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Global Advisory Board

The Driven by Data Global Advisory Board, comprised of 16 leading Chief Data & Analytics Officers, will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction and impact of everything we do at Orbition Group. Our mission is to ensure that every event, piece of content, and business initiative is designed to empower and elevate the data community.

As the Driven by Data community has grown, we felt now was the correct time to create a board who come from a range of different organisations, sectors, backgrounds and experiences, who will serve as the voice of the wider community, ensuring we’re always remaining current and most importantly, continuing to aid our vision to make the Data & Analytics community and ecosystem a better place by sharing, collaborating and learning from and with each other.

By leveraging the diverse expertise and insights of our board members, we believe we will remain positioned at the forefront of industry trends, driving innovation and delivering unparalleled value to data professionals worldwide.

Chief Data Officer, Lloyds Banking Group

Ranil Boteju

Ranil Boteju brings over 25 years of global experience in transforming businesses and creating value through advanced analytics, data, and machine learning product delivery, as well as data commercialisation.

Ranil Boteju brings over 25 years of global experience in transforming businesses and creating value through advanced analytics, data, and machine learning product delivery, as well as data commercialisation. He has held senior leadership roles at top-tier organisations, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Vodafone, Standard Chartered Bank, and HSBC. Currently, Ranil serves as the Group Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, where he is dedicated to enabling the Bank’s Purpose—Helping Britain Prosper—through data and AI, and is the accountable Executive for delivering the Bank's Data and Machine Learning Strategy.

In addition to his role at Lloyds Banking Group, Ranil also serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Information Commissioner's Office, the UK's independent authority responsible for upholding information rights in the public interest. His core skills include industrialising and scaling machine learning data services to transform customer experiences, enhance customer journeys, and deliver personalised, relevant interactions. With significant experience in building and leading multi-disciplinary, multi-geographical, and agile cross-functional teams focused on data commercialisation outcomes, Ranil has made a substantial impact in regions spanning Europe, China, Asia Pacific, the US, Mexico, and MENA. As a dual citizen of Australia and the UK, he has lived and worked in Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.

Chief Data Officer at Merlin Entertainment

Kinnari Ladha

Kinnari Ladha is a leading industry expert and senior executive in Data and Analytics with over 20 years of experience in consultancy and client-side roles.

Kinnari Ladha is a leading industry expert and senior executive in Data and Analytics with over 20 years of experience in consultancy and client-side roles. She specialises in leveraging data to drive growth, innovation, and transformation across various industries, including Telecoms, Retail, Travel, and Automotive.

Kinnari has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named in the DataIQ 100 for the past six years and the top 20 Women in Data and Tech for 2023. As an active industry speaker, she promotes the possibilities within data and analytics through thought leadership and best practices. Passionate about diversity and supporting women in technology, Kinnari mentors and nurtures talent in the analytics and data industry, contributing significantly to its growth and development.

Chief Data Analytics Officer, Diageo

Steve Janoo

Steve Janoo is a global transformation leader with over 20 years of experience in delivering measurable business results through technology and data across the entire value chain.

Steve is a global transformation leader with over 20 years of experience in delivering measurable business results through technology and data across the entire value chain, from product development and engineering to marketing, sales, and customer service. He has led multiple transformation programmes that enabled 5X profit growth and a significant pivot to direct-to-consumer sales at one of the world’s most renowned innovation companies.
Currently, Steve is shaping the future of Diageo through data, analytics, insights, and AI, all enabled by digital technology. Diageo, a global organisation with over 200 brands, 30,000 employees, 180+ locations, and revenues of £17 billion, benefits from his strategic leadership.
Steve’s personal purpose is to imagine a better future and connect with others to bring it to reality, creating a lasting legacy. He is driven by the challenge of bringing ingenuity to make the seemingly impossible possible.
Chief Data Officer at Financial Times

Kate Sargent

Kate Sargent is the Chief Data Officer at The Financial Times, with over 25 years of experience in leading consumer-facing organisations across retail, travel, and media.

Kate is the Chief Data Officer at The Financial Times, bringing over 25 years of experience in leading consumer-facing organisations across retail, travel, and media. Since joining the FT in April 2023, Kate has been responsible for shaping and executing the organisation's Data Strategy, creating value from their data assets, and overseeing Data Governance, Data Science & AI, Analytics, Research, and Business Intelligence.
Before her role at The Financial Times, Kate held key positions in several prominent organisations, where she developed a passion for driving commercial value through data. Her expertise lies in using data to understand and influence customer behaviour, helping businesses achieve greater customer centricity and operational excellence.
Kate’s deep experience and strategic leadership make her a key figure in the media industry, where she continues to push the boundaries of what data can achieve in enhancing customer experience and business outcomes.
Chief Data Officer at Highways England

Davin Crowley-Sweet

Davin is an accomplished Chief Data Officer, currently at National Highways, with expertise in the transport and built environment sectors.

Davin is an accomplished Chief Data Officer, currently at National Highways, with expertise in the transport and built environment sectors. He is passionate about leveraging data and digital-centric change to implement transformative initiatives that significantly impact businesses, lives, the economy, and the environment. With extensive experience in leading complex, multi-million-pound transformation programmes, Davin possesses a deep understanding of the technical and non-technical risks and opportunities involved in achieving lasting change.

As a recognised thought leader and public speaker, Davin has shared his insights through articles published in Forbes magazine. His influence in the data industry is further evidenced by his recognition as one of DataIQ’s top 100 most influential people in data since 2019. Davin thrives on driving change, particularly in challenging and complex environments, and his enthusiasm for innovation and problem-solving positions him as a key player in advancing the data field.

Chief Client Solutions Officer at Annalect

Lauren Walker

Lauren is a Digital Transformation Executive with over 20 years of experience in global and executive roles, driving change at the intersection of digital, data, technology, and customer centricity.

Lauren Walker is a distinguished Digital Transformation Executive with over 20 years of experience in global and executive roles, driving change at the intersection of digital, data, technology, and customer centricity. Her career began in U.S. politics before transitioning to strategic marketing at ChoicePoint (now LexisNexis), and she later advanced through key roles at IBM, leading to senior positions at dentsu international. Currently, Lauren leads at Accenture Song, where she founded the Song Data & Analytics service line in Europe and the UKI. Her expertise spans digital and data strategy, technology, data monetisation, and operational excellence, all focused on enhancing customer experience in advertising, marketing, and CRM.

Recognised as a Top 100 UK Data Leader from 2014 to 2022 by DataIQ and a Global Top 100 Data Visionary by HotTopics in 2020, Lauren is a sought-after keynote speaker and panellist at industry events hosted by IDC, Salesforce, and Gartner/Evanta. She is dedicated to community education, actively participating in the Huxley Summit hosted by the British Science Association, where she debates the benefits and cautions of data and technology. Lauren’s passion for digital transformation and data-driven excellence continues to make significant contributions to her organisations and the broader community.

Chief Data, Analytics & AI Officer

Sanjeevan Bala

Sanjeevan Bala has been at the frontier of several transformations that have reshaped the business landscape.

Sanjeevan Bala has been at the frontier of several transformations that have reshaped the business landscape. His unique perspective comes from the lessons he’s acquired from being the most senior international leader hired to drive growth through the delivery of offensive data strategies that are value generative. He has a reputation of horizon scanning and being able to translate these emergent themes capabilities into opportunities and has honed this through his experience in companies ranging from digital marketplaces (eBay & Zopa), retail (Tesco-Dunnhumby, Ocado, Bestfoods & Sobeys), healthcare (Medicaid & Schering Plough), Utilities (Centrica & Powergen), Financial Services (Barclays, Lloyds of London & Citibank), media and entertainment (TimeWarner, BSkyB, Channel4 & ITV) and premium auctioneers (Sothebys).
He has complemented his vast executive experience with two International FTSE listed board appointments and as a result can provide a unique perspective on value creation through innovation at the highest level of leadership.

Additionally, he sits on a number of International Advisory boards - Data IQ, Gartner CDAIO, DMA (Data & Marketing Association) where he further influences the agenda for the digital, data and AI community. He amplifies his experience through his bi-annuall guest lecture at INSEAD where he teaches AI to the next generation of Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) students.

His work has won numerous international awards for diversity and innovation and he has been recognised as the most influential person in Data & AI by DataIQ.

Director of Data, The Pensions Regulator

Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen is the Director of Data Services at The Pensions Regulator (TPR), a role she took on in November 2023.

Lisa Allen is the Director of Data Services at The Pensions Regulator (TPR), a role she took on in November 2023. In this position, Lisa is committed to embedding data at the heart of TPR’s operations, ensuring the organisation functions efficiently, transparently, and to the benefit of pension savers. Her leadership is key to TPR’s strategy of enhancing data management to achieve better outcomes for the public.

Lisa is a highly experienced data professional with a proven track record of leading data teams across the UK public sector. Throughout her career, she has driven initiatives that unlock the value of data, delivering significant benefits for society, the environment, and the economy. Her work in the environmental sector, both in the public domain and the not-for-profit space, has been particularly impactful. At the Environment Agency, she helped position the UK as a global leader in open data implementation and its positive impact.

During her time at the Open Data Institute, Lisa supported Ofwat in developing their H2Open Strategy, ensuring effective use of data to enhance water management. As Chair of DAMA UK, the leading organisation for data professionals, Lisa works to raise industry standards, promoting collaboration and professional development across the UK and internationally.

At TPR, Lisa continues to apply her extensive experience to ensure data is used effectively to protect and promote the interests of pension savers. Her commitment to ethical data practices, transparency, and innovation makes her a key figure in advancing the role of data within public service.

Chief Data Officer at CapitalOne UK

Dan Kellet

Dan Kellet is an award-winning data leader with over 20 years of experience in developing and overseeing model-based solutions for consumer credit.

Dan Kellet is an award-winning data leader with over 20 years of experience in developing and overseeing model-based solutions for consumer credit. His career is distinguished by his deep expertise in deploying complex Machine Learning techniques to drive innovative, data-driven strategies across the entire customer lifecycle. From marketing and application risk assessment to customer management, Dan has applied his skills to a wide array of geographies, consistently delivering results that enhance business performance.

Dan's journey in data science began with a passion for solving intricate problems through advanced analytics and machine learning. Over the years, he has honed his ability to build and implement Machine Learning applications that provide actionable insights and support critical decision-making processes. His work has not only been instrumental in optimizing customer interactions but also in minimizing risk and driving sustainable growth for the organizations he has served.

Currently, Dan serves as the Head of Data Science, Data Analytics, and Data Stewardship at Capital One UK, where he leads a team of over 80 highly skilled data professionals. In this role, he is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s data strategy, ensuring that Capital One remains at the forefront of innovation in the financial services industry. Dan's leadership is marked by his ability to foster collaboration, drive strategic initiatives, and build high-performing teams that excel in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.

Throughout his career, Dan has been recognized for his contributions to the field of data science, earning accolades for his innovative approaches and successful implementation of cutting-edge technologies. He is also a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, where he shares his insights on pragmatic data science, the practical application of Machine Learning, and the art of building successful analytic teams. Dan’s presentations are known for their clarity, practicality, and the wealth of experience he brings to each topic.

In addition to his technical expertise, Dan is a strong advocate for the ethical use of data and the importance of data stewardship in modern business. He believes that responsible data governance is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring that data-driven decisions are made with integrity and transparency. Under his guidance, Capital One UK has implemented robust data stewardship practices that align with industry standards and regulatory requirements, further solidifying the company’s reputation as a leader in responsible data management.

Dan’s influence extends beyond his work at Capital One UK. He is actively involved in the broader data science community, mentoring up-and-coming data scientists and contributing to thought leadership in the field. His commitment to advancing the discipline of data science and his dedication to nurturing talent have made him a respected figure in the industry.

With a career that spans two decades, Dan Kellet continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with data. His ability to blend technical expertise with strategic vision has not only driven significant business outcomes but has also positioned him as a key leader in the ever-evolving landscape of data science and analytics. As he continues to lead and innovate, Dan remains committed to using data to create meaningful, lasting impact in the world of consumer finance and beyond.

Partner, JMAN Group

Natalie Cramp

Natalie is a Partner at JMAN Group, responsible for helping to shape and drive JMAN’s global delivery model and develop innovative solutions for clients.

Natalie is a Partner at JMAN Group, responsible for helping to shape and drive JMAN’s global delivery model and develop innovative solutions for clients to enable them to maximise the potential of data and AI in this rapidly evolving field. She brings over 15 years of experience in leading private, public, and third sector organisations through significant periods of innovation and change, having joined JMAN after five years leading a data and AI consultancy.

She is particularly passionate about the people elements of transformation and how to help business leaders navigate the data and AI landscape to maximise its potential. As such, she’s a regular speaker for Vistage, delivering training to C-suite leaders on creating value from data and AI for their businesses, and has co-founded an AI accelerator programme for data leaders. Natalie is also a non-executive director of recruitment company, Generative.

A recognised leader in the data field, Natalie has been named in the Tech Women Celebration 50, the Twenty in Data and Tech 2023, and the DataIQ 100 multiple times. She takes an active role in the data community, chairing a cross-industry Data Ethics Advisory Board, leading Women in Data’s Women’s Health work, and serving as a member of the Mayor’s Data for London Advisory Board. Natalie’s career as a problem solver has seen her on both client and consultancy sides, as well as part of the team rapidly scaling organisations, including the London 2012 Olympics.

Chief Data Officer at Tempcover

Graeme McDermott

Graeme is an accomplished data professional with a degree in Actuarial Science. After beginning his career in insurance pricing and reserving, he transitioned to data.

Graeme is an accomplished data professional with a degree in Actuarial Science. After beginning his career in insurance pricing and reserving, he transitioned to data, spending 17 years at The AA as Data & Insight Director. There, he led data governance, engineering, and analytics for over 40 products through five changes of corporate ownership.
Graeme then became Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Addison Lee, modernising their data estate. In 2020, he joined the board of Tempcover as Chief Data Officer, driving data transformation and literacy. A recognised industry leader, Graeme has been featured in the DataIQ Top 100 five times and actively contributes to the data community through speaking, mentoring, and advisory roles.
Data Product & Strategy Director, Profusion

Caroline Zimmerman

Caroline Zimmerman is a data professional with a unique blend of experience in data strategy, storytelling, and design, stemming from her background as a literary agent and an MBA.

Caroline Zimmerman is a data professional with a unique blend of experience in data strategy, storytelling, and design, stemming from her background as a literary agent and an MBA. She is passionate about combining data, storytelling, and design to help organisations achieve profitable growth by designing data strategies and product roadmaps. Caroline excels in building and leading multidisciplinary teams, including data specialists, product managers, scrum masters, user researchers, and subject matter experts, ensuring that data products solve the right problems for both end users and the organisation.

Caroline is hands-on, often getting technical herself to ensure successful outcomes. She strongly believes in the power of bringing one’s full humanity into the workplace, fostering an environment where individuals can express their whole selves. By doing so, she aims to create a more inclusive and successful organisational culture.

Caroline’s approach integrates data expertise with a deep understanding of user needs and organisational goals, driving impactful data solutions and fostering a more humane and effective workplace.

Director of Customer Data Sciences at Aviva

Tom Spencer

Tom Spencer is an award-winning Customer Data Science and Analytics leader with a strong background in retail and financial services.

Tom Spencer is an award-winning Customer Data Science and Analytics leader with a strong background in retail and financial services. He excels in collaborating up to C-level executives to drive growth and profit through data science and analytics. Known for his resilience and pragmatic problem-solving skills, Tom has a proven track record of driving actionable insights from data in high-pressure environments.

With extensive experience leading multinational analytics teams, Tom is adept at getting the best results under challenging conditions. He is a clear communicator, capable of translating complex technical concepts into engaging and understandable terms for non-expert audiences. His genuine passion for helping individuals reach their full potential is a key aspect of his leadership style. Tom is also a keen learner, continuously seeking new challenges for personal and professional development.

In addition to his leadership roles, Tom serves on the Dataiku Advisory Board and the DataIQ Leaders Advisory Board, where he contributes to advancing the field of data science and analytics.

Chief Data Officer (CDAIO) at Zurich Insurance

Alex Sidgreaves

Alex is a highly experienced data professional with a true passion for data and its transformative potential.

Alex is a highly experienced data professional with a true passion for data and its transformative potential. Currently serving as the Chief Data Officer at Zurich Insurance, she holds the responsibility of setting the data strategy for the UK organization. Her goal is to ensure that the business fully embraces the power of data and derives continuous customer and business benefits from this invaluable asset.

With 20 years of experience in the industry, Alex has held various data-focused positions. Throughout her career, she has successfully overseen large-scale, award-winning data transformation projects, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful change.

Alex's expertise and contributions have been widely recognised in the industry. Her team at Zurich Insurance has been acknowledged as an award-winning team for diversity and inclusion, highlighting her commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Furthermore, Alex herself has been recognised multiple times as one of the 100 most influential people in the data field and achieved the No. 1 spot in 2024, solidifying her reputation as a thought leader and expert in her field.

Beyond her role at Zurich Insurance, Alex actively contributes to the data community. She serves as a Co-Chair for Evanta, a platform that brings together top executives to collaborate and share insights. As a governing body member for DataIQ, she plays a key role in shaping the data landscape. Moreover, Alex is a passionate advocate for diversity in the workplace, serving as the co-Chair of the cultural awareness network.

Driven by her passion for data and its potential to drive positive change, Alex is dedicated to promoting data literacy and culture within organisations. She firmly believes in the importance of Data Ethics and Responsible AI, always striving to ensure that data-driven decisions are made ethically and responsibly.

Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Transform

Will Lowe

Will Lowe is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Transform, bringing over 20 years of experience in consulting organisations on customer centricity, value creation from data, data science, data regulations, and marketing technology.

Will Lowe is the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Transform, bringing over 20 years of experience in consulting organisations on customer centricity, value creation from data, data science, data regulations, and marketing technology. His career began in marketing roles at Nestle and Diageo before he spent a decade at dunnhumby, where he helped global retailers and brands enhance customer centricity and monetise their customer data. Will also served as the Managing Director of Callcredit’s (now TransUnion) Marketing Division, one of the UK’s largest consumer data and digital marketing businesses.

At Transform, Will leads a team of experts dedicated to helping businesses transform through data and technology. His extensive experience in data, analytics, personalised communications, and organisational change has enabled numerous private and public sector organisations to deliver large-scale, transformational data and digital projects, positioning them for a more efficient and effective future.

Recognised as one of DataIQ’s 100 most influential people in data, Will is passionate about helping organisations extract value from their data and actively welcomes discussions on the topic.

Director of Data and Automation at British Airways

Sarah Barr Miller

Sarah was appointed Director of Data and Automation at British Airways in April 2021, during the height of the pandemic.

Sarah is the Director of Data and Automation at British Airways, having joined in April 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Her team curates and manages the data that underpins a global airline, travel business, and retail platform, and she leads a substantial modernisation programme.
Before joining British Airways, Sarah spent 20 years working in data and analytics, leading global teams to deliver action-focused, data-driven insights and solutions. A pivotal 12 years of her career were spent at dunnhumby – a global leader in data, synonymous with Tesco’s success – where, as Data Director, she worked with retailers worldwide to better understand and utilise their data through activities such as marketing, pricing, and promotions.
At British Airways, Sarah is leading the migration of data and analytics to the cloud, enabling faster decision-making and operationalised machine learning. Her team also delivers tangible value and improves customer experiences by automating processes through RPA technology.
Sarah is passionate about people development, value generation, and data-led transformation.

The Orbition Group Community

Orbition is very fortunate to host an expert community, which is made up of data & analytics leaders from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Our community has been carefully built and assembled over a period of time, with value being at the centre of everything we do.

The Orbition Group Community was founded on the premise of ‘giving back’ to the global data analytics community with whom we serve talent solutions.

Driven by Data: The Podcast

One of the most popular thought-leadership podcasts in the world (over 20k listeners in 100+ countries)

Driven by Data: The Mentorship

A leading mentorship program connecting leading data & analytics executives with aspiring leaders of the future

Driven by Data: The Magazine

Unleashing the Power of Data for the World’s Leading Data, Analytics & AI Executives, in the form of our official magazine