Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham has topped the 2018 DataIQ 100 list of the most influential leaders in data-driven business.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, the DataIQ 100 recognises the need to champion best practice in data-driven business.
Speaking at the launch of the 2018 list in Central London, Denham said: “DataIQ provides an important forum for data professionals to share best practice and learning – essential in such a fast paced and changing environment.
“Leaders and practitioners in this space – everyone in data and analytics – should learn from data, and augment their services through data intelligence, but also ensure that they don’t lose sight of their brand and the essence of their service.
“Data is a powerful tool; when used ethically and responsibly it can be used to empower and enrich all our lives.
“It is incumbent on all of us as data professionals to earn the trust and confidence of the public in how their personal data is used, so that everyone benefits in a data driven world.
“The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a game changer and a powerful incentive for businesses to embrace good data protection practice. I am encouraged by the many organisations that see the data opportunities the law presents, rather than the barriers it throws up.
“My role allows me to engage with progressive companies and public bodies looking to adopt privacy by design solutions. I am struck by entrepreneurial development of products which minimise the amount of personal data processed, and which maximise the control people have over their data.
“As the head of the agency charged with protecting UK citizens’ information rights, I am honoured to work with 500 staff dedicated to innovative regulation and excellent public service.”
David Reed, director of strategy at DataIQ, added: “Choosing the candidates for the DataIQ 100 2018 edition was a unique opportunity to understand how far data and analytics practitioners have come since our first list five years ago.
“With 475 nominations, it was the most diverse set of candidates that we have ever considered and the ?nal line-up is our strongest yet. It also reveals that 2017 was a breakthrough year for individuals, even more than it was for the industry as a whole.”
Richard Potter, CEO of artificial intelligence firm Peak, was named on the list.
He was praised by Reed for the roll-out of Peak’s commercial model and artificial intelligence service, which has revolutionised the IT and data analytics industries.
Peak has secured £3.5 million worth of investment since he co-founded the company in 2014.
Potter said: “We’ve worked extremely hard to grow the company to where we have in such a short space of time. To get to where we’ve got to so far is really good and this award is great recognition for that, the work we’ve done and the growing Peak brand.
“However, we’ve got a long way to go before we deliver on our full potential.”
The top ten professionals in the 2018 DataIQ 100 are below – view the full list here:
- Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner
- Gillian Tomlinson, CDO, RSA
- Andrew Day, CDO, Sainsbury’s
- Jon Hussey, Managing Director, Data and Strategic Analytics, Barclays
- Michael Greene, Group Data and Analytics Director, Tesco
- Paul Lodge, CDO, Department for Work and Pensions
- Lauren Sager Weinstein, CDO, Transport for London
- Orlando Machado, Global Director of Customer Analytics and Data Science, Aviva
- Martin Squires, Global Lead, Customer Intelligence and Data, Walgreens Boots Alliance
- Katia Walsh, Chief Global Data and Analytics Officer, Vodafone