Work
Three ways to commission independent judgement on a digital or AI decision.
Every engagement here sells the same thing, judgement with no stake in the answer. What varies is the shape it takes. A decision at a single point takes a review. Where the decisions keep coming, it takes an adviser who stays in the room, or a seat on the board.
Independent review
A second opinion on a specific decision, before you commit. A supplier's proposal, a digital twin, a business case, a handover into operation. Fixed scope and a fixed end date, agreed before work starts. One written opinion, short enough for a board to read and specific enough to act on. A fixed fee, proposed within two working days of a first call.
The full scope of a review, including what is examined, what you receive, and what sits outside it.
Continuing advisory
Some decisions do not resolve in a single opinion. Where an owner or a leadership team needs independent judgement available across months rather than once, I work as a retained adviser. Client-side support while a supplier delivers. A platform or integrator procurement that needs its scope, evaluation criteria and contract shape set before it goes to market. A digital or data strategy that needs challenging before it is funded. A programme where someone has to be willing to say the thing nobody in the room is paid to say.
Bought as a retainer or a defined block of days, agreed in advance. The independence rule holds here as it does on a review. I take no delivery work and no supplier-side work on anything I am advising on, and any interest is declared before the engagement starts.
Board and non-executive
Boards are being asked to approve digital and AI investment at a scale most of them cannot test, on evidence they are not equipped to challenge. I take non-executive and advisory board appointments where that is the gap. What I bring is a chartered engineer fluent in digital, data and AI at board level, rather than a technologist who has learned the vocabulary of governance.
Private companies and advisory boards, in the UK and the UAE.
Speaking and writing
Keynotes, panels, media comment and bylines on digital, data and AI in infrastructure. Recent talks and published work are listed under Notes. Biography, photo and topics for comment are on the media page.
Start here
Tell me the decision you are facing, or the role you are trying to fill.