Roundtable: The AI Reality Check

AI is everywhere in business communications right now. Every week there are new tools, bold predictions and another article explaining how artificial intelligence will transform business.

Many leaders have spent hours exploring the topic. Reading, experimenting, attending events. Yet a common frustration remains: What does AI actually look like inside a real organisation?

For many businesses, the reality today looks something like this: individuals experimenting with tools, AI features switched on inside existing software, interesting ideas but no clear direction. The opportunity is real, but the path forward often isn't.

This executive breakfast roundtable brings together a small group of senior leaders to have a more grounded conversation about how AI and automation are actually being applied inside organisations today.

Rather than focusing on hype or theoretical future scenarios, the discussion will explore the practical side of adoption:

Where organisations are already seeing practical value from AI and automation

• What the journey from experimentation to real implementation actually looks like

• The organisational foundations required across people, processes, systems and data

• Governance and leadership considerations as AI capabilities expand

• The real business outcomes organisations are beginning to see

The goal of the session is simple: to demystify AI and help leaders move the conversation from curiosity to clarity.

This is a small, closed-door discussion designed for leaders who want to understand what AI could realistically mean for their organisation, without the noise that often surrounds the topic.

This will be a Chatham House ruled event. Places are limited to encourage open discussion. Breakfast will be provided.

Will Thompson

Will is Managing Director UK at EPiC Agile, a transformation consultancy that helps leaders fix, build and run systems of work that deliver real results. With a decade of experience leading major transformation programmes across Australia and the Asia Pacific, he has redesigned operating models for organisations ranging from retail and energy to higher education. His approach is hands-on and practical: getting into the detail with leadership teams to improve how work flows, how decisions get made, and how organisations see tangible results quickly.

Paul Ridgway

Paul is the founder and CEO With over a decade of experience leading technology businesses at both CEO and CTO level, Paul knows what it takes to scale teams, systems and services. He’s managed teams of 80+ developers and worked closely with leaders across operations, product and engineering, from the boardroom to the build room. Paul brings a rare combination of technical fluency and commercial clarity, with ability to truly align technology with business growth. He’s driven by a mission to replace overengineered, underperforming solutions with purposeful technology that works.