Speakers

Caroline Bellamy is the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAIO) where she is responsible for driving and delivering the transformation of Data and AI across Defence and with partners, allies, and Industry to accelerate their application and exploitation.  This is focused on outcomes and effect, recognising data as a strategic asset that is second only to our people.  As Chief Data and AI Officer, Caroline spearheaded the first Defence Data Strategy, establishing a paradigm shift in data use across Defence, developing new processes, policy, governance, uplifting data skills, advancing the use of leading-edge technology capabilities and delivering data enabled AI and analytics. The strategic objective for data at Defence is to deliver insight and decision advantage at pace in support of Strategic Defence Outcomes and Military Effect. Data advantage is to be realised through cross Defence data interoperability, data exploitation through optimised use of innovative technologies and analytical capabilities such as AI and effective collaboration.  Caroline's work and thought leadership involves her joining forces across the global defence data ecosystem, partnering, and forging strong links with NATO, Five Eyes, Partners, Allies, and Industry. 

Caroline's career to date has seen her work across industry sectors in the FTSE 100 and the Public Sector. As an experienced board level executive director, she has led significant data and digital transformations and is leading is the Digital Transformation at MOD to ensure it realises the clear and ambition as defined in the Strategic Defence Review and associated Defence Reform programme.  She is unlocking the power of digital and data to realise decision advantage, commercial, and economic benefits. 

A core personal focus for Caroline is the development of data capabilities and skills to build the next generation of digital and data specialists. Caroline uses her platform across the Defence Enterprise and her wider Industry network to affect enduring cultural change, an optimised operating model and effective delivery at pace and scale. 

In addition to her role in MOD, Caroline is on the Technology Strategy Advisory Board for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and is an Advisory Board Member for Kubrik.  Caroline has been named within the top 50 most influential people in UK technology (2024) and as one of 100 most influential people in data (DataIQ) since 2018, Top 20 Women in Data and Technology (Women in Data) and top 100 Global Data Visionaries (Truata). 

Caroline is married to Iain, and they have 2 sons who keep her feet firmly on the ground and help her stay young as does the family dog.