The Alan Turing Institute, the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence (AI), has announced that Simon Reeve has been appointed as its Director of Innovation.
Simon is the former Vice President, Technology and Innovation at Lloyd’s Register Group and Director of Commercial Engagement at long-term Turing partner Lloyd's Register Foundation.
Simon’s appointment will help to support the Institute’s goal to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems using data science and AI across several areas:
- Increasing the impact of the Institute in delivering positive change to society through entrepreneurship and commercial application of data science and AI
- Providing innovation leadership to the Institute’s team and its vibrant partnership network, in cooperation with the executive leadership team, in support of its research and innovation strategy and goals
- Promoting and facilitating engagement and partnership between the Turing’s community, private and public sector businesses, government, and non-government bodies, to accelerate innovation opportunities, delivering data and artificial intelligence science solutions in support of the Turing’s mission.
Simon brings with him a wide range of technology, innovation and commercial business experience having worked nationally and internationally in many cross-sector technical, operational and governance roles. Following a 20-year career in the power sector, including leading technology development in gas, steam and renewable business areas, Simon joined Lloyd's Register in 2010, initially in its energy business where he seeded Lloyd's Register’s renewable sector activity and developed new business across all areas of the energy sector. After several years heading the Lloyd's Register Singapore Global Technology Centre, Simon co-led the introduction of digital innovation and agile product development processes across the Lloyd's Register Group as part of the CTO team.
Most recently he has been working with Lloyd's Register Foundation and its partners, establishing commercial businesses to deliver sustainable impact as part of the output from major research grants. Simon is already connected to the Turing through his work supporting the highly successful Foundation-sponsored data-centric engineering programme. The research and innovation output from the programme has demonstrated significant real-world impact, from activities such as the development of the world’s first 3D printed steel bridge, which now crosses a canal in Amsterdam, and our work in aerospace, which is being widely adopted by industry.
The Alan Turing Institute’s Chief Scientist, Mark Girolami, said “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to the Turing as we look ahead to the Institute’s important next phase, in which we will place even greater emphasis on the effective combination of research and innovation to tackle challenges of societal importance. Simon will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge enabling us to accelerate the link between research and innovation. He will provide crucial leadership in this area by promoting engagement and partnership across a range of sectors.”
Simon Reeve, said “It’s an honour to be able to join the Alan Turing Institute and its partners at such a key moment in its evolution. There is a growing opportunity for AI and data science to play a significant and positive role in many areas of UK business and society and I very much look forward to supporting the team in addressing this challenge.”
