The Tech Executive Podcast
“Designed for tech leaders to share their successes, tips and tricks, for an audience of aspiring leaders in the same industry”
E8: Meet Soundararjan (Senior Director AI @ Microsoft): Soundararajan & Charlie
Whilst only having the pleasure to recently connect with Soundararajan, it was clear that we just had to sit down and record an episode!
Soundararajan has been working for Microsoft for the past 7 years, where he built and lead a new AI program from the ground up, scaling this to a high performing program that is recognised throughout different business units at Microsoft.
Before this he worked for one of the biggest engineering/ technology companies in Germany, Bosch, for over 12+years.
Our conversations really dive into how AI is reshaping not just how we hire and recognise talent, but also how our education systems are being transformed to prepare the talent of the future for whats to come.
An episode you won't want to miss out on! 🎙️
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E9: Meet Abhinav (CTO & ERP Lead (Asia) @ Microsoft):
Abhinav & Charlie
In this latest episode, I sit down with Abhinav Saxena, CTO & ERP Lead for Microsoft Asia, whose career has been defined by closing some of the largest D365 deals and shaping how Business Applications are delivered at scale.
We start by diving into his journey into ERP and how the industry has evolved from standalone systems to integrated business applications covering finance, supply chain, sales, service, analytics, and low-code automation. Abhinav shares how executive buyers today look beyond features and focus on outcomes that span entire organisations.
Our conversation then shifts to the future with Agentic AI—systems that don’t just inform but act. Abhinav explains how AI agents are moving from copilots to co-workers, what differentiates hype from real value, and how companies can quickly showcase tangible business outcomes while keeping risk in check through governance and responsible adoption.
Finally, we touch on why adoption patterns differ across regions, with Asia scaling AI-driven business applications at speed, while Europe takes a more cautious, regulation-heavy approach. This episode is full of practical insights on how tech leaders can position themselves for success in the new era of intelligent, outcome-driven business platforms.
Don't miss this!
E10: Meet Frank (Co-Founder @ Directions for Partners & CEO @ DynamicsGlobalProjects):
Frank & Charlie
In this episode, we sit down with Mr Frank Maier, a well-known figure in the Microsoft Business Central ERP community, co-founder of Directions for Partners (the largest and most successful Microsoft Partner community), and CEO of Dynamics Global Projects. Frank shares his journey from where things first begun in his ERP journey, to now becoming a key leader in global Business Central projects and community building.
Together, we explore the evolution of the D365 ecosystem - from the rise of Directions for Partners to the major transformations driven by AI and international expansion. Frank offers candid insights into global project delivery, cultural challenges, talent shortages, recruitment pitfalls, and what truly matters when partners compete for new projects.
This conversation is packed with honest advice for partners, aspiring leaders, and anyone navigating the fast-changing world of ERP. Whether you’re scaling internationally, hiring talent, or preparing for the next era of Business Central, Frank’s experience offers valuable guidance for the years ahead.
One to check out! 🎙️
Meet the Host
Mr Charlie Punshon is the Director & Founder of rivera, (a bespoke Microsoft D365 and M365 recruitment partner company), with over seven years of recruitment experience in the technology and IT sector. He has built a strong reputation across Germany and Europe for his deep expertise in the Microsoft D365, M365 and AI space, connecting top talent with leading organisations.
Known for his ability to foster genuine, long-term relationships, Charlie has developed an extensive professional network and grown a following of over 16,000+ on LinkedIn. He's also the host of a popular tech podcast, where he shares industry insights, trends, and conversations with key voices in the tech world.
Charlie's passion lies in bridging the gap between innovation and people - helping businesses grow and professionals thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.