Who are the UK’s New Safe AI Chiefs?

The UK Government has appointed two AI and data science experts to help London’s financial sector seize AI opportunities in a safe and ethical way.

The so-called Industry Champions –​​​​​​​ Harriet Rees from Starling Bank and Rohit Dhawan from Lloyds Banking Group – will focus on turning momentum in AI into practical delivery through their extensive experience. 

Diverse skillsets provide a complementary background

They have markedly different backgrounds.

Harriet is a data science expert and Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Starling, where she leads data, engineering, information security and product development.

She founded the bank’s Data Science practice eight years ago and now defines the Group’s technology strategy as well as ensuring operational resilience.

Harriet is Co-Chair of the Bank of England’s AI taskforce and a member of the AI Consortium.  

Her academic background is as a mathematician: she holds a Master's degree from Oxford University and trained initially as an actuary before joining insurance company Axa.

Rohit’s background is in AI and, more specifically, machine learning.

He is Group Director and Head of AI & Advanced Analytics at Lloyds Banking Group, where he has been since 2024. 

He is responsible for shaping Lloyds’ strategy and roadmap for AI, ML and advanced analytics, which includes leading behavioural science and AI ethics teams. 

His focus at the company is on transforming customer experience and operational processes as well as the democratisation of AI across the Group and establishing a Centre of Excellence for AI and Advanced Analytics.

Like Harriet, he is a member of the AI Consortium. 

Rohit previously headed up data and AI strategy for Asia Pacific at AWS and was a leader in decision sciences at Deloitte Australia.

He holds a PhD in ML and forecasting and is simultaneously focused on digital transformation at drinks company AG Barr.

Both will report into the UK Government Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby. 

Breaking down barriers to AI

Both Harriet and Rohit will explore ways for the UK financial sector to accelerate safe AI adoption at scale, identify where innovation can move faster and try to tackle barriers holding firms back. 

They will also look to protect consumers and financial stability.

AI is already widely used across financial services, with around three quarters of UK firms now deploying AI, according to UK Government data. 

The Government believes that AI could add tens of billions of pounds to the financial and professional services sector by 2030, as well as transforming services for consumers.

Lucy says: “Harriet and Rohit bring deep, real-world experience of deploying AI safely at scale and they will help turn rapid adoption into practical delivery – unlocking growth while keeping our financial system secure and resilient.” 

Rohit adds: “AI has the potential to re-shape the industry and at Lloyds Banking Group we are already seeing how thoughtful and responsible adoption of AI can transform customer experience and the way a large organisation operates. 

“I look forward to working with HM Treasury, regulators and industry partners to accelerate the trusted and effective use of AI across financial services and support the UK’s ambition to remain a global leader in financial innovation.” 

The roles will not be paid for out of the public purse and take effect immediately.