James Bell Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

New York, New York, Us

► Data leadership role directing a global team of 20+ diverse data professionals across four countries to enhance team delivery with a 50% improvement in delivery quality and higher stakeholder engagement. Spearheaded data governance and AI innovation initiatives. Implemented a comprehensive data operations framework, grew the team and empathically mentored junior colleagues.Key Contributions:● Streamlined financial operations, identified over $300k+ in immediate cloud infrastructure savings and implemented a cross-charging system valued at $450k annually.● Established and led a cross-functional AI Risk and Governance team, mitigating AI-related risks with 50+ solutions reviews; accelerating innovation across nine diverse business units.● Delivered 10+ “explainer” AI presentations to C-level executives, legal teams, and strategic leaders, facilitating key partnerships with industry-leading vendors like OpenAI and driving AI adoption.● Spearheaded the design of a next-generation Data Mesh architecture, enabling secure, self-service data sharing of petabyte-scale data products and fostering innovation across business units.● Created and led a diverse multinational Data Governance team, cataloguing 50+ high-volume mission-critical data products and promoting a culture of open communication and cultural sensitivity.

New York, Ny, Us

► Leadership and evangelist role driving the direction and investments in Artificial Intelligence across the Professional Information Business (Factiva, Newswires, Risk & Compliance). Provided consultancy to multimillion $ strategic customers to aggressively grow revenue for feed and API products. Led and championed trust-building between Data Science workers and business leaders. Key Contributions:● Architected a global AI strategy for DJ Risk & Compliance, outlining a five-year innovation and investment roadmap, detailing where DJ could enhance AI offerings and enter new markets.● Conducted strategic analysis of M&A for AI capabilities, leading to successful AI service integrations and million $ partnerships, including Ripjar, Arabesque and Faculty.● Developed reputation as an authority in AI through 25+ high-profile international speaking engagements, including keynotes at Times of India, AI Summit London, AI and Big Data Expo, and an 11-city global debate series with Google AI experts.● Instituted a cross-functional AI Innovation Hub, increasing collaboration among data scientists by 100% and accelerating AI project delivery times through regular peer review sessions and ideation workshops.● Designed and implemented a comprehensive AI and financial compliance training program in financial compliance and AI techniques, upskilling 150+ new hires across three continents to enhance client empathy.

London, Gb

► Senior Risk Consulting Manager and Financial Crime Analytics Expert leveraging AI to optimise customer business operations. Specialised in developing data-driven insights that increase revenues, reduce operational costs, and minimise risks across the finance industry ($1m target achieved). Combining deep domain knowledge with cutting-edge data science to deliver actionable insights to clients.Key Contributions:● Led a critical audit failure response for a top-tier bank, overhauling transaction monitoring systems, which reduced regulatory fines and generated $500k+ in consultancy revenue.● Architected a scalable AI-powered transaction monitoring solution, resulting in repeatable consultancy projects worth over $800k each. ● Led group performance management by mentoring aspiring senior managers, fostering team career growth, and implementing training on professional services management and best practices.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

► Led the EMEA/APAC Professional Services team to deliver on the sales pipeline with a strong emphasis on customer service, resource scheduling, and planning. Provided project management expertise for international government and high-profile engagements, managing multinational teams in locations such as Indonesia, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia.Key Contributions:● Delivered comprehensive compliance solutions, serving as a Subject Matter Expert in compliance and banking, focusing on matching configuration, fuzzy-logic, data quality analysis, and solution design.● Successfully managed end-to-end projects for clients including JLT Group, Riyad Bank, Bank Central Asia, Lloyd's of London, CCB Bank, IG Group, Legal & General, and The Office of the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland.● Implemented streamlined project methods, achieving a 220% increase in delivery numbers over four years and supporting a 20% annual profit growth, which facilitated office upgrades twice in that period.● Collaborated with Sales and Account Management teams to re-engineer pre-sales processes, targeting larger and more complex implementations, establishing Innovative as the vendor of choice for Web services integrations.● Worked closely with the executive team to design business and product changes, opening new markets in SWIFT screening, transaction monitoring, and review remediation services, leading to significant sales growth.

Reading, Berkshire, Gb

► Designed and delivered complex solutions for SWIFT Bureau connectivity, providing expertise in compliance and anti-money laundering engagements. Managed a team of SMEs and developers to create innovative and secure bureau connectivity products, including a "Zero Footprint" solution that allowed clients to send data securely without installing hardware or software in their data centers.Key Contributions:● Led the development of bureau connectivity products, enhancing client security and operational efficiency.● Collaborated with business partners to achieve SWIFT’s "SwiftReady Cash Management" accreditation for the "Alembic" product, improving market position and driving sales.● Attained a distinction in the ICA Diploma in Financial Crime Prevention, using this expertise to revamp the client AML training program, effectively bridging technical and business compliance gaps.● Partnered with sales teams to provide on-site pre-sales expertise, acting as a Subject Matter Expert in anti-money laundering, financial crime prevention, and SWIFT Lite solutions.

► Led the transformation of the IT department into a best-practice function, enhancing its contribution to the business. Rebuilt helpdesk procedures to improve service levels and implemented new networking systems to better support business activities.Key Contributions:● Collaborated with the CFO to overhaul systems, reducing server numbers and creating an RFP for core systems selection. Successfully outsourced SWIFT and AML services, enhancing service availability and continuity.● Pioneered significant improvements in Business Recovery Planning, reducing recovery times from 15 to 3 hours.● Guided the department through Sarbanes-Oxley 404 risk assessment and a comprehensive head office security audit, passing both with commendations.

► Provided technical expertise in banking systems and solutions, managing and supporting a range of financial platforms, including Misys Equation, SunGard Mint (sTep), SunGard Quantum (Avangard), Eximbills, Reuters Dealing, and Bloomberg terminals.Key Contributions:● Managed critical systems such as iSeries (AS/400), pSeries (RS/6000), SUN Solaris, Windows Application Server, and Windows SQL Server.● Specialized in the support and application management of Misys Equation, SunGard Mint (sTep), and SunGard Quantum (Avangard) products, including overseeing major systems upgrades.

Master Of Business Administration With Specialism In Finance

Ba (Hons), Philosophy

11 Gcses, 3 A Levels And 1 As Level