Where Engineering, Research, and Strategy Collide
Three perspectives. One mission: help organisations transform with AI without breaking.
What I Do
I help senior leaders in organisations execute AI transformation that actually works. Not Silicon Valley hype. Not vendor promises. Real transformation grounded in technology depth, research rigour, and organisational reality.
30+ years of experience. Two decades building enterprise software at scale (Carnegie Mellon, Texas Instruments, Sterling Software, IBM). 15+ years researching how organisations actually change under digital disruption. I've lived in the messy middle—shipping software in regulated industries, managing transformation within real constraints, and studying what actually works when billions of pounds and thousands of jobs are at stake.
Most AI transformation advice comes from two places: Silicon Valley startups who've never managed legacy systems, or vendors selling tools. I'm neither. I understand both the technology and the organisational realities that determine success or failure.
That's the difference. I've built systems, researched change, and advised boards. I know what works because I've done it, studied it, and helped others do it.
Three Perspectives, One Advantage
Most advisors bring one perspective. I bring three. That's why my advice works when others' doesn't.
The Practitioner
30+ years shipping enterprise software at scale. Carnegie Mellon research. IBM Distinguished Engineer. Founding CTO roles. I've built teams, delivered complex systems, and navigated the messy realities of enterprise transformation.
- Enterprise software delivery at scale
- Digital transformation program leadership
- Team building and scaling
- Complex system architecture and delivery
The Researcher
Founded the Surrey Centre for the Digital Economy. Directed a £11M UK National Research Centre on digital transformation. Lead the Defence Data Research Centre. My work is methodologically rigorous, peer-reviewed, and grounded in data about how organisations actually change—not how they should.
- £11M UK National Research Centre leadership
- Peer-reviewed research publications
- Empirical data on organisational change
- Methodologically rigorous analysis
The Advisor
Board-level strategy work across pharma, energy, defence, government, and regulated industries. I translate complex AI issues into decision-ready insight for leaders who need answers, not academic papers. Real risk. Real constraints. Real decisions.
- Board-level strategy advisory
- Cross-industry expertise (pharma, energy, defence)
- Decision-ready insight translation
- Risk management under uncertainty
Why This Matters
One perspective isn't enough. Silicon Valley advisors know tech but not enterprise constraints. Researchers know theory but not implementation. Traditional consultants know process but not technical depth.
I bring all three. That means I can:
- Translate between technical teams and executive leadership
- Ground strategy in empirical research, not just best practices
- Navigate the messy reality of enterprise transformation
- Make decisions under uncertainty with both data and experience
Where I Create Value
AI Strategy & Economics
Cut through the AI hype. I clarify real economics, the difference between "could" and "should," and why resilience beats theatrical pilots every time.
Organisational Transformation
Mental models and frameworks leaders can use immediately. Strategy, operating models, and organisational design that adapts as AI reshapes work.
Institutional Resilience
Technology change isn't enough. Universities, defence, government, and incumbents must evolve people, structures, and incentives—or fail. I show them how.
Governance & Policy
Navigate AI adoption and regulation. From UK government initiatives to organisational frameworks that actually work—not just look good on paper.