The Tech Leadership Pipeline – Insights from Romy Tuin and Mitch Islin on Foundry’s NextCIO programme

27/04/25 17:22 Filed in: Technology | Business

This episode of the Inspiring Tech Leaders podcast features an insightful conversation with Romy Tuin, Foundry's Global Director of Events Content, and Mitch Islin, Head of IT & InfoSec at MOTORS and NextCIO 2024 cohort member.
We discuss the innovative NextCIO programme and how it is a career-defining initiative that is shaping the future of tech leadership.

In this episode, we explore:
💡 The origins and vision behind Foundry's NextCIO programme
💡 Mitch's transformative journey as a NextCIO participant
💡 Emerging trends in IT leadership from the 2024 cohort
💡 Essential advice for aspiring NextCIO applicants
💡 How NextCIO builds powerful professional networks

As a mentor and judge for the programme, I have witnessed firsthand how NextCIO identifies and nurtures exceptional IT talent. This episode offers invaluable insights for technology professionals looking to advance their leadership careers.
Listen now to discover what it takes to become part of the next generation of technology leaders!

How CXO Portals is Helping Tech Leaders Connect and Grow

16/04/25 20:12 Filed in: Technology | Business

In this week’s episode of the Inspiring Tech Leaders podcast, I’m joined by Glenn Hapgood and Charmaine Baker, the co-founders and co-CEOs of CXO Portals. CXO Portals is an innovative events company dedicated to creating meaningful, engaging experiences for senior leaders, businesses, and partners.

We explore their inspiring journey around building a purpose-driven business that champions authentic networking and impactful conversations.

In this episode, we discuss:
💡 What inspired Glenn and Charmaine to start CXO Portals
💡 How their professional backgrounds shaped the company’s vision
💡 The challenges they faced launching the business
💡 How CXO Portals is redefining executive networking
💡 And what the future holds for this exciting venture

It was an absolute pleasure having Glenn and Charmaine on the show. Their passion for building ethical, people-focused experiences truly shines through.

Tune in now to hear how CXO Portals is helping senior leaders connect, learn, and grow.

The Global Tariff Storm is Here – Is Your Tech Strategy Ready?

13/04/25 19:37 Filed in: Technology | Business

New US-China tariffs are reshaping IT budgets, supply chains, and the global technology landscape.

In this week’s episode of the Inspiring Tech Leaders podcast, I dive into how global tariffs are impacting the tech sector, from hardware and cloud to AI and digital transformation.

Topics discussed include:
💡 The latest 145% US tariffs and China’s 125% retaliation
💡 Exemptions for tech giants (and what they really mean)
💡 The ripple effect on semiconductors, cloud costs, and Windows 11 migrations
💡 Practical steps IT leaders can take now to protect budgets and build resilience

These shifts go far beyond geopolitics, they are strategic challenges for every CIO, CTO, and IT decision-maker.

Tune in to get the insights you need to navigate uncertainty and lead with confidence.

Manus AI Review – My First-Hand Experience of using the General AI Agent

05/04/25 11:07 Filed in: Technology | Business

I’m excited to kick off a brand-new season of the Inspiring Tech Leaders podcast!

Over the past four seasons, I’ve explored the breakthroughs shaping our digital world, and this season, I hope to go even further. Expect fresh perspectives, insightful conversations, and the latest in tech leadership and innovation.

This latest episode is hopefully not going to disappoint! A few weeks ago, I covered the launch of Manus AI, a general AI agent developed by Butterfly Effect, and since then I’ve been given private beta access to test it first-hand.

In this episode, I share:
💡 My honest experience using Manus AI
💡 How it stacks up against ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude
💡 Where it shines and where it falls short
💡 What it means for the future of AI-powered productivity

Manus isn’t just another chatbot. It acts like a self-sufficient intern conducting research, planning, and executing tasks autonomously. I tested it on everything from SEO optimisation to generating slide decks, and even complex policy documents. Some results were truly impressive.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. There are questions about data privacy, pricing, and stability. So, I dive into the good, the bad, and the potential.

Is Manus AI the future of autonomous agents? Tune in and decide for yourself. If you enjoy it, please like, comment, share, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.