AI tools help solve longstanding challenges across the retail value chain, transforming the shopper journey, creating agile supply chains, empowering the future workforce, and unlocking data insights. Learn how top retailers leverage AI for growth and efficiencies.
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Olaf Akkerman
GM Retail and Consumer Goods UK
Olaf is a member of Microsoft’s UK Senior Leadership Team and leads the Retail & Consumer Goods Industries. A seasoned leader in the UK tech industry for more than 20 years, Olaf drives a customer first approach and focusses on building inclusive and high performing cultures. Olaf and his team work closely with a diverse set of customers across the sector to enable them to create better and more sustainable outcomes for consumers worldwide.
Olaf has held various senior sales positions at Microsoft, including leading the Media & Telco, and Professional Services industry teams. Prior to this, Olaf was the VP of Sales EMEA for Rackspace where he led several companywide transformation projects, expanded into new markets across Europe, and launched new service offerings that drove significant customer and business impact.
Olaf is passionate about talent development and proud to be the executive sponsor for Microsoft’s Early in Profession program in the UK. In addition, he leverages his professional experience as a passionate volunteer for Pilotlight, which supports multiple UK charities with business advice.
Olaf has held various senior sales positions at Microsoft, including leading the Media & Telco, and Professional Services industry teams. Prior to this, Olaf was the VP of Sales EMEA for Rackspace where he led several companywide transformation projects, expanded into new markets across Europe, and launched new service offerings that drove significant customer and business impact.
Olaf is passionate about talent development and proud to be the executive sponsor for Microsoft’s Early in Profession program in the UK. In addition, he leverages his professional experience as a passionate volunteer for Pilotlight, which supports multiple UK charities with business advice.
Simon Ellis
Head of AI Transformation
Simon Ellis has been the Head of AI Transformation and Enterprise Architecture at Pets at Home since 2020. Driven by having the ability to develop technology strategy, based on business strategy, Simon Ellis took an opportunity to first join the retail sector with Boots in 2016, first as a contractor then as a permanent member of staff, working on a number of great programmes, ultimately running their Enterprise Architecture team. Latterly with WBA (Boots parent company), he was assigned as the global Enterprise Architect on their global cloud transformation programme, whilst also being the delivery lead for the cloud transformation element outside the US. An amazing learning experience, working with some great professionals and working across the breadth of the business and operations.
Howe Gu
Director, Industry Advisor Manager
Howe Gu leads the EMEA retail industry sector for Microsoft's Industry & Partner Sales organization. He and his team work closely with retailers across the region to help them harness Microsoft's AI, cloud, and security technologies, as well as a broad ecosystem of ISV and SI partners to drive tangible business value and market differentiation. In an era of rapid technological disruption amidst a volatile and uncertain economic backdrop, Howe's team brings clarity and confidence to retailers in their transformation journey.
Susie Moan
Chief Data Officer
An Oxford graduate with 25 years’ experience in Data, AI & Analytics; Commercial and Digital Strategy; Customer Loyalty; and data driven Marketing, specialising in the Consumer sector.
Susie joined Currys in 2021 as Chief Data Officer to lead Currys’ Data strategy and capability. Her remit includes Data & AI; BI, Analytics & Data Science; Data & Infosec Governance; and Retail Media.
Prior to joining Currys, Susie’s roles included Chief Data Officer at Compare The Market and Chief Executive Officer at Insights to Communication LLP (now known as Nectar360), the Retail Media & Monetisation arm of Sainsbury’s Group. Susie has also led strategy consulting engagements at Deloitte, developed category strategies at Diageo and started her career at Dunnhumby working with Tesco.
Outside of work, Susie is married with four children keeping her super busy, but she still makes time to cycle, play netball and run (ideal for some peace & quiet!).
Susie joined Currys in 2021 as Chief Data Officer to lead Currys’ Data strategy and capability. Her remit includes Data & AI; BI, Analytics & Data Science; Data & Infosec Governance; and Retail Media.
Prior to joining Currys, Susie’s roles included Chief Data Officer at Compare The Market and Chief Executive Officer at Insights to Communication LLP (now known as Nectar360), the Retail Media & Monetisation arm of Sainsbury’s Group. Susie has also led strategy consulting engagements at Deloitte, developed category strategies at Diageo and started her career at Dunnhumby working with Tesco.
Outside of work, Susie is married with four children keeping her super busy, but she still makes time to cycle, play netball and run (ideal for some peace & quiet!).
Kathryn Pool
Senior Director, Retail ATU UK
Kathryn joined Microsoft UK ELT in May 2024 to lead the Enterprise Retail organisation, committed to empowering retailers harness the power of technology to accelerate their AI business transformation.
With an IT career spanning over 25 years, Kathryn has held various sales leadership and account management roles across several market-leading organisations, including Alteryx, Rackspace Technology and Dell Technologies, in both Germany and in the UK.
Drawing on this international perspective, Kathryn continues to champion innovation and collaborative long-term partnerships to support retail organisations drive meaningful sustainable growth.
Kathryn lives in Guildford, Surrey with her husband and two children.
With an IT career spanning over 25 years, Kathryn has held various sales leadership and account management roles across several market-leading organisations, including Alteryx, Rackspace Technology and Dell Technologies, in both Germany and in the UK.
Drawing on this international perspective, Kathryn continues to champion innovation and collaborative long-term partnerships to support retail organisations drive meaningful sustainable growth.
Kathryn lives in Guildford, Surrey with her husband and two children.