Newsletter - June 2025

Dear Data People

This month we extend a very warm welcome to our new sponsor - Kdr Talent Solutions - The UK's trusted data, analytics and technology recruitment and talent solutions agency. So, if you’re in the market for a new role or even a new country, click on the logo below to find out more.

Top Picks from Recent Weeks

The blending of Terms

The overlap between information management, data management and data governance is real, especially as roles and responsibilities evolve. 

Chad Barendse raises a great point about the confusion between the concepts, and he’s right - many professionals (even experienced ones) find these terms start to blend into one another in practice.

But maybe that confusion isn’t always a problem.

As Chad puts it, information management is the umbrella, data management sits within it, and governance is the rules and responsibilities that make sure data is fit for purpose. That hierarchy still holds. But as governance teams are increasingly asked to get involved with everything from AI oversight to document retention, the scope of governance is naturally expanding.

Find out more..

AI Evolution in Data Catalogs

“No matter how advanced the catalog is, it won’t work unless people use it the right way” 
Such a valuable reminder from Maarten Masschelein here about the need for sound practices during this period of AI evolution in data catalogs. 

It's exciting, absolutely! But it doesn't remove the need for thoughtful adoption. 
Organisations are often seen investing in impressive cataloging tools, only to struggle with uptake. And it’s rarely a tech issue. As Maarten rightly points out, change management is the missing piece.

Curious...

The BIG Question
 
Is it time to disband the Data Team?

I know it sounds a bit radical - but let me explain.

A lot of companies treat data like a department - when it really should be treated as a muscle.

Muscles don’t grow in isolation. They grow by being used - everywhere, every day, in real situations, under real pressure.

A lot of organisations don’t do that. Instead, they create a separate data team, give it a sexy name - “AI Centre of Excellence”, “Enterprise Data Office” and then act surprised when things are slow to change.

You can have the best people. You can run all the right training. You can build a pristine data lake with every dashboard under the sun. But:

 - if your commercial teams don’t trust the numbers…
 - if your product teams treat data as “someone else’s job”…
 - if your execs still make gut calls while the reports gather dust…

Then your data team isn’t a competitive advantage. It’s a disconnected luxury. Often the impediment to making progress isn’t capability. It’s context.

Read more...

Is ‘Trust’ Your Secret Weapon?

“Trust isn't a soft skill when presenting data. It's your secret weapon.”

This reminder from Henny Speelman is crucial for anyone presenting data. 

One thing that often gets overlooked is that trust, in most cases, needs to be more than accuracy. Data can garner trust in more humanistic ways, too, such as through empathy and timing. 

And, of course, if we’re talking humanistic, then it must also be considered that people need space to process what they’re seeing, especially if the data challenges their assumptions or decisions.

Henny’s point about removing ego and inviting interpretation really stands out. It shifts the dynamic from “look what I found” to “let’s explore this together”, and that’s where buy-in begins.
 
Find out More 

Members Only Webinar

Known as The Data Governance Coach, Nicola helps organisations understand and manage their data better.

For over two decades she has helped organisations reduce costs and inefficiencies. Typically, people turn to her because their data is a mess and they need help unravelling it, or because they realise that new initiatives are failing because of poor quality data.

As well as providing coaching and consulting, she also runs training courses because she feels it is important to give people the skills to make sure that data is used to solve problems and make better informed decisions.

Nicola initially worked for a leading UK Bank and moved into consultancy in 2009. Since then she has worked with clients across a wide range of sectors.

Nicola was a Committee Member of DAMA UK for 13 years and she regularly writes, presents and creates videos, blogs and a podcast on data governance best practice.

Login in and register here

IRM Conference - September 15-17

📢 Calling all Business Analysts!

Join us at the Business Analysis Conference Europe, hosted by IRM UK -  London from 15 – 17 September 2025.

This year’s conference provides a unique opportunity to explore the latest trends in business analysis, organisational change, and technology innovation; offering unparalleled insights into the methodologies, frameworks, and strategies shaping the future of organisations.

And, with new technologies driving the pace, all businesses need to become more agile and adaptive.

This conference is the ultimate event for professionals, innovators, and leaders seeking to redefine strategies and drive real-world impact.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge!

Learn more - click here

Did you Miss…

Any of our recent webinars?

Each of our webinars addresses a specific aspect of data management or the challenges and opportunities facing us data practitioners. They’re hugely popular and valuable so, if you didn’t catch them all,  why not take a look at our fantastic archive here DAMA UK - Past Public Events