Andrew Ayres

Andrew Ayres is Master Strategist for UK & Ireland at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and a leading voice in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, helping global organisations navigate the complex realities of AI adoption, data governance and ethical automation. Combining a scientific mindset with strategic depth, he explores how humans and machines can co-create value in the modern enterprise. His approach blends academic research with practical application, giving leaders clear guidance on how to adapt to intelligent, data-driven systems.

At HPE, Andrew also serves as Discussion Leader at the company’s Customer Innovation Centre in London, where he works directly with boards, CIOs and policy makers. His sessions challenge the traditional notion of human-only leadership, urging firms to recognise the growing agency of machines within organisational systems. Alongside his corporate work, he has completed a PhD in AI Governance at Manchester Metropolitan University, where his research examined how autonomous systems are reshaping risk, control and accountability in sectors such as banking and finance. Andrew is also a Member of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), promoting responsible research and ethical deployment of intelligent technologies.

Andrew’s career began after earning a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of London and an MBA with Distinction from Manchester Business School. He went on to spend more than eight years at Gartner, advising senior executives across the UK and the Middle East on digital strategy, technology management and public sector reform. Later, as Head of Advisory & Professional Services at Micro Focus (now OpenText), he led teams supporting major clients in financial services, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Each role refined his understanding of how organisations succeed when technology, people and purpose align.

As a keynote speaker, Andrew delivers thought-provoking yet practical talks on responsible AI, data strategy and digital sovereignty. His sessions invite leaders to rethink control, trust and accountability in an era defined by machine collaboration. Known for his engaging and conversational style, he translates complex ideas into clear, actionable insights. Whether addressing a boardroom or a conference hall, Andrew equips audiences with the frameworks and confidence to make informed, forward-looking decisions about AI. His forthcoming book, ‘The Agentic Edge: Governing in the Age of Autonomous Systems’, captures this mission – to prepare leaders for a world where intelligence is no longer uniquely human.