Beyond Technical Skills: What Makes a Great Data Leader? When it comes to leadership, Liz argues the most important skills aren't technical - a point she notes has remained remarkably consistent for over a decade. She recalls a presentation from a senior data leader at Gartner around 2013 that has stuck with her ever since. “She was telling us about a data leader’s skills: empathy, emotional intelligence, strategy, vision, influence, negotiation... I still believe those skills are more important today than they ever were.” With one of the 2026 predictions being that - Human Skills will be the year of the human skillset.

AI is moving faster than most organisations can govern it. Boards are being asked to make decisions that carry strategic, operational, and reputational risk—often without the clarity or assurance they need. In my latest post, I break down the practical questions every board should be asking to ensure AI is safe, responsible, and delivering real value. If you're looking for a clear framework, real-world scenarios, and a director-level view on what good governance looks like, this is for you. Read the full post and equip your board for what’s coming next.

At every event, I aim to generate meaningful discussions. These discussions spark both inspiration and action, that last long after the event has ended. Let's discuss how I can support your next event.

Autonomy isn’t coming — it’s already here. In 2026, intelligent systems are moving beyond automation into adaptation, collaboration, and self-evolution. From modular androids capable of self-repair to AI agents integrated into hybrid workforces, the boundary between human and machine is being redrawn in real time. But with scale comes responsibility. This article explores how autonomy is transforming industries—and what leaders must do now to stay ahead: from redesigning workflows to embedding ethics and building resilient, regenerative systems. The future isn't just about what technology can do. It's about what we choose to do with it.

AI Agents and the Human Paradox The year is 2025, and AI agents are making decisions. This is the cutting edge of productivity, yet it introduces a huge paradox: The same tools meant to save us time are often creating more friction, driving down quality, and exposing companies to compliance risks through uncorrected AI hallucinations. We've seen the pitfalls of handing a Co-pilot to a junior employee who lacks the critical analytical thinking to verify the output, leading to wasted hours in mentorship and remediation. Before we celebrate the blanket "AI-enabled" rollout, we need to ask: Are we truly creating value, or just a sophisticated bottleneck? This piece argues that in 2026, the strategic advantage will shift entirely. The most valuable asset won't be the AI—it will be the Human Skillset. We must stop focusing on the speed of the machine and start investing in the deep, irreplaceable human capabilities—Analytical Thinking, Complex Problem-Solving, and Emotional Intelligence—that keep the human in the loop, drive real quality, and ensure the technology serves our business, not the other way around. It's time to measure the value of AI, not just the usage. Read on to discover your 2026 mandate: refocusing L and D on the skills that turn AI from a risk into a true accelerant.

You have the data. You have the insights. But do you have the C-suite's attention? Stop being heard and start being indispensable. Learn the language of influence and discover how to go beyond data to earn the trust, respect, and crucial sponsorship of your company's leaders. My latest article, Speaking the Language of the C-Suite, reveals the strategic steps you need to take to turn your data expertise into real business impact. Ready to lead with influence? Read the full now.

A mentee based in the U.S. recently asked me about this topic. He found the advice incredibly helpful and encouraged me to publish it so others could benefit as well. Ever stepped into a project midstream and felt like you were assembling a puzzle without the box? This post explores what to do when you're handed a messy project—missing documents, unclear responsibilities, and unexpected surprises—and how to bring structure, clarity, and momentum back on track. Whether you're inheriting a project or preparing for a handover, these practical tips and tools (like Information Maps and Strategy Canvases) will help you lead with confidence.

Proud to share that I’ve been named a Finalist for Role Model of the Year at the Women in Tech Excellence Awards.

🚀 New Episode Alert! Episode 4 of The Data Strategy Show (Season 5) is live! 🎉 I had a fantastic conversation with Samir Sharma about my journey in data, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and how we can better support women in tech. We covered everything from career pivots and leadership challenges to building confidence, tackling bias, and encouraging the next generation of women in data. If you’re interested in leadership, career growth, or the future of women in tech, this one’s for you.

In today’s fast-moving business world, data isn’t a byproduct — it’s the engine of strategic success. This blog explores how a clear, business-aligned data strategy can drive real outcomes, not just reports. Learn why most data strategies fail, how to avoid shelfware, and how the FACE framework (Fact-finding, Action, Communication, Execution) turns vision into value. If you're ready to turn data into decisions and strategy into success, this is your starting point.

A variety of insights and articles from my posts during the last month. 🎉Welcome to the July Edition of my Monthly Data Queen Digest! 🎉 🎉 Hello Data Digest Community! 🎉 I'm thrilled to share some exciting news and updates from my professional life. First, I was recently nominated for Role Model of the Year at the Women in Tech Excellence Awards. It's a truly humbling experience to be recognized for my efforts in championing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, a cause I'm deeply passionate about. In terms of my published work, I've been busy writing and speaking on key topics in data and AI.

In today’s fast-moving global business environment, technological innovation, shifting consumer demands, and the growing imperative of sustainability are redefining how organizations operate and compete. To thrive in this dynamic landscape, businesses must place data at the core of their strategic and operational decisions, embracing digital tools, AI, and automation to unlock productivity and resilience. Join me at Big Data LDN or Data Driven LDN to hear and discuss Strategy and Data Products. Big Data LDN Why Data Products Matter: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Case for Action Data products enable the transformation of raw data into actionable insights, enabling faster decision-making, democratised access to data, and innovation.

💡 What if being better at your job meant getting paid less for it? That’s the reality many professionals quietly face today. In the world of professional services, efficiency is often punished, and long hours are celebrated. Why? Because our business models still reward time logged—not value delivered. 👩‍⚖️ I’ve seen lawyers, consultants, and accountants lose out because they solved problems too quickly. 🕛 I’ve seen midnight emails praised as “dedication,” while efficiency during the workday is overlooked. 💻 And I’ve seen people rewarded for simply being visible—not for delivering impact. It’s time for a rethink. In my latest article, I explore: ✅ Real stories from the field ✅ The paradox of productivity in billable-hour cultures ✅ The cultural cost of presenteeism ✅ A path toward outcome-based, client-aligned models ✅ Why this is a “recreate or die” moment for professional services 🔗 Read the full article: Not Rewarded for Efficiency: The Paradox in Professional Services Let’s start rewarding what really matters. Outcomes. Impact. Value!

🔮 What if the loudest voices aren’t the ones making the biggest impact? A Managing Director once said to me: “Those who shout the loudest often get the best opportunities — but they’re not always the best for the job.” That stuck with me. In many teams, the quietly confident, high-impact performers get overlooked — especially when we layer in how gender influences how success is communicated and received. 🟣 The humble ones aren’t looking for applause. 🟡 But without them, businesses wouldn’t run. In my latest article, “The Humble Boost,” I explore: ✨ The subtle bias in how we interpret confidence ✨ Why we need to ‘standardise’ contributions ✨ How leaders can rebalance recognition — especially mid-year 📥 It’s time we rethink how we measure value and empower performance — across ALL voices.

From weaving together your data landscape with Data Fabric to understanding the evolving world of AI agents and the crucial push for mandatory AI education – the latest edition of my data digest is packed with insights across the data and AI spectrum! Plus, I'm sharing thoughts on building strong C-suite connections, with The data Leaders Lounge, the shift towards Data Products, and even a personal update on my new website and the exciting journey of writing a book! Curious to explore these topics and more? Dive in.

Think your Teams meetings are just business as usual? Think again. AI note-takers and silent call recordings are rapidly becoming the norm—but behind the convenience lies a growing compliance and privacy risk few are talking about. From GDPR breaches to biometric voice misuse, the risks are real, and the consequences could be severe. If you can’t prove you got permission to record or delete what was captured, your organisation could be exposed. Before your next call is quietly transcribed, shared, or used against you—ask yourself: Did I really give consent?

The data world lives for hype. We’ve been through the waves — Data Lake, Data Mesh, Generative AI, Agentic AI. Blink, and the next hot thing is already on the horizon. But here’s the truth: hype doesn't build value — product thinking does. 🔍 That’s why I wrote: 👉 "Beyond the Hype: Building Data Products That Actually Deliver Value" In this piece, I dig into: ✅ Why Data Mesh was more misunderstood than misapplied ✅ What really stalled data transformations (spoiler: it wasn't the tech) ✅ How Data Products offer a more pragmatic path forward ✅ Why Data Fabric + Data Products = serious power ✅ And yes... a peek into the AgentGraph — think “LinkedIn for AI agents” 🤖 But the biggest lesson? You don’t need a revolution. You need to build small, trusted wins — and scale from there. If you’re navigating the noise and trying to build real, lasting value from your data investments, this is for you. 📖 Read my thoughts 🔁 Share if it resonates. Let’s raise the signal above the noise.

📣 Welcome to This Month’s Digest — Your Data & Leadership Briefing Hi, This month, I’m turning the tables and asking you for help. As part of an upcoming conference session, I’ll be tackling a theme many of us grapple with: The CDO & the C-Suite — Are We Speaking the Same Language? ✅ Do execs really understand what CDOs bring to the table? ✅ How do we move from strategy on paper to real business investment? ✅ What wins trust, gets buy-in, and secures the funding we need? I’m looking for real-world stories: moments of friction, unexpected breakthroughs, lessons learned the hard way—or insights that changed how you approach leadership. Think of it as your chance to help the wider community learn from the trenches. Drop your stories in the comments, message me privately, or email if anonymity’s preferred. No company names—just candor. 🙏 Here's what else we're diving into this month: *Data Strategy: A practical framework from Big Data LDN to unlock the power of your data. *M and A Risks: Why data due diligence is non-negotiable. Don't let poor data lead to costly mistakes! *CFOs as Chief Value Officers: The evolving role of CFOs in shaping the data agenda and driving value. *Data Integrity in Social Housing: A roadmap for AI success. Learn how to leverage AI effectively in this sector. *Consultant Non-Executive Directors: Are we missing out on untapped potential? *Multi-agent AI: The future of automation is here! 🤖 *AI Agents Explained: What they are, how they work, and the different types. *AI and HR: It's not just about tech, it's about people!

Tired of Data Silos? Discover the Power of the Data Fabric! Are you wrestling with fragmented data across multiple systems, struggling to unlock the insights you know are there? Feeling like you're constantly building bridges between data islands? Then you *need* to read my latest article, where I dive deep into the concept of a Data Fabric – the intelligent layer that wraps around your existing technology to enable seamless data access, governance, and ultimately, real business value. Think of it as weaving together your disparate data sources into a cohesive and accessible whole, empowering self-service analytics, enhancing customer understanding, and strengthening your data governance posture. In this piece, I explore: * What exactly a Data Fabric is (hint: it's not a Data Lake 🙅‍♀️) * Why it's so crucial in today's complex data landscape. * The key benefits, from improved governance to self-service BI. * How it differs from (and complements) related concepts like Data Virtualization and Data Mesh. * Practical steps to consider if you're thinking about implementing a Data Fabric. Stop chasing data and start harnessing its full potential! 💪

Beijing has postponed a half marathon originally scheduled for Sunday in which humanoid robots will race alongside human runners, a milestone designed to showcase China's advances in a frontier industry the country is intent on dominating.

Don't Let the "Human" in HR Be an Afterthought! 🤔 Whether it's navigating Mergers and Acquisitions or leveraging the power of AI (remember those crucial guardrails!), people are at the heart of success. This month's read reminds us to prioritize talent, build strong data foundations for AI, and develop a work environment that values well-being and trust. What are your thoughts on putting people first in strategic initiatives?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the social housing sector, improving operations and tenant engagement. Effective AI relies on high-quality, reliable data; poor data integrity can lead to significant issues, including misallocation of resources and compliance failures. Social housing providers must establish solid data foundations through clear strategies, governance frameworks, and enhanced data quality. By breaking down silos, ensuring security, and fostering a data-driven culture, they can leverage AI effectively, paving the way for transformative changes in the sector.

Liz discusses the biases faced by Non-Executive Directors with consultancy backgrounds in application processes. Despite their valuable expertise, consultants often encounter skepticism regarding operational experience, practicality, and sector knowledge. By emphasising their strategic insight and industry-specific achievements, they can mitigate these biases and highlight their advantages to boards.

Welcome to this edition of the data digest, where we’re diving into a crucial but often overlooked aspect of data migration: the people behind the process. Data migration projects are usually seen as technical exercises—moving data from one system to another. But in reality, they’re business transformation initiatives that impact workflows, roles, and even company culture. Without careful attention to the human side of change, organisations risk confusion, frustration, and a dip in productivity. In this issue, we’ll explore: ✅ Why resistance to change can make or break your migration ✅ How to support employees through new system adoption ✅ The role of leadership in ensuring a smooth transition ✅ Practical strategies to turn disruption into opportunity If you’re leading, managing, or experiencing a data migration, these insights will help you navigate the challenges ahead—so you can achieve a successful transition for both your systems and your people. Let’s dive in! 👇 Thank you so much for your support and for following me!

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) aren’t just about numbers, valuations, and strategy—they’re about people. Yet, too often, HR leaders are brought in only after the ink has dried. As Lisa Blair Davis, Global Head of HR at J&J MedTech, puts it: 📢 “At the 11th hour—when it comes down to closing and signing the deal—it’s always about people.” Organisations invest millions (or billions!) in acquisitions, yet success hinges on cultural integration, talent retention, and leadership alignment. Without a people-first strategy, even the most promising deals can falter. So, how can HR take a front-row seat in M&A? ✅ Identify & retain key talent early ✅ Align cultures beyond financial due diligence ✅ Build integration strategies that develop engagement I explore these critical insights (with lessons from Disney-Pixar & Daimler-Chrysler) in my latest blog. Let’s rethink M&A success beyond spreadsheets and prioritise the real asset—people.