
CDO UK Live Series - September Edition 2022
Data Pragmatism and the CDO's role in 2023
Hosted by Factor
- 500 attendees
- 32700 hours
Overview
Having a pragmatic data practice helps organisations leverage data to drive business success, but what does data pragmatism really mean, and how can CDO leaders embrace this?
How pragmatic and data-driven are CDOs today? Whether its systems, business analytics, or data governance, setting realistic expectations and clarity for CDOs is key and these expectations must also align with an organisation’s priorities.
Chief data officers need to be equipped with the right tools and support so they can execute on the company’s data vision.
Join this months edition to learn:
Pragmatism, real world examples for data leaders
How to avoid the textbook approach from those that preach but don’t necessarily practice
What really works? What are the current trends?
What to expect
- Practitioner 20:1
- Practitioner : Vendor 20:1
- In-person attendees 150+
- In-deep Interactions 1:1
- 20+ Sessions Full day program
- Speakers 20+
What we will cover
- Embracing pragmatism How are data leaders positively impacting the top and bottom lines of a business?
- Avoiding the text book approach Are CDOs the bridge between technology and customers?
- Defining strategic priorities Identifying and scanning the current trends to drive revenue using data more efficiently
- Developing a pragmatic approach Pragmatic approach to qualifying data, using the right tools and support
Agenda
- No More Data Copies! How To Simplify Your Data Strategy with Dremio(Plenary) Dremio’s unique approach to enabling self-service data without relying on copies, provides a simple, effective way to deliver quicker time to insight. Dremio’s open architecture fosters innovation and agile reporting by empowering data consumers to discover, curate and prepare data without relying on data engineering.
- Data Pragmatism and the CDO's role in 2023(Plenary) Having a pragmatic data practice helps organisations leverage data to drive business success, but what does data pragmatism really mean, and how can CDO leaders embrace this? Chief data officers need to be equipped with the right tools and support so they can execute on the company’s data vision. Join this months edition to learn: Pragmatism, real world examples for data leaders How to avoid the textbook approach from those that preach but don’t necessarily practice What really works?
- How to Upskill Your business in Data, and Why Training By Itself is Not Enough(Plenary) The business model of most corporate training providers is on the volume of learners they can attract, not the quality of outcomes. At Data Assembly we focus on teaching practical skills to solve your own business problems, not just tools and techniques. Developed by experienced commercial data scientists, battle-tested on private equity portfolios. Key questions to ask before engaging in training: What specific problems will this help me solve? What specific skills gaps does this training help me fill? Are the right people being trained? For example, is this really a data issue, or a soft skills issue?
- Morning Tea & Networking Break(Plenary)
- How to Build Data Governance Programs That Last(Plenary) Traditional data governance initiatives fail by focusing too heavily on policies, compliance, and enforcement, which quickly lose business interest and support. This leaves data management and governance leaders having to continually make the case for data governance to secure business adoption. In this presentation, Jonathan will share a lean, business-first data governance approach that connects key initiatives to governance capabilities and quickly delivers business value for the long-term. He will give examples of organisations worldwide who have successfully implemented a data governance program by engaging with key stakeholders using innovative techniques such as gamification and data catalog scavenger hunts. Join and learn more about: Benefits of a business-first approach Linking data governance to business goals Mapping data governance to business value Bridging the gap between business & IT Real scenario user cases
- Quality of talent and training(Plenary) The quality of our teams is all based on the training and support we provide. In this fireside panel, several of our speakers will discuss how we create meaningful training opportunities for our teams and how we can explore the needs of all of our employees considering their unique attributes and personal experiences.
- Trends Shaping the Next Decade in Data(Plenary) The latest concepts in the world of data seem to arrive as quickly as the actual data we accumulate and consume — and can be just as hard to sift through, understand, and manage. The modern data stack (MDS), data fabric, and data mesh are top of (data) mind, and this webinar will tell the tale of this trendy trio within a larger story: decentralisation. How do you retain control, security, and governance — and how do people find valuable, trustworthy data and information — in a decentralised utopia?
- Lunch Break & Networking Hour(Plenary)
- The Executive Guide to Artificial Intelligence(Plenary) Starting your AI journey can seem a daunting and risky affair. In this keynote talk, Andrew Burgess, an AI strategist and author, will explain, through real-life case studies, how organisations have used AI to benefit and transform their organisations. He will explain the different approaches and tools tthey used, and how organisations need to think big but start small. Please join us to learn about: How to start your AI journey The challenges and risks of adopting AI What other organisations have done with AI The successes they have achieved
- See the Forest From the Trees and Choose Pragmatic Data Initiatives For Your Organisation(Plenary) Business stakeholders Consultancies, vendors and technology practitioners, all have different approaches to find and improve the value that organisations get from the data they manage. However, when looking for value in single use cases, the basic data related capabilities can get often lost in the mist or taken for granted. Ruth wants to us to revisit the basic and discuss what pragmatic actions data leaders can take to improve their organisations efficiency getting value out of data. Join this session to learn about: Choosing the data that is most important to the core of your business Settling data responsibilities at the highest possible level Getting your organisation to use agreed concepts across the entire business Increasing the quality of the critical data to increase the value of your data related initiatives
- Manage the Risk. A Third Line of Defence, is an Organisation’s Best Friend.(Plenary) With any business decision, whether it be to introduce a new technology or to buy a new property, there are benefits that can help achieve the organisation’s overall business goals. But there are also risks, and if these risks are not appropriately managed with mitigations that are correctly executed, they can severely damage an organisation’s brand. This is where a fully functional, Internal Audit control department can help in decision making. There is an unconventional relationship between leaders and auditors. But internal auditors, are an entity’s best friends. They can help change the narrative in how leaders think about risks and how they manage risks. Join this session, to learn about: The benefits to having the third line of defence in your organisation At what point in the decision making stage should an internal auditor be included. The role of risk management in driving digital transformation in your organisation The value of good data governance to enable digital transformation and how your internal auditors can help
- Afternoon Tea & Networking Break(Plenary)
- Data Pragmatism - How to Bring the Pragmatic Attitude to Life(Plenary) Building self-service capabilities on a trusted foundation is the key to successfully unlocking your data assets and becoming more insights driven. Security, data privacy, and data protection represent concerns for organisations that must comply with policies and regulations that can vary across regions, data assets, and personas. Many organisations are struggling to find the best way to provide self-service to a single source of truth to all business users without having to move and make multiple copies of the data.
- How to Create Resilient Teams In An Uncertain World(Plenary) Julian has led and coached many teams to become stronger through resilient leadership by enabling and empowering them to overcome key difficulties and helping them to develop ongoing strategies for success. This session will explore: How do we utilise the purpose and mission of the organisation to help lift the gaze of employees to a bigger picture. How do we create an environment of psychological safety that enables innovative thinking and collaboration to navigate challenges. How and what processes should we put in place to foster a resilient culture
Speakers
Jasvir Grawel · Head of Data & Analytics, Global Fac, Willis Towers Watson Jasvir Grewal is the Head of Data & Analytics of the Global Facultative Broking department at WTW. She is an experienced actuary by profession who has worked at a number of syndicates holding a wide range of roles. She has a good mix of commercial and technical skills with experience across all actuarial departments but now also most non-actuarial business functions as well. In particular, she has a strong background in capital modelling and risk quantification. She holds a first class honours from the University of Warwick in Mathematics and a master’s distinction from the University of Oxford in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing. In addition, she is a fully qualified actuary with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), holds the Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary designation as well as various data science certifications. Jasvir is also actively involved with research and has been a member of multiple working parties, has been a member of the IFoA’s Risk Management Board, has multiple publications and presents regularly at industry events.
Ruth Ardura · Head of Data Management, Aegon UK Looking to simplify and socialise the understanding of data and its business value. Former consultant, trained in different sized projects, techniques and governance. Qualified Business Analyst, with natural Agile Scrum master skills and a reliable and comprehensive understanding of Data Management in Financial Services. Experienced in operational and strategic change, data management, governance and quality, modeling, reporting and compliance projects. Engaging team maker with ability to build rapport, facilitate workshops and drive creative approaches to analysis and problem solving. Passionate supporter of peer career development and wellbeing.
- Andrew Burgess · AI Strategist, Founder at Greenhouse Intelligence, Greenhouse Intelligence A management consultant, author and speaker with over 25 years’ experience, Andrew is considered an authority on innovative and disruptive technologies including Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation, and is regularly invited to speak at conferences on these subjects. He is the author of ‘The Executive Guide to Artificial Intelligence (Palgrave MacMillan, 2018),Visiting Senior Fellow in AI and RPA at Loughborough University and Expert-in-Residence for AI at Imperial College’s Enterprise Lab. He is a prolific writer on the ‘future of work’, and is frequently published in industry magazines and blogs.
Aleksandrs Gehsbargs · Director of Games Data Science, Product Madness I am a Data Science leader and soldier. My professional journey started about 10 years ago during which I was lucky to master various aspects of Data Science. I used to build machine learning models to improve business processes, use statistics to make inferences and build countless dashboards and visualizations. My academic background mixed with business pragmatism always helped me to understand both the value of good research and the value of doing it in a fast and down-to-earth way. I also always loved to inspire other people to learn and develop their skills (my first part-time job at the age of 17 was a teacher!). During years I naturally grew into leadership, leading diverse data science teams. Today, together with my team we learn how to make inferences from data and how to use it to improve products. We never forget that the most important thing is to enjoy the journey in the exciting world of data science!
Julian Roberts · Business Coach, Julian Roberts Consulting Julian is an Executive & Business Coach, with a mission to coach high performing leaders, athletes and teams with extreme ambitions. Julian is a master at co-creating what may seem to others as impossible, unrealistic goals. Helping you to break the boundaries excites him, whether that's helping you grow your business to X million pounds or even attempting to set a new world record.
Jonathan Robson · Data Governance Director, Precisely Jonathan has global responsibility for the growth of Precisely’s Data Governance products and services. He has spent over 25 years working with vendors in the data and analytics space, leading both services and sales teams. Jonathan enjoys helping organisations on their journeys to move to modern data platforms and put data at the centre of their businesses.
Partners
- Alation Alation is the leader in enterprise data intelligence solutions including data search & discovery, data governance, data stewardship, analytics, and digital transformation. Alation’s initial offering dominates the data catalog market. Thanks to its powerful Behavioral Analysis Engine, inbuilt collaboration capabilities, and open interfaces, Alation combines machine learning with human insight to successfully tackle even the most demanding challenges in data and metadata management. More than 330 enterprises drive data culture, improve decision making, and realize business outcomes with Alation including AbbVie, American Family Insurance, Cisco, Exelon, Fifth Third Bank, Finnair, Munich Re, NASDAQ, New Balance, Parexel, Pfizer, US Foods, and Vistaprint. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Alation was named to Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces list and is backed by leading venture capitalists including Blackstone, Costanoa, Data Collective, Dell Technologies, Icon, ISAI Cap, Riverwood, Salesforce, Sanabil, Sapphire, and Snowflake Ventures. For more information, visit alation.com.
- Dremio Dremio is the easy and open lakehouse platform. Hundreds of organizations, including 3 of the Fortune 5, use Dremio to deliver mission-critical BI on the data lake. As the original creator of Apache Arrow, Dremio is on a mission to reinvent SQL for data lakes and meet customers where they are in their cloud journey. Dremio was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. Investors include Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint, Norwest Venture Partners, Insight Partners and Sapphire Ventures. Connect with Dremio on GitHub, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Precisely Precisely is the global leader in data integrity, providing accuracy, consistency, and context in data for 12,000 customers in more than 100 countries, including 97 of the Fortune 100. Precisely’s data integration, data quality, data governance, location intelligence, and data enrichment products power better business decisions to create better outcomes.- Data Assembly Data Assembly provides commercial and practical data training to help business maximise the value from their data. We work with you to assess your business’s level of proficiency against technical skills frameworks to deliver bespoke case-study based training focused on helping you get the most value from data in your business.
More events from this host
- Canva Melbourne Roundtable August 2026, Melbourne
- AI Systems Scale August 2026
- Agentic Brand Control August 2026, The Rocks
- Modern Govt Day September 2026, Canberra
- CTO Day | Melbourne September 2026, Southbank
- Beyond The Data Centre: Building Government At The Edge September 2026, Canberra
- Executive Confidence in Identity and Security September 2026, Chicago
- Secure Scalable Ecosystems September 2026, Sydney