TCS Summit Europe Live blog
We are bringing you real-time updates, insights, and highlights as our senior leaders and other executives share their thoughts on building perpetually adaptable enterprises.
In an era of continuous change driven by AI, geopolitical shifts, and rapid advances in technology, businesses must evolve to stay competitive.
TCS Summit Europe 2024 brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore strategies to create flexible, future-ready organisations.
Stay tuned as we cover keynote speeches, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on topics ranging from AI implementation to talent management in the digital age. We will be sharing key takeaways, quotes from speakers, and summaries of the big conversations throughout the day.
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The importance of balancing technological advancement with human approaches, fostering strong partnerships, and maintaining adaptability in an ever-changing business landscape were the key themes of the third and final day at the TCS Summit Europe 2024 in Athens.
Here are the key takeaways from the final day:
Closing the TCS Summit Europe 2024, Sapthagiri Chapalapalli (Saptha), Head, TCS Europe, and Amit Kapur, Head, TCS UK&I, together with the Masters of Ceremonies Rosanna Lockwood and Tim Wagemakers highlighted the value of shared experiences.
Collective energy, ambition, and learning together is at the core of the TCS Summit Europe and is what makes it so successful each year, they said.
Amit highlighted how the event has uncovered fresh perspectives on the opportunities presented by AI and the importance of a clear vision, strong foundations, and talent development.
Saptha reflected on the vision shared by the speakers, noting that human connection is becoming increasingly central amid rapid technological change.
Amit added that his key takeaway was that a vision without execution remains just a dream and that he had enjoyed hearing about successful examples of where vision and execution had aligned for the guest speakers.
They concluded the conference by looking ahead to the 2025 edition, to be held in Vienna, a city that symbolises artistic and intellectual excellence, and where TCS delegates and partners will gather once more to further enrich their learnings from each other.
We heard from futurist and author Stefan Hyttfors, who focused on the future of collaboration, human potential, resilience, and leadership in a thought-provoking session titled ‘Staying ready for the unknown’.
He outlined the importance of embracing change and adapting to future trends. Rather than trying to predict the future, we need to create it, Stefan said, emphasising the need for companies and individuals to be able to adapt to the different situations that arise.
As technology—and, in particular, AI—has a greater impact on business strategies, Stefan underscored the importance of understanding and leveraging data.
Resilience was a key theme of his talk—Stefan spoke about partnerships becoming less about finding the lowest price and more about building resilience together. One of the most important questions for businesses and individuals to answer is: ‘Who are our partners in fostering resilience?’.
As we face unprecedented global challenges, a strategic approach to collaboration will prove crucial for long-term success and sustainability, Stefan said.
Echoing themes explored by the other speakers, he reminded delegates of their unique human advantage—the ability to learn from experiences. While machines can process vast amounts of data, they lack the capacity for the genuine experiences that shape human understanding and empathy.
In a tech-saturated environment, the competitive edge lies in the emotional connections we can all forge and the feelings we can evoke through interactions with others.
For leaders, there needs to be an emphasis on building trust and a strong organisational culture.
As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, our humanity remains our greatest asset, Stefan concluded.
In a wide-ranging discussion led by moderator Rosanna Lockwood, executives discussed the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the context of business transformation.
Having a clear understanding of your business’ strengths and weaknesses is key, said Bart Remie, CTO and COO, Athora Netherlands. This self-awareness helps in identifying the most valuable partners within your ecosystem that can help you work and enhance your offering.
No company can transform alone, according to Bernard Gavgani, Group CIO, BNP Paribas. Every company needs to work with trusted partners to bring in expertise and scale efforts. Success can be built on collaborations between internal and external resources, he added.
An example of working together to achieve a significant infrastructure transition was shared by Jeanette Jäger, CEO of Enento Group and a board member of Telia Company AB. She emphasised the importance of working closely with TCS during this transition and of spending time together to build mutual understanding and a rapport between teams.
Employees from both Enento and TCS work together from the same office, she said, facilitating direct communication and collaboration, which means a deeper relationship, better teamwork, and the delivery of more honest feedback.
The challenges and nuances of working with competitors and partners in a business context were highlighted by Ticiana Kobel, Executive Vice President, Legal and Digital Transformation, and Member, Executive Management Board, RHI Magnesita.While working together is desirable, as the market leader, one needs to maintain a competitive edge, which can make collaboration difficult, Ticiana said. Strict antitrust and competition laws can further complicate partnerships.
So, it is not just about having partners for the sake of appearances—the relationship must be meaningful and collaborative.
As this panel concluded, there was a sense that an effective partner becomes embedded in your business, and both sides work to create an open dialogue, rather than a standard contractual arrangement.
The most successful partnerships move beyond contractual obligations to forge a deeper collaboration that includes shared decision-making and accountability.
Mallik Rao, CTIO of Telefónica Deutschland Holding AG, shared his experience in driving transformations via leadership commitment, strategic execution, and cultural investment and how that helped lead to a €900 million revenue increase over four years.
He discussed the challenges of transforming a company with a long and esteemed history and the need to commit to transformation amid rapid technological change.
Consistent leadership commitment is key, he said, stressing that a good strategy is not enough by itself—effective execution is crucial to maintaining credibility.
He advocated for heavy investments in people and culture, drawing on his experience of implementing a successful cloud certification programme that led to significant growth in skills. Culture is essential for business success, alongside strategy and operational excellence, Mallik said.
Long-term partnerships in the industry are very important, as is the need for a cultural shift towards co-creation. Overall, he focused on leadership, partnerships, and the importance of people and culture in achieving business goals.
Rapid growth and a compelling vision were two of the key points made by Gary Donnelly, Group CIO, Culina Group Limited, who discussed his company’s expansion to £2.4 billion in 2024 from £200 million in 2016.
When it comes to change, Gary said, it is crucial to begin with a vision that can inspire all stakeholders and then back that vision up with data and facts. This lends one credibility when talking with the board, accountants, and investors, he added.
Gary emphasised the importance of repeating the change message since change is often difficult for most people. Technology can help ease the process, he added, such as by centralising and standardising IT to drive efficiency.
He also talked about unlocking data insights and better agility through a software-defined wide area network, cloud adoption, and flexible warehouse set-ups to respond to customer demands.
Future challenges for Culina include the need for automation, staying competitive, and meeting environmental goals, he said, as well as exploring new business models.
Gary concluded his address by underscoring how important it is to remain adaptable and embrace change with a clear vision, facts, and perseverance.
His company’s technology journey and challenges faced during its transformation were shared by Dave Lynch, CIO, Swissport International Limited.
Dave shared some advice that he had been given and had found useful over the years, including avoiding ‘yesterday’s logic’ in turbulent times, the importance of delivering results to build trust, and implementing large projects in phases, rather than all at once.
Dave highlighted Swissport’s global scale, with operations in 286 airports, handling 3.3 million flights and managing 186 million passengers annually. Key recent challenges have included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a huge reduction in passengers, and managing significant cyber incidents. When he joined the company, Dave was tasked with reducing costs, which ultimately led to a successful transformation.
Initiatives implemented during this time included a new HR and recruitment system, AI-driven billing improvements, and cybersecurity upgrades. Lynch underscored the importance of efficient execution, teamwork, and Swissport’s partnership with TCS in driving success.
The first session of the day considered how organisations can adapt to geopolitical shifts and leverage AI for future readiness.
Key points included the importance of adaptability, leveraging new technologies, and overcoming challenges in business transformations.
Corine Adams, CIO of Versuni, shared her experience of leading an 18-month transformation at her company. She emphasised the importance of C-suite support and strong project and change management.
After Philips decided to spin off its domestic appliances division into a standalone company (Versuni), as its newly appointed CIO, Corine had the unique opportunity to design a new IT landscape from scratch, implementing SAP’s solutions across 60 platforms in just 18 months.
Reflecting on how the tech industry has created its own mythology, Corine discussed how to bust those myths around technology standards and their adoption and execution.
She underscored the challenges of relying on standard templates since no one-size-fits-all solution exists. Another challenge is keeping up with rapid technological developments and bringing the workforce with you.
Humans are the centrepiece of the organisation and technology enables them to do their job but doesn’t replace their roles, she added.
Finally, Corine spoke about the need for a mindset shift across software vendors, system integrators, and customers to fully leverage the potential of cloud and SaaS technologies.
There is a lot to look forward to today, with insightful sessions and opportunities to reflect on the key themes that have emerged over the past few days.
Attendees will gather to focus on innovation and transformation at The Changemakers session, where they will hear forward-looking ideas from CIOs who are shaping the future of business and technology.
Later in the day, a panel discussion titled ‘Teaming up for the hyper-responsive enterprise’ will discuss how to stay agile in the current business environment and the importance of collaboration and adaptability.
After a short coffee break, author and futurist Stefan Hyttfors will present a keynote speech on staying ready for the unknown.
The event will conclude with remarks from Sapthagiri Chapalapalli (Saptha), Head, TCS Europe, and Amit Kapur, Head, TCS UK&I, who will reflect on key learnings from an insightful TCS Summit Europe 2024.
We have had a brilliant first day at the TCS Summit Europe 2024 in Athens, where delegates and speakers kicked off discussions that focused on innovation, sustainability, and the future of business.
Here are the key takeaways from the first day:
You can explore the event agenda here. Stay tuned to this live blog for more updates as the conference progresses.
TCS Summit Europe 2024 is taking place in Athens, a city steeped in history and culture that sets the stage for discussions on innovation, sustainability, and the future of business.
At the end of the first day, delegates were addressed by Nikos Chrysogelos, Athens’ Deputy Mayor for Climate Governance and Social Economy, who coordinates the city’s Climate Contract under the EU’s Mission of ‘100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030’.
Nikos, who has a background in environmental consulting and project management, highlighted Athens’ move to become a smart city and the role that big data and advanced analytics can play in improving urban planning, resource management, and city operations.
Athens is at a critical juncture when it comes to climate change, and innovative approaches are the need of the hour, he said. While the goals that have been set are challenging, Nikos stressed that there is no alternative.
He suggested that technology is central to finding a way forward: Big data analysis can be used to monitor city heat, flood-prone areas, and energy consumption. New solutions are being developed to manage water flow since historical streams and rivers have been replaced by urban infrastructure.
A key focus of the city’s environmental strategy is making sure that the energy transition is inclusive. The goal is to create a sustainable future that benefits all residents.
To this end, the Deputy Mayor said there needs to be collaboration from all sectors and stakeholders—government, businesses, and citizens—so that the city has the best chance of achieving its sustainable transformation.
On the first day of TCS Summit Europe 2024, delegates participated in a workshop hosted by TCS Pace Europe and UK, titled ‘Unlocking the strategic potential of generative AI’.
The main takeaway of the workshop was that while there is no shortage of use cases for AI, the challenges lie in scaling and driving adoption, as well as educating end users.
TCS participants shared new perspectives on AI and possible business models and also discussed AI as a commodity, along with the cost implications. TCS’ AI Strategy House was introduced as a way to offer a bird’s-eye view for CxOs.
What was clear from the session was that the future will be shaped by AI and that building a competitive advantage is essential.
There was also some debate around organisational aspects, including the creation of new roles and sourcing talent, getting C-Suite level buy-in, and collaboration between the business and IT.
Overall, delegates were left with a sense of urgency when it comes to the need to understand and incorporate AI. The importance of increasing the speed of learning remained a central theme.
As delegates arrive at the Athenaeum InterContinental Hotel in Athens, we are gearing up to start this three-day leadership summit focused on addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable solutions.
Highlights of today include an exclusive workshop on the strategic potential of generative AI (GenAI), hosted by TCS Pace Europe and UK. This will explore AI applications in sustainability and business strategy.
The first day will conclude with a welcome reception and dinner and an address by Nikos Chrysogelos, Deputy Mayor of Athens for Climate Governance and Social Economy. This will undoubtedly set the tone for the discussions in the coming days on climate action and sustainable development.
Over the next few days, delegates will attend a mix of technical workshops and intensive sessions. Stay tuned for live updates on this live blog as we delve into shaping adaptive enterprises against a backdrop of AI and continual change.
On the second day of the leadership conference, after the option of participating in a fitness run, delegates reconvened to focus on the importance of adaptability, resilience, and strategic leadership.
Here are the key takeaways from Day 2:
Day 2 of TCS Summit Europe 2024 concluded with a range of networking activities across Athens, giving delegates a chance to discuss what they have learned so far, to connect, and to look ahead to the final day of the conference.
Delegates at the TCS Summit Europe 2024 had the privilege of hearing from two esteemed athletes on the topics of adaptability, resilience, and lessons from sport.
Sir Mo Farah, CBE, multiple Olympic, World, and European Champion athlete, and Dafne Schippers, 2x World Champion, Olympic Silver, 5x European Champion, and 22x National Champion athlete stressed the importance of a supportive team, balancing training with life and its mental challenges.
Both spoke about life after major achievements and the importance of inspiring younger generations through sports and community engagement.
Sir Mo shared his journey of coming to the UK, not speaking English, and eventually achieving success, emphasising the importance of connecting with others. When he moved to London in 2005, Sir Mo lived with Kenyan runners and was inspired by their discipline and dedication, he said.
He also talked about his decision to transition to marathon running after achieving success on the track and about seeking new challenges.
Schippers talked about the challenge of transitioning from a very structured life as an athlete to a more open-ended post-retirement phase. She underscored the need to find purpose and direction after a significant life change and how her work with young people has become a big part of that for her.
In terms of maintaining success, both athletes spoke about the challenge of keeping training after a major achievement or setback and of the importance of setting new goals. They talked about the need to start each day positively.
Balance was also a theme—both in terms of pressure from the outside and inside. They discussed the challenges of managing sponsorships, media attention, and external pressures while maintaining a focus on performance. This underscored the need to be resilient and adaptable.
The role of sports in bringing people together and promoting cultural exchange was a central theme. Overall, there was a sense of the values and lessons that sports can teach, including discipline, resilience, and teamwork
The role of CIOs and CTOs in enabling AI adoption and focusing on change management and strategic alignment was the topic of another panel.
Talent will play a huge role, the panellists said, with a need for continuous learning and engagement to help people adapt to rapid technological changes.
There is a need to have a balanced approach, TCS’ CTO Dr Harrick Vin said—ensuring generative AI augments human capabilities instead of replacing them.
Joseph Soule, Enabling Services CIO, Lloyds Banking Group, talked about his company’s strategy of scaling AI with a focus on customer needs. He discussed the need to maintain robust systems and processes while encouraging innovation, flexibility, and adapting quickly to change. The goal is to manage risk effectively without hindering creativity, he added.
The steep learning curve presented by AI and its impact on roles within an organisation was a focus for Monika Gullin, CTO of Nuuday. She also underscored the need to carefully consider which partners to choose for specific purposes. A few excellent partnerships and collaborations can help establish effective long-term operational strategies, she said.
AI is a big driver for ASML Holdings, said CIO René Botter, especially in terms of computing power. ASML is using predictive AI models to improve manufacturing processes and is now focusing on enterprise-level efficiency, quality, and speed.
Dr Harrick also discussed the shift from exuberance and experimentation to a focus on hybrid AI and augmentation. The future is about using AI to focus on augmenting people’s abilities to make better decisions and improve outcomes.
In a survey during the panel, respondents said AI adoption requires a major focus on change management. Nearly 39% also selected a response that emphasised the importance of not rushing and instead focusing on business value.
The importance of agility and resilience—qualities that are particularly relevant given the volatile, uncertain, and complex business environment today—was discussed by a panel at the TCS Summit Europe 2024.
On the increasing importance of AI, panellists stressed the need for clear targets and the importance of staying true to your organisation’s values and purpose to maintain trust, even as you embrace technology.
Panellists included Timo Ritakallio, President and Group CEO, OP Financial Group; Leigh Tavaziva, Group COO and Board Director, BBC; and Michael Schmelmer, Vice Chairman and Member of the Board of Managing Directors Group Functions, CH Boehringer Sohn AG and Co KG.
The need for flat organisations and clear leadership principles, including strategic direction, was emphasised by Timo. Leigh from the BBC talked about the importance of learning agility and inclusion.
Michael emphasised the need to empower people and clearly communicate goals, underscoring the importance of shifting from centralised decision-making to decentralised execution. Boehringer’s early adoption of AI in research has led to significant gains, he told delegates.
The discussion also touched on future-proofing strategies and the vital importance of scenario planning to build operational resilience.
A live survey of delegates at the TCS Summit Europe 2024 ranked disruptive technologies as the top challenge for companies, above volatile markets.
New regulations and talent shortages also scored highly. Participants of a panel on realising the adaptable enterprise also discussed the need for all teams to become AI-savvy and consider how the technology can transform—and not just augment—their work.
Adoption of AI solutions is the top opportunity for companies, according to a survey of delegates at the TCS Summit Europe 2024.
Discussing the results as part of a panel focused on realising the adaptable enterprise, Timo Ritakallio, President and Group CEO, OP Financial Group, noted that AI has overtaken sustainable products as the top opportunity in recent years. He emphasised the importance of clear targets when implementing AI.
A growing market for sustainable products was seen as the second-biggest opportunity, followed by innovative e-commerce solutions.
Overall, the poll results support a key theme of the conference, which is that AI continues to grow in importance across various industries, and business leaders need to implement it in a thoughtful and purpose-driven way.
Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, participated in a fireside chat where he discussed how to lead in unpredictable times.
Recent global events have made the situation very unpredictable, Letta said, as he highlighted the need for strong leadership to navigate the likely unpredictability of the future, emphasising the importance of balancing what is going on now with a longer-term vision.
The European Union’s (EU’s) past decisions—such as the launch of the euro and unified foreign trade policies—have proven beneficial despite initial challenges, Letta said. While most countries are generally happy with the single market, leadership can sometimes be guilty of prioritising national interests over European integration, he added.
Integration in Europe has the potential to improve in three areas: financial markets, telecom, and energy, Letta opined. A more unified approach in these sectors would promote risk-taking, enhance competitiveness, and reduce reliance on imported fuel sources.
Letta also discussed the idea of a ‘European Delaware’ or a virtual state within the EU with unified corporate law to attract foreign investment. This draws inspiration from the US state of Delaware, known for its business-friendly legal environment.
In his keynote address, TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan (Krithi) said that despite global crises and uncertainties, the rapid advancement of technology presents huge opportunities for growth, innovation, and for shaping the future.
To best harness these opportunities, enterprises have to continuously adapt, both internally and externally, he added. Businesses need resilient supply chains and a strong focus on achieving net-zero carbon goals. Internally, companies must embrace technology, putting it at the core of their operations and ensuring that their workforces are trained in line with how their roles are likely to evolve.
In 2023, the concept of generative AI was new and exciting, Krithi said. Today, with several advancements and multiple large language models emerging, companies are racing to harness the power of AI. Even so, most businesses are still in the early stages of implementing AI use cases, with many projects in the experimental phase and only a small percentage delivering measurable business outcomes, he added.
While AI offers immense promise, businesses need to establish a strong technology infrastructure and focus on data and predictive AI before expecting significant returns, Krithi said. They must also stay abreast of other advancements, he added, citing developments in immersive technology and breakthroughs in gene editing, chip design, software, and new vehicles.
Day 2 of TCS Summit Europe 2024 was opened by Saptha Chapalapalli, Head, TCS Europe, and Amit Kapur, Head, TCS UK&I, who discussed the latest trends in their domains.
0924: AI continues to be a major feature, with enterprises focusing on defining and scaling their strategies, but there are also many other factors in play.
“The most obvious one is everyone trying to accelerate their AI journeys, right from defining the strategy to scaling it up,” Saptha said. “Of course, we are seeing a lot of interest and action in cybersecurity because it is becoming an even more important aspect of our business considering the geopolitical situation we are in.” He also highlighted the impact of regional regulations, in particular Europe’s AI Act.
Amit Kapur talked about technological experimentation and how businesses in the UK and Ireland have been engaging in extensive experimentation with technologies such as generative AI and are continuing to explore new possibilities.
The two speakers talked about how TCS has continued to invest in innovation in Europe through new facilities such as the TCS Pace Ports™ in Paris and London and a Pace Studio in Stockholm. The aim of these is to help customers innovate and co-create faster.
As we continue to build on TCS’ core values of learning and sharing, the TCS Summit Europe 2024 will focus on building human connections, learning from peers, and exploring business strategies.
Delegates kicked off Day 2 of the leadership conference in Athens by reflecting on what progress, innovation, and adaptability mean in a constantly changing world.
The TCS Summit Europe 2024 is focused on the need for businesses to continuously evolve in a fast-paced, uncertain environment and how companies must adapt and drive progress by embracing change, technology, and global shifts.
The agenda for Thursday explores the way that businesses must always be ready to question, evolve, collaborate, and innovate for the future.
Speakers today include TCS leaders Sapthagiri Chapalapalli (Saptha) and Amit Kapur, as well as a keynote address by TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan (Krithi), who will explore the idea of the perpetually adaptable enterprise.
Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, will participate in a fireside chat, where he will share thoughts on leadership during times of transition, followed by panel discussions on adaptable enterprises and driving change with AI. Olympic champions Sir Mo Farah and Dafne Schippers are also set to speak.