The Digital Workspace Works Podcast Ryan Purvis, Heather Bicknell

This week, Ryan dives into the world of agriculture technology. Along with guest Kevin Macaringue, agritechnology and digital transformation consultant, this episode explores the positive impact of software for empowering rural farmers.
Meet Our Guest
Kevin Macaringue is an agritechnology and digital transformation consultant. He has helped develop and deploy web & mobile technologies across a number of different sectors, such as:
- Agriculture & Value Chain Development- Retail & Corporate Banking- SME & Business- Monitoring & Evaluation & Poverty Reduction
Using custom software development, data analysis, market and business making skills, he's been able to leverage technology to solve a host of problems in a sustainable, efficient manner. He also performs consultancy in the usage of websites, blogs, social media, and comprehensive branding strategies. He also provides consultancy on the optimization of business models through technology; all with clearly measurable successes.
With comprehensive experience in digital marketing both as a freelancer and agency, his love for technology and business have formed the basis of his career. Over the past 8 years, he has helped numerous businesses stand out online, and perform better offline.
Learn more: https://agritechmoz.com/


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Should your next executive recruit be fractional or full-time? This week, Ryan chats with Roger Sowerbutts, scale-up advisor and fractional commercial leader, about the advantages of working with fractional executives, particularly for early-stage startups and scale-ups. Gain insight into how these experts bring a unique blend of experience and adaptability, bolstering your team without the commitment of full-time hires. Ryan and Roger also discuss the challenges founders face when hiring their first commercial leaders and why bringing on a fractional executive first can be the smartest move--helping to avoid hiring the wrong full-time fit and preventing years of lackluster results. Later on in the episode, Ryan and Roger share their thoughts on the opportunities brought about by generative AI and exciting advancements in sales and marketing tech.
Tune in to this episode and equip yourself with the strategies and insights that could spell the difference between startup stagnation and exponential growth.  
Meet Our GuestRoger Sowerbutts is a fractional commercial executive with a 30-year track record in IT tech and software as a commercial leader. He spent over 10 years at HP and Microsoft in commercial sales and partner roles. The last 20 years, Roger has started, grown and exited 5 tech businesses, netting shareholders a return of over $600 million.


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This week, Ryan speaks with Phil Hobden, Head of Digital Sales at Wolters Kluwer, about how we got from the first iPhone to ChatGPT and how to ride the wave during critical moments in the evolution of technology.
Meet Our GuestIn his role as Head of Digital Sales, Phil Hobden leads a team working with the Wolters Kluwer digital product suite (CCH OneClick, Basecone, finsit, and Twinfield) to implement software with a range of accounting firms across the United Kingdom, from the Top 4 firms to smaller niche practices and everything in between. Outside of his day job, Phil is a contributor for Elite Business Magazine online, a serial podcast host, a judge for UK Business Tech awards (2021-2023) & the Global Tech awards 2022, a public speaker, and guest on numerous industry podcasts and webinars, including with industry bodies such as the ACCA.


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This week, Ryan speaks with Ashley Woodhall, founder of Practical Infosec, about the delicate balance between a seamless end-user experience and effective cybersecurity practices. During the discussion, Ashley shares practical tips on how to secure your organization without overwhelming employees. Later in the episode, Ryan and Ashley examine the rise of sophisticated deepfakes and the need to adapt to an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Meet Our GuestAfter 10 years in cyber security, Ashley Woodhall has seen a lot of change but crucially, he's learned that good security is just doing a couple of things consistently, and doing them very well. Practical Infosec helps purpose-led organisations do those things very well, so they can do the good in the world they want while being protected.​ Ashley started the business after making himself a promise in 2019: If the next full-time employment role didn’t work out for any reason, he would build something myself which had meaning. He's now finding meaning through his work, helping purpose-led organisations. ​In addition to a BSc in cyber security, Ashley is certified to GCIH (ability to identify and respond to cyber attacks) and GCCC (ability to carry out audits against the Critical Security Controls). He has worked in technical, risk management and strategic roles and for the last two years has been running Practical Infosec. Ashley is a mentor to students both privately and through organisations such as CAPSLOCK and the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC). He has also served on a board of directors for 3 years. Outside of work, Ashley can be found (out of place) in Barcelona's hipster cafes, watching Liverpool FC, laughing out loud at Bill Bryson's travel books or getting lost in the city.


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This week, we explore the evolving tech job landscape with our guest, Oliver Sulley, Co-Founder of AI-focused recruiting company, Edge Tech. Dive into the impact of AI on roles, from prompt engineering to the deep fake dilemma, while unraveling the nuances of the technology hype cycle. Join us for a revealing conversation about AI's influence on job evolution and the future of tech careers.
Meet Our Guest
Oliver Sulley is the Co-Founder of Edge Tech, a market leader in Artificial Intelligence recruitment, where he focuses on emerging technologies including Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI, Conversational AI and Intelligent Automation (IA). Oliver thrives on helping scaling businesses effortlessly reach their goals with bespoke solutions around permanent, contract, and statement of work hiring. Put simply, he's here to take the headache away from recruiting by reducing your time-to-hire while increasing the quality of your applications.


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This week, Ryan chats with Asaf Darash, founder and CEO of Regpack, about how he turned his Ph.D. research into a successful online registration software business that serves more than 6,000 organizations and 25 million users worldwide. They also discuss the pandemic's impact on the rapid adoption of digital tools and how the option to process payments online is now a consumer expectation regardless of organization size or industry.
Meet Our GuestAsaf Darash is the founder of Regpack, an online registration system used by more than 6,000 organizations and 25+ million users worldwide. Regpack’s technology is based on Asaf’s Ph.D. research that dealt with computer data connections and networks and is the foundation for the flexibility of the Regpack system. Asaf also has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and investor.


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