Description

I help mid-market CPG, FMCG, and logistics companies (£50M–£500M) implement AI strategies that deliver measurable results — not slide decks.

As a Fractional CAIO/CTO, I embed 1–3 days per week inside your organisation. Not advising from outside. Building from inside.

RECENT EXPERIENCE:

At pladis Global (£3B+ CPG — McVitie's, Godiva, Ülker), I spent 3.5 years as Global Director of Data & Analytics. I built a data team of 17 in 120 days, delivered AI-driven Revenue Growth Management across North America and Europe, and forged partnerships with Microsoft, Palantir, and AWS.

Before that: Group Digital Director at Saint-Gobain UK (£2.5B building materials). CTO at Homegrown (top-3 UK property crowdfunding platform). Enterprise technology leadership across Holland & Barrett, NTT, and Toyota.

WHAT I DELIVER:

- A working AI prototype within the first 30 days

- AI strategy aligned to your P&L and EBITDA goals

- Board-level reporting your CFO and CEO can use

- Team building and upskilling — capability, not dependency

- Data readiness assessment and AI governance frameworks

- Vendor evaluation (Microsoft, AWS, Palantir)

HOW IT WORKS:

1–3 days per week. 90-day initial engagement, rolling monthly. Senior-only delivery — I am in the room, not a junior consultant.

Industries: CPG, FMCG, Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain, Building Materials.

Credentials: 28 years tech leadership. Author of "Build the Right Thing." 2 digital patents. MBA, Cranfield School of Management.

Contact: | ainavi.co.uk

Industry field of expertise

Languages

English
Native or bilingual
Tamil
Native or bilingual

Workplace preferences

Can work on-site

London (up to 50km)

pladis Global
Global Director of Data & Analytics
October 2020 - April 2024 (3 years and 6 months)
London, United Kingdom
3.5 years leading enterprise AI transformation at a £3B+ global CPG company (McVitie's, Godiva, Ülker) with 16,000 employees across 13 countries.

- Scaled AI-driven Revenue Growth Management across Europe and North America, unlocking millions in incremental revenue
- Built a high-performing data team of 17 in 120 days with quick wins that secured executive board sponsorship
- Forged strategic partnerships with Microsoft, Palantir, and AWS to accelerate enterprise AI implementation
- Elevated the AI agenda at board level through executive immersion sessions and strategic roadmapping
IT Strategy AI Strategy artificial intelligence AI Implementation
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland
Group Digital Director
April 2014 - March 2016 (1 year and 11 months)
Led digital transformation for a £2.5B building materials business (Jewson, 600+ branches). Integrated acquired business units delivering multi-million synergies post-merger. Reported directly to Group CEO. Led eCommerce and multi-channel strategy.
AI Navi
Fractional Chief Technology Officer / Fractional CAIO
May 2024 - Today (2 years and 1 month)
London, United Kingdom
Fractional CAIO/CTO for mid-market CPG, FMCG, logistics, and manufacturing companies (£50M–£500M). Embedded 1–3 days per week inside client organisations to deliver AI strategy, build working prototypes, and train teams.

- Delivered AI applications (SalesGenius.ai, ApplyGenius.ai) using LLMs — reduced development cycles by 80%
- Built working AI prototypes in 3–5 days across 4 client engagements
- Implemented AI-driven workflows cutting operational costs by 85%+
- Advised Buynomics (AI pricing platform) during Series B — GTM strategy and global expansion