35 Years in Data: Lessons on Leadership & Lasting Impact with Graeme McDermott

What does it take to thrive across 35 years in data leadership? And how do you build high-performing teams – not just for now, but for the future?

In this inaugural episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Michael Young sits down with a true veteran of the data world: Graeme McDermott, Chief Data Officer at Tempcover. 

From his early actuarial days to leading enterprise data transformations through five company acquisitions, Graeme brings insights into what makes a modern data leader tick – and stick.

But this conversation isn’t just about strategy or statistics. It’s also a real, and revealing look at the human side of leadership: the power of trust, the cost of tough decisions, and the long game of building both teams and friendships that last decades.

Expect stories and every aspiring leader needs to hear.

In this episode, they explore:

• What 35 years in data leadership teaches you (and why Graeme is still not done learning)
• How to build high-performing teams in high-pressure environments
• The shift from transactional to trusted relationships – in business and beyond
• Why some data leaders succeed short-term, but fail to scale
• The power of mentorship, memory, and making the complex feel simple

If you lead (or aspire to lead) in the world of data, analytics, or digital transformation – this is a must-listen.

Connect with Michael and 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.

Connect with Graeme McDermott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefdataanalyticsofficerlondon/

For questions, guest recommendations, or to connect:

Email: michael@mbnsolutions.com

Visit MBN Solutions website at www.mbnsolutions.com