David Hayes

Headline Partner

David Hayes, Chief Data Officer, The Open University

Describe your career to date

 

My career started out on the amazing graduate scheme at Anglian Water, then on through the telecoms industry, and onto banking with Santander UK. During my time there, I qualified as an accountant, which led me into analytics and, naturally, onto data. 

 

My eyes were opened to the importance of data as the essential business ingredient that it has always been, when I took part in – and then subsequently led – teams that successfully migrated data from legacy to new systems at Santander UK. Data has been my home ever since. 

 

Initially leading various operational data teams, I was asked to take on the new role of Chief Data Officer for Santander UK, to first lead the data compliance under BCBS239, then develop the full end-to-end data capability and service leading a team of around 350 people. 

 

In 2019 I took the decision to follow my passion into education, becoming the first Chief Data Officer at the Open University (OU). I am now continuing my data journey, expanding into the creation of digital capabilities that are underpinned by data, and helping the OU to make the most of the new opportunities presented by the ever-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI). 

 

It is a real privilege to be building and running an exciting new data chapter in support of our people and our students at an organisation that makes a huge difference to so many people.

Data literacy is a key enabler of the value and impact from data. How are you approaching this within your organisation?

 

Recognising the importance of a data-literate organisation, we are working to embed good data practices across the OU. This breaks down into three broad areas:

  1. We provide the tools, training, and skills necessary to the teams who use data day-to-day; be they analysts, engineers, or wider data specialists who in turn work with and present data to wider OU audiences. Our focus is primarily on getting this community to be as consistent in practice as possible, so that we can use them to drive out better and better practice; 
  2. We support people across the whole of the OU to understand the basics and not to be afraid of data. By working in partnership with the security and protection teams, we aim to demystify compliance and legal jargon, and make it as easy as possible to use data;  
  3. We are planning to develop wider awareness, training, and engagement processes that will enable people at all levels to be curious and confident with data and to improve their data literacy. We aim to do this by recognising that success will be dependent on the community of data specialists who they will turn to as their literacy improves.

 

How are you preparing your organisation for AI adoption and change management?

 

One of the benefits of working for an organisation like the OU is that there are many areas who not only understand AI, but also bring world class experience and research in where and how it can be used. 

 

We are now driving a roadmap that looks to use AI to both improve the student experiences and outcomes, while in parallel improve the processes that run the OU. This sees the team leading a multi-year investment in the machine learning operations capabilities and platforms that are needed to support and integrate AI, alongside delivering on a number of use cases that support students and staff throughout the journey towards delivering better student outcomes. 

 

All of this will be embedded into a wider process of continuous digital change at the OU, and in turn embedded into the design of user experiences. It is not always straightforward, but we are finding that if we can join the change we are making at an AI level to an agreed and prioritised student experience, it makes the process of operationalising the AI much simpler to deliver.

David Hayes
David Hayes
has been included in:
  • 100 Brands 2019 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2020 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2021 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2022 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2023 (EMEA)
  • 100 Brands 2024 (EMEA)

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