In Episode 25, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Matt Lovell, Group Director of Data & AI at JD Sports Group, where they discuss the benefits of centralising data & AI leadership, which includes;

The importance of building centralised data leadership in complex, multi-brand organisations.
Why federated models require a hybrid approach to data strategy and technology governance.
Aligning use-case driven transformation to quick wins and long-term data goals.
The need for internal audits to uncover hidden technology and data assets.
Why data maturity varies across business units and how to turn that into a strength.
The evolution of customer behaviour post-COVID and how omnichannel strategies are adapting.
How predictive insights help ensure the right product is in the right place at the right time.
The value of analysing local trends and geolocation data to inform valuable business decisions.
Why strategic data sharing can strengthen partnerships without directly monetising data.
How AI is being used to augment human capability and improve operational efficiency.
The emergence of agentic AI to proactively detect and resolve issues before escalation.
Why teaching prompt literacy is key to unlocking AI’s full potential.
How BI and AI are converging to deliver next best action intelligence.
The evolving role of data professionals as AI handles more technical execution.
Why clean, well-governed data remains essential for enabling effective AI solutions.

Thanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.

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At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.

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