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At NashTech, we’ve always believed that progress in tech doesn’t happen in isolation - it’s built through shared experiences, honest conversations, and strong partnerships. That’s exactly why we chose to sponsor and speak at the Freeman Clarke Tech Leaders Connect Expo this October.
The event brought together CIOs and CTOs from across the region to explore the evolving landscape of digital transformation, leadership, and the growing influence of AI in smarter software decisions.
We were proud to join speakers like Olly Rees, Head of AI and Innovation at Digi2al, and Sharon Prior, Founder of Inovio, whose sessions offered fresh perspectives on navigating complexity and leading with purpose. Our own Chris Weston, Senior Technology Consultant at NashTech, shared a talk that questioned long-standing assumptions in enterprise IT - particularly around the “buy vs build” debate - and encouraged leaders to rethink how decisions are made in the age of AI.
For us, it wasn’t just about presenting ideas - it was about listening, learning, and contributing to a community that’s always striving to do better. Because at the heart of every transformation is a human story, and we’re here to help shape it.
Olly Rees: Embracing complexity with humility
Drawing from Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception, Olly Rees encouraged attendees to get as close as possible to the problem space, while accepting that full understanding may never be achievable. His message was clear:
- Find creative hacks to navigate complex systems.
- Collaborate with humility, removing personal biases.
- Listen actively, especially to those with different perspectives.
This human-centred approach sets the tone for meaningful transformation, where empathy and openness are as critical as technical skill.
Sharon Prior: From survival to success
Sharon Prior reframed digital transformation as a journey from survival to success, emphasising that:
- Business relevance trumps technical excellence - trust is earned by solving real problems, not just writing great code.
- IT professionals hold the keys to every customer interaction, operational efficiency, and innovation moment.
- Leadership languages matter - vision, value, and partnership must be aligned with business outcomes.
She urged CIOs to ask themselves: “What outcomes are you creating that matter?”
Chris Weston: Challenging the buy vs build doctrine
Chris Weston’s presentation re-examined some ‘conventional wisdom’ around off-the-shelf software and new build, in the context of 2025 technology and practices. He highlighted three uncomfortable truths:
- COTS software is stickier than expected - customisations, integrations, and data dependencies make it hard to leave.
- Building is less risky than it used to be - thanks to API-first design, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and AI-assisted development.
- Partner strategies are outdated organisations should buy outcomes, not hours.
Weston’s call to action: audit your stickiest systems, run build feasibility studies with modern assumptions, and review partner contracts to ensure you're buying capability—not just capacity.
The humanity principle in digital transformation
Across all sessions, a recurring theme emerged: technology is a tool, not the goal. Successful transformation is fundamentally human:
- Start with stories, not statistics
- Involve people in co-creation
- Celebrate progress, not just perfection.
As Prior stated: “AI isn’t going to replace people’s jobs. AI is going to augment people’s jobs.” And perhaps most importantly: “Don’t start with the solution. Start with the problem.”
The Tech Leaders Connect Expo reminded us that the future of technology is not just about smarter systems—it’s about smarter decisions, deeper empathy, and more courageous leadership. Whether you're rethinking your software strategy or leading a transformation initiative, the message is clear: challenge assumptions, embrace complexity, and put people at the heart of every decision.
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