Walk in the Cloud: Recent Episodes
Accenture
Cloud is today’s most powerful tool for business transformation. Tune in for no-nonsense views from seasoned experts on how to put it to work for you.
Matt Prebble joins Bella Thornely to explore how AI can unlock growth in the UK. From productivity and reinvention to trust, skills and human ingenuity, he shares what it will take for businesses and the nation to realise AI's full value.
Are messy data and cryptic code holding businesses back? Andy MacMillan, CEO of Alteryx, explains how they empower everyone from data pros to non‑technical users to unlock insights, make confident decisions and boost productivity.
Matt Rich shares how bp has transformed its global marketing function into a data‑driven, AI‑enabled engine, bringing teams along the journey, navigating change and fuelling growth. He also looks into the crystal ball to explore what's next for marketers as AI reshapes the future.
The true measure of technology is its ability to save lives. From the pandemic response to shaping a future of "healthcare at your fingertips", Ayub Bhayat shares how the NHS is using data and AI to transform the UK's healthcare system.
Digital exclusion, despite common belief, affects all ages. Sital Mistry‑Lee of the Good Things Foundation explains how we can use AI to bridge the divide – instead of deepening it.
Inclusion is more than friendliness; it's built on psychological safety and a culture of open, honest feedback. Mark Lomas, Head of Culture, Talent & Communities at Lloyd's, shares how true inclusion empowers people to perform at their best and feel valued — even in times of conflict.
Otto Benz, Customer Technology and Payments Director at Nationwide Building Society, shares how the organisation has modernised its payments infrastructure through dual‑cloud technology, strengthened resilience in the face of outages, met evolving regulatory demands, and adapted to society's changing relationship with cash.
Retail mogul Roger Burnley sits down with Bella Thornely to discuss steering digital transformation, tackling the challenges brought on by COVID-19, and exploring how a strong customer focus and AI are shaping the future of retail.
Rachel Barrass, Director of Customer Service at VMO2, reveals how together agentic AI and human agents have slashed complaints by 60%! Dive into tech, transformation and the power of truly knowing your customer.
Can AI genies help us live longer and better lives? Prof. Mihaela van der Schaar, leader of the van der Schaar Lab at Cambridge University, shares with Bella Thornely the far-reaching potential of this next development in AI.
Mark Farbrace interviews Maëlle Gasc, Co-Founder and Deputy CEO of Noli. They explore how Noli uses AI to tackle the challenge of overwhelming choice and conflicting advice, revolutionising the way consumers shop for beauty products.
Joe Garner, former CEO of Nationwide Building Society, HSBC UK and Openreach, joins Emma to share how sport, sleep, and self-awareness fuel leadership - offering practical tips for staying balanced, focused, and above all, human at the top.
How can we level the playing field for all jobseekers? Microsoft’s Charles Eales and CEO of Movement to Work, Sareena Bains, discuss the untapped potential of AI for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Despite public support for clean energy, large infrastructure projects can face considerable resistance. Jacqueline Lilinshtein from National Grid Ventures introduces Doorstep, a digital tool setting a new standard for community engagement.
Making homeownership a reality for more people is Leeds Building Society’s founding mission. Joining host Emma Kendrew, Rob Howse explores how they are transforming the digital core of their banking system to deliver against that purpose.
Vodafone is using AI and digital innovation to meet the evolving expectations of their customers. Join Alex Pott and Mark Farbrace who discuss accessibility, conversational commerce, bot-to-bot comms, gen AI, agentic AI and more.
Go back to the future with host Emma Kendrew and EDF's Rich Hughes. Hear how technology enabled EDF's traditional approach to customer service, laying the foundations for their energy transition.
Closing the gender gap starts with inspiration. Dr Claire Thorne, co-CEO of Tech She Can, joins Emma Kendrew to share how the charity is transforming the tech landscape – building aspirations in half a million children globally.
Accenture's Simon Cooper joins our host Emma Kendrew to unpack Accenture's 2025 Technology Vision. Together, they explore how AI introduces a new dimension to the trust equation, while swiftly transforming our lives from brand interactions to robotic collaborations.
Join Accenture's Katie Burke and Coach, NED, Trustee and Advisor Mark Evans, as they introduce our 2025 Life Trends, a fascinating window into people's behaviours and attitudes to the world around them. As industry leaders and parents, they explore the contradictions between these trends and how to walk the tightrope between the promise and peril of technology. How can the c-suite shape strategy that balances the faster adoption of technology versus people's desire to protect their children and reconnect with the non-digital world?
Join Accenture’s Huda As’ad as she discusses her transformative journey in the UK's infrastructure sector. From her beginnings as a site-based engineer to leading digital innovations at Accenture, Huda shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of major projects like the London Olympics and Crossrail. The episode delves into the critical role of digital technology in revolutionising construction, enhancing productivity, and promoting sustainability within the construction industry.
Explore AI's potential to humanise technology with Accenture’s Liz Barnsdale. Learn about how AI, when designed with empathy and human-centric goals, can enhance real-world interactions, particularly in the automotive and healthcare sectors. Liz emphasises the importance of intent in AI development, advocating for technology that supports rather than replaces human connections.
Join Accenture’s Jacky Fox to explore the latest trends and challenges in cybersecurity. The conversation dives into the role of AI in both offensive and defensive strategies, as well as the state of awareness among UK executives. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the importance of staying risk-ready in the digital age.
Discover the changing landscape of global supply chains with Accenture’s Stephane Crosnier. Stephane dives into the rise of regional sourcing, the challenges it presents, and the role of AI in managing complex supply chains. Learn how these changes can benefit UK consumers by improving product availability and potentially reducing prices. Tune in for valuable insights on building resilient supply chains.
Accenture’s Abidemi Ogunbowale-Thomas discusses the transformative power of virtualisation and its impact on businesses. Explore how recent advancements, especially in Gen AI, are reshaping businesses and challenging traditional models. The conversation delves into the democratisation of technology, the role of CIOs, data aggregation and the necessity for a customer-centric mindset. Join the conversation for a deep dive into the technological revolution shaping the future of business and society.
Discover the transformative landscape of UK manufacturing with Accenture's Maddie Walker. Uncover the industry's challenges, from energy costs to supply chain disruptions and explore the power of digital innovation, paving the way for a resilient and promising future in UK production.
Accenture’s Tom White is back for part 2 to explore the future of tech and sustainability. Tom dives into the environmental impact of computing and Birmingham's innovative solutions. Gain insights for corporations and individuals, reflecting on the city's vibrant tech scene, evolving work landscape, and opportunities for the next generation.
Join Accenture’s Tom White live from Birmingham Tech Week to explore the reality of AI, cutting through the hype to uncover its practical applications. Brace yourself for a quantum leap as Tom dives into the mind-bending world of quantum computing, illuminating its potential in drug discovery, supply chain optimisation, and finance.
Whether it's a narrow focus on carbon reduction or a broad approach to behavioural change, every company has sustainability on their agenda. However, what actions they take and who is responsible can often differ. Jen Courant from Deutsche Bank joins us to talk about their compelling new model for corporate sustainability leadership.
When you think of Scotland do you think of data? After this episode, you certainly will! Edinburgh is on the road to becoming a data capital of Europe. Join us to find out why it matters. With data, the possibilities are endless; from predicting epileptic fits, or enabling people to pivot their careers, to saving millions in manufacturing infrastructure costs. And small but mighty Scotland has big ambitions to put a ding in the universe.
Changing the world for the better has become a thread in the narrative for most big companies and it's simply a necessary part of doing business in the 21st century. But what happens when everyone embraces the opportunity for real change, rather than just doing the basics? Join us to learn more about an example that stretches employee skill and creativity, and most importantly makes a real difference to people in need.
The right combination of data, tech and people can boost profitability and revenue - but only 5% of companies are making it happen. This episode has more than one surprising statistic as we talk about talent, the gender pay gap, skills, technology, and the critical role of the CHRO as a growth executive.
The UK has a productivity problem, but it’s not what it seems. The UK was ranked 4th in the G7, behind the US, Germany and France – join our walk to find out why and what can be done. We explore how technology can increase workforce productivity, not by doing more but by creating more value.
Technology and sustainability – is it an oxymoron? Our research shows that 100% of CIOs agree that technology is critical to sustainability, but we also know that it creates its own environmental impact. Join us as we explore each side of the coin; how technology can help sustainability, and how technology can be sustainable.
Technology and health care has been a conversation for years, but a unique conjunction of change means that the time has never been better to turn dreams to reality. AI-enhanced data analysis, smarter diagnostic equipment, hybrid environments where humans and technology work side-by side and new approaches to digital experience are revolutionising medicine. We look at the consequences for an overstretched system always looking to do more with less.
If you don’t work in financial services, you might not even know what Open Banking is. But you should. New European banking rules on data have transformed the services banks can offer, and provide the model for what may happen with data across other industries. The UK was an early leader in Open Banking but some say it’s falling behind. What can British execs do to stay in innovation pole position?
The Great Resignation: we’ve all heard about it, read about it, and many of us have experienced the shift it's caused in the professional world. But what is really happening and how can cloud technology help us adjust? Our host sits down with Carolyn Horne of Workday and Colin Anderson of Accenture to discuss the intricacies of the new normal — and the role technology has played in facilitating remote work and retaining talent.
Supply chains have become sexy. In this episode, our host talks with Stephane Crosnier of Accenture UK and John McNiff of SAP. The last two years have been a perfect storm of critical supply chain issues; our experts offer practical insight into how businesses have used innovative technologies to stay ahead of perpetual disruption.
What does it take to win customers for life? Creating exquisite personalised experiences at the right moment. But with so much data to sift through it can be a challenge to find the right solutions for buyers. In this episode of Walk in the Cloud, our host is joined by Saul Lopes of Currys and Accenture’s Katrina Harianto to discuss the most effective ways to build stunning solutions that have customers coming back for more.
Any tool is only useful in skilled hands—and that’s especially true for the cloud. In this episode of Walk in the Cloud, our host is joined by Accenture’s Stephanie Sadowski and Stuart Mills of Salesforce to discuss how highly skilled organisations can maximise the value of their cloud investments to find and grow the talent they need.
In the world of constant change, adaptability has never been more crucial than it is today. Building speed and agility allows us to thrive in times of digital disruption. On this episode of Walk in the Cloud, our host is joined by Oracle’s Alastair Watts and Accenture UK’s David Middup to discuss a more systematic, yet holistic, approach towards embracing digital fluency to develop strategic agility and resilience within big organisations.
Innovating is one of the hardest things for organisations of any size to achieve, but that doesn’t mean that innovation is the exclusive purview of a few elite businesses. On this episode of Walk in the Cloud, our host is joined by Google Cloud's Finn Toner and Accenture UK’s Akosua Kudom to discuss how the right partnerships and cloud technology can help organisations of all sizes to innovate better.
Potential cost savings are a major draw for cloud transformation. But the cloud’s financial potential doesn’t stop there. In this episode, our host is joined by Kevin Long, Cloud Economist at Amazon Web Services, and Dean Oliver, Accenture’s Cloud First UK FinOps Lead, to explore all of the financial use cases of moving to the cloud—and how the right partnerships can help unleash the cloud’s full potential.
What happens when the world’s largest software company, a multinational energy company and Accenture get together to tackle decarbonisation? They try to save the world. Microsoft’s Matt Highman and SSE’s John Downes explain why their organisations see partnerships as essential to achieving the most audacious goals of their businesses.
No organisation can hope to complete its cloud transformation journey without strong leadership from its CIO and CTO. Emma Roscow, Accenture UK’s Cloud Infrastructure Engineering Lead, unpacks how these roles are changing as the cloud goes mainstream. She argues that as tech and business needs become more intertwined, the remit of these roles is continuing to expand.
People are the engine of every organisation. What will it mean for them as organisations move to the cloud? Nicole Knott, Managing Director, HR Consulting with Accenture UK, looks at how the cloud opens up new doors of inclusivity, productivity and talent management. Nicole argues that organisations can only meet expectations for an employee experience if they embrace the cloud.
The cloud can help us to make things better—and to make better things. Maddie Walker, Industry X Lead for Accenture UK, unpacks how the cloud can create the digital intelligence that will drive the fifth industrial revolution, dives into how the cloud is changing the role of the COO today, and shares how today’s manufacturing leaders think and what they do differently.
Marketing hasn’t always thought of itself as a technological field, but new tech like the cloud is placing tremendous new opportunities at the doors of marketing leaders. Accenture Interactive Lead for the UK and Ireland, Pritesh Gadhia explains how Chief Marketing Officers can embrace the cloud to achieve more with less and drive customer obsession.
Ambrose Shannon, Accenture’s CFO and Enterprise Value UKI Practice Lead shares why cloud is one way for CFOs to arm themselves with faster insights to inform business decisions in today’s fast-moving world. By embracing lifelong learning, Shannon explains, CFOs are in the unique position to help organisations successfully navigate cloud transformations.
Chief information security officers play an invaluable role in spotting and mitigating risks so the rest of the organisation can get on with building the dream. Cyber security guru Jane Frankland explains how the best do it, while bringing up some hidden threats they may be missing. Amongst them: a worrying lack of women in the field which may leave doors open to targeted fraud.
Applied Intelligence leader Vikas Sindwani believes the best cloud transformations start with innovative dreamers who spot the potential in vast lakes of data, then dream up business-changing things to do with them. Chief Data Officers' enterprise data strategies are driving a new breed of super-responsive, super-flexible organisations. Vikas explains how they do it.
CEOs who think of cloud simply as technology and relegate it to their tech teams are doomed to failure, argues Accenture’s Strategy & Consulting lead Rachel Barton. Rachel talks about the three categories of CEO she tends to see when relating to cloud and the challenges facing each. Building back better in the UK after COVID-19 and Brexit makes this episode particularly relevant.