Shining Lights
Technology promises transformation. The reality is far more complicated.
Shining Lights is a podcast about the real decisions behind modern technology — where innovation meets budgets, strategy meets delivery, and bold ideas collide with operational reality.
Hosted by Chelsea Chamberlin, the series brings together CIOs, CTOs, technology vendors and industry leaders for open conversations about what it actually takes to implement emerging technology inside complex organisations.
Across topics such as AI, cybersecurity, networking and digital infrastructure, Shining Lights explores the tension between what technology can do and what organisations are realistically able to adopt. From the AI arms race to platform consolidation, talent...
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Episode 6: Transformation starts with people
What does digital transformation really mean for the future of further education? Roc’s Strategic Transformation lead Nigel Kilpatrick is joined by David, Chief Operating Officer at Oaklands College, to explore why successful transformation starts with people and culture, not technology. They discuss how colleges can balance evolution with revolution, give educators the confidence to experiment and prepare learners for a world of work that is changing faster than anyone can predict. From AI and changing expectations of education to strategic partnerships and the rise of on-demand learning, David argues for courage, adaptability and a willingness to rethink what education is ultimately there to deliver.Episode 5: People do business with people
As technology evolves faster than traditional contracts and commercial models can keep pace, how should organisations rethink the way they buy, manage and fund IT? In Episode 5 of Shining Lights, Roc CTO Chelsea Chamberlin is joined by commercial technology specialist Mel Gomes, Head of IT Commercial Management and Contracts at Royal Holloway, to explore what needs to change. From building innovation into long-term partnerships and creating space for smaller technology providers, to data sovereignty, supply-chain volatility and the emerging challenge of AI consumption, they examine how organisations can balance certainty with the flexibility to evolve. They also discuss why stronger commercial capability is becoming essential to technology leadership – and how better partnerships can help organisations navigate what comes next.Episode 4: Excitement vs Fear
In Episode 4 of Shining Lights, Chelsea Chamberlin is joined by Mark Lee, CEO of Deep Green, to explore the bold realities of adopting disruptive technology in the public sector. As pressure mounts to innovate while delivering sustainable outcomes, this episode explores how unconventional ideas - such as using data centres as heat sources for local communities - are reshaping what’s possible. But with innovation comes tension: the pull between excitement and uncertainty, and the challenge of embracing change in an increasingly fast-moving technological landscape. Chelsea and Mark unpack what it really takes to move forward, highlighting the need for bravery, honesty, and collaboration across both the public and private sectors. From balancing risk with commercial viability to driving meaningful sustainability, the conversation shines a light on how progress actually happens. If you’re curious about how forward-thinking organisations are turning big ideas into real-world impact - and what it takes to lead that change -this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Episode 3: AI for people, not process
In Episode 3 of Shining Lights, Chelsea Chamberlin is joined by Simon Wilson from HPE and James King from the Royal College of Art to explore one of the most talked-about forces in technology today: AI and what it really means for the higher education sector. As universities and institutions navigate tightening budgets alongside rising expectations, AI promises smarter operations, improved experiences, and reduced complexity. But how much of that promise is translating into real-world impact? This episode cuts through the hype to examine where AI is delivering genuine value in higher education - and where challenges still remain. Together, they unpack the realities of integrating AI into complex academic environments and why a people-first approach is essential to success. From designing tools that work for students and staff to ensuring flexibility and usability, the conversation highlights the gap between technological ambition and everyday application. They also explore the bigger picture: the responsibility of vendors to support the sector with adaptable solutions, and the growing importance of collaboration and open standards in shaping the future of AI in education. If you want to understand how AI is transforming higher education - and what it takes to make it truly work - this is an episode you won’t want to miss.