No Ordinary Tech Podcast

Epizode

• Beyond digital money: making it real 24.06.2026 27min

  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 Kemenade is joined by Jayne Opperman, CEO of Consumer Lending at Lloyds Banking Group, Jana Mac...
• AI & Tokenisation: Coincidence or Convergence? 10.06.2026 29min

  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 joined by Michelle Neal, CEO, Fnality, Graham Rodford, CEO, Archax, and Jess Houlgrave, CEO, Walle...
• What is digital money and who trusts it? 26.05.2026 29min

  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, CEO & Founder of Ubyx, and Chris Skinner, author and technologist. Brought to you by Lloyds...
• Becoming a CIO 10.12.2025 25min

  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 today’s digital world. To explore career opportunities in technology and engineering, visit Career...
• Becoming an AI leader 26.11.2025 20min

  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 Boteju, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Lloyds Banking Group. Hear their insights on bec...
• Becoming a CSO 12.11.2025 24min

  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, security leader at Lloyds Banking Group, as they share their career journeys and insights on the evol...
• Becoming a Distinguished Engineer 29.10.2025 26min

  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 explore how deep technical expertise, leadership and communication skills are shaping the future o...
• Transforming a society through technology 08.10.2025 28min

  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 societies. Tune in for an inspiring story of innovation, leadership, and the power of tech...
• Transforming the future of space exploration 23.09.2025 31min

  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's Ron van Kemenade as they discuss everything from Prada to Platforms, and from orbital data cent...
• Transforming a company for the digital age 09.09.2025 31min

  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 bank with such an established history? So, grab a brew and a biscuit (or two) as Group COO, Ron va...
• Accelerating transformation through start-ups 02.07.2025 30min

  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 Ranil Boteju - Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Lloyds Banking Group. So, grab a brew and...
• How next-gen microchips are a game-changer 18.06.2025 29min

  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 Emerging Tech and Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group. Join us for a coffee as our guests share the challe...
• Unlocking control with Sovereign AI 04.06.2025 32min

  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 and a chat. Plus, David donates an idea worth a billion dollars to our essential transformation toolkit, ...
• Cyber Security - resilience in the digital age 21.05.2025 40min

  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 insights over a coffee (or two). Plus, Rachael reveals the surprising group who influenced her donation ...
• 2025 tech trends revisited 07.05.2025 40min

  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 23.04.2025 29min

  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 why servers are just like cars… Plus, discover the NASA technique Sheen donates to Lloyds' esse...
• Transforming Productivity through Agentic AI 09.04.2025 37min

  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 challenges to harnessing this unique technology. Plus, which Jeff Bezos concept does Craig donate...
• The big tech trends for 2025 03.12.2024 39min

  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 for business and consumers this year, and share what tech they think will make the biggest impac...
• What has tech ever done for us? 20.11.2024 39min

  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 Verhaaf from Lloyds Banking Group discuss how tech is shaping our world. CTA: Check out our oppo...
• Accelerating tech and skills for a digital world 06.11.2024 34min

  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 at Lloyds Banking Group, discuss these important questions and how both businesses and individua...