The next chapter doesn't write itself.

I've spent a lot of time with Cal over the last few years, both on live strategy projects and as a valued soundingboard as I've navigated some complex situations and then set up my own advisory business. He's rapidly become one of a small number of my trusted, go-to, people for discussing strategic challenges and opportunities, particularly in areas relating to technology, AI and other factors that drive business disruption. He's a conceptual, or non-linear, thinker and one with wide commercial experience, which i've found a particularly potent combination. He's also a very engaging individual, easy to spend time with and often highly amusing. He has been an asset to all of the organisations I've seen him work with, with clients getting great value/ROI from his time, but most importantly, a perspective they won't get elsewhere, grounded in the realities of doing business in a rapidly changing world.

Calum was the commercial lead on a project ThoughtRiver ran in the NLP space - one of the earliest uses of generative AI (before GPT etc) to extract information at extremely high accuracy rates. Calum kept the data scientists and the business aligned - never an easy feat! Calum was personable and easy to work with, communicating very clearly about progress on the project and never avoiding difficult issues. He really understands how to run an AI-related project and has impressive knowledge in this area.

I had the pleasure of working with Calum at CHAPTR, where he supported our AI strategy efforts. He cuts to the critical question quickly, structures the problem cleanly, and frames the answer into a narrative that moves decisions forward. He's a commercial thinker first, always focused on what serves the business, and brings the kind of intellectual curiosity and energy that makes hard work feel productive. Highly recommended for any team that needs sharp strategic thinking with a clear commercial lens.

Cal adopts a genuinely expansive mode of thinking when it is needed to address often profoundly complex problems. But he is then able to follow through with fully structured ideas and well-considered recommendations that move critical problems forward one step at at a time, towards genuinely workable solutions. Explaining ideas via a blank wall in Starbucks as an imaginary whiteboard - with imaginary boxes and arrows - is his house speciality. Highly recommended.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Calum, and I can say without hesitation: he's both an exceptional professional and someone you actually look forward to seeing on the calendar. His knowledge of AI runs deep, and he brings sharp strategic thinking to every conversation, whether shaping long-term AI direction or making quick calls in a fast-moving environment where the ground shifts weekly. He's the kind of colleague who makes complex problems feel solvable. I'd jump at the chance to work with him again.

Calum's deep insight into innovation and strategic growth was formative in shaping our AI product proposition. His approach not only helped us navigate the complexities of the AI space but also set a strong foundation for our commercial success. Thanks Cal.

Cal and the team at faculty are client-focused, customer-centric, and solution oriented. We have engaged with Cal specifically across a number of projects in the Apax funds' portfolio of companies. Cal takes ownership of the relationship, doesn't shy away from complexities large or small, and drives everyone to the best and most impactful outcome.

Cal is very collaborative, we worked closely together to scope out high impact projects. He managed multiple complex relationships across our portfolio very well - he does a great job bridging the gap between technical ML knowledge and how to apply it to solve real business problems and drive impact. He’s an excellent thought partner and a pleasure to work with.

Cal and the Faculty AI team have been great to work with. At a personal level, Cal fulfils an essential role in so many AI projects - providing the bridge between the commercial and technical. He has proved a useful thought partner and is not shy to provoke and challenge - using insights from his wider work to help bring things to life and illustrate points with tangible examples.

Cal has always given wise counsel on what is (and is not) practical in terms of using AI and analytics to accelerate digitisation and growth in our portfolio companies. He is one of those people whose experience and outlook spans the commercial and data science worlds, and his advice is all the more valuable for it

I've worked with Cal on a number of projects - he has a strong understanding of what matters his client, and the valuable ability to bridge between the technical end of AI, back to the commercial drivers, articulated in a way that even non-technically inclined business leaders can understand. He is a good relationship builder, and works hard to consider opportunities to create value together. Cal is a pleasure to work with and a go-to person for me when it comes to AI/ML.

I've worked with Cal now for a few years. He is one of the most engaging, curious and interested people i know. He constantly seeks challenge (he supports Southampton), he loves new tech, new business models - if you look at the things he has been involved in - Amazon, launching BT Sport - he is constantly sticking himself outside his comfort zone. Above and beyond that he has a super high level of integrity and decency.