Data Matas

"AI won't replace data engineers. But engineers using AI will." In Season 4, Episode 2, we sit down with Julian [add last name + role] to unpack what's actually changing in data engineering — and what's about to disappear. We get into: → Why dashboards as we know them are dying (and what replaces them) → Does AI really need a semantic layer? Julian's answer might surprise you → The low-code trap q...

Season four, episode one of the Data Matas Podcast. Aaron Phethean sits down with Kevin Sampson, the first data hire at Vertex Service Partners, who joins us after four and a half years at Amazon. The conversation is about what it actually takes to build a data and analytics platform from zero. We cover dashboard sprawl at Amazon, the gap between insights and answers, why "confidently wrong" is th...

Data Engineering as a Team Sport: Coaching, Accountability, and Pragmatism In this episode, Sam Wrench , Lead at Reality Mine , joins us to explore what actually makes data teams perform at a high level. We cover: Why data engineering breaks down when teams optimise for tools instead of people  How coaching principles translate directly from elite sport to data leadership  Why dogfooding your own...

Analytics Engineering: Internal Risk vs. External Rigor | Ft. Jack Doherty (Fresha) The stakes are higher than ever for Analytics Engineers. When your data becomes a core, customer-facing product, the game changes. Jack Doherty (Head of AE, Fresha) discusses the massive difference between internal and external analytics: Risk vs. Rigor: Why internal projects can move fast (risk), but product-facin...

Stop Coding, Start Diagramming: How to Build Data Platforms That Deliver If you're rushing to hire a data engineer before you have a clear business question, you’re doing it backwards. I'm joined by Teddy Bernays (Freelance Data Engineer) to unpack his "business first" approach. Teddy shares his journey and explains why simplicity and a solid plan always beat the latest tech stack. His top advice:...

Build Strategy First. Choose Technology That Deserves It. If your company’s first move is buying another tool, this episode’s for you. I’m joined by Dylan Anderson (Head of Data Strategy, Perfusion) to unpack why so many data strategies fail before they begin — and how to build one that actually delivers. Dylan’s worked with some of the world’s biggest organisations, helping them turn data chaos i...

Most data teams think their next dashboard will finally deliver clarity, but every new report just adds to the noise. In this episode of Data Matas, Aaron Phethean speaks with Phil Thirlwell, former Director of Analytics & Data Strategy at FIS, about the three things every data leader should kill before building another dashboard: dashboard sprawl, service-desk habits, and KPI overload. Phil s...

Most of the modern data stack has transformed, pipelines, compute, governance. But BI? It’s still the same dashboards and reports we were using 20 years ago. Expensive, read-only, and delivering the worst ROI in the stack. In this episode of Data Matas , Ollie Hughes, CEO of Count , joins Aaron Phethean to share why BI tools eroded trust, why AI won’t fix reporting chaos, and how data teams can es...

Want 97% AI Adoption? Start By Saying “Not Yet”  Hypebeast withheld access for 10 weeks, teased value, and turned demand into near-universal adoption.  In this episode of Data Matas , Aaron speaks with Sami Rahman, Director of Data & AI at Hypebeast, about what it really takes to embed AI inside a modern business. Sami shares how his psychology background shapes his approach to adoption, why f...

What if scaling your data platform meant starting from scratch? In this episode of Data Matas, John Napoleon-Kuofie, Analytics Engineer at Monzo, shares what it really takes to rebuild trust in your models - inside one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital banks. From inheriting 1,000+ undocumented DBT models to challenging the purpose of legacy tests, John walks through the decisions his team is ma...

How do analytics engineers grow from writing SQL to designing entire data systems? And why do most companies still confuse tool mastery with real engineering skill? In this episode of Data Matas, Oleg Agapov (Senior Analytics Engineer at Hiive) shares what it actually takes to go from junior to senior in data—beyond bootcamps, tools, and job titles. He breaks down the core shifts that matter most:...

What if your data team’s biggest risk isn’t technical debt - but mental exhaustion? In this brutally honest conversation, Nik Walker (Co-op) shares how a culture of low-value work and constant reactivity burns out even the best data teams, and what to do about it. About this episode Data engineers aren’t struggling because the tech is hard—they’re struggling because the work often isn’t worth doin...

In this episode, we reveal how IRIS Software is borrowing principles from quantum computing to build data systems that are adaptable, explainable, and innovation-friendly—without compromising business-as-usual. This conversation with David Draper offers a rare inside look at how a major enterprise balances legacy systems with forward-thinking experimentation. You’ll learn how modular architecture,...

What Crypto Data Teams Do Differently with Emily Loh Episode Snapshot In this illuminating conversation, Emily Loh reveals how leading a data team in the volatile crypto space has forced innovations in resource allocation, strategic prioritisation, and AI implementation that data leaders across all industries can apply for greater impact. Guest Introduction Emily Loh serves as Director of Data at...

Are you unknowingly overspending on cloud data infrastructure? Many businesses migrate to the cloud expecting cost savings and efficiency, but hidden costs, vendor lock-in, and inefficient ETL processes often result in ballooning expenses. Without a strategic approach, organisations risk wasting budget on unnecessary compute, storage, and manual data management. What You’ll Learn in This Episode I...

In this Season 1 Highlights episode, we break down seven proven strategies that help teams cut costs, improve data quality, and scale smarter. We’ve spoken with data leaders, engineers, and BI experts who have tackled real-world challenges—from legacy systems and broken workflows to AI risks and siloed teams. This episode is your actionable playbook to making your data work better. Key Takeaways:...

In this conversation, Murtaza Kanchwala from Amplifi Capital discusses the integration of Generative AI (Gen. AI) in financial services, sharing insights on early applications, challenges faced, and the importance of regulatory compliance. He emphasizes the need for effective team organization and the selection of appropriate AI models to enhance productivity and efficiency. The discussion also to...

In this conversation, Aaron Phethean and Nick Bromley discuss the evolution and importance of transport data, particularly focusing on the integration of real-time data and mobile phone data into transport planning. They explore the challenges of data collection, the role of AI and big data in optimizing transport systems, and the future of transport data with an emphasis on privacy and security c...

This episode with Adam Dathi is a must-listen for anyone looking to turn data into a strategic powerhouse within their business.  Adam shares practical insights into how data teams can work seamlessly with other departments for maximum business-wide impact and gives his take on the future of AI-driven data analysis. Aaron and Adam discuss the critical role of reliable sources and governance, but a...

This is an unmissable conversation packed with innovative perspectives where Aaron Phethean and Bethany Lyons dive into the intricate world of what “full stack” genuinely means in the data realm. Armed with facts and humor, they explore the vital role of trust, and the complexities of data reconciliation. Their discussion also ventures into the dynamic startup landscape, stressing the urgent need...

In this episode of Data Matas, host Aaron Phethean and his guest Stéphane Burwash dive deep into what it takes to build a true data-driven culture. Recently promoted to Data Engineering Lead at Potloc, Stéphane shares his thoughts on building trusted analytics, where quality data is at the foundation.  The conversation digs into the hot topics of AI and self-service analytics - and questioning the...

CitySprint is one of the largest same-day courier providers in the UK, with a strong presence in London. They operate a UK-wide network and offer same-day logistics services. The company relies on a fleet of couriers who use various modes of transport, including bikes, to quickly deliver parcels. CitySprint's goal is to move away from investigating data challenges and focus on building trust in th...

Jessica Franks shares her experience of joining Not on the High Street as an engineering manager for the data team. She discusses the challenges of starting a new role in a new country and managing a team with diverse skill sets. Jessica explains how she tackled the lack of data strategy and created a visual representation of the data architecture using a Wardley map. She emphasizes the importance...