Where’s my nearest toilet? Open Data with Giuseppe Sollazzo, Head of Data Products and Services
Connecting Data, Users, and Open Data with Giuseppe Sollazzo
"It sounds like you’ve been having a tonne of fun with everything from AI to data." Chris on Giuseppe’s career.
Embark on a captivating conversation this week as Chris and Mike engage with Giuseppe Sollazzo, Head of Data Products and Services at the Department for Work and Pensions Digital. Discover the secrets behind connecting data and users.
Giuseppe Sollazzo unveils the strategies that bridge the gap between data and users; as he demonstrates it, with fascinating insights into why this connection is paramount. Feel Giuseppe's passion as he shares innovative techniques for utilising open data, including a surprising example of how it can lead you to find a toilet!
"The highest requested dataset was actually the location of public toilets, which is a very mundane need, with interesting twists."
Tune in today for Chris and Mike's conversation with Giuseppe Sollazzo. Discover first hand how to effectively connect data with users, unlock the value it offers, and leverage open data for innovative solutions.
Episode Quotes
What Giuseppe said…
- "I've been catching up with my teams about the work they're doing. I mean, some of my teams do some amazing stuff in data matching behind the costume payments, for example, which, you know, blows my mind, really."
- "The highest requested dataset was actually the location of public toilets, which is a very mundane need, with interesting twists."
- "Sometimes you need to question what kind of data schema data features you want to collect? And where do you have the resources to collect them?"
- "I think the whole question around advisory is always about thinking about the goods and the bads. And if you're a data person, you are probably, you know, a step ahead in understanding the goods and the bads."
- "I'm on social media for now from Punta fests on most of social media and I'm on LinkedIn with my name and surname, and my website Punta Vista, and that's where you can find links, projects, my newsletter and all that."
What Chris said…
- “Oh, is it the telecoms conspiracy theory that’s passing viruses around everywhere?”
- “Okay, all sounds like fun. Yeah. Lots of people playing with data. And we're gonna dig into that just because it sounds like you’ve been having a tonne of fun with everything from AI to data.”
- “Last week, I was a bit low energy. So yeah, kick the week off really strongly. Had some client meetings, had a four hour round trip to one meeting”
- “I’d say with a million you never it was long as they’re not bots, which is also possible, but good use of data, do you think”
- “I wonder whether there’s something else behind it, because it does have a massive car factory in Texas already. So maybe he was, maybe it was one step ahead of everybody in saying, well, actually, how do I make this a non political decision to move from California to texas?”
What Mike said…
- "I picked this one out as something to talk about. I was interested to see Elon Musk moving the Tesla from Delaware to Texas in the US, largely as a result of him having his 55 point 8 billion pound pay package cancelled by a judge."
- "It's all about understanding the other person's perspective and being willing to understand and acknowledge it, even if you disagree with it."
- "I think everybody has an accountability to know something."
- "We've got to give up, give up on two degrees, we're going to hit two degrees, we're going to get there, we need to just make sure we don't go past three degrees, we need to do stuff we can adapt."
- “I heard somebody yesterday talking about exactly that. And they remember the old rhythm of 30 days in September, April, June, etc. Is it that they've revised it to say that January's got 4331 days if you're doing dry January, and I thought that that kind of sums it up.”
Episode Summary
This podcast episode featured guest Giuseppe Sollazzo discussing a variety of topics relating to data, leadership, and current events.
The episode began with each speaker sharing an overview of their week. Giuseppe discussed catching up with teams at work and planning upcoming projects, while juggling personal commitments. Mike shared that he had been ill, likely catching something from Chris in a previous episode.
The discussion then moved to Elon Musk's highly publicised move of Tesla from Delaware to Texas after a judge cancelled a major pay package for Musk.
Giuseppe also reflected on challenges in collecting public toilet data for open data initiatives, highlighting how mundane needs are often overlooked. This tied to Chris's experience struggling to find facilities in London with young children.
Conversation shifted to balancing open data transparency against sensitive personal information. Giuseppe explained navigating such issues from inside the government after previously being an activist. Mike emphasised understanding different perspectives on this debate.
Literacy in data, digital topics, and agile methodologies was discussed in relation to decision making at board level. As an external advisor, Giuseppe stressed the importance of bridging technical and business understanding.
Lighter discussions covered rugby in the Six Nations tournament and China surpassing Japan as the top car exporter. Global warming data showing increased acceleration rates was also analysed.
Throughout, the speakers emphasised using data to address real issues, representing information accurately, and continually evolving practices to meet changing needs. The episode provided insightful perspectives on data-driven initiatives and decisions from industry experts.
Episode Time Stamps
0:00-01:00 Introduction - Chris Argent opens the podcast
01:00-10:00 Health and Work Updates - Mike shares being ill, Giuseppe discusses work planning
10:00-15:00 Business Leadership - Discussion of Elon Musk moving Tesla from Delaware to Texas after pay package cancelled
15:00-20:00 Open Data Initiatives - Giuseppe reflects on challenges collecting public toilet data
20:00-25:00 Data Privacy and Transparency - Conversation about balancing open data and sensitive personal information
25:00-31:00 Board Decision Making - Importance of data literacy raised in relation to decisions at board level
31:00-39:00 Sports and Recreation - Lighter talk of rugby in Six Nations tournament
39:00-42:00 Global Trends - Mention of China surpassing Japan as top car exporter
42:00-45:00 Environmental Analysis - Increased global warming rates over time analysed
45:00-50:00 Conclusion - Podcast wraps up and thanks guests for insightful contributions
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Author
“Chris Argent isn’t here to play by finance’s old rulebook - he’s here to rewrite it.” From challenging outdated corporate thinking to rallying finance leaders around a more connected, adaptable future, the founder of GENCFO is leading a quiet revolution in how CFOs and finance leadership work, think, and influence. Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO, is a finance leader redefining the role beyond business partnering. A self-described “reluctant accountant,” he’s built a global community for progressive accounting and finance leaders who value connection over competition and action over tradition. Chris believes the greatest risk to the profession is clinging to outdated norms, and that mindset and adaptability outpace any technological change. His work champions leaders who turn new ideas into real-world change, blending people-centred strategies with new ways of working and technology. In conversations, he challenges, provokes, and inspires - proving that the future of finance belongs to those ready to lead it together.