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

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 of modern conflict have reshaped the role of data, technology and cyber across defence. The conversation explores how defence is adapting to a world where information moves faster than ever, where data can shape decisions both on and off the battlefield, and where cyber capability is now central to national resilience. Lieutenant General Sir Tom also discusses the leadership challenge of building capability in this environment: attracting and retaining scarce technical talent, evolving culture and incentives, and recognising that the success of technology and data ultimately depends on people. A fascinating look at the intersection of defence, cyber and data and the leadership lessons that apply far beyond the military.

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 They discuss the outdated idea of what it means to be 'technical', the growing importance of roles spanning strategy, governance, culture and architecture, and why better representation leads to better decisions. The episode also tackles the realities women still face at work, from pay gaps and being the only woman in the room to the importance of mentorship, psychological safety and leadership that creates space for every voice to be heard. As AI reshapes how organisations operate, this conversation is a timely reminder that the teams building the future must reflect the people they serve.

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 spans how data supports both running and growing a business, from forecasting and workforce planning to customer engagement and operational decision-making. Rob also offers a candid perspective on measuring impact, explaining why not every initiative can be tied to direct ROI and why some data capability is simply the cost of doing business well. This episode focuses on clarity over complexity, execution over theory and using data to help people make better decisions every day. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

Pete Williams, ex-Director of Data at Penguin Random House and seasoned data leader, joins to unpack Cynozure's 2026 Data & AI report. They discuss the shift from platform building to proving commercial impact. They explore why organisations still pour resources into foundations, confusion over AI ownership, governance needs, and how generative AI can broaden data access.

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, particularly as data leaders are asked to justify investment and deliver measurable outcomes. Jason and Roisin discuss what entrepreneurial skills look like inside large organisations, from treating data initiatives as products to navigating trade-offs, making difficult decisions and staying aligned to purpose when conditions change. A practical, experience-led conversation for senior data professionals who want their work to drive real business value, not just activity. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this conversation, Lindsay Mason, a data leader with two decades of experience in retail and the public sector, shares insights on making data teams visible to leadership. She discusses her journey from Debenhams to government, emphasizing how telling compelling stories and defining clear visions can elevate a team's value. Lindsay advocates for understanding stakeholder needs, prioritizing use cases, and engaging citizens to build trust. Her practical wisdom highlights that without visible impact, a team's worth may go unrecognized.

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 and experience, guided by a clear set of "metrics that matter". The conversation explores how the FT segments its audiences, turns insight into action across the organisation and balances short-term performance with long-term value. Kate also reflects on the practical role of AI, from personalisation to governance, explaining why clarity of purpose and strong principles matter when adopting new technology. Listen here for a thoughtful discussion focused on data, customers and sustainable growth. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Blaire Palmer, author, keynote speaker and expert on leadership and the future of work. This episode is a candid conversation about what organisations must rethink if they want people and performance to thrive in an era shaped by rapid technological change. Drawing on her background as a BBC journalist, one of Europe's first accredited coaches and the author of 'Punks in Suits', Blaire unpacks the long-held assumptions that quietly limit how people show up at work. She and Jason discuss why culture and trust remain the real competitive edge and why short-termism undermines long-term value. Their conversation also explores how leadership must evolve as AI takes on more of the routine and emotionally neutral tasks inside organisations. Together, they make the case that AI shouldn't be treated as an efficiency play, but as a catalyst for unlocking human potential, creativity and contribution. They discuss the organisations already redefining what "good" looks like, from value led decision-making to designing environments where people can genuinely do their best work. An interesting, people-centred conversation about rewriting the rules of work for what comes next. Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

Most organisations don't struggle with change because of strategy or technology, they struggle because change is fundamentally human. In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Sunil Kumar, Chief Transformation Officer, to explore why transformation so often stalls and what leaders can do to make it stick. Drawing on more than 26 years working across airlines, telecoms, finance and FMCG, Sunil explains why context, such as geopolitics, customer behaviour, industry shifts and internal culture, is the deciding factor in how change lands. When leaders ignore that context, resistance and fatigue follow. Jason and Sunil discuss the human realities behind change, including: Why people naturally resist it How values and beliefs influence adoption Why narrative and excitement matter more than familiar project metrics Sunil also shares his practical "push, pull, connect" model for building momentum and why adoption, not go-live, should be the true measure of success. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

Shachar Meir, a seasoned data advisor with 20+ years at Meta and PayPal, discusses why even well-resourced companies struggle with data. He emphasizes that the root issues lie in people, process, and culture rather than technology. Shachar critiques the tendency of data teams to obsess over tools instead of understanding business needs. He advocates for a professional mindset within data teams, advising companies to prioritize meaningful metrics and structured thinking to drive real value. Incremental changes and strong leadership are key to overcoming data chaos.