The IOTICS Podcast

IOTICS works with innovative and inspiring organisations.

Join Ali Nicholl and the IOTICS Team as we hear from change makers and innovators who are working hard on world-changing projects and impactful innovations. Our guests are making a positive and significant difference to people's lives and the future of our planet. They include data and sustainability specialists, industry leaders and expert representatives from local and national government.

The IOTICS Podcast is for anyone curious about real-world projects, partnerships, and ecosystems working together to achieve collective goals of sustainability, impact and resilience for the future of humanity and our environment.

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Season 2 - Episode 21

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Charles Sprang of Ito World.

Ito World is a leader in passenger and journey info and planning.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about the work Ito World are doing and how they are utilising an innovative ecosystem approach, leveraging data intelligence and AI to focus on user centric transport and the how we can utilise data to get closer to Net Zero.

Charles discusses how Ito World aren’t looking at historical patterns or historical data but are looking at the ‘now.. next.. then’ of the world around us.

Whether its planes, trains or automobiles, this is all about mobility of a service. Surfacing insights in the right way, for the right people, at the right time, to ensure that travellers are able to get where they need to be with the greatest confidence and the greatest ease.

You can connect with Charles Sprang via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 20

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks Al Bowman, General Manager for Defence and National Security at Mind Foundry.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about the difficult application of AI, mainly those around Defence and National Security. Where the data is difficult, the operating environments are difficult and the consequences of getting it wrong an incalculable.

Al discusses how Mind Foundry was spun out of the University of Oxford and the work that he is doing to tackling some of the most difficult application of AI and how understanding that we must bring a diversity of brilliant people together from all walks of life and from all sorts of backgrounds to deliver smarted more intelligent approaches so that can make a real difference in the protection of our assets at home and abroad. Al talks about his sense of purpose and drive to make a difference in these volatile and uncertain times.

You can connect with Al Bowman via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 19

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks David Moss -Associate Director, Central Government & Keegan Rowlands -Account Lead, Central Government from CACI.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about the work Dave and Keegan are doing, with IOTICS, to help the government surface information from various owners and how we are doing that without centralising and without those owners giving up control of their data. Enabling the delivery of a ‘Smart Estate’ for better public services, without it costing the earth.

Dave and Keegan discuss how CACI have been surfacing insights and data for multiple sectors and go on to explain the ‘Data Access Prism’, which is all about enabling people to get insights, enabling them to do more with less and enabling them to leverage existing and legacy data.

You can connect with David Moss and Keegan Rowlands via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 18

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks Alan Morrison, Freelance adviser, Tech Editor, Researcher and Writer.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about looking at the real questions around business intelligence problems and how we solve them, to Alan's passion for the semantic web and knowledge graphs. It’s a little more technical podcast today but hopefully we will explain all the terms we are going to use and what they mean.

Alan discusses his time in Navy intelligence, listening to Russian signals across to working in the semiconductor industry with pioneers like Gordon Moore and his time at PWC. Alan is the ‘node’ for a community of practitioners, coming together, to try and change how business works and ultimately how we can make a better fairer and more useful world.

You can connect with Alan Morrison via LinkedIn.

IOTICS Podcast Special Episodes!

IOTICS is heading out to South Korea with Innovate UK as part of the Global Business Innovation Programme.

On these special episodes of the IOTICS podcast, Ali Nicholl took the chance to speak to six of the nine organisations that will be heading out to South Korea to discuss their innovative companies, visionary approaches and hopes for collaboration with organisations based in South Korea. Listen here

Season 2 - Episode 10

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks Pete Smith, Senior Business Development Manager - Data, AI and IoT at TD SYNNEX.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about how AI can help with customer care when it comes to the small annoyances, the small problems that over a lifetime…over society, can cause problems.

Pete discusses what the ‘solves’ are for the little things and the importance of humans at the centre of technology. Pete believes that as individuals and organisations, we can solve those little things and make the world incrementally better for all of us and future generations. Pete is passionate about the importance of human interactions, from mentoring students at University to listening to your colleagues at work and looking out for signs of issues or signs they might be struggling.

You can connect with Pete Smith via LinkedIn

Season 2 - Episode 9

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Paul Donaldson - CRO at OV and Meghan Davies - Head of Partnerships at IOTICS.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about the nature of partnerships and collaborations at every scale. From working with internal teams to organisational partnerships with customers to deliver meaningful change across ecosystems.

Paul and Meghan discuss how we activate change by living authentically through sharing and trusting our partners by listening to problems and understanding what comes next. Meghan and Paul are passionate about how, if we work with partners, we can not only change how we experience and enjoy our job but address the challenging aspects of sustainability and climate change.

You can connect with Paul Donaldson and Meghan Davies via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 8

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Joe McCrea, Associate Director of Communications at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about Joe’s fascinating career, spanning over the last 3 decades as a communications pioneer. From his awards for numerous innovation and idea practitioner work through to his journey in the NHS.

Joe discusses his work over the last 8 years as the Associate Director of Communications at North Staffordshire Combined Authority and Healthcare Trust. He talks about his passions around communication and talking to people along with how we bring about real change and make an impact in people’s lives.

You can connect with Joe McCrea via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 7

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Harry Coe, Founder and CEO of Luscid.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about how in the sponsorship space, democratising data is bringing information together for both brands and rights holders.

Harry discusses the change that Luscid can and is making. Offering transformation in the industry by enabling better data driven decisions on the strategy and planning of sponsorship through data analysis and insights.

You can connect with Harry Coe via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 6

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Emilia Cardamone. Associate Director focusing on real estate at Turner and Townsend.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about the societal impact and purpose of everything we do around our ‘Built Environment’ and how improvements in efficiency can reduce emissions, therefore cutting costs. It’s a clear, actionable call to adopt technology to make real change and crucially to do that with people at the centre, as all offices exist for people, not the other way around.

Emilia discusses how sustainability is both her passion and what drives her, along with her very clear and purpose driven vision of what real estate can do for people and the planet.

You can connect with Emilia Cardamone via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 5

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Ben Lomax Thorpe, Global Leading Professional for Digital Twins at Royal HaskoningDHV.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about Royal HaskoningDHV purpose to enhance society together and as part of that, Ben shares examples across several different sectors highlighting the important role of cocreation and collaboration, along with the impact of sustainable solutions and the need to move forward together with focus and vision.

Ben discusses the how Maritime is really 'grabbing the bull by the horns' around decarbonisation and how Royal HaskoningDHV is driving forward with clarity on what’s required along with flexibility and adaptability on how change to the Maritime sector can be achieved.

You can connect with Ben Lomax Thorpe via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 4

On this special episode of the IOTICS podcast, Ali Nicholl travels to Singapore with the Innovate UK, Global Business Innovation Programme.

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Sarah Hildersley, Innovation and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK, who is leading the team on the quest to Singapore.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about clean maritime and some of the brilliant and innovative tech companies from the UK who are already operating globally with ambitions to decarbonise maritime and bring about sustainable business practices.

Sarah Hildersley, along with some of the other delegates discuss their hopes and ambitions for the visit to Singapore. The team discuss how they can address some of the challenges the Maritime sector faces and their aspirations for the future of Maritime.

You can connect with Sarah Hildersley and the other delegates, B4T Unitrove HydroSurv Ocean OS INGINE Wave Energy Systems Ltd. (IWES) via Linkedin

Season 2 - Episode 3

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Alex Watson, Founder and Director of VCHRGD.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about the potential of the EV (electric vehicle) industry, focusing on service and sustainability in its truest and broadest sense. From the beginning of an order to the manufacturing process and supply chain, all the way through to the circular economy of chargers.

Alex discusses the need for 'vision' in the industry and recognition that EV is not an off shoot of the automotive industry, but an entirely new supply chain and operation.

You can connect with Alex Watson via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 2

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Ben Foulser. Partner at KPMG, leading on future mobility.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn about the shear vastness of the sector and organisations Ben works with. From multiple modes of transport through to the energy transition and the global supply chain.

Ben discusses the need for a more efficient and agile market that spans across different traditional sectors and industries and shares his observations from his work, both at a national and governmental level, right down to start ups and individual organisations.

You can connect with Ben Foulser via LinkedIn.

Season 2 - Episode 1

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to the Right Honourable Caroline Flint about her role as the chairs of the committee on fuel poverty and Humber teaching NHS foundation trust.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn how Caroline is working to ensure that nobody is left behind in the drive to Energy Security and Net Zero.

A former MP For Don Valley, Caroline has a passion for delivering a fair society, working at every level, from Whitehall to town hall is inspiring. Caroline discusses her hope and ambition built on trust and ‘blame free’ communication, with people is absolutely heart, is a rally and cry for us all.

You can connect with Caroline Flint via LinkedIn.

Episode 13

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Gareth Hetheridge, Chief Information Officer at Leonardo UK, and Director for Digital & IT.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how the defence industry is driving positive change utilising the diversity of the people in the industry and that of the organisations that the defence industry works with.

Gareth Hetheridge discusses his fascinating career, from his time serving in the RAF through to being an army reservist, along with working at Rolls Royce and now, in his role at Leonardo, Gareth shares his passion for the purpose and mission of the defence industry.

You can connect with Gareth Hetheridge via LinkedIn.

Episode 12

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Eric Applewhite, Director at Deloitte - Leading the Northern Data Capability.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how looking at people and technology in the public sector allows so to look after individuals and deliver better outcomes.

Eric Applewhite discusses his fascinating career covering Canada, New Zealand, New York and Hong Kong and his hope for society. This uplifting and insightful conversation shares how the ‘social contract’ is changing and how we need to focus on our ‘data self’ to interact with others, society and industry while balancing value, risk and education.

You can connect with Eric Applewhite via LinkedIn.

Episode 11

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Caroline Field, Partner - National Resilience at PA Consulting, and Specialist in Organisational & City Resilience.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how investing in resilience, organisations and cities can thrive in the face of challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Caroline Field discusses how she is leading on national resilience and how her work ties together the ‘system of systems’ approach with that of the human element and how cooperatively, we can be better by bringing together people, communities and companies to flourish as a society.

You can connect with Caroline Field via LinkedIn.

Episode 10

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Chris Empson, Business manager at CACI.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about the importance of Trust, and the need for trust in the development and sharing of data across the MOD landscape.

Chris Empson discusses real initiatives where people are sharing information to insure, we can be more confident and learn from failure to deliver real change, not only at an operational level but as part of the day-to-day landscape management. Chris has some fascinating insights on some of the Defence industry's challenges and how we can solve them.

You can connect with Chris Empson via LinkedIn.

Episode 9

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Kerry Nicolades, Head of Financial inclusion, Well-being and Vulnerability at Sopra Steria and Laura Greatrex, Head of Sales at IOTICS.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how we can best support and protect the most vulnerable in our society along with how we can deliver a better service to customers across the UK.

Kerry and Laura discuss the hopes they share around existing tech and innovative ideas on how cooperating can make a huge difference in the identification of customer vulnerabilities to begin delivering more impactful services to meet the needs of the individual.

You can connect with Laura Greatrex and Kerry Nicolaides via LinkedIn.

Episode 8

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Simon Evans, Global Digital Energy Leader at ARUP

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how embracing technology and data can enable us to build a flourishing society by bringing people together to ‘collaborate on the rules and compete in the game’.

Simon Evans discusses his role within the digital twin community including his role as chair of the Gemini Call, as part of the DT hub and his work with the Nation Grid virtual energy system along with how ARUP is working to enable a range of sectors to begin a ‘technology transformation’.

You can connect with Simon Evans via LinkedIn.

Episode 7

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Ian Gordon, Data and Information Leader in the Built Environment

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about how data is shaping the built environment.

Ian Gordon discusses his work with data in the built environment and working on major projects like The Highways agency, Network Rail and the House of Parliament. This insightful conversation explores complex ideas, like ‘induced demand’ and the difference in the tacit and explicit knowledge cycle.

Connect with Ian Gordon via LinkedIn.

Episode 6

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Louise Donaghey FRAeS, Services Programmes Director at Rolls-Royce, Defence.

This episode is for you if you would like to learn more about indicators like Jet Zero and the mission of working towards Net Zero in both civil and military aviation.

Louise Donaghey discusses some of the initiative she is part of at Rolls Royce and the collaboration with organisations such as the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force, Airbus and BP on its ground-breaking project to power the Typhoon by SAF alone.

You can connect with Louise Donaghey via LinkedIn.

Episode 5

Our usual host Ali Nicholl takes a turn on the other side of the recording studio chatting with Meghan Davies, Head of Marketing at IOTICS about what he’s seeing across the the Data Space and Digital Twin community

‘How do you work with a company where 9 days out of 10 you are competitors with them?’

Ali discusses how thinking ‘IOTIC-ly’ enables cooperation, accessibility and reusability of data to bring about innovative thinking and using data for the greater good. Discover how trusted interoperability has enabled our customers and partners to overcome challenges in their industries.

Episode 4

To celebrate the summer, we are delighted to share our bonus podcast episode!

Mark Wharton talks to Ali Nicholl about the inception of IOTICS and how data really can change the world.

Mark reflects on his 10 years at IOTICS and the vision of virtualized versions of producers and consumers of data, securely interoperating across and between organisations seeking to make informed decisions based on real data from their ecosystem, leading to better outcomes for citizens, communities, and the planet.

These are the founding principles of why we believe in confronting challenges head-on, working with partners and customers who share our mindset with groups of organisations to achieve their collective goals of sustainability, impact and resilience by enabling them to share data and information securely and selectively across boundaries.

Episode 3

Elly Howe joins Ali Nicholl to talk about her inspiring, world-changing work at Portsmouth International Port. Portsmouth is on an ambitious journey to become carbon net neutral by 2030 and emissions free by 2050. Elly’s role involves identifying, developing and championing projects to drive the port towards its sustainability goals smartly and efficiently.

Elly is a student with The Open University, currently studying toward a degree in Environmental Science, and her personal journey and view of the world are inspirational.

This episode is for you if you are interested in hearing about how a complex ecosystem like a port leverages previously unfindable data and insights to make significant progress and plans towards achieving ambitious sustainability goals.

To find out more about how Portsmouth International Port and IOTICS are working together, watch Elly’s presentation at IoT World Congress 2023 here.

Episode 2

Join Ali Nicholl as he talks to Professor John Erkoyuncu, who is Professor of Digital Engineering for Centre of Digital Engineering and Manufacturing at Cranfield University.

This episode is for you if you are curious about the real and tangible ways that digital technologies like Digital Twins, AI, Augmented Reality and Machine Learning can change the world, not just in emerging industries, but in traditional ones too.

How can industries leverage digital engineering to make better informed and so more effective decisions? How can organisations such as the NHS use digital capabilities in a meaningful way to address their challenges and problems?

Professor John and his team at Cranfield have worked with a wide variety of organisations such as the NHS, the MoD, Siemens, Unilever, BAE Systems and Babcock International to facilitate the adoption of digital technologies.

The conversation focuses on his experience, and includes discussions around cross-sector learnings, changing mindsets, and e-noses (you’ll need to listen in! 👃)

You can connect with Professor John Erkoyuncu via LinkedIn and find out more about his work here.

Episode 1

Ali Nicholl talks to Rich Walker, a Data and Analytics Leader with a passion for helping public services improve outcomes through the better use of data. Rich has 15 years’ experience of working across central, regional and local government, policing, health and education, and he understands the importance of strategic and operational context for deploying data and analytics capabilities across ecosystems. Rich shares lessons learned throughout his career in organisations such as the Greater London Authority, KPMG, and Agilisys, and explains the challenges and opportunities associated with realising the potential of data and analytics for the public sector. If you are someone currently facing these types of challenges in your organisation or ecosystem, we hope you will find this an interesting, inspiring, and reassuring listen.

This is Episode One in a new series of the IOTICS Podcast. IOTICS technology enables ecosystems of people, places and assets to interoperate with confidence through virtualisation. We help groups of organisations to achieve their collective goals of sustainability, impact and resilience by enabling them to share data and information securely and selectively across boundaries.