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Episode 25

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Published on:

20th May 2025

S5 | Ep 25 Creating Synergy: The Benefits of Centralisation with Matt Lovell, Group Director of Data & AI at JD Sports (Group)

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.

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About the Podcast

Driven by Data: The Podcast
Designed for Data Enthusiasts to hear from the Data & Analytics industry's thought leaders
Orbition Group is delighted to bring you this podcast series, which is designed for Data Enthusiasts, to hear from some of the most high-profile Data, Analytics and AI thought leaders from around the globe.

Each episode will detail the guests journey to the top while bringing unique insights, drawn from first-hand experience on the industry’s most trending topics.

This podcast was created as a way for our industry's most respected leadership figures from across the world to give back to the Data & Analytics community, by sharing; knowledge, experiences and ideas, to inspire, innovate and provide real-life use cases on the industries most pressing topics/challenges.

About your host

Profile picture for Kyle Winterbottom

Kyle Winterbottom

Founder of Orbition Group, a Search and Talent Solutions business that operates exclusively within the world of Data, Analytics & AI.

I am hugely passionate about enabling organisations to drive decisions and obtain value from the use of Data, Analytics & Artificial Intelligence.

As such, I believe it is imperative that as a community, we share; knowledge, ideas, real-life use cases and inspiration to collectively give back to our industry.

Given my fortunate position of speaking with hundreds, if not thousands of leadership figures within the global Data & Analytics community each year , I feel it is my duty to share the successes, failures, challenges and opportunities.

Therefore, I have positioned Orbition Group to be a facilitator of that knowledge sharing, through these podcasts, events we host and public speaking.