Hempel CTIO & EVP Rene O. Jensen joins us for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means for IT to be “in the business of business” - and how digital leaders can drive transformation by focusing on value, not technology.

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With a background spanning operations, transformation, and nearly 25 years at Maersk, René brings a unique perspective into his role leading Digital and Transformation at Hempel. In this episode, he shares how a business-first mindset reshapes the CIO/CDO role, how to build true partnership with the business, and how to navigate AI with a pragmatic, value-driven lens.

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We explore how digital organizations can move beyond traditional structures, balance platforms vs. bespoke innovation, and prepare for a future shaped by AI, autonomous labs, and even quantum computing.

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In this conversation, you’ll hear:
→ René’s journey from operations to transformation to leading Digital at Hempel
→ What it means for IT to be “in the business of business”
→ How to build real business–IT partnership (without translators or handovers)
→ Designing a pragmatic operating model - where value always wins over dogma
→ How Hempel uses digital to create competitive advantage for customers
→ A balanced, capital-driven approach to AI - beyond hype and headlines
→ Where AI is already creating value (and where it’s not yet delivering)
→ The future of R&D with AI, autonomous labs, and quantum computing
→ Why curiosity and business understanding are key for future tech leaders

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► Spotify link: TBD

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