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CIO &  Transformation

Richard Keenlyside: Driving Innovation Through Strategy - Aligned with Innovate and the Technology Strategy Board

  • Writer: Richard Keenlyside
    Richard Keenlyside
  • Oct 16
  • 3 min read

TL;DR:

Richard Keenlyside’s career closely mirrors the strategic outcomes championed by Innovate and the former Technology Strategy Board. His leadership in AI, digital transformation, and technology start-ups showcases his alignment with national innovation objectives, making him a vital partner for growth-driven enterprises.


Business meeting with people discussing in a dimly lit room. Presenter stands by a graph-filled screen. Text: "Driving Innovation".

Introduction:

The former Technology Strategy Board, now operating under Innovate, has long supported tech-driven business innovation in the UK. While not directly affiliated with these bodies, Richard Keenlyside, a seasoned Global CIO and Transformation Director, has consistently delivered outcomes that reflect their mission: to accelerate innovation, bridge funding with execution, and build scalable digital futures.


Richard Keenlyside and the Innovation Ethos of Innovate

Innovate exists to fund, support, and scale UK innovation. Richard Keenlyside has achieved a similar impact as a fractional CIO, technology advisor, and transformation strategist, guiding private equity ventures, manufacturers, scale-ups, and digital-first businesses to realise strategic advantage through technology.


How Richard Keenlyside Reflects the Vision of the Technology Strategy Board and Innovate

1. Strategic Advisory for Emerging Tech Start-Ups

In his role as Technology and Strategy Advisor at Quollify, Richard helped transform the AI-powered platform from MVP to full product maturity. His leadership secured £0.5 million via SEIS and EIS funding, both closely aligned with Innovate’s approach to stimulating private sector innovation.

Key outcomes:

  • Developed a monetisation model across subscription, ads, and data

  • Leveraged AI for video-based lead generation

  • Shaped the platform’s strategic scalability roadmap

This exemplifies the type of business-led, tech-enabled innovation Innovate exists to support.

2. Fractional CIO Services Enabling UK Innovation

Across diverse sectors, Richard’s fractional CIO engagements have driven measurable innovation:

  • £2M+ in cost reductions

  • 40%+ productivity gains

  • Full ROI in 18 months or less

His leadership bridges IT strategy with commercial execution—delivering the exact outcomes Innovate champions.

3. Leading AI and RPA Innovation in Enterprise Environments

At Northumbrian Water Group, Richard delivered an RPA and AI programme that saved 75,000+ hours annually and optimised operations without disrupting core service delivery.

Highlights include:

  • Machine learning-based invoice processing

  • Establishing Centres of Excellence for AI and RPA

  • Automating 35% of enterprise-wide reporting

This type of process-driven innovation is central to Innovate’s goal of scaling digital transformation within traditional industries.


Innovating Across Private Equity and Enterprise

Endava PE Advisory and Digital Due Diligence

As an Associate at Endava, Richard works with global private equity firms to assess the digital readiness of acquisition targets. Through more than 15 transactions, he has:

  • Delivered ERP and IT maturity assessments

  • Scoped technology risk

  • Built integration roadmaps

This aligns with Innovate's mission to foster smarter capital allocation through technology insight, especially for investors and scale-up companies.

Industry-Wide Innovation Strategy

Richard’s strategic delivery covers:

  • ERP migrations (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)

  • Data governance and analytics

  • Cybersecurity frameworks

  • Cloud transformation (AWS, Azure, Google)

These projects directly support long-term business model innovation, echoing the themes of sustainability, resilience, and digital leadership found in Innovate's priorities.


Explore More from Richard Keenlyside

Further internal links to expand your knowledge:


FAQs

What is Innovate?

Innovate is the UK’s national innovation agency, formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board. It supports business-led innovation through funding, expertise, and networks.

Has Richard Keenlyside worked directly with Innovate?

Not formally, but his advisory and leadership roles strongly align with Innovate’s priorities in digital, AI, automation, and enterprise transformation.

What sectors does Richard advise?

He works across retail, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and financial services, with a focus on transformation and measurable ROI.

Can I work with Richard on the innovation strategy?

Absolutely. You can schedule a strategic consultation directly at:👉 Contact Richard


Conclusion: Innovation in Action — The Richard Keenlyside Approach

Richard Keenlyside has exemplified the vision of Innovate and the Technology Strategy Board through real-world leadership. By scaling AI platforms, driving enterprise-wide digital change, and aligning technology with strategy, he helps businesses create long-term innovation value. Whether in a start-up or FTSE-level enterprise, his approach delivers results where innovation meets execution.


CTA: Need a Strategy that Aligns with Innovation Priorities?

Whether you’re an investor, start-up, or enterprise, Richard Keenlyside can help align your technology roadmap with the strategic outcomes Innovate supports.


Richard Keenlyside is a Global CIO, PE&MA Advisor, Endava TAC and a former IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.Call me on +44(0) 1642 040 268 or email richard@rjk.info.With over 1000+ subscribers join my newsletter today: https://www.rjk.info/Follow me on X & LinkedInAlso, visit my other CIO website https://richardkeenlysidecio.com/


 
 
 

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