Episode 5: Nick Drouet - Preparing the Next Generation of CTO's
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 5 features Nick Drouet, CTO for Kyndryl UK & Ireland, who reflects on his 30-year journey from IBM engineer to enterprise technology leader. He shares how seizing unexpected opportunities shaped his career, the role of mentors in his development, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-changing industry. Nick explores how the CTO role differs across startups and enterprises, emphasising breadth of skills, curiosity, and humility as essential leadership traits. He also discusses the impact of AI on learning and decision-making, offers candid insights into his own mistakes, and highlights the responsibility of tech leaders to mentor and support the next generation.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl
--------
51:50
--------
51:50
Episode 4: Meri Williams - From Satellites to CTO
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 4 features Meri Williams sharing their journey to becoming a CTO, discussing their early experiences in technology, the challenges they faced in leadership, and the importance of honing technical skills before moving into management. They emphasise the value of understanding both the technical and business sides of technology, and offers insights on career vectors and personal growth. Meri also opens up about their struggles with mental health and the lessons learned from their experiences, providing valuable advice for aspiring tech leaders.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl
--------
49:26
--------
49:26
Episode 3: Mal Minhas - "Becoming the manager of managers"
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 3 features Mal Minhas, a seasoned Chief Technologist, with his most recent role as the CPTO at Gumtree. In this conversation, Mal talks about his time at Symbian, explores the step up to managing managers & what the future of the CxO role might look like in an evolving technology landscape. London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl
--------
54:30
--------
54:30
Episode 2: Steve Newson - From Start-Up to Starling
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 2 features Steve Newson, one of the founders of Starling Bank and now Group CTO. In this conversation, Steve reflects on the journey of building a challenger bank from the ground up, the realities of scaling technology in a highly regulated industry, and what it means to stay innovative while leading at the top level.Along the way, Steve shares practical lessons on resilience, strategic thinking, and balancing innovation with risk — offering a rare inside look at the mindset required to transform an entire sector.London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl
--------
53:16
--------
53:16
Episode 1: Renee Hunt - "I'm not a CTO, I'm THE CTO"
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast from London Tech Leaders that offers an inside look at the realities of modern technology leadership. Hosted by David Crawford — an experienced CTO and NED for some of the world’s leading enterprise organisations, the show explores the realities of driving transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering real business impact through technology. This podcast gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping modern technology leadership.Each episode offers practical insights, candid discussions, and stories from the frontlines - from navigating board-level conversations to scaling engineering teams and embracing emerging tech. Whether you’re a CTO, senior tech leader, or an aspiring executive, The CTO Lens is your guide to the challenges and opportunities that define today’s tech landscape.Episode 1 kicks off with the brilliant Renee Hunt, former CTO of Compare the Market. In this conversation, Renee shares her journey as a technology leader, lessons learned from driving large-scale transformation, and her insights on what it really takes to lead high-performing teams in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.Midway through the conversation, Renée also recommends the book “Changing Gear: Creating the Life You Want After a Full On Career”, which she credits with shaping her approach to leadership and decision-making — a must-read for any tech leader looking to level up their game.Book link: https://amzn.eu/d/7FTLw40London Tech Leaders is the UK’s leading community for senior technology leaders with over 2500+ members. Through regular events, exclusive dinners, women+ tech leaders series and thought-leadership content, we create a space where tech leaders connect, share real-world experiences, and tackle the challenges shaping the future of technology. It’s about building the kind of relationships that spark innovation, drive growth, and inspire fresh ideas across the industry.Sign for our Leadership Summit happening on the 7th & 8th of October!https://registration.londontechleaderssummit.io/ltl
The CTO Lens with David Crawford is a podcast dedicated to examining the evolving role of the Chief Technology Officer and the pressing challenges facing technology leaders today.The show provides a clear and insightful view into what it takes to lead at the intersection of innovation, business, and technology.Each episode centers on a key issue shaping the modern CTO’s world—from driving digital transformation and managing technical debt, to building resilient teams, navigating cybersecurity risks, and of course will touch on everything AI. Through candid conversations with accomplished CTOs, industry experts, and innovators, David explores not just the technical dimensions of the role, but also the leadership, vision, and adaptability required to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.Designed for current and aspiring technology executives, The CTO Lens offers actionable insights, real-world experiences, and forward-looking perspectives that help leaders anticipate what’s next.If you want to better understand the challenges and opportunities defining the CTO role today—and how technology leaders are shaping the future of business—this is your lens.
UK