Evans Sallin
London,38
Summary
Scientist and Technology expert with track record in leading a community of talented cross-functional AI teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence, to ensure they maximise the ROI of the Group's investments in machine learning and artificial intelligence, by promoting re-use, establishing appropriate standardisation, and helping direct investment in shared AI patterns and products which can be used by multiple operating companies. Previously having worked at easyJet, Royal Mail, Tesco and Unilever, I have over 20 years' experience in solving real-world problems in an industry setting. I am also actively engaged with the UK Mathematics community and very enthusiastic about inspiring the next generation of Mathematicians and Data professionals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief AI Scientist
International Airlines Group (IAG)
09.2024 - Current
- As Chief AI Scientist at IAG, I lead a community of talented cross-functional AI teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence, to ensure we maximise the ROI of the Group's investments in machine learning and artificial intelligence, by promoting re-use, establishing appropriate standardisation and helping direct investment in shared AI patterns and products which can be used by multiple operating companies
Director of Data Science and Analytics
easyJet
09.2019 - 09.2024
- Worked with easyJet's new Chief Data and Information Officer to set up a new Data function capable of realising the company's ambition of becoming the world's leading data driven airline, using the millions of data points we collect to make smart decisions and shape the future of travel
- My main responsibility expanded to taking overall responsibility for Data Delivery
- This includes continuing to transform our Data Science team, setting up a Data Analytics Centre of Excellence and democratising the use of Data in decision making right across the entire company
- I continued as a member of the Executive Leadership Team who play an important role in the day-to-day running of the overall business
Head of Advanced Analytics and Data Science
Royal Mail
01.2017 - 08.2019
- Successfully built up a high-performing and very diverse central Data Science function from scratch, responsible for innovation across the entire Royal Mail Group (including HR, logistics, Operations, and Marketing)
- Pioneered a Lean Start-up operating framework for Data Science, resulting in multi-million-pound business opportunities, while in parallel to growing the team size to 25 without the use of external recruiters
- Developed and implemented a new Data Science career framework and created a culture that inspired and empowered my team, leading to a high level of retention
- Predictive Modeling
- Machine Learning
- Multimodal AI Development
- Data Modeling
Interim Head of Data Engineering
Royal Mail
01.2018 - 06.2018
- When the Data Engineering team at Royal Mail was undergoing a transformational change and started reporting into the same team as the Data Scientists, having successfully built up an excellent 20-strong Data Science team at Royal Mail, I also temporarily took on the additional responsibility for the Data Engineering team, in order to rebuild this function from scratch, while we searched for a new Head of Data Engineering to take ownership of the team
- I successfully looked after the team and the Big Data platforms they were responsible for, while also playing a key role in recruiting the new Head of Data Engineering
Lead Data Scientist
Tesco PLC
06.2015 - 12.2016
- Accountable for all of the work that our Commercial Science Team does for Trade online and in-store space, range and display: This includes ensuring that we develop the most appropriate technical approach to a given business problem, and ensuring that our solutions are embraced and used by the business
- Responsible for creating and maintaining the mid- to long-term pipeline of projects, and ensuring our projects deliver quality solutions that generate tangible business impact
- Also includes line management and mentoring/coaching responsibilities
- Also enjoys spending at least one day a week, hands-on, developing more exploratory data products that have the potential to transform the Tesco business
- The Commercial Science Team at Tesco improve the customer experience by apply a scientific approach to using the large and varied data sources that Tesco collates on a daily basis, in order to develop bespoke data products that support/augment decision making across the company
Lead Commercial Scientist, General Merchandise
Tesco Stores Ltd
11.2014 - 05.2015
- Accountable for all of the work that our Commercial Science Team does for the general merchandise business: This includes ensuring that we develop the most appropriate technical approach to a given business problem, and ensuring that our solutions are embraced and used by the business
- Responsible for creating and maintaining the mid- to long-term pipeline of projects, and ensuring our projects deliver quality solutions that generate tangible business impact
- Also includes line management and mentoring/coaching responsibilities
- The Commercial Science Team at Tesco works to improve the customer experience by helping Tesco make better decisions through the use of clever analytics, Big Data and optimised decision architecture
Senior Commercial Scientist
Tesco Stores Ltd
12.2012 - 11.2014
- Working as part of the newly formed Commercial Science Team working to improve the customer experience by helping Tesco make better decisions through the use of clever analytics, Big Data and optimised decision architecture
- We are a Data Science team extracting value from the large and varied sources of data that Tesco collates on a daily basis
- We achieve this by applying clever (not complicated) analytics, and building systems that are designed specifically for decision making
Mathematics and Informatics Expertise Team Leader
Unilever
08.2011 - 11.2012
- Mathematics and Informatics research group leader at Unilever R&D Colworth
- Science Leader in Predictive Consumer Mathematics, translating business problems into technology challenges and transforming technology developments into business solutions
- Responsible for managing industrial mathematics innovation projects & external research collaborations
Senior Research Scientist
Unilever
01.2007 - 07.2011
- Expert in Predictive Consumer Mathematics, translating business problems into technology challenges and transforming technology developments into business solutions
- Responsible for managing scientific discovery workstreams & external research collaborations
Research Scientist
Unilever
07.2004 - 12.2006
- Research Scientist in the area of personalisation algorithms, providing support and consultancy in Mathematical analysis and modelling, as well as data management and algorithms to colleagues in R&D and the business
Independent Consultant (Image Processing)
Independent Consultant
07.2002 - 12.2003
- Independent consultant on colour measurements from digital images, including advice on colour-calibration of images
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant
University College London
10.2001 - 12.2003
- Conducted tutorials for students on undergraduate courses in Machine Vision, Algorithmics and Computer Programming (Java), and on an advanced MSc course in Machine Vision
Research Assistant
Unilever Research Colworth
06.2000 - 03.2001
- Worked on a project centred on calibrating colour images, in collaboration with several academic and industrial partners
- In addition, also developed and implemented a shape classification software system, which was used to defend a patent on a new ice-cream formulation
Private Mathematics Tutor
Self-Employed
04.1998 - 06.2000
- Providing private tuition in Mathematics at secondary school (GCSC & A/L) and university levels
Education
PhD - Computer Science
University College London
01-2006
M.Sci. - Mathematics and Astronomy
University College London
01.2000
Primary and Secondary Education -
St. Joseph's College
Colombo, 1001.1995
Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Computer Programming Skills
- Communication Skills
- Machine Learning
- AI Ethical Guidelines
- Data Analytics
- Results Analysis
- Statistical modeling
- Project Management
- Data Modeling
- Big Data
- Predictive Modeling
- Multimodal AI development
Certification
- CMath: Chartered Mathematician
- CSci: Chartered Scientist
Languages
English
Timeline
Chief AI Scientist
International Airlines Group (IAG)
09.2024 - Current
Director of Data Science and Analytics
easyJet
09.2019 - 09.2024
Interim Head of Data Engineering
Royal Mail
01.2018 - 06.2018
Head of Advanced Analytics and Data Science
Royal Mail
01.2017 - 08.2019
Lead Data Scientist
Tesco PLC
06.2015 - 12.2016
Lead Commercial Scientist, General Merchandise
Tesco Stores Ltd
11.2014 - 05.2015
Senior Commercial Scientist
Tesco Stores Ltd
12.2012 - 11.2014
Mathematics and Informatics Expertise Team Leader
Unilever
08.2011 - 11.2012
Senior Research Scientist
Unilever
01.2007 - 07.2011
Research Scientist
Unilever
07.2004 - 12.2006
Independent Consultant (Image Processing)
Independent Consultant
07.2002 - 12.2003
Postgraduate Teaching Assistant
University College London
10.2001 - 12.2003
Research Assistant
Unilever Research Colworth
06.2000 - 03.2001
Private Mathematics Tutor
Self-Employed
04.1998 - 06.2000
M.Sci. - Mathematics and Astronomy
University College London
Primary and Secondary Education -
St. Joseph's College
PhD - Computer Science
University College London
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