Richard Kiernan

Global Head of AI & Machine Learning Platforms Natwest RBS Group

I am the Global Head of Data Science AI Platforms for NatWest Group working. I am a highly accomplished and transformational leader with a strong focus on data driven transformation and AI in the financial sector with people, finance and technology. I have 35 years in IT, 26 years in management, I am a certified expert in AI and Cloud security. I have three degrees; first in Engineering, second in computing and third in management & finance, In Jan 2020 AWS invited me to join the AWS honorary SME programme formally recognising my AI expertise, in 2022 they elevated me to a full consulting partner for my contribution to the advancement of production AI & MLOps, I write AI certification exam questions and white papers for AWS, In 2022 the British Government asked me to join the Science and Technology Select Committee Round table to submit expert technology advice to ministers, I wrote the 2023 AI regulation recommendation presented by the CBI to the British government and its key arguments were accepted. I serve as a registered UK expert to the European commission. In NatWest I was responsible for federating our machine learning and AI capabilities. I led NatWest to successfully leverage Machine Learning & Generative AI technologies with an benefits of £100m+ over 5 years. In my spare time, I am a classical guitarist with The Royal College of Music, and like to laze around on my boat.