Andy Gauld

Andy Gauld’s BU journey helped launch a 30-year career leading technology-driven business transformation. Today he is a Partner at Deloitte, where he also leads the organisation’s strategic alliance with Google.

Andy joined BU’s BSc (Hons) Strategic Systems Management in 1992 at a pivotal moment. Not only was it the first year that BU gained university status, but the course was also enrolling its first cohort.

He said: “I joined through Clearing so it was a late decision, and the course was an unknown, but I quickly discovered that it offered a good combination of understanding new technologies and how they could be applied to solve business challenges. It felt unlike any of the traditional business or computing courses offered by other universities and stood me in good stead when I got into the workplace.”

Andy took the option for a year’s work placement, working in IT and marketing for the retailer Londis, before taking up a graduate role with Budgens after his final year. He said: “Because of the way the course was delivered, I quickly felt very comfortable talking to senior stakeholders, including board members, and advising on the best approaches. I’d developed an ability to think strategically and consider how change should be managed, alongside the technical skills required for an IT role. In that sense I feel BU helped me get one step ahead.”

He went on to work in the public sector, applying data insights and AI to track incident rates for the police, before joining Deloitte as a Director. Andy said: “I wanted to experience working for one of the big 4 consulting firms. I applied, received offers from all, and felt Deloitte offered the best fit. I haven’t looked back, and enjoy the opportunities it gives me to innovate, build teams and forge effective working relationships.”

As Lead Alliance Partner for Google, Andy is at the cutting edge of how AI solutions can transform business operations. His advice to students and recent graduates wanting to enter the field is: “Show your passion and enthusiasm for the topic. We want to know how you are using technology to solve your own everyday challenges, or to make life better and more enjoyable. The technical skills are a given, but those who come with an understanding of business dynamics and the importance of human connection are the ones that really stand out.”

Andy’s time at BU was life-changing in more ways than one. Not only did it set him up for his career, but it was also where he met his wife, Sara. The couple now have three children who are at various stages of their own university journeys. He said: “University is a great time of life, and we both have lifelong friends that we made in Bournemouth. It holds a special place in our hearts for so many reasons.”

At a glance

With AI a hot topic for so many businesses, we asked Andy to identify his top themes or challenges. Here’s what he had to say:

1. Supporting organisations on their agentic AI journey – helping businesses to harness and realise the benefits of positive disruption

2. Trustworthy AI – how do we control AI and close the loops that can work against us? For example, businesses using AI to generate job adverts, applicants using AI to generate their applications and the same businesses using AI to filter out those who have over-engineered their responses.

3. Strategic adoption – how do businesses embed AI in their strategic thinking and decision making?