Profile
A data leader with over 20 years’ experience designing and implementing data strategies within top-tier financial institutions. My focus lies in transforming how organisations manage, govern, and leverage their data assets—turning fragmented information into a genuine competitive advantage.
I specialise in building data-driven cultures from the ground up: establishing governance frameworks, implementing enterprise data platforms, and aligning data initiatives with strategic business objectives. The work spans the full spectrum, from regulatory compliance and data quality management through to cloud-native architectures and advanced analytics enablement.
Professional Experience
ADXP | Dubai, UAE
Senior Consultant – Data, Analytics and AI (February 2025–Present)
Providing strategic data consultancy for public sector digital transformation initiatives across the UAE. Leading the design of comprehensive data strategies and operating models for federal and local government entities, establishing foundational frameworks for data-driven decision making. Serving as primary subject matter expert across multiple transformation projects.
Advising senior leadership teams on the strategic value of data, analytics, and AI capabilities, fostering organisational buy-in and driving cultural change towards data-centric governance. Developed PMO functions for complex digital transformation programmes, defining governance frameworks and delivery mechanisms whilst managing stakeholder relationships across senior government officials.
Zand Bank | Dubai, UAE
Head of Data Enablement (May 2019–December 2024)
Leading the Data Function at one of the UAE’s newest digital banks, responsible for building data management capabilities from inception. Key achievements include implementing a best-in-class data platform integrating Master Data Management, Data Cataloguing, and Data Governance capabilities. I architected a scalable cloud-native data ecosystem—comprising data lake and data warehouse components—to support self-service business intelligence and ML/AI use cases.
Delivered the data policies and procedures instrumental in securing Zand’s banking licence, and continue to serve as custodian of the bank’s Enterprise Architecture blueprint.
First Abu Dhabi Bank | Dubai, UAE
Head of Data Governance Office, Vice President (October 2017–May 2019)
Established and led the Data Governance Office following the FGB-NBAD merger, harmonising legacy data governance programmes into a unified strategy. Educated executive leadership on treating data as a strategic asset whilst rolling out core governance processes and an enterprise-wide Data Quality reporting solution.
First Gulf Bank | Dubai, UAE
Head of Data Governance & Data Quality, Assistant Vice President (October 2013–October 2017)
Built the Data Governance function from scratch, designing the governance framework and data quality improvement methodology that underpinned the bank’s data management practices. Successfully implemented the Collibra Data Governance platform and directed development of a Customer Master Data solution supporting the enterprise CRM programme.
Standard Life Group PLC | Edinburgh, UK
Data Quality/Data Governance Consultant (August 2010–September 2013)
Provided data management consultancy for the Solvency II programme, designing and implementing a comprehensive governance framework and maturity model. Accountable for regulatory documentation supporting the Internal Model Approval Process.
Lloyds Banking Group | Edinburgh, UK
Senior Business Analyst, Data Governance (March 2009–August 2010)
Key member of the Data Governance, Architecture and Oversight function. Led data quality initiatives and developed measurement frameworks whilst serving as subject matter expert across multiple data quality tool suites.
HBOS PLC | Edinburgh, UK
Senior Business/Data Analyst (December 2003–March 2009)
Progressed through roles spanning the Chief Information Office, Corporate IT, and Credit Systems functions. Managed a team of 12 analysts delivering a single customer view as part of the Basel II programme.
Education
Master of Business Administration
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School — 2018
BA(Hons) Photography, Film & Imaging
Napier University — 2003