No Ordinary Tech Podcast
The way we all manage money and assets is changing fast. From the rise of stablecoins to tokenised deposits, digital assets and new forms of financial infrastructure, how value is stored, moved and trusted is being fundamentally reshaped. To explore what this means for industry leaders, investors and customers, Lloyds Banking Group's COO Ron van Kemenade speaks to leading voices in digital finance - exploring what’s changing, what it means in practice, and how we build trust in this new financial system.
Episodes
Beyond digital money: making it real
From tokenised homes to faster, simpler customer journeys, digital assets are beginning to move beyond money - into deeds, contracts and other forms of value. So, what happens as more of what we own, manage and exchange becomes digital and programmable? And what needs to change to make that a reality at scale?In the third and final episode in our mini-series, Lloyds Banking Group COO Ron van Kemen
AI & Tokenisation: Coincidence or Convergence?
Two defining tech trends of 2026 - AI-driven decision-making and the tokenisation of financial infrastructure - are already reshaping finance. But what happens when they converge?From near real-time settlement to systems that act on our behalf, the potential is huge. So is the challenge: ensuring everything remains safe, secure, reliable and trusted.Lloyds Banking Group COO Ron van Kemenade is joi
What is digital money and who trusts it?
Cut through the hype to explore trust, programmability and the forces shaping the future of finance.Join host Ron van Kemenade as he sits down with industry experts to unpack the rise of digital money - from stablecoins and CBDCs to tokenised deposits - and what it could mean for customers, businesses and banks.Featuring Peter Left, Head of Digital Assets at Lloyds Banking Group, Tony McLaughlin,
Becoming a CIO
What does it really take to become a Chief Information Officer? In this episode of the No Ordinary Tech Podcast, Dr. Shini Somara sits down with Amit Thawani (CIO, Lloyds Banking Group) and Allan Cockriel (Chief Information and Data Officer, ASML). Discover their journeys to the top, how the CIO role has evolved, and the skills - both technical and human - that drive innovation and resilience in t
Becoming an AI leader
What does it take to lead in the age of AI?From scaling innovation to shaping ethical frameworks, today’s AI leaders are redefining how organisations adapt to transformative technology. How do you build the skills and mindset to thrive in a world where learning never stops? And what does responsible innovation really look like? Join Dr Zara Nanu MBE, CEO and co-founder of GapSquare, and Ranil Bote
Becoming a CSO
The role of the Chief Security Officer has evolved from a back-office IT function into a strategic business enabler. How are today’s security leaders balancing the challenge of protecting assets while driving innovation? From operational resilience to boardroom influence, discover why security is now at the heart of business growth.Join Lindsey Bateman, CISO at M&G, and Manija Poulatova, secur
Becoming a Distinguished Engineer
The title of distinguished engineer originated in large tech organisations – most notably IBM – 30 years ago. But why is the role gaining more attention now and what does it actually mean to be one?In this episode, recorded live at Leeds Digital Festival, Martin Borrett, Distinguished Engineer at IBM, and Leena Sharma, a technology leader at Lloyds Banking Group join our host Dr Shini Somara to ex
Transforming a society through technology
What does it take to transform an entire nation? In this episode, Nandan Nilekani shares the inside story of how he led the creation of Aadhaar and India Stack. Hear how his team overcame scepticism and technical hurdles to build a digital public infrastructure that now powers instant banking, mobile access, and digital payments for millions - making India one of the world’s most inclusive digital
Transforming the future of space exploration
A visit to Kennedy Space Centre as a child instilled a life-long passion for space in Tejpaul Bhatia - one that would inspire his journey to the very top of Axiom Space.Under his leadership, Axiom is transforming the future of space exploration - enabling countries to send astronauts to space for the first time and inviting new players to enter the industry.Join Tejpaul and Lloyds Banking Group&ap
Transforming a company for the digital age
Lloyds Banking Group, a 250+ year-old institution, is currently in the midst of the largest digital transformation in the sector, investing over £4bn in its people, processes, technology and data.Leading the charge of this major transformation is CEO Charlie Nunn.What was the vision that sparked this change? And how has Charlie coped with the inevitable challenges that come with transforming a ban
Accelerating transformation through start-ups
According to KPMG, the UK fintech sector attracted over $3.6 billion in investment in 2024, making it the second-largest fintech market in the world. What can big businesses learn from UK fintechs to help them transform their futures? To find out, Dr Shini Somara talks to William Tunstall-Pedoe - CEO of Unlikely AI and Founder of Evi, the tech that became the foundation for Amazon’s Alexa - and R
How next-gen microchips are a game-changer
A recent Deloitte report showed that microchips could be on course to become a TRILLION dollar industry by 2030. But what are the technologies that will unlock this growth - and power the future of businesses?Discussing AI, Moore's Law, Neuromorphic computing and more are this week's guests Paul Williamson, a Senior Vice President at compute platform company Arm, and Admir Dedic, Head of
Unlocking control with Sovereign AI
The World Economic Forum names six strategic pillars for nations wanting to build their own sovereign AI capability. But what are the key pillars for businesses wanting to build their own 'sovereign' AI capabilities?To unlock the answers, we've invited David Hogan, VP of Enterprise for EMEA at NVIDIA, and Trystan Davies, Head of Data Science at Lloyds Banking Group, in for a coffee
Cyber Security - resilience in the digital age
Cyber security is high on the agenda for business leaders around the world. So, what are the key areas to focus on? How can your workforce form part of your defence in depth? And is there a role for artificial intelligence?To find out, we've asked Rachael Todd, Head of Cyber Security at Vodafone, and Matt Rowe, Chief Security Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, to share their experiences and ins
2025 tech trends revisited
For this week's podcast we take a special look back at our episode from December 2024 on the big tech trends for 2025.Which came true? Which did we miss? What's yet to come? Have a listen to the episode and let us know how we did?
Accelerating digital transformation with serverless computing
Serverless computing is growing at an incredible pace with the market expected to increase by 15% each year over the next five years.Today’s guest, Sheen Brisals, saw these benefits first-hand when he helped Lego go serverless in just 10 months, before going on to become an AWS Serverless Hero.Joining him is Paul Gledhill, Lloyds Banking Group’s Serverless Engineering Lead, to talk efficiency and
Transforming Productivity through Agentic AI
With its roots in Alan Turing’s work and named as a top emerging technology for 2025, Agentic AI is fast approaching - and not something businesses can afford to ignore.That’s why Dr Shini Somara has asked Craig Suckling (Chief AI Officer, Europe at Capgemini) and Rohit Dhawan (Group Head of AI at Lloyds Banking Group) to share a coffee and chat through the technical, cultural and organisational c
The big tech trends for 2025
In this special episode, we’re looking at the biggest tech trends to look out for in 2025.Will AI continue to dominate the headlines and the business world, or are there other technologies that will steal the limelight?Marc Esmiley, from Microsoft, Hari Shetty from Wipro and Martyn Atkinson from Lloyds Banking Group, join host Dr Shini Somara to discuss some of the biggest advances in technology f
What has tech ever done for us?
Technology has been growing at a rapid pace, from smartphones and digital connectivity to AI and the Cloud. All of these have made a huge impact on the way we live and work.But with any powerful new technologies there can be downsides too. How can we ensure safety, maintain privacy and make tech a force for good?In this episode, Michael Conway from IBM, Aman Kohli from Evolv Technologies and Kim V
Accelerating tech and skills for a digital world
The last few years has seen huge progression in the development of technologies such as AI that are set to have a huge impact on industry and increase automation. What tech and engineering skills do businesses need now, and in the future, and how do we bridge the digital skills gap?In this episode, Anna Brailsford, CEO of Code First: Girls and Amit Thawani, CIO Insurance, Pensions and Investments
Is the Metaverse dead?
Once hailed as the future of digital interaction, the Metaverse promised to revolutionise how we connect, work and play. But has it lived up to the hype? Join our experts, Suresh Balaji CMO of Lloyds Banking Group, Dr. Christina Yan Zhang CEO of The Metaverse Institute, and Michael Litman Senior Director Emerging Tech Innovation Strategy of Monks... as they discuss the current state of the Metaver
The Quantum Age is coming; are we ready?
The advancement of quantum technology could lead to a golden age of discovery, but while it has the potential to solve complex problems we can’t today, it also has a dark side. In this episode Adam Hammond from IBM, Simon Benjamin from the University of Oxford, and Meera Sarma from Cystel, discuss the development of this technology and the incredible power of quantum computers.Will quantum open up
Blockchain: hype or reality?
Just a few years ago, blockchain was the tech trend on everyone’s lips. But where is blockchain now? In this episode, experts Simon Taylor from Sardine and Elise Soucie from Global Digital Finance explore blockchain’s past, present and future - and discuss whether regulation, new use cases or a rebrand will be what brings blockchain back to the forefront. Want to be part of making blockchain and
Whatever happened to…
What makes new tech fly or fail? With all eyes on AI, this episode shifts focus to the tech that never was (or might soon be!). Join experts Pascal Finette from be radical, Chris Green from Microsoft and Patrik Zekkar from Enigio as they discuss why Google glasses were so ‘rubbish’ and if next year is really THE year for quantum computing.Want to be part of the UK’s largest tech transformation? Vi
How is Generative AI revolutionising the future of work?
In the last of our episodes on Generative AI, we explore how AI is shaping the future of work. Our expert panellists – Bryan Hancock from McKinsey, Brent Hecht from Microsoft and Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma from Cambridge Spark – dive into the big questions for today’s workforce: Will AI take my job? How can I use AI to work faster and smarter? What AI skills do I need to build for the future? If you’r
Harnessing the limitless potential of Generative AI
Since the emergence of ChatGPT began revolutionising the possibilities of Gen AI, how are large organisations adopting, using and scaling it?That’s the topic up for discussion this week, with Kate chatting to our episode experts Dr Michael Bronstein - DeepMind Professor of AI, Dr Ella Rabener - Boston Consulting Group, and Ranil Boteju - Lloyds Banking Group.What is AI's impact on everything
What are the ethical and broader risks associated with Generative AI?
This week, our industry experts, Ranil Boteju - Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, Maria Axente - Head of AI Public Policy and Ethics at PwC, and Farah Khalique - Editor of Banking Risk and Regulation at the FT, discuss the risks and ethical considerations when using Generative AI.The episode looks at the scope of regulation and guardrails in the UK, the US, and Europe. Alon
How does Generative AI really work?
Over the next few episodes, we’ll be exploring the exciting world of Generative AI. Taking a closer look at how it works, how it was developed, how it’s shaping the future of work and real-world examples of how we are using GenAI today.In this new episode, our industry experts Nick Brady from Microsoft, Dr Lukasz Szpruch Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University, alongside Lloyds Banking Gr
The future. How to modernise tech.
This week... Michael Conway from IBM, Paul Taylor from Thought Machine and Sharon Barber from Lloyds Banking Group, discuss the challenges & opportunities of modernising legacy technology. What are the issues posed by legacy systems? How can organisations implement strategies for simplifying and updating outdated technology infrastructures?We're uncovering the keys to successful modernisa
Does GenAI pose more threats than benefits?
From fake news to safeguarding against deepfakes, we’ll look at the real impact of GenAI on the digital landscape and customer experience as a whole. And we’ll do so in the company of industry experts Ann Johnson - Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, Euan Cameron - AI leader at PwC and Matt Rowe - Chief Security Officer at Lloyds Banking Group.The panel explore the key questions… How can AI be
Ready to dive into Agile transformation?
The Agile manifesto dates back to 2001: https://agilemanifesto.org/history For this episode we’re joined by industry experts, Jon Smart, CEO and co-founder at Sooner Safer Happier, Evelijn van Leeuwen, Continuous Improvement Lead at ING, and Joe Soule, CIO at Lloyds Banking Group, to discuss the critical importance of shifting to agile ways of working; what the industry has learned and how it can
Open Source: Rewards and risks. How are big businesses navigating the balancing act?
To kick off our brand new season we’re diving into the world of open source software.Our brilliant host, technology broadcaster and journalist, Georgie Barrat is joined by Senaka Fernando from the Apache Software Foundation, Mark O’Conor from law firm DLA Piper and Jim Whitehurst from Unity Technologies and former CEO at Red Hat. Together they’ll be providing real world insights and practical advi
The Live Event: Part Two. Individual versus community learning in tech.
The desire to find new and interesting learning methods is ingrained in most technologists. Tech skills experts, Sara Milne and Alistair Watkins meet Georgie Barrat and explore the styles of learning that best suit the individual, as well as our community as a whole. How has the training culture changed post-pandemic and what’s the value of events like Reboot X?Check out our opportunities in tech
The Live Event: Part One. What do chief technologists predict for 2024?
In our first special episode, hosted before a live audience at Reboot X, Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, Georgie Barrat talks to tech leaders Ron van Kemenade, Vic Weigler and Andy Young. Particularly about the ethical applications of AI and using personalisation and experience design to benefit and delight millions of users in their everyday lives.Check out our opportunities in tech & data –
The mindful. Exploring the intersection of tech and mental health.
At a time when mental health conditions are increasing worldwide, can technology help us achieve better wellbeing? In this final episode of our series, Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, Georgie Barrat, and Alex Reynolds and Charlotte Gaynor explore the role technology can play in helping us manage our mental health. And whether, overall, it can be a boost or a burden.Check out our opportunities in
The biometrics. Essential in the age of deepfakes.
What more is there to understand about biometrics? Answer: far more than you might know. In this penultimate episode, Tim Porter and Ganesh Sharma join Georgie Barrat to take a deep dive into the intricacies of biometric tech. And discuss how, in the fight against deepfakes, it could be the only way to guarantee our security.Check out our opportunities in tech & data – https://www.lloydsbankin
The planet. Tech in finance has the power to change everything.
Does Fintech have the power to save the planet? In this episode, Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, Georgie Barrat, gets Kailash Saho and Andy Holpin’s take on some of the most innovative technologies fighting climate change today. Along with the ways Fintech is helping to lead the charge towards a greener, more sustainable future.Check out our opportunities in tech & data – https://www.lloydsba
The app. How far can we push its development.
Apps. They’re part of our lives in many weird and wonderful ways. But how are they changing? In what new ways will they influence the way we live? Will they phase out websites completely? Join Georgie Barrat, and Ben Diner and Vicky Hebden from Lloyds Banking Group as they tackle these questions and more, sharing their take on the future of app development.Check out our opportunities in tech &
The money. Where does it go and how can AI save us?
We’ve all done it. More than once. Spent a fortune on a piece of technology we simply had to have. But perhaps that’s where behavioural finance can help us? Join Tech Journalist and Broadcaster, Georgie Barrat, and Ranil Boteju and Dr. Paul Dongha as they discuss the fascinating intersection between behavioural finance, AI and the real effect it can have on our wallets.Check out our opportunities
The engineering. Why accountability is the solution to technical debt.
Technical debt. Unclean code. Legacy code. It plagues most large enterprises, even those that claim to be tech companies. In this first episode, Allan Woodcock and Hilary Lanham join Georgie Barrat to share the most challenging environments they’ve worked in when it comes to legacy tech. And where they think the answer to its problems lie.Check out our opportunities in tech & data – https://ww
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