Our host, Meltano Founder & CEO, Aaron Phethean speaks with Ian Pudney, who leads data at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), about building data practices that fit an organisation’s real needs. They explore why software and data create ongoing costs and risks, why data teams shouldn’t blindly copy large-tech approaches, and how AI is helping a small team work faster and deliver more tailored insights.

The conversation covers practical choices around data minimisation, architecture, semantic layers, dashboards, and source control. Ian’s central message: focus on the value a tool or activity delivers and be thoughtful about the maintenance burden it brings.