The CTO Lens

In this week’s episode of the CTO Lens podcast, hosts Sophie Valentine and David Crawford delve into various topics, starting with the internet outage in Iran, AI generated singers and a discussion about Elon Musk's relationships and the implications of AI in our daily lives.Sophie and David then welcome guest Hema Purohit, who brings her extensive experience in technology and leadership development to the conversation. Hema discusses her Leadership Essentials masterclass, emphasising the importance of visibility versus volume in career advancement for women. She highlights the need for women to take on riskier projects and build relationships with senior leaders to enhance their visibility and career prospects.The episode concludes with the mid-episode game (titled ‘Tech or Fake’ and a disaster diary, where the hosts reflect on the build vs. buy dilemma in tech, providing insights on making informed decisions in product development.Find out more about Hema here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemapurohit/

In this episode, Sophie and David discuss the latest developments in technology, including Nvidia's new AI platform for self-driving cars, the implications of ChatGPT in healthcare, and Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI. Furthermore, the hosts discuss essential communication skills for modern leaders, emphasising the importance of active listening, empathy, and understanding different communication styles. They explore the challenges of communicating in a tech-driven environment, particularly with neurodiverse teams. Guest Ben Pearce shares insights on storytelling and frameworks for effective communication, highlighting the need for clarity and flexibility in interactions. Finally, David and Sophie take part in the weekly mid-episode game (titled ‘Name That UK Tech City’) and also explore the challenges of transitioning into leadership roles and the importance of vulnerability in fostering team cohesion. You can find out more about Ben Pearce here: https://www.elevatedyou.live/ctolens

In this engaging conversation, Sophie Valentine and David Crawford reflect on their Christmas and New Year experiences, discussing the transition back to work and the challenges of disconnecting during the holidays. They delve into tech trends from 2025 and predictions for 2026, particularly focusing on the evolving landscape of AI and consumer technology. David and Sophie also discuss the evolution of IoT and health technology, emphasising the potential for innovative applications in health and communication. They explore the challenges of project management, particularly the early signs of project failure and the importance of communication in addressing these issues. The conversation highlights the need for transparency and proactive measures to ensure project success, ultimately advocating for a culture of open dialogue and accountability in teams. They also play the weekly mid-episode game, titled this week as 'The Resolution Race'!

In this episode, David and Sophie discuss their Christmas preparations, share technology news highlights, and delve into the importance of giving advice to one's younger self. They also take part in the weekly 'Mid Episode Game' titled 'Guess The Year' and conclude with the 'Disaster Diaries' segment, which sparks conversation on the significance of team culture and the common struggles faced by new leaders in tech.

In this episode of CTO Lens, hosts David Crawford and Sophie Valentine discuss personal updates, technology news, and the transition from CTO to CEO with guest Hywel Carver. They explore the challenges of maintaining a strong security culture during rapid growth, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the balance between innovation and security. The episode also features insights from a listener's disaster diary about security breaches and the need for organisational accountability.

In this episode of CTO Lens, David Crawford and new co-host Sophie Valentine discuss the evolution of the podcast, play a fun game of 'Two Truths and a Lie', and dive into the recent tech budget and its implications for startups. They also explore key questions to ask CEOs during interviews for CTO roles, emphasizing the importance of understanding company challenges, team dynamics, and the role of technology in business. In this episode, the hosts engage in light-hearted discussions about Christmas traditions, travel plans, and the excitement of new car ownership. They introduce a fun mid-episode game that tests their knowledge, followed by a serious conversation about the challenges of explaining AI to non-technical board members. The conversation emphasises the importance of empathy, collaboration, and effective communication in technology leadership.

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 3 features Mal Minhas, a seasoned Chief Technologist, with his most recent role as the CPTO at Gumtree. In this conversation, Mal talks about his time at Symbian, explores the step up to managing managers & what the future of the CxO role might look like in an evolving technology landscape. London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 9 features Sarah Greasley, former Group CTO at Direct Line and AWS EMEA Director, who shares insights from her nearly four decades in technology. She discusses what defines a modern CTO — from trust, curiosity, and vision to balancing technical depth with strategic and commercial awareness. Sarah explores how storytelling and relationship-building are key to influencing at the C-suite level, and reflects on the growing diversity of CTO roles, from startups to enterprises. She also opens up about her transition into a portfolio career, the realities of becoming a Non-Executive Director, and the importance of mentoring and growing future tech leaders.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign up for our Women+ Tech Leaders event happening on the 13th of November!https://www.londontechleaders.io/event/women-tech-leaders-dealing-with-executives-technical-and-non-technical/?e=1

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 8 features Matt Watson sharing insights from over 20 years in technology leadership. As the founder and former CTO of VinSolutions, and now CEO and co-founder of Fullscale, Matt reflects on his journey from software engineer to founder and author of Product Driven. He discusses the four key types of engineering leadership—product, technical, strategy, and operations—and why understanding your strengths is crucial to becoming an effective CTO. Matt also explores the growing intersection between engineering and product thinking, how AI and low-code tools are reshaping these roles, and the importance of courage, vision, and listening to customers as technology leaders. His experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to build scalable teams and bridge the gap between code, product, and business impact.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign up for our Women+ Tech Leaders event happening on the 13th of November!https://www.londontechleaders.io/event/women-tech-leaders-dealing-with-executives-technical-and-non-technical/?e=1

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 7 of The CTO Lens features Stuart Coleman, CTO at 10x Banking, who shares his unconventional journey from physics lecturer to technology leader driving transformation in financial services. Stuart discusses why being an effective CTO isn’t about being the cleverest person in the room, but about connecting talented people, driving value, and fostering accountability. He reflects on the lessons learned through his rise at 10x — from knowing when to step in or step back, to developing commercial awareness and empathy as a leader. Stuart also opens up about a difficult moment early in his tenure that taught him the importance of communication, humility, and never losing sight of the individuals behind the technology.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign up for our Women+ Tech Leaders event happening on the 13th of November!https://www.londontechleaders.io/event/women-tech-leaders-dealing-with-executives-technical-and-non-technical/?e=1

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 6 of The CTO Lens features Eleni Kelly, CIO of Pluxee UK, who shares her 20-year journey across public and private sector technology leadership. She explores how the CIO role has evolved from managing IT operations to driving revenue, resilience, and digital culture at the core of modern business. Eleni discusses the importance of commercial acumen, storytelling, and emotional intelligence in technology leadership, along with how trust and empathy shape high-performing teams. Reflecting on her experiences as a woman in tech, she offers practical advice on building confidence, influencing the boardroom, and leading with calm clarity.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign up for our Women+ Tech Leaders event happening on the 13th of November!https://www.londontechleaders.io/event/women-tech-leaders-dealing-with-executives-technical-and-non-technical/?e=1

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 5 features Nick Drouet, CTO for Kyndryl UK & Ireland, who reflects on his 30-year journey from IBM engineer to enterprise technology leader. He shares how seizing unexpected opportunities shaped his career, the role of mentors in his development, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing industry. Nick explores how the CTO role differs across startups and enterprises, emphasising breadth of skills, curiosity, and humility as essential leadership traits. He also discusses the impact of AI on learning and decision-making, offers candid insights into his own mistakes, and highlights the responsibility of tech leaders to mentor and support the next generation.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 4 features Meri Williams sharing their journey to becoming a CTO, discussing their early experiences in technology, the challenges they faced in leadership, and the importance of honing technical skills before moving into management. They emphasise the value of understanding both the technical and business sides of technology, and offers insights on career vectors and personal growth. Meri also opens up about their struggles with mental health and the lessons learned from their experiences, providing valuable advice for aspiring tech leaders.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 2 features Steve Newson, one of the founders of Starling Bank and now Group CTO. In this conversation, Steve reflects on the journey of building a challenger bank from the ground up, the realities of scaling technology in a highly regulated industry, and what it means to stay innovative while leading at the top level.Along the way, Steve shares practical lessons on resilience, strategic thinking, and balancing innovation with risk — offering a rare inside look at the mindset required to transform an entire sector.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl

The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 1 kicks off with the brilliant Renee Hunt, former CTO of Compare the Market. In this conversation, Renee shares her journey as a technology leader, lessons learned from driving large-scale transformation, and her insights on what it really takes to lead high-performing teams in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.Midway through the conversation, Renée also recommends the book “Changing Gear: Creating the Life You Want After a Full On Career”, which she credits with shaping her approach to leadership and decision-making — a must-read for any tech leader looking to level up their game.Book link: https://amzn.eu/d/7FTLw40London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl