Leading through change in the age of AI: Insights from the Executive Transformation Roundtable
Investigo recently welcomed senior transformation leaders for an evening of discussion, debate, and connection at our Executive Transformation Roundtable. Led by conversation facilitators Trevor Attridge (Group CIO, IVC Evidensia) and Melissa Bridges (VP of Transformation, Civica), the event brought together experts from across industries for an energetic and honest discussion about the accelerating shift toward AI-enabled transformation.
AI is now a board-level priority - but not yet a strategy
One of the clearest themes was the growing pressure from Boards, CEOs, and investors to “use AI.” Yet for many leaders, the intention behind that push remains ambiguous. Is the goal revenue growth? Cost optimisation? Efficiency? Better customer experience? Or a total reinvention of the operating model? Without a clear “why,” leaders agreed that AI initiatives risk becoming fragmented, reactive, or performative rather than transformational.
Consultancies are amplifying the noise
The room acknowledged the increasing presence of AI “transformation packs” from major consulting firms landing in boardrooms across the UK. While these materials can inspire, many attendees felt they often fuel more FOMO than focus, overwhelming organisations rather than guiding them toward meaningful action.
PE-backed companies are moving faster
A noticeable divide emerged between private-equity-backed businesses and publicly listed organisations. PE portfolio companies - particularly in tech and SaaS - are pushing ahead with urgency and speed, driven by clear commercial pressures and shorter decision cycles. FTSE-listed organisations, on the other hand, often face greater scrutiny and more complex governance, naturally slowing their pace of AI adoption.
Legacy foundations are holding organisations back
Despite the enthusiasm for AI, leaders were aligned on one hard truth: you can’t run modern AI through legacy infrastructure. Data quality, outdated operating models, and non-AI-ready processes are limiting real returns. Many described it as trying to “push large volumes of water through old pipes”. The message was clear; sustainable AI ROI demands fixing foundational issues first.
The AI skills gap is widening…again
Much like previous waves of digital, cloud, and Agile transformation, the AI era is exposing a widening talent gap. Two big questions dominated this part of the discussion:
Are organisations failing to upskill and cross-skill their people quickly enough?
Or is the education system still not producing an AI-ready workforce?
Most leaders agreed it’s a combination of both and that urgent collaboration between employers, educators, and policymakers is needed to keep pace with the demand for AI-enabled capabilities.
A night of shared insights, strong debate, and true connection
With 20 senior leaders around the table, the event sparked rich conversation, contrasting perspectives, and meaningful peer-to-peer learning. It was a genuinely engaging and thought-provoking evening for everyone involved.
Need support with your transformation agenda?
Whether you’re hiring a new transformation leader, building out capability, or navigating the shift toward AI-enabled operating models, Investigo’s Transformation team can support you at every stage.
If you’d like to continue the conversation, or explore how we can help accelerate your transformation, speak to our team today.
