Sue Turner OBE

Sue Turner OBE is a globally respected authority on artificial intelligence, data governance, and ethics, recognised as one of the world’s Top 100 Women in AI Ethics. Best known as the Founding Director of AI Governance, Sue works at the critical intersection of technology, law, and leadership, helping organisations move beyond experimentation to adopt AI with confidence, accountability, and purpose. With more than two decades of senior business experience, she is trusted by leaders across sectors to translate complex emerging technologies into clear, practical strategies that deliver value while safeguarding trust.

Sue’s early career laid the foundations for her distinctive perspective on AI leadership. Trained in law and later completing an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, she developed a rare blend of legal, commercial, and technical expertise. Early on, she made history as the youngest Regional Director of the CBI, where she spent over a decade building deep insight into industry, regulation, and organisational decision-making. She went on to hold senior leadership roles, including Marketing and Development Director at The Industrial Trust, as well as executive positions with organisations such as Wheale Thomas Hodgins and The Bristol Part Company. Her progression through these roles culminated in her appointment as CEO of the Quartet Community Foundation, where she further strengthened her governance and leadership credentials.

Throughout her career, Sue has combined executive leadership with wide-ranging contributions to the AI and technology ecosystem. She was among the first to gain accreditation in the Independent Audit of AI Systems and later founded AI Governance Limited to support organisations navigating the ethical and regulatory challenges of AI adoption. Alongside this work, she serves as Board Chair and Non-Executive Director for purpose-driven organisations in regulated industries, contributes to ForHumanity, mentors through the Alan Turing Institute’s Skills Policy Awards, and is a founding member of the United Nations AI Skills Coalition. Her commitment to social impact is reflected in her success in raising £27 million for charitable causes and in being awarded an OBE for Services to Social Justice. She also holds a prestigious academic role as Professor in Practice in AI and Digital Technologies at the University of Bristol Business School.

As a keynote speaker, Sue Turner OBE is highly sought after for her ability to cut through hype and deliver grounded, actionable insight. She brings credibility from having worked inside boardrooms, regulatory environments, and technical domains, enabling her to speak with authority to leaders, policymakers, and practitioners alike. Her talks empower audiences to understand AI risk and opportunity, build intelligent governance frameworks, and implement AI ethically and effectively. Combining clarity, confidence, and practical frameworks, Sue equips organisations to lead responsibly in an AI-driven world.