All News & Insights

Securing the Supply Chain: Cyber Threats Facing Manufacturing In this episode of Tech Talks, David Savage reconnects with Barry O’Connell to explore the growing cybersecurity risks in manufacturing, particularly as geopolitical instability, outdated systems, and operational technology (OT) vulnerabilities collide. As Barry explains, manufacturing is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals and even state-sponsored actors due to gaps in cyber maturity and sprawling attack surfaces.Barry unpacks why ransomware is spiking in OT environments, how 73% of OT devices remain unmanaged, and what manufacturing leaders—and governments—must do to raise the bar on resilience. With parallels to potholes and supply chain fragility, the message is clear: without proactive action, disruption is inevitable. Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

Data with Purpose: Building Value-Driven Infrastructure In this episode, David Savage speaks with Svetlana Tarnagurskaja, CEO and co-founder of The Dot Collective, a next-generation consultancy helping enterprises make the most of their data. Svetlana explores how organisations can stop treating data like an afterthought and start building modern, cloud-native infrastructure that actually delivers ROI.From the myths of traditional consultancy to the rise of agile, practitioner-led teams, this episode is a must-listen for digital leaders who are serious about sustainable innovation and value-based transformation. Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

Breaking Down the Walls: AI, Cloud, and the Future of Enterprise Tech The pace of AI and cloud innovation is relentless—but are enterprises keeping up? In this episode, Jason Rees, SVP Technology and Cloud Infrastructure at Oracle, joins Tech Talks to discuss the shift from AI experimentation to execution. With Oracle’s AI Agent Studio, businesses now have the tools to build, extend, and deploy AI-driven automation at scale. But what does this mean for vendor choice, interoperability, and future-proofing enterprise tech?From multi-cloud flexibility to breaking down walled gardens, Jason shares insights on how enterprises can maximise AI’s potential without locking themselves into rigid ecosystems. With a $5 billion UK investment in cloud infrastructure, Oracle is doubling down on AI’s role in digital transformation. But as businesses wrestle with legacy systems and data challenges, the real question is: how do you get started? Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

Powering AI for Everyone: The UK’s Blueprint for Clean, Equitable Innovation In this special episode of Tech Talks, David Savage sits down with Feryal Clark, Minister for AI and Digital Government, to explore the UK government's AI Energy Council—its goals, challenges, and why the national strategy must centre both sustainability and inclusion. As AI continues to demand more power and shape the global economy, how does the UK ensure all communities—not just London—reap the rewards? Minister Clark discusses why local collaboration, energy efficiency, and real-world outcomes are vital for national success, and invites digital leaders to contribute to the plan through R&D and sustainability. Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

New AI Energy Council holds first round of talks on delivering the power which will drive the UK's AI ambitions. Technology and Energy Secretaries chair first round of talks on driving forward power and AI goals - central to delivering growth, jobs and opportunity through government's Plan for Change. Energy representatives such as NESO, EDF, Scottish Power, Ofgem, and National Grid to join tech heavyweights Microsoft, ARM, Google and Amazon in sharing expert insights. Industry heavyweights from the energy and technology sectors will descend on Whitehall today (8th April) for the first meeting of the UK’s new AI Energy Council. Co-chaired by the Technology and Energy Secretaries, today’s inaugural meeting will see members agree the council’s objectives with a key aim focused on how the government’s clean energy superpower mission, and its commitment to advancing AI and compute infrastructure, can work together to deliver economic growth. It’s expected the Council will also look at clean energy, like renewables and nuclear - advising on improving energy efficiency and sustainability in AI and data centre infrastructure, such as the use of water. The council will also take steps to ensure the secure adoption of AI across the UK’s energy network itself. Unveiled in January as part of the government’s response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the Council will bring together expert insights on the energy demands of AI, as the UK puts the technology front and centre of its plans to drive economic growth and deliver its Plan for Change. Concerns over the energy demands needed to power AI data centres is an issue faced by countries the world over. One of the ways the UK is already rising to meet this challenge is by focussing its new AI Growth Zones – dedicated hotbeds of AI development - in areas which can access at least 500MW of power. Representing the equivalent of enough energy to power roughly two million homes, this will help to spark significant private investment from companies looking to set up shop in Britain - creating local jobs which will put more money in people’s pockets. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said: “The work of the AI Energy Council will ensure we aren’t just powering our AI needs to deliver new waves of opportunity in all parts of the country, but can do so in a way which is responsible and sustainable. “This requires a broad range of expertise from industry and regulators as we fire up the UK’s economic engine to make it fit for the age of AI – meaning we can deliver the growth which is the beating heart of our Plan for Change.” Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband said: “We are making the UK a clean energy superpower, building the homegrown energy this country needs to protect consumers and businesses, and drive economic growth, as part of our Plan for Change. “AI can play an important role in building a new era of clean electricity for our country and as we unlock AI’s potential, this Council will help secure a sustainable scale up to benefit businesses and communities across the UK.” The UK Government has also been working closely with both Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator to deliver fundamental reforms to the UK’s connections process. Subject to final signoffs from Ofgem, this could release more than 400GW of capacity from the connection queue - accelerating projects vital to economic growth such as the delivery of new large scale AI data centres. Joining the council are 14 organisations – including regulators and companies drawn from the energy and tech sectors - who will support its work by sharing expert insights. Among these organisations are: EDF, Ofgem, NESO, Scottish Power, National Grid, Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and chip designer ARM, and infrastructure investment firm Brookfield. This collaborative approach which brings together the energy and technology sectors will make sure there is join up across the board to speed up energy projects getting connected to the grid – especially with a growing pipeline of tech companies announcing plans to build datacentres across the UK. Alison Kay, Vice President, UK and Ireland, at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said: “At Amazon, we’re working to meet the future energy needs of our customers, while remaining committed to powering our operations in a more sustainable way, and progressing toward our Climate Pledge commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2040. “As the world's largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for the fifth year in a row, we share the government’s goal to ensure the UK has sufficient access to carbon-free energy to support its AI ambitions and to help drive economic growth.” Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, said: “AI will play an increasingly important role in transforming our energy system to be cleaner, more efficient, and more cost-effective for consumers, but only if used in a fair, secure, sustainable and safe way. “Working alongside other members of this Council, Ofgem will ensure AI implementation puts consumer interests first – from customer service to infrastructure planning and operation – so that everyone feels the benefits of this technological innovation in energy.” As part of our Clean Power Action Plan, the government is getting more homegrown clean power connected to the grid by building the necessary infrastructure, prioritising the projects needed for 2030 to connect as much clean power as possible. We will clean up the grid connection queue, meaning crucial infrastructure from housing to gigafactories and data centres can get a connection to the grid, helping to unlock billions of investment and grow the economy. Bolstered by accelerated planning approvals which will mean spades in the ground at a fraction of the time it currently takes, AI innovators will be able to call on cutting-edge infrastructure and ready access to power to drive forward the next wave of AI opportunity. ENDS. Further Information Attendees to the first meeting of the AI Energy Council will include representatives of: Ofgem NESO Energy Networks Association Nuclear Industry Association ScottishPower National Grid EDF Google Microsoft Amazon Web Services Equinix Brookfield ARM ARIA. The council will meet on a quarterly basis, with the next meeting scheduled for this summer.

Climate Tech & Data: Are Businesses Measuring Sustainability or Just Marketing It? Sustainability has become a business imperative - but is it driving real change, or is it just another PR exercise? In this episode of Tech Talks, David Savage is joined by Sammi Gower (Pollen), Tanishq Jain (DASH), and Louis Millon (Systemiq Capital) to discuss how climate tech and data are shaping the green economy.They explore the role of AI, data, and regulation in sustainability, questioning whether businesses are truly innovating or simply adapting their reporting to meet expectations. From startups pioneering climate solutions to investors backing the future of sustainable tech, we get an inside look at how companies are leveraging technology to make environmental responsibility profitable.Are businesses using sustainability data to drive real impact, or are they just getting better at talking about it? Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

We were delighted to sponsor and host the latest ProductTank Newcastle event last night, welcoming members of the Product Management community from across the North East. Our guest speaker, Viktoria Korzhova (COO/VP of Product at Product People), travelled all the way from Germany to discuss the importance of business knowledge and how to build an effective business case. The event was expertly hosted by Tolu Kolawale (Product Manager at IriusRisk) and Toby Rogers (Head of Product at Hedgehog Lab), who regularly host ProductTank events on the last Wednesday of each month. The evening began with guests arriving in high spirits, engaging in networking and lively discussions about Product Management. Tolu Kolawale and Toby Rogers kicked off the event with an introduction to ProductTank and an overview of the evening's agenda. This was followed by an excellent presentation from Viktoria Korzhova on the importance of incorporating business aspects into the role of a Product Manager. Viktoria, an experienced Product Leader, shared insights from her work at Product People, a Germany-based Product Management consultancy. She emphasised the need for Product Managers to focus on technology, users and business when making decisions. Her discussion prompted us to consider whether Product Managers are sufficiently business-focused in their roles. Viktoria stressed the importance of conducting thorough research and providing data to support business case proposals, including costs, revenue estimates and benefit analysis. She highlighted the necessity of including risks and assumptions in business cases and focusing on the value being delivered. Viktoria's presentation provided brilliant insights into how to approach building business cases without fear. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session, sparking further discussion and insights into business cases and the current state of Product Management, with a focus on adding value. If you would like to hear more about the event or discuss it further, please contact david.quearns@harveynash.com.

Breaking Barriers: Diversity, Adaptability, and Growth in Tech In this episode of Tech Talks, David Savage speaks with Daryl Cromer, CTO of PCs and Smart Devices at Lenovo, about the AI-driven evolution of personal computing. AI isn't just changing the way we work—it’s redefining how we interact with our devices, blending local and cloud processing, enhancing security, and shaping the future of hybrid AI.Daryl explains how AI-integrated PCs will become more intuitive, context-aware, and secure. He also discusses Lenovo’s approach to responsible AI, why privacy is a growing concern, and how devices will soon act as the “hands” of the cloud—executing tasks on our behalf. As AI transforms the industry, Lenovo is rethinking hardware to ensure it keeps pace with the demands of modern users. Tech Talks Podcast Tech Talks is a podcast that probes the minds of tech leaders, hosted by Technology Evangelist David Savage. Each week, the show releases three episodes with new guests, covering the latest tech news, exploring new products and cultural transformations that drive the tech industry. Founded in 2015 Tech Talks has published over 650 episodes and attracts over 18,500 streams a month from a global audience. The podcast offers insights and ideas from leading technologists on culture, innovation, finance, growth, sustainability, and more, providing a platform for the c-suite, founders, and senior figures to hear from others facing similar challenges and tap into a wider community. Find out more about Tech Talks here.

Tailored Talent Solutions to Deliver Lancaster University Digital Transformation Strategy Lancaster University required support filling key vacancies across multiple IT disciplines at a critical phase of their strategic transformation. The University selected Harvey Nash as their exclusive recruitment partner to support the campaign, providing recruitment, consultancy, and market insight. Objectives Lancaster University needed technical resources and expert consultancy to help enable them to successfully implement their largest and most ambitious digital transformations. Their strategy aimed to revolutionise the institution's digital infrastructure, streamline administrative processes through the adoption of AI and automation, enhance learning experiences, and elevate the overall efficiency and innovation within the university environment. Challenges The University faced challenges in staying competitive in an ever-evolving and highly competitive sector, enhancing recruitment processes to attract top talent, and addressing location-related constraints and hybrid working. Solutions Harvey Nash provided a bespoke campaign talent solution for Lancaster University, building strong relationships with hiring managers and carefully profiling roles to ensure market suitability. We streamlined processes to significantly reduce time-to-hire and supported salary grading and benchmarking. Beyond recruitment, we offered expert guidance on operating models, enhanced their employer value propositions (EVP), provided targeted marketing support including a dedicated landing page, and helped navigate Higher Education legislation and frameworks. “Phil and the team at Harvey Nash delivered outstanding support for our University’s IT recruitment campaign, successfully addressing critical challenges of location and market. Recruiting for a higher education institution requires a nuanced understanding of the academic environment and its unique demands, and Harvey Nash exceeded our expectations. In addition to achieving impressive results, Phil and the team worked closely with us to enhance and refine our recruitment processes in line with University recruitment guidelines. By leveraging data-driven insights and modern recruitment technologies, they significantly improved our ability to attract and assess top-tier talent across IT leadership, architecture, and support roles. I would recommend Phil and the team at Harvey Nash to any organisation seeking IT recruitment support, particularly within the higher education sector." Naomi Stewart, IT Resources Manager, Lancaster University The Results Local Recruitment Experts – With our experience of the local area and the sector, we identified candidates from Lancaster and its surrounding areas to deliver highly skilled talent that were both qualified and conveniently located to meet its specific needs. Strategic Partnership – Our exclusive collaboration with Lancaster University enabled Harvey Nash to deeply understand its needs. This insight led to bespoke recruitment strategies and strengthened candidate-manager relationships, playing a pivotal role in driving the successful progression of the Digital Transformation Programme. EVP and Marketing Support – Harvey Nash provided tailored Employer Value Proposition (EVP) advisory and marketing support to the University, including a dedicated landing page. This helped to attract top-tier talent by effectively showcasing its unique strengths and opportunities and providing an exceptional candidate experience. This strategic assistance enhanced the University's brand visibility and appeal, positioning it as an employer of choice within a competitive market. Speed to Hire – We significantly enhanced the University's speed to hire by streamlining recruitment processes and implementing efficient strategies. This ensured roles were filled quickly with the right talent, reducing downtime and enabling the University to maintain momentum in achieving its objectives.