From legacy code chaos to software that builds itself, automation is entering a new chapter - and it matters for investors too.

In this Expert Networks episode, host Neil Williams is joined by Stewart Abrahart and software entrepreneur and analyst Francis Carden to explore how RPA, low-code, and AI are reshaping the way organisations build, modernise, and govern technology, particularly in financial services.

What we cover:

• RPA explained in plain English: why “band-aid automation” took off, and where it still fits.
• The real cost of legacy systems: decades of code, hidden operational risk, and why maintenance can quietly block innovation.
• Low-code and no-code’s next step: from faster build cycles to platforms that embed governance and compliance by design.
• AI reliability and trust: why “trust and verify” matters, where large language models still fail, and how firms should manage transparency.
• Jobs and productivity: why this wave may feel different, and what it could mean for margins and workforce dynamics.
• Quantum computing: not hype, but a potential step-change in what becomes scientifically and economically possible.

Expert Networks look beyond market headlines and speak directly to practitioners shaping the themes that influence productivity, margins, risk, and long-term value creation. Understanding how technology is really evolving helps inform how we think about capital allocation, business models, and where durable investment opportunities may emerge.

Listen in on the conversation below 👇🏼