Your Board Has Funded AI. Is Your Data Ready to Deliver?
How New Zealand’s technology and data leaders are preparing their data for AI adoption.
Join an exclusive group of Technology and Data Leaders from some of New Zealand's leading organisations for this invite-only roundtable discussion.
- Wednesday, 2nd September 2026
- 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Gilt Brasserie, Auckland
Across New Zealand, boards have approved AI investment and executives are now expected to show results.
The problem is that many organisations are trying to deliver AI using data estates built for reporting, dashboards and batch processing. They were not built to support AI in production.
This is where projects start to slow down. Data is spread across different systems, definitions do not match, quality is inconsistent and ownership is often unclear.
The question is no longer whether your organisation should invest in AI. It is whether your data is ready to support that investment.
Hear from Lyle Brady of Warehouse Group, Andre Scheepers of Farmlands, and Prashant Dahalkar of Hexaware as they share how they are preparing their data for AI adoption, the decisions they have made and the challenges they are still working through.
The panel will then open into a roundtable discussion with technology and data leaders from across New Zealand.
We’ll discuss:
- Where existing data estates are holding back AI projects.
- How teams are improving data quality, governance and architecture without rebuilding everything.
- What needs to change before AI can move from pilots into production.
- How leaders are showing progress and responding to questions from the board.
- How enterprise leaders are using AI to prepare data for use by agents.
Join your peers to hear how other organisations are approaching the problem and compare what needs to happen next.
This event includes hosted dining (estimated value $130.00 NZD per person). We are pleased to accept payment for all or a portion of this event as permitted or required under your ethics laws and policies and can provide additional information or documentation upon request.
Agenda.
6:00pm - Arrival, Refreshments & Networking
6:15pm - Welcome & Introduction
6:20pm - Discussion Topic 1:
What are the most significant data challenges preventing AI initiatives from moving beyond pilots, and how are organisations prioritising improvements to enable AI at scale?
6:40pm - Discussion Topic 2:
How can technology and data leaders strengthen data quality, governance and architecture to support AI adoption while balancing cost, complexity and existing technology investments?
7:00pm - Discussion Topic 3:
As boards expect measurable returns from AI investments, what capabilities, metrics and governance should leaders demonstrate to show their data is ready to support AI in production—including emerging AI agents?
7:20pm - Discussion Wrap Up & Conclusion
7:30pm - Networking
8:00pm - Official Event Closed
Guests welcome to stay at leisure.
Speakers.
Lyle Brady
Group Chief Supply Chain Officer
Andre Scheepers
Chief Digital Officer (CDO)
Prashant Dahalkar
Senior Vice President
Edwin Gear
Roundtable Moderator
Venue.
Gilt Brasserie, Auckland
Gilt Brasserie is an elegant dining venue in the heart of Auckland, offering a sophisticated setting for corporate events, private dinners, and special celebrations. Showcasing modern brasserie-style cuisine crafted from premium New Zealand ingredients, the restaurant features stylish interiors, an extensive wine list, and exceptional service. Its versatile event spaces and refined ambiance create a memorable experience for groups of all sizes.
Address:
2 Chancery Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Hosts.
Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company that helps enterprises accelerate digital transformation through AI, cloud, data, digital engineering, and intelligent automation. Serving clients across industries, Hexaware combines deep domain expertise with innovative solutions to modernize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive measurable business outcomes.
