Sopra Steria Insights

In this new podcast episode of Sopra Steria Insights, Resourcing Solutions Consultants Allie Kennedy and Ceri Amphlett explore what’s changing in recruitment and what matters most. If you’ve ever tried to place square pegs in round holes in public sector hiring, this podcast is for you. Allie and Ceri reflect on 2025 and share 10 practical tips for 2026 that teams can use right now. Included in what they cover:AI & automation for speed and fairness (humans make the final call).Robust screening for AI‑assisted applications.Values‑ and potential‑based hiring.Inclusive assessment by design.Skills analytics and workforce planning.Transparent, fear‑free AI adoption.

In this episode, Adrian Fieldhouse, Managing Director of Strategic Digital Solutions at Sopra Steria, and Marc Hardwick, Senior Research Director at TechMarketView, discuss how organisations can responsibly scale digital transformation by embedding trust, transparency, and human-centered values throughout the process. 

In our new podcast series, we join forces with TechMarketView to unpick what it really takes to embed and scale AI responsibly. Spoiler – you need to look beyond the tech. Across three episodes, Adrian Fieldhouse, Managing Director of Strategic Digital Solutions at Sopra Steria, and Marc Hardwick, Senior Research Director at TechMarketView, discuss the elements that can make or break an organisation’s experience with AI. Adrian Fieldhouse, Managing Director of Strategic Digital Solutions at Sopra Steria, and Marc Hardwick, Senior Research Director at TechMarketView, discuss how organisations can move beyond experimental AI and successfully integrate it as a reliable, scalable core driver of growth and resilience.

In this episode, host Alison McHarg sits down with Nick Heckscher, our Chief Experience Officer – Resourcing, for a thought-provoking conversation about the evolving world of recruitment.They explore how applying for a role today compares to 30 years ago, what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. From the growing role of AI in job searches to the increasing importance of candidate experience, Alison and Nick unpack the variables shaping the recruitment process, including the wealth of research opportunities now available to candidates.The discussion also tackles key challenges for employers, such as managing high application volumes in today’s climate, and shares practical ideas on how to help people fulfil their potential and give candidates the confidence to succeed.If you’re curious about the future of hiring and how to create a better experience for candidates and recruiters alike, this episode is for you. 

From tool to co-worker: The rise of Agentic AIIn this episode of Sopra Steria Insights, Neil Gladstone, AI and Data Practice Director at Sopra Steria, Spencer Izard, Principal Analyst at PAC, and Adam Spearing, EMEA Head of AI Innovation at ServiceNow, explore a major shift in the world of artificial intelligence - the rise of agentic AI.They discuss what happens when AI stops being just a tool and starts acting like a coworker, bringing autonomy, reasoning, and collaboration into the workplace. Together, they unpack the opportunities and challenges this creates, from trust and accountability to how organisations can prepare for a future where humans and AI truly work side by side.

Join us for a new episode of Sopra Steria Insights, where Neil Gladstone, AI and Data Practice Director at Sopra Steria and Tom Staley, Tech Advisory and Innovation Lead at Sopra Steria Next uncover why so many AI proof of concepts never make it past the pilot stage and what it really takes to scale them successfully. Tune in to discover how organisations can move beyond experimentation to deliver AI that’s ethical, valuable, and built for real-world impact.

Empowering people in the age of AIJoin us for an exciting episode of Sopra Steria Insights, where Becky Davis, AI Consulting Director at Sopra Steria Next, and David Parsons, Chief Operating Officer, Transformative Business Services at Sopra Steria, explore what it really takes to help organisations and their people adapt to the AI era.They discuss how businesses can build confidence in AI, lead meaningful cultural change, and prepare their workforce for the future.

Recruitment is evolving, with renewed emphasis on delivering a positive candidate experience and ensuring satisfaction for both recruiters and successful applicants. This balanced approach reflects recruitment working at its best—where everyone involved feels valued and supported.Our Insights podcast features our host Alison McHarg, Sopra Steria Marketing and Nick Heckscher, Chief Experience Officer – Sopra Steria Resourcing. We explore how recruitment is changing fast to include more AI outputs, with renewed emphasis on delivering a positive candidate experience.

Using AI responsibly to serve people and society Join us for an engaging episode of Sopra Steria Insights, where Nicholas Wild, Head of Digital Ethics at Sopra Steria Next, and Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst at TechMarketView, tackle the pressing ethical issues surrounding AI. They dive into concerns like bias in decision-making, job displacement, and the sustainability impact of AI.Our guests emphasise the need for transparency and accountability, advocating for AI systems with clear decision-making processes and regular audits, as well as the role of government in regulating AI.  About the speakersNicholas Wild, Head of Digital Ethics, Sopra Steria NextHe has extensive experience helping organisations understand the digital ethics considerations within different technologies and contexts. Recently, he has been working on projects to define ethics in digital twins across industries. He brings his previous experience as a consultant in the public sector and expertise in providing accessible technology for all.Nick led on the project undertaken by Sopra Steria, in collaboration with the UK Government, identifying the ethical principles of a national digital twin, that is summarised in this report. He wrote a paper on Digital Twin Ethics in the travel and transport industry, and has co-written papers on Digital Ethics in Policing and the latest Digital Ethics Outlook including both Citizen and Government views. Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst, TechMarketViewSimon joined the UK research and advisory firm TechMarketView in April 2022 as a Principal Analyst, leading th

Unlocking insights to drive smarter decisions Join us for an exciting episode of Sopra Steria Insights, where Susannah Matschke, Head of Data & AI - Growth at Sopra Steria Next, and Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst at TechMarketView, delve into the critical role of data, often described as the fuel of AI.Tune in to discover industry-specific data challenges, the importance of contextual data, and the explosion of data. Our guests discuss the importance of unlocking value from data silos, the role of data quality in AI, and the concept of a common data model, as well as the future of AI and the use of synthetic data. About the speakersSusannah Matschke, Head of Data & AI - Growth, Sopra Steria NextSusannah is an ambitious and authentic leader with a proven track record in building and scaling high-performing Data & AI capabilities from the ground up. With a strategic mindset and an MSc in Data Science, she has successfully steered client projects to success across a variety of industries, including Central Government, Transport and Policing.She's a forward-thinking strategist who combines her deep technical expertise with an innate ability to understand industry trends, enabling her to lead from the front and inspire her teams towards innovation and excellence. Her established senior network and strong market credibility allow her to drive growth through engaging and insightful client conversations, positioning Sopra Steria Next as a trusted partner in Data & AI transformation.Susannah's leadership style is characterised by her ability to blend vision with action, making her a pivotal force in not just achieving business goals, but also in cultivating a culture of collaboration and continuous learning within her team. Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst, TechMarketViewSimon joined the UK research and advisory firm TechMarketView in April 2022 as a Principal Analyst, leading the coverage of both Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Simon has over 12 years of experience in research and analysis covering the UK and global IT markets, with a focus on the impact of digital transformation and the implementation of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, IoT, and cloud across a range of industries. Immediately prior to joining TechMarketView, Simon held the position of Senior Market Intelligence Manager at Fujitsu Services Ltd. and was responsible for embedding market insight into Fujitsu’s decision-making and leading a range of market research programmes across Fujitsu’s global business, encompassing Europe, North America, and Japan.Host: Tom McCann, Growth and Marketing Director, Sopra SteriaTom is Sopra Steria's Growth & Marketing Director, responsible for driving our go-to-market strategy in the UK. With 30 years of experience in tech and digital, Tom has built teams and grown businesses in the UK, Ireland, and internationally. He has advised and accelerated customers on their transformation journeys. Tom is passionate about the transformative opportunities with technology, empowering people to achieve more, driving better outcomes for customers and citizens, and achieving efficiencies for the bottom line.

Enabling efficiency and innovation at scale In this episode of Sopra Steria Insights, we explore hyperautomation with Richard Caddick, Consulting Director at Sopra Steria Next, and Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst at TechMarketView. They discuss how hyperautomation integrates various technologies to transform business processes end to end and its priority for organisations.Tune in to learn about the importance of data and analytics, the impact on the workforce, new skill development, and the cultural shift towards user-centred and ethical AI approaches. About the speakersRichard Caddick, Consulting Director, Sopra Steria NextRichard's work is focused on helping organisations better serve the needs of their users, often through times of profound technological, organisational, or regulatory change. His relentless focus on the needs of people, aligned with positive business outcomes, helps create a clear route through and a successful transformation of the organisation. As expected, right now, helping organisations embed AI and automation into what they do is keeping him busy! Simon Baxter, Principal Analyst, TechMarketViewSimon joined the UK research and advisory firm TechMarketView in April 2022 as a Principal Analyst, leading the coverage of both Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Simon has over 12 years of experience in research and analysis covering the UK and global IT markets, with a focus on the impact of digital transformation and the implementation of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, IoT, and cloud across a range of industries. Immediately prior to joining TechMarketView, Simon held the position of Senior Market Intelligence Manager at Fujitsu Services Ltd. and was responsible for embedding market insight into Fujitsu’s decision-making and leading a range of market research programmes across Fujitsu’s global business, encompassing Europe, North America, and Japan. Host: Tom McCann, Growth and Marketing Director, Sopra SteriaTom is Sopra Steria's Growth & Marketing Director, responsible for driving our go-to-market strategy in the UK. With 30 years of experience in tech and digital, Tom has built teams and grown businesses in the UK, Ireland, and internationally. He has advised and accelerated customers on their transformation journeys. Tom is passionate about the transformative opportunities with technology, empowering people to achieve more, driving better outcomes for customers and citizens, and achieving efficiencies for the bottom line.

Discover the transformative effects of technology on the financial sector. Craig Wilson, Managing Director for Sopra Steria Private Sector, and Jon Davies, Research Director at TechMarketView discuss advancements in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies, highlighting their impact on customer outcomes, regulatory compliance, and service provision.About the speakers Craig Wilson,  Managing Director for the Private Sector, Sopra Steria  Craig is the Head of the Private Sector, responsible for all strategic and operational direction of the sector including delivery across the UK and India. He joined Sopra Steria as the Head of Financial Services in 2018 following a successful career in Banking with HSBC. Craig is also a Director of the FCA regulated entity Sopra Steria Financial Services Ltd. Jon Davies,  Research Director, TechMarketView  Jon Davies, joined TechMarketView in January 2019 and is responsible for the Financial Services research programme. Jon has 30 years’ experience within the financial services and technology industries, and an in-depth knowledge of insurance, retail banking and global IT in particular.Host: Alan Mo, Head of Insights & Analyst Relations, Sopra SteriaAlan joined Sopra Steria in 2018 and currently leads the UK Insights & Analyst function. Before this, he had a successful career in both in-house and agency settings, where he headed market and competitive intelligence functions. Alan delivered actionable insights that drove tactical and strategic decision-making, supported growth strategies, developed new solutions, and contributed to thought leadership.

Explore the impact of regulatory shifts on customer-centricity within financial services with Craig Wilson, Managing Director for Sopra Steria Private Sector, and Jon Davies, Research Director at TechMarketView. Gain insights into how regulatory changes shape banking services and products, emphasising the importance of data and customer experience.About the speakers Craig Wilson,  Managing Director for the Private Sector, Sopra Steria  Craig is the Head of the Private Sector, responsible for all strategic and operational direction of the sector including delivery across the UK and India. He joined Sopra Steria as the Head of Financial Services in 2018 following a successful career in Banking with HSBC. Craig is also a Director of the FCA regulated entity Sopra Steria Financial Services Ltd. Jon Davies,  Research Director, TechMarketView  Jon Davies, joined TechMarketView in January 2019 and is responsible for the Financial Services research programme. Jon has 30 years’ experience within the financial services and technology industries, and an in-depth knowledge of insurance, retail banking and global IT in particular.Host: Alan Mo, Head of Insights & Analyst Relations, Sopra SteriaAlan joined Sopra Steria in 2018 and currently leads the UK Insights & Analyst function. Before this, he had a successful career in both in-house and agency settings, where he headed market and competitive intelligence functions. Alan delivered actionable insights that drove tactical and strategic decision-making, supported growth strategies, developed new solutions, and contributed to thought leadership.

Join Craig Wilson, Managing Director for Sopra Steria Private Sector, and Jon Davies, Research Director at TechMarketView, as they explore the challenges facing banks in today's dynamic financial landscape. Discover how these challenges influence global markets, customer experience, and the role of emerging technologies in supporting banks.About the speakers Craig Wilson,  Managing Director for the Private Sector, Sopra Steria   Craig is the Head of the Private Sector, responsible for all strategic and operational direction of the sector including delivery across the UK and India. He joined Sopra Steria as the Head of Financial Services in 2018 following a successful career in Banking with HSBC. Craig is also a Director of the FCA regulated entity Sopra Steria Financial Services Ltd. Jon Davies,  Research Director, TechMarketView   Jon Davies, joined TechMarketView in January 2019 and is responsible for the Financial Services research programme. Jon has 30 years’ experience within the financial services and technology industries, and an in-depth knowledge of insurance, retail banking and global IT in particular.Host: Alan Mo, Head of Insights & Analyst Relations, Sopra SteriaAlan joined Sopra Steria in 2018 and currently leads the UK Insights & Analyst function. Before this, he had a successful career in both in-house and agency settings, where he headed market and competitive intelligence functions. Alan delivers actionable insights that drive tactical and strategic decision-making, support growth strategies, develop new solutions, and contribute to thought leadership.