DataIQ Reveals Europe’s Top 10 Data and AI Leaders for 2026

Data and AI community, DataIQ, has revealed its 2026 DataIQ 100 Europe Top 10, and launched a new report exploring the trends shaping data and AI leadership.

 DataIQ revealed the DataIQ 100 Europe Top 10 at the Science Museum yesterday, recognising the most influential leaders shaping the data and artificial intelligence landscape across Europe.

Since 2014, the DataIQ 100 has tracked the rise of Chief Data Officers, Chief Analytics Officers, data scientists, and AI experts across a wide range of industries and specialisms.

Selected from the 2026 DataIQ 100 Europe list announced in February, this year’s list features executives from major organisations across Europe, with eight of the Top 10 based in the UK – including Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, BAE Systems, BP, British Airways, National Grid, Heathrow, and Admiral.

The Top 10 List: DataIQ’s Top Data and AI leaders in Europe for 2026

1. Laia Collazos, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Laia Collazos is Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), where she leads the organisation’s global data and analytics capability across data platforms, governance, insight services, data product delivery, data science and AI. Her focus is on making data matter by driving value at scale to improve business performance, strengthen customer partnerships and create a better workplace for CCEP’s people.

2. Johanna Hutchinson, Group Chief Data Officer, BAE Systems

Johanna Hutchinson is Group Chief Data Officer at BAE Systems, with a distinguished record of delivering enterprise-scale data and AI transformation across highly regulated, mission-critical environments. Her remit focuses on strengthening operational performance, resilience and strategic decision-making across a 90,000-strong workforce within a FTSE 50 manufacturing organisation.

3. Karl O’Hanlon, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Veolia

Karl O’Hanlon is Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Veolia, where he leads the group’s global data and AI agenda, with a focus on delivering tangible value for both operational and corporate teams. He joined Veolia in 2010 as a data analyst on a London contract, applying data to improve performance and inform decision-making.

4. Gary Goldberg, Chief Data Officer, Supply, Trading & Shipping, bp plc

Gary Goldberg is Chief Data Officer for Supply, Trading and Shipping at bp plc, where he is responsible for using data to enable business transformation across some of the organisation’s most commercially complex operations. Joining bp in 2019, his focus has been on delivering a data strategy that supports business growth and operational efficiency.

5. Perry Philipp, Chief Data Officer, Entain

Perry Philipp is Chief Data Officer at Entain, where he leads the organisation’s data and AI agenda with a focus on delivery, adoption and sustainable business impact. At Entain, he places strong emphasis on mentoring, upskilling and building communities of practice that make data and AI practical, safe and widely adopted across the organisation.

Also in the top 10 include,

6. James Morgan, Chief Data Officer, The Crown Estate

7. Sarah Barr-Miller, Director of Data & AI, British Airways

8. Gavin Goodland, Chief Data Officer, National Grid

9. Wade Munsie, Chief Data & AI Officer, Heathrow

10. Paola Cagliani, Group Chief Data & AI Officer, Admiral

What this year’s Top 10 reveals about data and AI leadership

David Reed, Chief Knowledge Officer and Evangelist, DataIQ comments,

“Being named in the DataIQ 100 Europe Top 10 reflects a level of influence that goes beyond building strong data functions.

“These are leaders shaping how their organisations operate, working closely with the C-suite to embed data and AI into strategy, decision-making, and governance. Their impact is felt not just through technology delivery, but through how they help organisations adopt and scale these capabilities responsibly.

“This year’s Top Ten shows that the role of the data and AI leadership has expanded significantly. It’s no longer just about platforms or analytics. Today’s leaders are responsible for governance, literacy, culture, and adoption across the organisation. The role is becoming far more operational and closely connected to the C-suite as organisations look to scale AI safely and effectively.”

Top 5 Traits for Data & AI Leaders in 2026

DataIQ asked its Top 10 data and AI leaders in Europe which traits will define success in 2026. Their message was clear: the most effective AI leaders are those who can translate data into meaningful business impact.

Below, leaders from the DataIQ 100 Europe Top 10 share their perspectives on the leadership traits that matter most.

1. Treat data as an operational language

Laia Collazos, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said,

“It is important to recognise that data is much more than just a collection of numbers or a piece of technology. Data serves as a language that articulates how a business operates, reflects the efforts of its people, and provides a means to measure success.

“By appreciating data in this context, leaders can better align data strategies with the realities and needs of the organisation.”

2. Leaders must work with organisational culture, not just strategy documents

Johanna Hutchinson, Group Chief Data Officer at BAE Systems, said,

“Understand the organisational culture and the ‘real’ drivers, not necessarily what is written in the corporate strategy.

“Be prepared to repeat, repeat, and repeat, not until a concept is recognised and accepted, will it be adopted.”

3. Translation is a critical leadership skill

Karl O’Hanlon, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Veolia, said,

“It can be relatively easy for data leaders to think of ways to improve processes with AI or data, but translating this to someone from a different mindset is a great skill to have.”

4. Embrace multi-disciplinary and outcome-led skills

Sarah Barr Miller, Director of Data and AI at British Airways, said,

“I see my job as being part technical, part marketing, part translator, part coach. If you start with the end outcomes, then you will ensure that the work you do delivers tangible business outcomes.”

5. Be uncomfortable and ruthlessly focused on value

Wade Munsie, Chief Data and AI Officer at Heathrow, said,

“To be effective in a modern AI world, being uncomfortable needs to be okay.

“AI and data leaders must be ruthlessly focused on value. Creating value is the only way to become sustainable. Cost based services will always come under fire when things get tough.”

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