Data & AI Strategy

Making data
work harder
for your business

Senior consultant with 29+ years leading data and AI transformations across complex organisations. I help leadership teams build strategies and capabilities that make data-driven decisions the norm — not the exception.

29+
Years experience
9+
Organisations
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Data Strategy AI Transformation Operating Models Analytics Leadership Capability Building Board Advisory Data Governance ML & Predictive Data Strategy AI Transformation Operating Models Analytics Leadership Capability Building Board Advisory Data Governance ML & Predictive

Expertise

Where I add
the most value

01

Data Strategy & Vision

Defining where data can create genuine competitive advantage — and building the roadmap, governance, and investment case to get there. From board vision to tactical execution.

RoadmapsGovernanceInvestment Cases
02

AI & Analytics Transformation

Scaling analytics from ad hoc reporting to enterprise-wide intelligence. Designing programmes that land in production, not slide decks — including responsible AI and model governance.

ML ProgrammesResponsible AIScaling
03

Data Operating Models

Designing team structures, platform architecture, and ways of working that let organisations extract sustained value from data — balancing central control with domain agility.

Team DesignData MeshArchitecture
04

Leadership & Capability

Building data fluency at board and ExCo level. Coaching senior leaders and creating internal capability that sustains transformation long after the engagement ends.

Executive CoachingData LiteracyCDO Advisory

Services

What I can
do for you

Strategy & Vision
  • Data & AI Strategy Development
    Defining where data and AI can create genuine competitive advantage, with a clear roadmap and investment case to get there.
  • AI Readiness Assessment
    An honest evaluation of your organisation's capability, culture, and infrastructure to adopt and scale AI effectively.
  • Digital & Data Transformation Roadmapping
    Translating ambition into a sequenced, deliverable plan that balances quick wins with long-term structural change.
Architecture & Assurance
  • Enterprise Data Architecture Assurance
    Independent review of your data architecture to identify risk, reduce technical debt, and validate strategic alignment.
  • Solution Architecture Review & Validation
    Expert scrutiny of proposed solutions before you commit — ensuring they are fit for purpose, scalable, and commercially sound.
  • Technology Selection Advisory
    Vendor-neutral guidance to help you choose the right platforms and tools for your context and maturity level.
  • Cloud Data Platform Assessment
    Evaluating your cloud data platform against best practice to surface gaps, optimise cost, and improve performance.
Delivery Assurance
  • RFP / ITT Response Assurance
    Senior review of supplier responses to ensure you are buying what you think you are, and that commitments are realistic.
  • Programme & Delivery Assurance
    An independent eye on complex programmes to spot risk early, resolve blockers, and keep delivery on track.
  • Vendor & Partner Evaluation
    Structured assessment of potential partners, beyond the sales pitch and into what actually matters.
  • Business Case Development & Review
    Building or pressure-testing the commercial case for data and AI investment so it stands up to board-level scrutiny.
Thought Leadership & Advisory
  • Thought Leadership & Content Development
    Helping organisations and individuals articulate a clear, credible point of view on data and AI that builds authority and trust.
  • Executive & Board-Level Advisory
    Trusted senior counsel for C-suite and board members navigating complex data and AI decisions.
  • Conference Speaking & Industry Panels
    Bringing informed, practical perspectives to industry events, roundtables, and executive forums.
  • Data & AI Maturity Assessment
    A structured evaluation of where your organisation sits on the maturity curve and what it will take to progress.
Solutioning & Conceptualisation
  • Solution Conceptualisation & Design
    Shaping ideas into viable, well-defined solution concepts that bridge business need and technical delivery.
  • Proof of Concept Framing
    Defining the right scope, success criteria, and approach for a PoC so it generates genuine insight rather than false confidence.
  • Innovation Sprint Facilitation
    Fast-paced structured sessions that move teams from problem to validated concept, with tangible outputs and clear next steps.
  • Use Case Identification & Prioritisation
    Surfacing the highest-value data and AI opportunities and sequencing them for delivery.

Achievements

Work that moved
the needle

01 ——
Consumer Goods / Retail

Enterprise Data Strategy & Roadmap

Led the design of multi-year data strategies for a two multi-national organisations, aligning dozens of business units behind a single data vision. Secured board-level investment and established a central data function from scratch. Delivered measurable improvements in decision-making speed within 6 months.

£Big
Investment secured
02 ——
Consumer Goods/Retail

AI-Powered Consumer Analytics

Defined enterprise Agentic AI architecture and governance, enabling scalable AI use case delivery across the organisation. Demonstrated measurable impact on commercial performance through consumer feedback and agent-driven decision intelligence.

Unmeasurable
Increased Speed to Insight
03 ——
Consumer Goods / Retail / Government

Enterprise Data Management

Delivered the Enterprise Data Management and MDM foundations strategy and architecture enabling trusted, AI-ready data through governance, Golden Records, and data quality.

3
Organisations
04 ——
Consumer Goods / Retail

Data Foundations & AI Readiness Strategy

Established enterprise Data Foundations enabling reusable, governed data assets across all business domains. Deliverables included reference architecture, technology and data roadmaps, capability models, data product taxonomy, data governance uplift and establishing domain delivery programmes.

100+
Use Cases Executed

Philosophy

How I work

01

Commercial first

Every data and AI initiative should be traceable to a business outcome. I start with the problem the organisation needs to solve, not the technology available to solve it.

02

Pragmatic over perfect

Perfection is the enemy of progress. I help organisations move at pace — delivering early value, building momentum, and scaling what works.

03

Capability, not dependency

The best engagement leaves the organisation stronger than I found it. I embed skills, ways of working, and confidence — not reliance on external advice.

04

Honest counsel

I tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Strategic clarity — including the hard conversations — is the most valuable thing I can offer.

Testimonials

In their
own words

"

I owe you so much, thank you for being so kind and helpful in my upskilling journey (Agentic AI).

Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Consumer Healthcare

"

It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with you on data management, especially data quality. Your insights and thought leadership were instrumental to get the foundations right.

Global Head of Data Quality, Consumer Healthcare

"

[Your clarity of thought, questionning and sense of humour made work interesting while working with you.]

Enterprise Architect, Consumer Healthcare

Let's work together

Got a data
challenge? Let's
talk.

Available for strategic engagements, interim data leadership, and board advisory roles. Based in the East Midlands — working UK-wide.

Free initial consultation
Start with a no-obligation conversation about your challenge. If there's a fit, we'll agree the right engagement model from there.
Hourly
Ideal for focused advisory sessions, architecture reviews, or ad hoc expert input.
Day Rate
Suited to workshops, assurance reviews, and short-form engagements where you need a full day of focused attention.
Project
Fixed-scope engagements with clear deliverables — from strategy development to programme assurance.