Leading IT - APAC Insights

Josh and Tom break down how to actually use agentic AI in the enterprise – from Copilot-style platform agents to specialist off‑the‑shelf tools 

A trillion dollars in SaaS value wiped and AI can now build apps in hours. Tom and Josh unpack the “SaaSpocalypse”, who’s really at risk, and how IT leaders can consolidate and renegotiate.

Dark LLMs and ransomware-proof backups collide with recruitment resets and the rise of non-human identities. Josh and Tom share practical predictions on security, governance, and digital provenance so Enterprise IT leaders can brace for 2026.

Ignite 2025 showed where Microsoft is really placing its bets. Tune in to our end of year podcast, and for an insightful analysis of the implications for IT leaders responsible for scale, security and adoption.

Join Josh and Tom in a deep dive into how AI is reshaping recruitment, with Randstad CIO Chris English sharing real-world wins, challenges and what’s coming next for talent tech. A candid chat on the future of hiring, the rise of agentic AI, and how businesses can prepare their people, processes and tech for the next wave of change. This episode also explores where AI genuinely moves the needle in recruitment and what still needs a human touch. 

How do you turn messy, siloed data into fuel for AI? In this episode, Empyrean’s Data Lead Siva Shivaganken joins Josh and Tom to explain the journey from raw to refined data, using practical analogies, real customer stories, and advice on implementing data lakes and medallion architectures that actually deliver business value. The panel put Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, and Databricks head-to-head. They break down the pros, cons, and use cases of each — helping IT leaders choose the right fit for their people, budget, and business goals.

Josh and Tom are joined by Empyrean IT Cyber Security Practice Lead, David Stevenson to unravel why 78% of employees bring their own AI tools to work—often on personal devices—and how IT leaders can secure sensitive data without stifling innovation.

In this episode, Tom and Josh unpack the concept of AI ecosystem architectures - a strategic approach to navigating the chaos of rapid AI adoption. They explore how CIOs and IT leaders can shift from fragmented, ad hoc implementations to a structured, scalable, and secure foundation for AI. From governance and data consolidation to application modernization and two-speed delivery models, this episode offers pragmatic advice for future-ready IT organizations.

Join Tom and Josh as they reveal the seven essential forces every IT leader needs to drive business success. From aligning IT with business strategy to building a skilled team, mastering vendor relationships, and tackling cybersecurity, this episode is packed with real-world advice and no-nonsense insights. Perfect for anyone serious about making technology work—now and into the future. Tune in for: The real reason IT is so often misaligned with the business (and how to fix it)The “Kevin Problem” – and why some IT heroes become unexpected roadblocksWhy great vendor management is the secret weapon you’re probably ignoringThe pragmatic path to cybersecurity (without breaking the bank)How to finally get your data ready for AI (hint: it’s not about the tools!) This is the episode every tech leader needs to hear. Get match fit for the future—press play now!

Broadcom bought VMware… and broke it for the little guys. We break down what’s changed, who’s hurting most, and what alternatives like Proxmox and Nutanix bring to the table. Empyrean IT Cloud and Infrastructure Director, Andrew Petrie joins Josh and Tom for this no-spin take on your next virtualization move.

Tired of hearing "agentic" every second sentence? So are we. But when Brett Johnstone talks AI, we listen. Join us as Pitcher Partners CIO Brett Johnstone breaks down how his firm is successfully implementing Microsoft Copilot, custom GPT apps, and AI governance strategies. Learn how structured adoption workshops, prompt training, and agent frameworks are transforming enterprise workflows.

Is SaaS over? Maybe not dead, but it's definitely worth checking its pulse. With AI agents on the rise, Josh and Tom unpack whether the software world is heading for a major shake-up. They explore how agentic AI is changing the game, what that means for your tech stack, and whether your beloved SaaS apps are living on borrowed time. It’s a focused, forward-looking discussion for IT leaders navigating the next wave of innovation.

In this episode, John Milionis, Channel Sales Director Australia at Fortinet, and David Stevenson, Empyrean cybersecurity lead, join our hosts to discuss the growing trend of cybersecurity consolidation and how Fortinet is simplifying technology stacks and reducing risk for customers. 

Josh and Tom discuss their insights on what 2025 holds, from the rise of AI agents and multimodal models to the end of passwords and the resurgence of private cloud solutions. A thought-provoking look at what’s next in tech and business for IT leaders.

In this second part of their Ignite 2024 review, hosts Tom Leyden and Josh Rubens continue exploring Microsoft's latest innovations, with a focus on groundbreaking advancements in AI, the Power Platform and Cyber Security. They delve into low-code developments, intelligent document processing, and enhanced security and governance solutions, discussing how these updates are geared to transforming business processes and empowering organisations in the AI-driven era. Packed with insights and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Join hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden as they delve into the transformative announcements from Microsoft’s Ignite 2024 conference. In this first of a two-part series, they focus on advancements in AI, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and multimodal capabilities. They also explore the integration of AI with tools like SharePoint, Teams, and Azure Foundry, highlighting productivity boosts, governance enhancements, and the rise of autonomous agents. Stay tuned for next week's deep dive into Power Platform and cybersecurity updates.

In this episode, we’re joined by Stephen Madden, ANZ Technical Alliance Manager at Wasabi, exploring the evolution of cloud storage and Wasabi’s innovative solutions. Utilising topical use cases in the ANZ market, this episode provides actionable insights for IT leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve in data storage and cybersecurity while reducing costs.

Join hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden, along with guest Andrew Hehir, head of the Empyrean IT Power Platform Practice, as they dive into the recent Microsoft Power Platform Community Conference. Explore Copilot Wave 2, how AI is transforming business automation, and the game-changing potential of Microsoft Fabric for data integration.

In Episode #61 of the Leading IT Podcast, hosts Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden dive deep into the current state of AI with guest Dave Phung, Chief Disruptor at GPT Strategic. The trio discuss real-world applications of AI such as IoT integration, insight generation and knowledge management, proposal writing, and the impact of generative AI on business strategies. Dave explores several interesting use-cases including how AI-enabled social listening platforms can help monitor brand health and how inviting AI to meetings can enhance decision-making with real-time insights. With a focus on pragmatic approaches, they reveal how IT leaders can harness AI to drive productivity, innovation, and competitive advantage in today's fast-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Josh and Tom welcome back David Stevenson, the Cyber Security Lead at Empyrean, to discuss the recent major cybersecurity incident triggered by a CrowdStrike software update which resulted in widespread system outages around the world. So what can we learn from this, and how to ensure business continuity? Fortunately there are alternatives to Cloudstrike available. However there is no escaping the importance of understanding vendor procedures, establishing strong incident response plans, and taking into account multi-vendor approaches for managing risks.

Discover the future of IT leadership as Josh Rubens and Tom Leyden dissect the latest AI advancements from OpenAI and Microsoft. This episode covers the revolutionary GPT-4 Omni, Microsoft's Copilot Plus PCs, and the Build 2024 conference highlights, offering actionable insights for Australian IT leaders to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this episode our guest Dr. Josephine Palermo, an expert in leadership and organizational psychology, discusses effective change management strategies. Josephine highlights the distinction between change management and strategic change, emphasizing the need for leaders to engage actively in transformation projects. Josephine shares insights on why projects often fail, pointing to inadequate human factors and the need for supportive contexts.

Dive into an enlightening conversation with Mary-Beth Hosking, as she shares her groundbreaking approach to digital transformation in her latest book "Not Another Digital Transformation: The 10x Generation." (Co-authored with Ady Kalra, a fellow technology leader). The book challenges conventional wisdom, advocating for a holistic, people-centric strategy that transcends traditional tech upgrades, presenting a new perspective on organisational dynamics and market success. 

Tom and Josh explore the transformative potential of Microsoft Copilot in IT leadership and provide expert insights into leveraging Microsoft Copilot for strategic advantage, navigating challenges, and unlocking new opportunities in the IT landscape.

Join the conversation with Josh and Tom as they unpack IT predictions for 2024. Discover the latest technology trends and understand their business implications in this engaging and strategy-rich episode.

Join our end-of-year wrap-up where we discuss the effects being felt in the industry regarding the giant Broadcom acquisition of VMware, as well as our review of the recent Microsoft Ignite conference highlights.

David Stevenson – Cyber Security Practice Manager, Cloud Solutions Group joins Josh and Tom to recap important announcements made at the recent AISA Melbourne CyberCon. With the palpable growth in targeted cyber attacks in Australia, David offers insights into the current security landscape, as well as the evolving security fabric that industry and authorities are developing to address the associated dangers.

Josh and Tom dive deep into the latest updates from the recent Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023. Chief amongst these include the availability of co-pilots for M365, Power Apps, Power BI and other platforms that provide instant value and business enablement. 

Join us in this episode as our guest David Erikson, CTO @ HitIQ , shares how this pioneering Australian company is developing the world’s first end-to-end concussion management platform, as well as the next generation concussion management ecosystem utilising VR.

Join us in this episode as our guest Steve Hunter, Director of Sales Engineering from Arctic Wolf, a leading Cyber Security Operations provider, takes us on a journey through the intricacies of proactive cybersecurity operations.

In this jam-packed episode, Josh and Tom discuss some of the exciting announcements made at the recent Microsoft Inspire 2023 conference. Key talking points included a slew of integrated AI capabilities and services where the focus is on making AI more accessible and beneficial for businesses across diverse domains.

Renowned global CIO and author Mary-Beth Hosking joins the podcast to share some evergreen IT leadership knowledge bombs, and valuable insights from her new book “When Now Means Now”.

Nathan Boyle, CIO at Hassell Architects, teams up with Tom and Josh to delve into the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing AI expectations at the C-level.

Heinrich Kokkuk, CIO at McConnell Dowell joins Josh and Tom to share lessons learned, as well as valuable and unique insights developed as an IT leader in the regional AEC industry.

Whether you're a small startup or an established enterprise, streamlining IT expenses without compromising quality or best practices is a common challenge. Tom and Josh share innovative strategies and practical tips that have the potential to help businesses achieve immediate and long-term cost savings.

Denis Rasidovski – Director of Cloud & Managed Services (CSG) joins Tom and Josh to provide a peak behind the Essential 8 curtain. Denis shares his vast industry experience to describe how the Essential 8 model helps businesses to maximise their threat resilience, and to mitigate cyber security risks.

Tom and Josh explore the benefits of ChatGPT that drive business value in the enterprise, including streamlining workflows, enhancing productivity, and improving customer satisfaction. But it’s not all beer and skittles. The darker side and potential risks of ChatGPT are also examined, particularly, privacy and data security, discrimination and bias, legal and ethical concerns, and quality control.

Join Josh and Tom as they share their insights and predictions for the future of IT in 2023. They dive into the latest technology trends and discuss their implications for businesses. Get ready for a thought-provoking episode packed with practical advice and strategic guidance for navigating the rapidly changing IT landscape.

While many in the industry are calling 2022, ‘The Year of the Hacker’ , there have also been major IT/Marketplace developments in areas well-worth understanding for your business. Tom and Josh take great delight in sharing their “I told you so’s” for 2022, then peer into the future to begin their list for 2023.

Australia has declared war on cyber crime, with the arrival of the new SLACIP (Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Act 2022). But as Tom & Josh point out in this episode, despite the promise of additional support from the government, there are far-ranging consequences that may impact businesses that fall under this Bill. Listen now to better understand what’s in store for both your organisation, and your supply chains.

Tom and Josh sift through the 300+ announcements made at this year’s Microsoft Ignite conference and discuss some of the significant highlights and how they will potentially impact businesses, including the Digital Transformation workforce. A.I. and multi-faceted Security solutions dominated this episode, particularly as they relate to transforming these businesses to be more productive, efficient, and secure.

Understandably, the recent Optus security breach dominated the news section of this podcast, considering its wide-reaching global implications. Josh and Tom then turned to essential updates from this year’s VMware Explore ( formerly VMworld ), including new offerings that fast-track digital transformation and that gild the path to successful cloud native platforms.  

Industry veteran, Veeam's Antony Marijanovic, offers eye-opening insights into the current landscape and the future of data protection. Key takeaways include; how to decrease data protection costs while improving your overall security, the ill-advised reliance on your SaaS or PaaS provider, and upcoming security features that cater for cyber security insurance compliance that speaks directly to the omnipresent threat that ransomware poses.

Special guest Scott Wall CTO (Chief Transformation Officer) at Bank Australia, discusses the various ways of giving a strategic voice to IT departments . Particularly being able to speak the language at Board level; “developing actionable insights”, and “creating customer benefits” will resonate louder than ‘mean time between failure” or “enterprise architecture”.

Ryan Wadsworth Partner/CIO at KordaMentha joins the podcast to share the merits of re-inventing and rebranding “IT” to “Technology” including removing the stigma of IT being a financial burden and a necessary evil, growing to be a credible and proactive partner with the business, and the holy grail of transforming an organisation’s IT function into a profit centre along the way.

Let’s face it. The Cloud is now ubiquitous and prevalent in almost every aspect of technology supporting businesses. Adopting a Cloud Operating Model offers opportunities to re-assess and recalibrate how teams across the IT stack can leverage technology to support an organisation’s business plan.

A common challenge for many businesses is the onerous task of optimising delivery and securing data from disparate sources, including from the Cloud, on-premises, and data centres. Ron Kaplan, VP of Sales for Storage Made Easy joins Josh and Tom to share successful strategies and technology offerings that help meet this challenge with real-world examples from the AEC and Finance industries.

IT recruitment expert Jenni Sanders (Randstad) returns to discuss the increasing challenges for businesses in sourcing, luring, and retaining IT talent and some win-win measures that employers are taking to ensure business continuity.

Josh and Tom delve into the world of AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations), and how advanced machine learning and AI can help automate and exponentially improve IT Ops.

Therese Chakour-West, CIO of Bunzl Australasia with over 1000 employees, discusses challenges for current CIOs, managing incumbent vendors when starting a new CIO role, the elephant in the room - change management, and more importantly, the significance of successfully bringing people along the journey of IT transformation journey.