive to traditional tech growth, to ensure community control, eliminate bots, and solve serious problems like discrimination and cultural theft.You might ask why we need another social media platform? Well the early days of social offered so much potential. We just need to get back to that...Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today’s Tech Talks episode, David sits down with Hedgehog Lab CTO Joe Thompson, who argues that tech is finally maturing, moving beyond optimising for convenience, and towards genuine digital inclusion and accessibility. After all, there are more people in the world than affluent 25-year olds!We unpack the massive "accidental influence" technologists hold, suggest that the industry needs a ‘Hippocratic Oath’ of its own, and consider how organisations navigate the messy rebalancing that follows disruption, from dockless bikes to digital banking.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today's guest is Synthflow AI's CEO and co-founder Hakob Astabatsyan. He reveals how his company built real-time conversational voice AI for customer support. He addresses the biggest hurdle: preventing AI hallucinations, explaining the work undertaken to de-risk enterprise deployments. Hakob argues the industry must shift from chasing pure innovation to delivering quantitative, measurable ROI. He also explores the new human role as an "AI workforce manager".Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's show Beckie Taylor unpacks her pivotal, perhaps even dark, journey of identity after stepping away from Tech Returners. She opens up about the difficult transition after relinquishing her CEO title and the subsequent refocus on deep impact, including empowering female founders and building a non-profit. David and Beckie also chat about her upcoming documentary, which uncovers the self-sabotage and fear that prevents women from finding their voice in the industry.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's podcast Juice Co-founder Katherine Chan tells us the true cost of the UK’s £22bn funding gap. It's not just capital, it's confidence. 56% of small businesses avoid seeking finance because they're worried about the stigma of debt and rejection.So what's the tonic? Juice use real-time data to create solutions that offer the clarity and control so many leaders are desperate for.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's podcast we're looking at how to prevent someone stealing your photos and posting them without your permission. Centralized content moderation is failing, allowing image abuse and IP theft to scale due to a lack of consequence. Thomas Eriksson, founder of Sasha, reveals how a friend’s trauma led him to build a deep-tech system. Learn how Sasha embeds an invisible, unique signature into images that survives alteration, democratizing content protection and shifting platforms from reactive moderators to proactive enforcers of digital accountability. Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
The internet wasn't built for kids, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be an environment they thrive in. Kate O'Loughlin, CEO of Super Awesome, explains how platforms must adapt to the next generation, moving beyond the blunt force of regulation. We dive into the three big challenges: data privacy, appropriateness (avoiding addiction), and meeting youth on platforms like Roblox, which is central to youth entertainment. Kate discusses the tension between policy and the reality that kids often circumvent safety barriers, and why brands must embrace experimentation to survive content hyper-fragmentation.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
In today’s Tech Talks episode David explores how compliance and AI are cleaning up global payments.Lissele Pratt (Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree) founded Capitalixe to service the high-risk industries, think about the likes of crypto and iGaming, that traditional banks refuse to onboard.She discusses spotting this market gap at age 23, building trust as an emerging voice in finance, and using blockchain to connect underserved global communities in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.But frankly her journey started much earlier that 23, and that is the foundation to her success!Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today's guest is Forbes Under 30 recipient Avanti Sharma. Avanti has been on 'Tech Talks' twice before, aged 11, and 17. Now she's back to argue that Gen Z holds unprecedented power thanks to the looming "Great Wealth Transfer." She details how this financial shift empowers the generation to demand corporate transformation based on shared cultures and values. Avanti explains why iGen (or GenZ) cares less about short-term pay and more about purpose, warning that organizations that fail to align their values will quickly lose the next generation of top talent.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Is your car in danger of being hacked? Today’s guest is Thomas Cardon (QNX), and he joins David Savage to unpack the realities of the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) revolution. They discuss the critical hurdles facing automakers, including massive costs and regulations preventing widespread autonomous driving. Thomas reveals why cybersecurity is the most challenging obstacle (55% of developers report delays) and explains why AI is currently accelerating development cycles.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today David is talking to Fabio Bin (the WeRoad Co-founder and CMO), who reveals how Europe's fastest-growing travel startup achieved $100M revenue by ignoring conventional marketing playbooks. The real trick? They don't sell trips; they solve the modern loneliness epidemic. Fabio explains how focusing on community, soft-skilled travel coordinators, and bold, punchy branding created a profoundly human business that thrives on building connections among strangers.Also on the show there is a shout out for the Converge Podcast (by Convera) which David recently guest hosted. Take a listen here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today we have a real treat for you! Rabble Evan Henshaw-Plath, Twitter’s first employee, reveals the chaotic, hackathon origins of the platform. He details how user feedback built Twitter's core features (hashtags, retweets), and why the subsequent shift to advertising destroyed the original promise. We unpack the critical concept of ‘inshitification’ and how new open-protocol platforms like Bluesky are designed to combat centralization by giving users the fundamental right to exit and maintain platform accountability.Take part in the Harvey Nash Tech Talent Survey and help shape the future of tech careers! Click here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Buying a house is really, really hard. It took our host David 15 years of renting until he was in a position to get on the career ladder. It's a huge milestone, but it comes with debt, and interest. But does it have to? Former career banker Chris Smith chats to David about his mission to expose how the traditional financial system has failed home ownership, turning the market into a "game of monopoly". He reveals Bloxx, a new financial architecture built on equity and Web3 infrastructure. By connecting institutional capital directly to buyers, Bloxx enables home access with a 1% deposit and monthly payments up to 30% cheaper than a traditional mortgage, making renting a "dead cost" of the past. This is the generational shift required to get 1.2 billion renters into homes. Too good to be true? Surely the banks won't allow it? Listen in to today's interview to find out more!Want to read the latest from David, his Substack (diving into ‘Tech Talks’ and more) is here.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today David is join by Michael Tefula (of Ada Ventures) to discuss how we can power inclusion in venture capital, and how proprietary technology fits into the picture. As an investor who can code, Michael reveals how they utilize tools like their internal investment memo software and Deck Genius (formerly Ada GPT) to source high-potential, overlooked founders and run AI-driven bias checks. Crucially, he explains why, even with cutting-edge automation, AI must remain a co-pilot and the final investment decision must always be intensely human.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Recording on Tuesday (Day One) of Web Summit 2025, David Savage talks to leaders about what truly matters on the ground. Louise Thomas shares her successful fundraising round, confirming AI and health tech are capturing investor attention. Janine Luk and Katerina Chantzi reveal how they navigate the overwhelming conference strategically, prioritizing quality over quantity. The conversation turns serious as they discuss whether algorithms are actively suppressing DNI and Women in Tech posts, and what builders must do to bring the human element back to technology.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
Today's show features a conversation recording at Web Summit with two future (and present) leaders : Raya Mardani and Aarav Sharma. They are 15 and 16 respectively and already building incredible solutions with a real mission and purpose.They joined me on stage for a talk called "Young Minds, Bright Futures" and it was too good not to follow up and record with them both whilst here.As Web Summit themselves put it, "Gen Z hold immense potential to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges". Listening to these two leaders, it's impossible to disagree.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
On today's podcast David is talking to Nancy Beaton, President of Uphold, to discuss the high stakes for banks and fintechs entering the fragmented crypto space. She explains that younger generations demand instant, 24/7, borderless financial tools, viewing assets like Bitcoin as superior savings technology. We explore how leveraging Uphold’s compliant, battle-tested API platform allows traditional companies to move on-chain for efficiencies like instant cross-border payments, achieving speed-to-market in less than three months.Tech Talks is powered by Nash Squared, the leading global provider of technology and talent solutions. Find out more about our solutions at www.nashsquared.comThe music on Tech Talks is created by London artist Lemzi: www.lemzi.com
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