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
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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
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The LTL Show - Flavilla Fongang - 3 Colours Rule, BBC keynote speaker
The London Tech Leaders show is back with season 2! In this episode our host Jack Moore welcomes Flavilla Fongang. Flavilla Fongang is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, an international and multilingual keynote speaker (English & French). She is a neuroscience brand expert covering strategy, design, marketing and customer experience. She is the founder of 3 Colours Rule, an award-winning branding and marketing agency. Flavilla was awarded the “She’s Mercedes” businesswoman award by Mercedes Benz among women such as Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. She is the author of “99 Strategies to get customers”. She is also the founder of Tech London Advocates – Black Women in Tech, the 2nd largest organisation of the TLA group. She published in October 2021 “The Voices In The Shadow”. A book that features stories of black women in tech and is distributed to secondary schools for FREE across the UK and Ireland. She is the enabler and never afraid to challenge the norms.Flavilla and Jack come together to discuss diversity and branding in the technology space, and more.To find out more about London Tech Leaders including our in-person events, head over to our website https://www.londontechleaders.io/WeShape - Technology ConsultancyWeShape is a technology consultancy focusing in the DevOps, Digital, Data and Cloud space.
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The LTL Show - David Crawford - Naked Wines CTO
The London Tech Leaders show is back with season 2! David Crawford is the current Group CTO at Naked Wines. He has a background in leading product development teams for Camelot, Sky and BT. David has also driven inclusion and diversity initiatives.As well as his technology passion, David is a committed family man, part-time bee keeper and enjoys the occasional Malbec. David Crawford and our host Jack Moore come together to discuss the challenges and rewards that being a leading CTO entails.To find out more about London Tech Leaders including our in-person events, head over to our website https://www.londontechleaders.io/WeShape - Technology Consultancy WeShape is a technology consultancy focusing in the DevOps, Digital, Data and Cloud space. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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The LTL Show - Dominic Monkhouse - Business Coach, Scaling Up Expert, Author
Welcome to Episode 3! For Episode 3 we have Dominic Monkhouse, the ex MD of Rackspace and now executive business coach, discussing his recent book F*ck Plan B, the Rockefeller habits and business mentorship.Dom works closely with CEOs and their leadership teams with business coaching, and helping clients deliver rapid growth as Agile Scale-Ups. RESULTS: Growth through the messy middle, clear differentiated strategy, drama-free habitual execution and award-winning cultures.Dominic founded and scaled two UK technology service firms to £30m in 5 years; Rackspace and Peer 1 Hosting. Globally we took Peer 1 from $90m to $200m.He has shared lessons from this journey in my book - 'F**K Plan B: How to scale your technology business faster and achieve Plan A'.
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