Technology, People and Purpose: Helen Gerling in Conversation with Cloud Decisions and Microsoft Mentors
Watch or listen to the episode here.
In a world where content is increasingly polished, optimised and often AI-generated, there is something genuinely refreshing about listening to a conversation that feels real. That’s one of the reasons we enjoy the Cloud Decisions - Microsoft Mentors podcast so much. It’s thoughtful, human and grounded in lived experience - and it’s why we regularly tune in.
The podcast focuses on the people behind the technology: their back stories, routes into the industry, career journeys and current thinking. As firm believers that people, not platforms, are what truly shape meaningful technology outcomes, that focus resonates strongly with us.
We had special reason to listen to the latest episode, as the guest was our own CEO, Helen Gerling. Even for those of us who work closely with Helen, the conversation offered new insights into her early curiosity, her career path into technology, and the thinking that continues to shape her approach today.
What comes through clearly in the discussion is the connection between Helen’s personal values and the way Shaping Cloud has evolved. Seeing the person - the curious child, the technologist, the innovator and the business leader - provides a deeper understanding of the culture we have built and the principles that underpin our work with customers.
The conversation reflects many themes that are core to Helen and to Shaping Cloud: a belief that technology projects must be grounded in pragmatic delivery and tangible outcomes; that the right balance between technology and people is essential; and that innovation should deliver positive societal impact, not just technical progress. It also speaks to the importance of inclusive cultures, growing female participation and leadership in IT, and embracing the opportunities emerging at the intersection of hyperscale cloud, AI and data.
Above all, the discussion reinforces something we hold dear as a business - the idea of never settling. Of continually thinking, planning, trying and doing, in pursuit of better outcomes for our customers, our communities and ourselves.
We’d encourage you to watch or listen to the episode in full. It’s an honest and engaging conversation, and one that captures not just Helen’s journey, but much of what shapes the way we think about technology at Shaping Cloud.