Small to Medium enterprises present a unique challenge for the Data Leader looking to build or lead a successful data function.

Agility and innovation can often balance out the potential limitations around resources and infrastructure that some SME data leaders may experience.

Experimentation, collaboration, a holistic vision, and careful nurturing of talent can often pay off for the data leader looking to “punch above their weight” in an SME environment… 

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Data has played a transformative role in the creation of the modern business landscape. The dynamic interplay between data, business strategy and the commercialisation of data assets has assisted in the creation of some of the largest and most profitable businesses on the planet. 

Today’s businesses, in any sector, must seek to understand how to harness data to drive innovation and unlock new revenue streams, how a data strategy should exist symbiotically with a business strategy and how to navigate the undoubted challenges, including ethical considerations, that underpin responsible data commercialisation.

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In an era of Open Banking, AI and APIs, it’s never been simpler to utilise financial services products to successfully manage personal and business finances.

However, much of the innovation and ease of use of these tools may not be widely known, distributed or discussed beyond the realm of financial services data experts.

Marilena Karanika is the Head of Innovation at Experian, providing data and analytics support across different product domains such as affordability, credit risk and insurance.

She has a background in credit risk modelling and loves translating data into behavioural insights that people and organisations can use to make better decisions.

She has been voted Innovator of the Year 2021 in the Women in Credit Awards and has been nominated for the UK Tech Professional Award in the Data category in 2024.

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According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, it’s estimated that 463 exabytes of data will be created each day globally, the equivalent of 212,765,957 DVDs per day.

Some of this data will be generated by machines, and some of it by humans. When that data is our data, when it’s personal or sensitive information, we need to ask ourselves when should and shouldn't that data be shared or even collected. Whether it’s for medical trials that lead to breakthroughs 'for good', or with the government, or with technology companies building new AI tools, we should understand and accept when our data should be kept private and minimised and where sharing or publishing would be a breach of trust.

Sorcha Lorimer is the Founder of Trace, a global privacy and data security startup where she has extensive client, product, and business building experience. Dually qualified in privacy and cyber security risk management, she takes a holistic and practical approach to helping Trace’s clients build trusted brands and data models and leverage a “by design” approach to privacy and security for competitive advantage. 

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Knowing why, how and where to build a data team is an art unto itself. Add in the ever changing and evolving landscapes of technology enablement and business practice to the mix and you have a very hard nut to crack.

And, if you are feeling that you could be doing with a little bit more to contend with, let’s throw in a whole load of regulatory compliance to the mix.

Dr. Greig Cowan is Head of Data Science and Engineering for Data Innovation at NatWest Group.

He has a PhD in physics from the University of Glasgow and prior to joining NatWest spent over a decade as a researcher in high-energy particle physics, working as a member of the LHCb collaboration at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

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Early careers in the Data Sector are often defined rigidly as graduate roles, following several years of campus-based study.

However, does this rigidity provide the diversity and breadth of experience and world view that the Data sector requires to be fully respondent to future challenges?

Are we in danger of subconsciously blocking wide sections of the population from a potential opportunity to shine?

Calum Mather is General Manager at Inov8 Consulting. His expertise has been honed over more than two decades of experience in the technology, data and business arenas.

With roles ranging from Senior Data Analyst through BI Consultant, HR Manager and beyond, his unique worldview has seen him become a passionate advocate of early careers strategies and promoter of the importance of offering diverse talent an opportunity to develop and succeed. 

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Artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Data represent 4 amazingly powerful technological forces in the modern age. From an individual, organisational and societal perspective across the world – all 4 have had a massive impact.

However, what are they really all about when you strip away the fake news and hype? What is the real deal?

Vicky Byrom is an award-winning data leader and innovator with over 20 years’ experience delivering cutting-edge data and analytics projects across both the private and public sectors. 

Currently CDAO at Zumo, Vicky’s been awarded “Data Analytics Leader of the Year” by DataIQ for her work at Merkle Aquila and was also a member of the Scottish Government’s AI Strategy Steering Committee.   

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