Reinventing the Business Mindset for AI

AI success in business is far from a given, but it is fast becoming the competitive differentiator. To be successful with AI, organisations need to embrace innovation and that requires a shift in process, policy and mindset.  

This dinner is a chance to step out of day-to-day delivery and talk about the business, not just what tools you are testing. How do you make AI part of strategy. How do you run AI initiatives so they stick. How do you build a culture where innovation is repeatable, measured and supported from the top. 

Event details

• • Date: Thursday 4th June 2026
  • Time: 18:00 – 21:00 (arrival from 18:00)
  • Location: CrowdedHouse, Leeds 

What to expect

This is a peer conversation with leaders facing the same pressures: performance, productivity, risk, and the need to move with pace. 

You’ll take part in discussion around: 

• What it actually means to have AI in a business. Is it cost-out. Productivity. Growth. Or a mix, and how do you decide.  

• Why AI initiatives often happen in pockets (marketing, finance, IT) and then stall. 

• How innovative is the business today. If innovation is not already “how you work”, why would AI suddenly succeed. 

• What leaders need to change to enable innovation. Governance, guardrails, decision-making, and the willingness to accept that some initiatives will fail.  

You should leave with practical talking points you can apply internally and a clearer view of what needs to change in process, policy and mindset for AI to deliver. 

Who should attend

This dinner is designed for senior decision-makers shaping strategy, investment and transformation, including:

• CEOs / COOs
• CIOs / CTOs / CDOs
• CFOs and finance leaders focused on ROI, productivity and risk
• Directors / Heads of Transformation, Operations, Digital or Strategy

If you’re trying to move beyond AI pilots and make confident, business-led decisions, you’ll fit right in.

Hosted by Steve Clarke (Freeman Clarke)

The evening will be chaired by Steve Clarke, co-founder of Freeman Clarke

Steve co-founded Freeman Clarke in 2012 and has held senior IT leadership roles across UK and international organisations. At Freeman Clarke, he leads areas including talent, standards and external engagement with the CIO/CTO community.

Why BCN and Freeman Clarke

We’re seeing the same pattern across organisations: AI value doesn’t come from tools alone, it comes from leadership decisions, operating model shifts, and strong foundations.

Freeman Clarke brings board-level experience from a network of fractional CIOs/CTOs/CISOs working inside mid-market organisations, focused on aligning tech strategy to business outcomes.

BCN brings proven delivery, helping organisations adopt AI securely and make it stick day-to-day.

Attendance is limited to keep discussions high‑value and relevant. Find out more about how to be a frontier firm.