Andrew Ayres

Andrew Ayres is a leading authority in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. As Master Strategist for UK and Ireland at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), he helps organisations rethink how people, data and technology can drive lasting change. Andrew combines sharp strategic thinking with academic depth, translating complex ideas about AI and digital governance into practical lessons for business leaders. He guides boards and senior executives across heavily regulated industries to safely and successfully adopt transformative technologies.

Andrew’s early journey began in the sciences before moving into consulting. He holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of London and an MBA with Distinction from Manchester Business School, foundations that shaped his analytical approach to technology and leadership. His career took him to Gartner Inc., where he worked as Senior Manager, advising clients across the Arabian Gulf and UK public sector. These formative years gave him a deep understanding of enterprise transformation, global business cultures and the complex relationship between technology and human decision-making.

Over nearly two decades, Andrew has held senior positions at several world-class organisations. Before joining HPE, he led strategic advisory and professional services teams at Micro Focus (now OpenText), delivering transformation projects for financial services, pharmaceutical and manufacturing clients. Today, at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, he acts as Discussion Leader at the Customer Innovation Centre in London, advising CIOs and policymakers on AI governance, multi-cloud strategy and trusted data frameworks. Andrew is a Member of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and author of the forthcoming book ‘The Agentic Edge: Governing in the Age of Autonomous Systems’. He has also recently completed a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, where his research explores how AI challenges traditional governance models in highly regulated industries such as banking and finance.

Audiences hire Andrew Ayres for his ability to make complex subjects accessible, thought-provoking and immediately relevant. He speaks on topics including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, data strategy, and the future of work. His talks blend evidence, insight and experience, helping leaders understand how to thrive in a world where machines act alongside humans. Andrew’s message is timely and vital: modern organisations must evolve beyond human-centric thinking and learn to manage the realities of the second machine age.