“What if your CIO sent you a selfie with the AI books he’s reading—on a weekend?”
That’s exactly what Richard Corbridge, CIO of SEGRO, is experiencing. In today’s AI-fuelled world, even board members are diving into the tech. As AI moves from buzzword to boardroom strategy, Richard believes we’re standing at the most transformative crossroads in a decade. In this episode, he shares how leaders can stay ahead, avoid the hype, and harness AI to solve real-world problems—without losing the human touch.
From CIO to Chief Innovator
Currently serving as CIO at SEGRO, a company that manages logistics and industrial buildings across the UK and Europe, Richard’s journey has included high-impact roles at the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Boots, and the HSE in Ireland. Through it all, he’s remained at the forefront of digital transformation.
“Where we are now in 2025 is probably the most exciting time I’ve seen in the last decade,” he said. “The role of CIO has evolved into something that’s central to organisational strategy.”
That evolution is largely due to AI becoming a household term. “When my mum and my kids are talking to me about AI, you know it’s here to stay.”
Who Owns AI in an Organisation?
Despite the buzz, Richard is clear: don’t rush out to appoint a Chief AI Officer. “Creating a silo for AI won’t work. It should be embedded into existing digital transformation efforts,” he said. “It’s about solving real problems, not chasing shiny new things.”
AI, he believes, must be business-led and supported by strong governance. The risks—particularly around data leaks and decision-making without human oversight—are real. “We’re moving from shadow IT to shadow AI,” he warned. “We need transparency and explainability.”
Governance, Not Gimmicks
At DWP, one of the most powerful use cases Richard saw was using AI to read 22,000 handwritten letters a day to identify vulnerable individuals in crisis and prioritise them for human outreach. “That’s when technology can literally help save lives,” he shared.
At SEGRO, AI is making documentation and strategic planning more accessible across borders and languages, helping asset managers from Germany to the UK understand complex digital strategies in their native tongue.
AI: Tool, Not Threat
For Richard, the key to adoption lies in easing fears and demonstrating real value. “AI should free people from repetitive tasks and let them focus on what humans do best—empathy, creativity, critical thinking.”
He cautioned against unrealistic productivity expectations. “A lot of AI promises saving ‘X’ hours, but often it’s 30 minutes here and there. That’s only valuable if the time saved is used meaningfully.”
He’s particularly excited about the potential of agentic AI—autonomous systems that can take on multiple tasks. While SEGRO hasn’t fully embraced these yet, he sees it as the next wave. “We’ll be outsourcing more work to agents. The challenge is ensuring that it adds real value, not just gives people an extra cup of tea.”
Everyone Needs to Be AI-Literate
From prompt engineering to ethical use, Richard believes AI literacy will soon be essential across all roles. “We talked about training people to be certified in prompt engineering—it’s a real skill,” he said. “Even young people are starting to ask, ‘What job should I do in an AI world?’”
He believes education systems and organisations alike must rethink how they teach and upskill for the future. “Saying ‘I’m going to teach someone AI’ is like saying ‘I’ll teach them digital.’ You have to break it down.”
Sharing is the New Innovation
One of the biggest shifts Richard advocates for is moving away from duplication and toward collaboration. “How do we get less selfish? If we’ve solved a problem, let’s share it,” he said. “Especially in government and the public sector, there’s so much to gain from being more open.”
What’s Next?
So what does the future look like? According to Richard, predicting anything beyond the next year is nearly impossible. “A five-year digital strategy? Forget it. The pace of change is too fast. But we know AI will be central.”
And how does he plan to lead through this change?
“It’s not about being the lone voice shouting about innovation anymore,” he said. “It’s about corralling ideas, keeping people excited, and making sure we do all of it safely.”
Final Advice: Just Try It
For those still on the sidelines, Richard’s advice is simple: give it a go. “Try one of the tools—ChatGPT or similar. Use it to do something fun or meaningful. Then start thinking about how it might help in your work.”
In the AI age, curiosity and openness are the best places to begin.
About the Podcast Host
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience in training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
