Adrian Joseph OBE is one of the UK’s most respected voices on data, artificial intelligence, and technology, renowned for helping organisations harness innovation to solve real-world challenges. A former Expert Member of the UK AI Council, he contributed to shaping the country’s National AI Strategy and has advised governments, businesses, and founders on how to unlock the opportunities of emerging technologies. Adrian has spoken at leading events including the CogX Festival, Birmingham Tech Week, and the AI Summit Fringe, inspiring audiences with his clear, practical insights into how AI can transform industries and society.
Adrian’s career journey reflects both breadth and depth across the technology landscape. After studying Economics at the University of Manchester and completing an MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School, he began his professional life with Ford Motor Company before moving into consulting with A.T. Kearney. His career then accelerated through senior leadership roles at Google, where he led divisions spanning search advertising, enterprise analytics, and customer solutions. This global experience gave him a deep understanding of how technology reshapes markets and consumer behaviour, laying the groundwork for his future specialism in AI.
In subsequent years, Adrian cemented his reputation as a transformative leader. As Head of AI at EY, he drove change across sectors such as big data and robotic process automation. Later, as Chief Data & AI Officer at BT, he managed teams across multiple countries and embedded new AI-driven operating models into one of the UK’s largest companies. Alongside these executive roles, he has served as a Non-Executive Director at Direct Line Group and as a Member of NatWest Group’s Technology Advisory Board. Trusted by founders across healthtech, agritech, and climate innovation, he continues to champion AI adoption and its potential to fuel growth and resilience.
Adrian’s achievements have been widely recognised: he was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to equality and diversity in business, and named by the Financial Times as one of the Top 10 Most Influential BAME Tech Leaders in the UK. As a motivational speaker, he draws on his exceptional career to inspire audiences with stories of leadership, resilience, and innovation. He is valued for his ability to demystify complex technologies, motivate organisations to embrace change, and show how data and AI can deliver not just commercial success, but also meaningful societal progress.
