We know—it’s Saturday. And yes, you’re getting a blog from us. But trust us, this is worth the weekend interruption.
We’re absolutely thrilled to share some truly incredible news! Our Advisor, Mentor, and friend, Davin Crowley-Street, Chief Data Officer for National Highways, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 and will be awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the Safety of the Road Network.
Let that sink in for a moment. A Data Leader is being awarded an OBE for the services they provide to their industry!
Instantly, we asked Davin, how does it feel to be awarded an OBE, and he told us…
” To be honest, I’m still feeling a little stunned about the whole thing. But I feel super proud to be recognised and thankful I’ve got to work with so many wonderful people – after all, no one gets to where they are by themselves.”
We couldn’t help but ask if Davin thought this would impact how data leaders are seen, because let’s be honest, if the King thinks you’re valuable, that must silence any other doubters?
Davin told us “I really hope this sends a message to people that whilst a career in data often feels like pushing water up hill on your own, the fact is, you’re just at the front of the pack with the responsibility to lead and create the path for the future to follow. You’ll have more support than you think, much of it will be silent, but push forward knowing that history will be on your side.”
It’s a proud moment not just for Davin, but for everyone who works in and around data, analytics, digital and AI. This honour recognises the impact that great leadership and vision in data can have on organisations, infrastructure, and the public
We’re honoured to know and work alongside Davin. His leadership, mentorship, and passion have shaped not only our work but also the wider data and digital community.
Davin, from all of us—congratulations. We couldn’t be more proud.
Driven by Data Podcast
Listen to Davin’s first appearance on the Driven by Data Podcast, where he chats to Kyle about how to value data like any other asset.
What Happens After Putting a Valuation on Your Data Assets?
Read and listen to Davin’s second appearance on the Podcast two years later, which happens to be one of our all-time most listened to episodes, being downloaded and played all over the world. Together, Kyle and Davin catch up on the progress over the two years, considering data culture, leadership and data challenges.
Author
She is also an award-winning content creator, podcast host, event moderator, and speaker, with multiple honors and recognitions, including the CN 30underThirty in 2022. She leverages her expertise and passion for data and infosec to produce and host industry-leading content, moderate large-scale events, and spearhead communities that foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among professionals and leaders.
In addition, Catherine is an instructor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder Business School, where she teaches the Marketing Intelligence and Performance Optimization module for their Data and Marketing Analytics Course. She enjoys sharing her insights and best practices with the next generation of data and marketing analysts.
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Economic and Social Studies from Cardiff University, with a focus on sociology. She is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the industry, and is a vocal ally and advocate. Outside of work, she loves gardening and spending time with her partner, son and two Pomeranians.
