X4 Talks

In this episode of X4 Talks, Joe Wood‑Lowe, Head of Construction at X4 Engineering kicks off a new mini-series in Project Delivery.  Joe’s first guest is Christopher Perkins, Senior Scheduling Manager at Barton Malow and one of the most respected scheduling leaders in U.S. construction. Born into a construction family and now responsible for more than $2 billion worth of work in place, Christopher brings a rare blend of field‑tested experience, technical mastery and an instinct for developing the next generation of schedulers.Christopher’s portfolio spans some of the most complex environments in the built world including hospitals, high‑rises, aerospace facilities and major sports venues. Today, he’s deep into two headline projects: a $400 million renovation of Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL and a new $300 million municipal arena in Macon, GA.Discussions in this Episode include:Why field experience is the most underrated advantage in schedulingThe biggest misconceptions junior schedulers bring on day oneHow to teach sequencing, logic, and critical path thinking that actually sticksThe art of getting buy‑in from PMs, supers and subcontractorsWhat AI will and won’t automate in construction planningHow humility, communication and curiosity shape elite schedulersIf you work in Project Delivery, Scheduling, Project Management, Field Ops or Executive Leadership this conversation really is a masterclass!Hosted by Joe Wood-Lowe, Head of Construction at X4 Engineering and featuring Christopher Perkins, Senior Scheduling Manager at Barton Malow.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Bruno Speder, Vice President Regulatory Affairs at Aletheia Life Science, who brings nearly two decades of experience guiding global drug development programmes and leading interactions with major health authorities, including the FDA and EMA. Having worked across CROs, biotech companies, and early-stage spin-offs in the UK, France, and Belgium, Bruno offers rare insight into why regulatory leadership is essential from day one.Discussions in the episode:Why early scientific innovation must be matched with strategic regulatory thinkingWhat leaders should know when preparing therapies for human challenge trialsWhy science alone isn’t always enough in early developmentThe role of regulatory affairs in volunteer and patient recruitmentAdvice for those looking to move into regulatory affairsThis episode is hosted by Alicia Cliff, Head of Medical Communications at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Luke McAlpine, Chief Product Officer at B4B Payments, to explore how AI is being woven into modern payment experiences. With a background in scaling product strategy and driving innovation, Luke shares how B4B is experimenting with new tools, keeping compliance front and centre, and using AI to build faster, smarter and more intelligent payment journeys.Discussions in the episode:How B4B is approaching AI across product, innovation and strategyExperimentation, new tooling and modern ways of workingWhere AI is already delivering real value in paymentsThe biggest opportunities to make payments smoother, faster and more personalisedHow product roles are evolving with AIThis episode is hosted by Lydia Howard, Head of Payments and FinTech UK & Europe at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Nilton Cardoso, AI Director at Equifax UK, and Simon Whiteley, Chief Scientific Officer at Helios Global Group, to explore one of the most pressing questions in technology today - how do we regulate AI responsibly?Together, they bring two industries that may seem worlds apart, finance and healthcare, to discuss how each is being transformed by artificial intelligence, and how innovation, ethics, and governance must evolve side by side.Discussions in the episode:What is AI, and why is it transforming everything?Building trust and the importance of explainable AIRegulation vs. innovation; where’s the balance?Preparing for the AI shift; skills, teams, and adaptabilityLooking ahead; what’s the next big change AI will bring?This episode is hosted by Alicia Cliff, Head of Medical Communications & Lydia Howard, Head of Fintech & Payments at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Dennis Curry, a long-standing innovator, AI Evangelist for over 25 years and visionary technology leader who has previous served as Chief Technology Officer at TalkTalk. With over two decades of experience leading business development, technology transformation, product innovation and project management, Dennis brings deep insight into how thinking differently can drive meaningful progressDiscussions in the episode:The balance between failure and success, and why both should be treated equallyAI: What are we missing?Navigating the complexities of AIHow neurodiversity and AI can complement each other to build a better, more human futureThis episode is hosted by Oliver Goldring, Lead Consultant at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Cassandra Sinclair to explore the powerful role of storytelling in healthcare marketing, delving into why it matters, how it changes behaviours and how brands can create truly human-centric communication in a scientific world.Cassandra is passionate about reshaping healthcare advertising through authenticity, emotion, and cultural understanding. As President of VCCP Health US, she’s leading a new era where storytelling isn’t just creative; it's a catalyst for real societal change.Discussions in the episode:The key to balancing science and creativityMaking campaigns memorable with humour, emotion, surprise and soundHow data, culture and human insights drive authentic narrativesAdvice for those passionate about advocating changeThis episode is hosted by Alicia Cliff, Head of Medical Communications at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sit down with Jovi Overo to unpack the realities of the crypto space—what’s hype, what’s real, and how to navigate a career in one of the most polarising finance sectors.Jovi is at the forefront of digital transformation in finance as the CEO of Vault, a cutting-edge platform that’s redefining how digital assets and crypto banking can co-exist in a regulated, accessible, and user-friendly way.Discussions in the episode:The key skills needed to build a sustainable career in cryptoWhat’s holding mainstream adoption back?The future of crypto: financial inclusion, volatility, utility & regulationThe role of education in demystifying digital assetsThis episode is hosted by Lydia Howard, Head of Payments and FinTech UK & Europe at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sat down with Ibim Tariah, Technical Business Development Director at SGS, to explore his journey from working in the medical device industry to his role at SGS, one of the world's leading Testing, Inspection and Certification companies.Discussions in the episode:The role of notified bodies in ensuring public safetyThe future of medical devices & regulatory challenges in the next 5-10 yearsHow innovation is often outpacing regulationThis episode is hosted by Matthew Wisdom, Principal Client Success Lead at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we spoke with Michael Asher, Operations Director of the Mid-Atlantic region at A/Z Corporation, to explore the evolving landscape of life sciences construction post-pandemic. Michael shares insights on why some firms are thriving while others struggle, the role of AI in shaping the industry, and the key strategies for successful scaling and talent retention.Other discussions in the episode include:Mergers & acquisitions: Do they benefit big or small firms more? Market saturation and the emergence of new opportunitiesThe ideal balance of a high-performing project teamAdvice for leaders on building & sustaining a strong cultureThis episode is hosted by Joe Wood-Lowe, Head of Projects at the X4 Group.

In this episode of X4 Talks, we sat down with Alex Everitt, Sales Director at Privalgo, to explore the keys to building and retaining high-performance sales teams in financial services. Alex shares insights on what makes a great salesperson, how to onboard and develop new talent, and the leadership principles that drive success in a competitive industry. Discussions in the episode:The power of grit in sales successCreating a high-impact onboarding processBuilding a winning sales cultureLeadership strategies to keep teams engaged and motivated🎧 Tune in now and learn how to develop and retain top sales talent!

Hear from John Tenaglia (Managing Partner) and Steve Walls (Strategy) at Moon Rabbit, as they discuss the transformative potential of AI in marketing and how this feeds into their approach when creating "profoundly human campaigns". “AI wont raise the ceiling… it will raise the floor” Discussions in the episode:How AI is democratising idea creationWhy every employee is either an oracle or a therapistBringing the human element back into advertisingThe importance of founders showing upEvery episode is hosted by Paris Taylor, Head of Client Services at the X4 Group.

In this episode, listen to Nick New, CEO of Optalysys, as he explores the profound impact advancements in quantum computing are having on data security and shares insights into how they successfully raised Series A funding for their cutting-edge deep-tech breakthrough.Discussions in the episode:How Optalysys are setting a new path for sharing encrypted dataRaising Series A funding as a hardware-focused businessChallenges within the talent marketEvery episode is hosted by Paris Taylor, Head of Client Services at the X4 Group.

Hear from Matt Lewis, Chief AI Officer at Inizio Medical as he shares insights into how AI advancements are shaping the future of life sciences and provides his perspective on whether generative AI is overhyped (spoiler alert: it isn't!).Discussions in the episode:Why AI isn't a one-size-fits-all solution but a strategic tool for innovationThe power of a future mindsetUsing AI as a tool for retention of employeesHow to leverage AI in your businessEvery episode is hosted by Paris Taylor, Head of Client Services at the X4 Group.