Julian Tedstone

Over 25 years I've led data strategy, AI implementation, and technology delivery across complex organisations – and what I've learned is that the gap between AI ambition and real capability closes only when you invest in the right problems, treat data as a high-value asset, and design human + AI operating models that people actually adopt. Today I build governed agent systems and data platforms that run real business processes, not just demos.

I lead from the boardroom to the codebase: defining strategy with C-suite leaders, getting hands-on with data, and designing the upskilling programmes that embed AI into daily operations. I'm at my best when the challenge is messy and the people matter.

Managing Director / Principal consultant at Coherence & TheBotForge.io (2017-01 – Present)

Founded and led a data, AI, and platform consultancy.

Launched The Bot Forge as a dedicated AI practice: conversational AI, process automation, document intelligence, governed agent systems. Define data and AI strategies for clients, conduct technical feasibility studies (build vs. buy), and design measurement frameworks that track ROI. Design target operating models and upskilling programmes that embed AI into daily operations.

Google Cloud

Partner.

Acquia

Partner. ISO 9001, Gov G-Cloud and DOS, Cyber Essentials Plus.

• Founded an AI practice to design, build, and run governed agent systems
• Conducted technical feasibility and build-vs-buy analysis for each engagement
• Designed measurement frameworks tracking ROI across AI and digital services
• Clients: British Business Bank, Bayer, BNP Paribas, Stanley Black & Decker, National Grid, Rail Delivery Group
• Achieved 35% cost base reduction while increasing client satisfaction scores by 13%

Head of Digital at Hogarth WW / WPP (2016-01 – 2017-12)

Led a team of 50 delivering data-driven digital solutions to EMEA clients across financial services, pharma, FMCG, and retail. Technical architecture, delivery, client service, and creative production.

• Managed team of 50 across EMEA region
• Delivered data-driven digital solutions
• Covered financial services, pharma, FMCG, and retail sectors

Digital Director at Tag World Wide / Williams Lea Tag (2010-01 – 2016-12)

Bootstrapped an engineering function within a creative production studio processing 85,000 assets per month. Built data pipelines to track production efficiency and client ROI, growing the function into the digital strategy practice lead. Global scope with large off-shoring teams (200 people at peak).

• Bootstrapped engineering function within creative production studio
• Processed 85,000 assets per month
• Built data pipelines tracking production efficiency and client ROI
• Grew function into digital strategy practice lead
• Managed global off-shoring teams (200 people at peak)
• Clients: Unilever, HSBC, Burberry, Richemont, Aviva, JLR, Tesco, H&M, Zurich

Technical Director at Estates Today (2000-01 – 2010-12)

Chief doer in a data product agency embedded in UK commercial property. Collected, cleaned, and modelled large datasets that drove investment decisions behind some of London's most iconic buildings. Built data pipelines (ETL), visualisation dashboards, and feature-rich UIs for non-technical decision makers to track portfolio value.

• Collected, cleaned, and modelled large datasets for commercial property
• Drove investment decisions for London's iconic buildings
• Built ETL data pipelines
• Created visualisation dashboards
• Designed feature-rich UIs for non-technical decision makers
• Clients: British Land, Broadgate Estates, Jones Lang LaSalle

Education Programme Director at University College London (1992-01 – 2000-12)

Programme lead for postgraduate academic development. Designed and delivered upskilling programmes for self-directed, digitally enabled learning. UCL lead for EU e-learning projects.

• Programme lead for postgraduate academic development
• Designed upskilling programmes for self-directed learning
• Led digitally enabled learning initiatives
• UCL lead for EU e-learning projects

MSc in Multimedia & IT – South Bank University

MA in Applied Linguistics – University of Sussex

BA (Hons) in English Literature & Language – University of Chichester