In this episode, Tiffany St James, the UKs first regional public sector Chief AI Officer, shares her perspective on what it takes to lead responsible AI transformation at a regional level and why clear ownership, maturity and purpose are essential as AI moves from experimentation to real-world deployment.

Drawing on her experience across government, consultancy and crisis response, Tiffany explores how leaders can build AI capability in a way that is ethical, transparent and grounded in better outcomes for people. From AI in education, transport and health to lessons from the Grenfell response, she explains why successful transformation is not about chasing technology first, but about sequencing people, process, technology and data in the right way.

Key Topics:

• Why lack of ownership is a major barrier to successful AI transformation
• Moving from AI experimentation to delivering real, scalable value
• Why starting with maturity, not just problems, leads to better outcomes
• The importance of sequencing people, process, technology and data
• What responsible, transparent and ethical AI looks like in practice
• How Liverpool City Region is building AI capability across public services
• Lessons from Grenfell on crisis leadership and clarity of purpose
• How to address fear and build trust in AI adoption
• The key skills needed to lead AI transformation successfully
• Practical advice for leaders starting their AI journey

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Tiffany on LinkedIn: Tiffany St James | LinkedIn
🎤 Check out Tiffany's TedX talk: 3 key tactics for rebel change-makers | Tiffany St James | TEDxWinchester — TEDxWinchester

In this episode, Howard Marshall, former Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division and former Managing Director at Accenture Security, shares frontline insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape and what it really takes to lead transformation under pressure.

From leading intelligence operations across 24 countries to challenging the hype around AI in cyber defence, Howard explores why people, not technology, remain the hardest and most critical part of any transformation. Discover how to cut through noise, build resilient cyber strategies, and focus on outcomes that actually matter in a world of accelerating threats.

Key Topics:

• Why people, not technology, are the hardest part of transformation
• The dangers of over-relying on tech to drive change
• How to cut through AI hype and focus on meaningful cyber outcomes
• Why speed, not sophistication, is the real AI-driven threat in cybercrime
• The importance of intelligence-led decision making in cyber defence
• How “fail fast” cultures drive more successful transformation
• Lessons from the FBI on leadership, collaboration, and high-stakes decision making
• Why clarity of purpose is essential when adopting AI in cybersecurity
• The growing role of collaboration and intelligence sharing across industries
• Practical advice for leaders navigating cyber transformation in complex environments

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌Check out our website at: Message from DTX Team
🔗 Connect with Howard on LinkedIn: Howard Marshall | LinkedIn

Episode Description
In this episode, Zahraa Murtaza, Senior Vice President and Agile Coach at BNY, shares practical insights into leading transformation in complex, regulated environments. From agile delivery and cloud migration to ethical AI and leadership, Zahraa explores why organisations should focus on optimising what they already have before chasing new tools. Discover how to balance people, process and technology, the difference between proactive and reactive transformation, and why long-term success often comes from playing the long game.

Key Topics:

• Why transformation should start with better use of existing tools and capabilities
• The difference between proactive and reactive transformation, and why it matters
• How organisations can avoid the “lift and shift” trap in cloud and digital transformation
• Where leaders get the balance between people, process and technology wrong
• Why agile and waterfall are more connected than they seem
• How to challenge hype and make smarter, more practical technology decisions
• The importance of ethical, inclusive data in AI development
• Strategic invisibility, and how being overlooked can become a career advantage
• Practical advice for leaders and early-career professionals navigating transformation

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
📌 Check out our website at: Digital Transformation EXPO (DTX) | London & Manchester Tech Events
🔗 Connect with Zahraa: Zahraa Murtaza | LinkedIn