Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy

As organisations grow, data teams face a familiar challenge - staying focused on what matters while supporting an increasingly complex operation.
 
In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Rob Kent, Head of Data and AI at Greggs, to explore what pragmatic data leadership looks like in practice. Rob shares how he prioritises work, aligns data initiatives to business strategy and builds trust with stakeholders across the organisation.
 
The discussion spans how data supports both running and growing a business, from forecasting and workforce planning to customer engagement and operational decision-making. Rob also offers a candid perspective on measuring impact, explaining why not every initiative can be tied to direct ROI and why some data capability is simply the cost of doing business well.
 
This episode focuses on clarity over complexity, execution over theory and using data to help people make better decisions every day.
 
Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by returning guest Pete Williams, former Director of Data at Penguin Random House, to discuss the findings of Cynozure's 2026 report, The Next Horizon: Data, AI and Impact.
 
Drawing on insights from senior data and analytics leaders, they explore a persistent challenge: while expectations of data teams have shifted towards impact, investment often remains focused on platforms and foundations.
 
Jason and Pete reflect on why demonstrating value is still difficult, what the report reveals about priorities, decision-making and data leadership, and the gap between having data and using it effectively. Read the full report to explore what Cynozure's 2026 Data & AI research reveals about turning capability into value.
 
Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Roisin McCarthy, Founder of Women in Data®, to discuss why entrepreneurial thinking is fast becoming a core skill for data leaders.
 
Drawing on experience in data, technology and talent, Roisin reflects on how expectations of data teams have changed and why technical excellence alone no longer guarantees impact. The conversation explores the growing need for commercial awareness, accountability and influence, particularly as data leaders are asked to justify investment and deliver measurable outcomes.
 
Jason and Roisin discuss what entrepreneurial skills look like inside large organisations, from treating data initiatives as products to navigating trade-offs, making difficult decisions and staying aligned to purpose when conditions change.
 
A practical, experience-led conversation for senior data professionals who want their work to drive real business value, not just activity.
 
Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Lindsay Mason, a senior data leader with 20 years of experience across retail and the public sector.
 
Lindsay shares her journey from analysing sales and forecasting trends at Debenhams, where frustration with poor data quality led her into data, to leading data strategy at John Lewis Partnership and moving into the civil service four years ago. The conversation explores what makes data teams visible and valued. Lindsay reflects on joining a team that was "driven and committed but effectively invisible to leadership", teaching her that "if the value isn't visible, it might as well not exist".
 
She shares practical lessons on setting clear visions, why data leaders need to be "cheerleaders" and why "perfect is sometimes the enemy of progress". The discussion covers delivering visible value through use cases, understanding stakeholder outcomes rather than data challenges and building advocates who retell your story across the organisation.
 
🎧 Listen now to hear Lindsay's practical wisdom on making your team's work recognised and valued.
 
Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.

In this guest episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO & Founder of Cynozure, is joined by Kate Sargent, Chief Data Officer at the Financial Times, to discuss how customer understanding drives strategy, growth and trust in a digital-first organisation.
 
Kate explains how the FT has evolved from a traditional publisher into a subscription-led business serving audiences from classroom to boardroom. She shares how customer insight underpins everything from acquisition and retention to product design and experience, guided by a clear set of "metrics that matter".
 
The conversation explores how the FT segments its audiences, turns insight into action across the organisation and balances short-term performance with long-term value. Kate also reflects on the practical role of AI, from personalisation to governance, explaining why clarity of purpose and strong principles matter when adopting new technology.
 
Listen here for a thoughtful discussion focused on data, customers and sustainable growth.
 
Cynozure is a leading data, analytics and AI company that helps organisations to reach their data potential. It works with clients on data and AI strategy, data management, data architecture and engineering, analytics and AI, data culture and literacy, and data leadership. The company was named one of The Sunday Times' fastest-growing private companies in both 2022 and 2023 and recognised as The Best Place to Work in Data by DataIQ in 2023 and 2024. Cynozure is a certified B Corporation.