What can AI teach us about leadership when you’re a decade ahead of the curve?

In this episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data and Leadership, host Shannon speaks with David Meikle, founder of BloxWeaver and former CTO at Lingo24. David reflects on the leadership lessons he learned introducing AI and automation into the translation industry nearly ten years before most businesses began facing the same challenges.

From the fear of job loss to the need for psychological safety, David shares how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty, transformation, and growth.

You’ll discover:

• How to lead teams through fear of AI and show its value.
  
  
• Why psychological safety is essential for innovation and high performance.
  
  
• How David rebuilt trust after leading a restructure early in his career.
  
  
• The leadership principles behind scaling from 12% to 98% online orders in a year.
  
  
• Why patience, adaptability, and strengths-based leadership matter most in change.
  
  

If you’re leading in data, technology, or any fast-moving industry, this conversation offers practical insights to help you build trust and unlock performance in the AI and tech industry.

Connect with David Meikle on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemeikle/

Discover BloxWeaver: https://bloxweaver.com/

About Your Host: Shannon McKechnie is the Managing Director at MBN Solutions - the Data and AI talent experts, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams and authentic leadership. As co-host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon brings a grounded, people-first perspective to leadership ,exploring how trust, alignment, and shared success drive high-performing teams in today’s complex landscape.

Please note: The views expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not reflect those of their current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Shannon McKechnie on LinkedIn – Follow Shannon for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Shannon here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

What would you do if your first day as CEO started with no funding and ended with national lockdown?

That was the reality for Jude McCorry, now CEO of Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Centre.

In this episode of A Class Act, Jude joins Shannon for a conversation about her journey from Ireland to Scotland.

She left a successful career in Ireland, landed in Scotland with no job, and rebuilt not just her career but a network, a reputation, and an organisation that now leads national cyber resilience efforts.

As the CEO of one of Scotland’s most influential cyber organisations, Jude works across sectors from public services to enterprise and third sector - shaping how we respond to the evolving threats of fraud and cybercrime.

You’ll hear:

• Why Jude left a solid career in Ireland to start from scratch in Scotland
• The leadership lessons she learned building a network, a team, and an organisation during lockdown
• The importance of relationships and connections in the development of her leadership style
• The human cost of cyberattacks and what we can do to build resilience across every sector
• How partnerships with UNICEF and others have shown the power of public-private collaboration
• The one piece of advice she would give to leaders in the data and cyber space early in their career

Connect with Jude McCorry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-mccorry-5970911/

About Your Host: Shannon McKechnie is the Managing Director at MBN Solutions - the Data and AI talent experts, and a passionate advocate for building exceptional teams and authentic leadership. As co-host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Shannon brings a grounded, people-first perspective to leadership ,exploring how trust, alignment, and shared success drive high-performing teams in today’s complex landscape.

Please note: The views expressed by Jude McCorry in this episode are her own and do not reflect those of her current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Shannon McKechnie on LinkedIn – Follow Shannon for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Shannon here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com

She almost didn’t apply.

Gillian Docherty is one of the most influential figures in Scotland’s data and AI landscape - but she almost didn’t take the job that changed everything.

Recently named CEO of the Year at the DigiTech Awards, Gillian served as CEO of The Data Lab, Scotland’s national Innovation Centre for data and AI. She’s also a TEDx speaker and a vocal advocate for purpose-led leadership and inclusive tech.

In this conversation with Michael on A Class Act, Gillian shares her journey, what it really takes to build high-performing, mission-driven teams, and how Scotland can seize its next big opportunity in AI.

You’ll hear:

• What sparked Gillian’s early interest in tech and innovation growing up in Scotland
• The biggest leadership lessons from two decades at IBM
• How a last-minute recruiter call changed the trajectory of her career
• What great leadership looks like across public, academic, and commercial sectors
• Why creating purpose-driven, mission-led teams starts with how you recruit
• Where Scotland’s biggest AI and data opportunities are
• Gillian’s view on legacy, leadership, and raising strong, independent daughters

Connect with Gillian Docherty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-docherty/

About Your Host: Michael Young is the Managing Director of MBN Solutions and host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership. With nearly two decades of experience helping organisations build high-performing data, analytics, and AI teams, he brings frontline insight into what makes exceptional talent and leadership.

Please note: The views expressed by Gillian Docherty in this episode are his own and do not reflect those of his current or former employers.

Subscribe & Follow: Enjoying the series? Don’t miss an episode. Follow A Class Act wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations in data and leadership.

Connect with MBN Solutions:

Michael Young on LinkedIn – Follow Michael for advice on talent acquisition, leadership in data science, and stories from the front lines of tech recruitment. Connect with Michael here.

MBN Solutions on LinkedIn – Explore industry updates, groundbreaking projects, and the latest in data and analytics talent. Join the conversation and discover how MBN Solutions is shaping the future of data leadership. Visit the company page here.

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:
Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com