Industry Inner Join

If you’re building a career in data, or thinking about making the move into consulting, this episode is for you.Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he sits down with Gerard McCarthy - former Head of Data & Analytics at Pioneer Credit and now Principal Consultant at Bailey Abbott.Gerard’s journey spans 20 years: from accountant at EY, Bankwest and iiNet, to leading a 20-person data team inside an ASX-listed financial services company, and now helping grow a fast-scaling consultancy in WA. In this conversation, he shares what it actually takes to bridge finance, data and executive decision-making, and why leadership in analytics is more about trust and empathy than technical brilliance.In this episode, we cover:Moving from accounting into dataLeading a high-performing team of engineers, analysts and data scientistsThe shift from internal leadership to client-facing consultingWhat hiring managers really look for (beyond the CV)Consulting vs in-house data roles, and who suits each pathGerard also shares practical advice for aspiring data professionals: take broad opportunities, learn the business you serve and don’t underestimate the value of empathy in technical roles.If you work in data, analytics, BI, engineering, AI, or you’re considering a move into consulting, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how careers in this space actually unfold and where the industry is heading next.Want to learn more about Industry Inner Join?Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.Powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.Building people | Building community | Building businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

If you’re navigating the space between business and data, exploring AI at work, or trying to understand how analytics actually delivers value, this episode is for you.Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he sits down with Andy Maher, Manager of Digital and Data at IGO.Andy’s career spans law, retail, entrepreneurship, field IT work and analytics leadership, giving him a rare perspective on why so many data initiatives stall, and what it really takes to bridge the gap between business problems and technical solutions. In this episode, we cover:Why business/data tension exists (and how to reduce it)What 'value' actually means in analytics, AI and data teamsAI productivity gains vs real ROI on the P&LAdoption, semantic layers and the future beyond dashboardsWhat hiring managers really look for in data and analytics rolesHow early-career analysts can build 'intangible' skills that accelerate growthMentorship, community and why curiosity beats tools every timeIf you work in data, analytics, AI, BI, engineering, or you’re a business leader trying to get more from your data investments, this conversation will give you a grounded, real-world lens on where the industry is heading!Want to learn more about Industry Inner Join?Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.Powered by ⁠⁠⁠⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠⁠⁠⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.Building people | Building community | Building businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

If you’re growing into leadership, working with AI or figuring out how data actually drives strategy - this one’s for you!Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he hosts Bobby Patel, GM of Data and Analytics at RAC.From web developer during the dot-com bust, to leading one of WA’s largest data teams, Bobby shares what’s changed (and what hasn’t) over 20 years in tech - including how RAC approaches safe AI, internal consulting and building high-impact teams.In this episode, we cover:Safe and practical use of GenAI inside large orgsSoft skills, influence and why EQ trumps tech toolsWhat C-suite actually cares about and how analysts can alignBuilding low-attrition teams that stay sharp and stay curiousThe 'growth mindset' model and how it drives career accelerationWant to learn more about Industry Inner Join?Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.Powered by ⁠⁠⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠⁠⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.Building people | Building community | Building businesses⁠⁠⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.⁠⁠⁠Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

If you’re shifting from academia to industry, building your first data team or curious how analytics drives decisions in fast-moving startups - this one’s for you!Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he hosts Dr. Sakshi, Head of Data and Analytics at PictureWealth.From PhD research in neural networks to leading data strategy at one of WA’s standout Fintechs, Sakshi shares how she broke into the industry, built a team from scratch and brought AI-powered products to life in a tightly regulated sector.In this episode, we cover:Broke into industry with no local experienceBuilt a data team from scratch at a fast-growing startupEmbedded data culture in a traditionally non-technical orgBalanced AI innovation with compliance in financial servicesWant to learn more about Industry Inner Join?Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.Powered by ⁠⁠⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠⁠⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.Building people | Building community | Building businesses⁠⁠⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.⁠Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

If you’re leading data change, building from the ground up, or curious about how analytics takes hold in heavy industry - this one’s for you.Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he hosts Dr Vahid Golkar, Data and Analytics Manager at Topdrill.From a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, to managing data strategy in one of WA’s leading drilling companies, Vahid shares how he helped take Topdrill from spreadsheets to Snowflake - and what it really takes to embed analytics in an operational business.In this episode, we cover:Building a data function from zero maturity to AI & ML in productionThe confidence to step up and how a single 'I can do that' changed his careerWhy change management is the hardest part of data leadershipThe three traits he hires for: critical thinking, curiosity and lifelong learningPractical lessons for influencing non-technical stakeholders and proving value earlyWant to learn more about Industry Inner Join?Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across Perth and Australia.We host quarterly in-person and online events, bringing together analysts, engineers, and data leaders from across industries to share knowledge and build community.Powered by ⁠⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.Building people | Building community | Building businesses⁠⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

If you’re working with data, thinking of growing your team or trying to upskill yourself - this one’s for you.Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he hosts Jacob Hammer, Managing Director of Gemcutter Analytics.Jacob’s journey is one many aspire to - from corporate analyst to building one of Perth’s most respected data analytics consultancies. In this episode, we cover:- What separates good vs great BI Analysts- How to make the leap from analyst to consultancy owner- Why curiosity & communication often beat raw technical skill- Where AI fits into BI (and where domain knowledge still wins)For further reading, Jacob mentions the tools Julius AI and Onvo AI.You want to learn more about Industry Inner Join? Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across the city, and Australia!We hold events live-person & online quarterly.Our events are about bringing together analysts, developers, scientists and engineers from all spectrums of the data world to share resources.Powered by ⁠DR Analytics Recruitment⁠ - helping businesses hire top data talent.| Building people| Building community| Building businesses⁠Learn more about us and our events here.⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn.⁠Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!

Data professionals and tech leaders in Australia - this one’s for you. Join Douglas Robertson, Director at DR Analytics Recruitment, as he hosts Ash Smith, Data Platform Manager at South32 and soon-to-be author. Ash has done it all: network engineering, systems admin, property tech in Silicon Valley and now leading data teams in mining. In this episode, we cover:Why 'vibe coding' is fun but costlyWhat makes a standout data professional in 2025How to break into data engineering from BI or dev rolesThe reality of governance (yes, celebrate what didn’t go wrong)Data products vs dashboards - and why the name mattersTune in for a 30-minute live conversation, where you’ll walk away with actionable wisdom on data leadership and emerging trends. You want to learn more about Industry Inner Join? Industry Inner Join is a community initiative that brings together Perth data professionals to connect and share industry insights.Our aim is to uplift data literacy across the city, and Australia!We hold events live-person & online quarterly.Our events are about bringing together analysts, developers, scientists and engineers from all spectrums of the data world to share resources.Powered by DR Analytics Recruitment - helping businesses hire top data talent.| Building people| Building community| Building businessesLearn more about us and our events here.Follow us on LinkedIn.Be sure to leave us a rating and subscribe!