UK Appoints Starling and Lloyds AI Leaders as “AI Champions” to Drive Safe, Scalable AI Adoption in Financial Services

As artificial intelligence continues to transform financial services, the UK Government has taken a major strategic step by appointing two senior industry figures as “AI Champions for Financial Services” — tapping seasoned AI leadership from both Starling Bank and Lloyds Banking Group to help guide the sector through its next phase of AI adoption.

Announced on 20 January 2026, Harriet Rees, Group Chief Information Officer at Starling Bank, and Dr Rohit Dhawan, Head of AI & Advanced Analytics at Lloyds Banking Group, will support HM Treasury in helping financial firms adopt AI safely, responsibly and at scale — boosting productivity, innovation and competitive advantage while protecting consumers and maintaining financial stability.

These appointments mark an influential effort by the UK to solidify its leadership in the global AI ecosystem and balance rapid innovation with robust risk management in a sector that is already among the most prolific users of AI technology worldwide.

What Are “AI Champions”? Mandate and Mission

The new AI Champions for Financial Services are senior executives appointed by HM Treasury to act as industry-level advisors and connectors between government, regulators, financial firms and broader stakeholders. Their mandate includes:

• Supporting the safe, responsible and ethical adoption of AI across the UK financial services sector
• Helping firms turn rapid AI adoption into practical delivery
• Identifying barriers holding back innovation and proposing solutions to accelerate growth
• Ensuring that AI adoption balances productivity gains with consumer trust, resilience and regulatory compliance
• Providing insights and guidance directly to ministers and policy makers

The Champions will report directly to Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby KC MP, engaging with industry, regulators and other stakeholders to create a framework in which AI can thrive without compromising the integrity or security of the UK financial system.

Why This Matters: AI Uptake in UK Finance

Artificial intelligence has become deeply embedded in UK financial services, with around 75 per cent of firms now deploying AI in core functions such as credit scoring, underwriting, fraud detection and customer service — a sharp rise from just over half a few years ago.

Independent economic analysis suggests AI could add tens of billions of pounds to the UK economy by 2030, particularly in financial and professional services, while transforming customer experiences and operational efficiencies.

However, the benefits of AI come with challenges — including concerns about algorithmic bias, opaque decision-making, model risk, consumer protection and systemic stability. Lawmakers and regulators have increasingly emphasised that unlocking AI’s potential must go hand-in-hand with robust governance frameworks and proactive risk management.

Within this context, the appointment of dedicated AI champions with deep domain experience is seen as a way to bridge the gap between innovation and oversight, supporting an ecosystem where AI adoption is both ambitious and safe.

Meet the AI Champions: Experience and Vision

Harriet Rees — Starling Bank CIO

Harriet Rees serves as Group Chief Information Officer at Starling Bank, one of the UK’s leading digital banks known for its mobile-first banking services and technology-driven culture.

Rees leads data, engineering, information security and product development at Starling and has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s technology strategy since joining in 2018. Before becoming CIO, she founded Starling’s Data Science practice, enhancing the bank’s AI and analytics capabilities to support innovation and operational resilience.

She also holds key industry roles, including Co-Chair of the Bank of England’s AI Taskforce and membership in the AI Consortium, underscoring her influence in national conversations about the future of AI in finance.

On her appointment, Rees said the role presents “an exciting opportunity as the sector faces a pivotal moment to become a world leader in AI,” and that she looks forward to helping build an ecosystem where AI innovation exceeds expectations while reinforcing the UK’s position as a global financial and technology hub.

Dr Rohit Dhawan — Head of AI & Advanced Analytics, Lloyds Banking Group

Dr Rohit Dhawan leads AI, machine learning and advanced analytics strategy at Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest financial institutions.

Dhawan’s role encompasses guiding AI initiatives across customer experience, fraud prevention, operational efficiency and data strategy. He manages multidisciplinary teams spanning data science, behavioural science, machine learning engineering and AI ethics — embedding responsible AI practices within the group’s strategic roadmap.

With significant experience driving AI adoption in large organisations, Dhawan has spoken publicly about how thoughtful and responsible deployment of AI can transform customer experience and organisational performance without compromising trust or security.

His appointment as an AI Champion reflects the UK Government’s recognition that large-scale corporate AI leadership — particularly in balance with governance and ethics — is vital for unlocking the broader potential of AI across financial markets.

Championing Safe AI: Balancing Innovation and Risk

While AI can unlock significant value, lawmakers and regulators have warned of risks related to opaque algorithms, unfair outcomes, fraud and systemic susceptibility. Recent calls by UK Parliament’s Treasury Committee have urged regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England (BoE) to conduct comprehensive AI stress tests to ensure firms are prepared for AI-related incidents that could affect consumers or market stability.

Against this backdrop, the AI Champions’ role will be instrumental in translating policy objectives, industry best practices and regulatory standards into actionable frameworks that support adoption without exposing customers or markets to undue harm. Their work will help ensure that the pace of innovation is matched with thoughtful governance and robust safeguards.

What the Champions Will Do

The AI Champions’ remit covers several core areas:

• Accelerate safe adoption of AI at scale — supporting firms as they integrate AI into business processes and customer solutions.
• Identify regulatory and innovation barriers — advising on where practical steps can unlock growth.
• Improve consumer outcomes and productivity — fostering an environment where AI delivers measurable benefits without compromising protections.
• Reinforce UK’s position as a global financial and AI hub — aligning strategic leadership with national economic priorities.

Their role will involve close engagement with financial firms, technology providers, regulators and industry bodies — bridging operational expertise with policy execution.

Industry and Market Implications

The appointment of AI Champions reflects several important trends:

1. Growing Industry Adoption

AI adoption in UK finance has expanded dramatically, with firms deploying the technology across credit assessments, risk models, customer engagement and compliance systems.

2. Demand for Responsible AI

As AI becomes central to financial operations, there is increasing demand for frameworks that ensure ethical, transparent and explainable outcomes — particularly in regulated sectors where consumer trust is paramount.

3. Global Competitive Positioning

By embedding AI leadership within its financial sector strategy, the UK signals to global markets that it aims to be a world leader in AI-enabled financial services, combining innovation, safety and economic growth potential.

Conclusion: A Strategic Investment in AI Leadership

The appointment of Harriet Rees and Dr Rohit Dhawan as AI Champions for Financial Services underscores the UK Government’s commitment to maximising AI’s benefits while managing its risks. By leveraging deep industry expertise and real-world experience, these appointments aim to help the financial sector navigate the complexities of AI adoption — supporting productivity, innovation and consumer trust.

As the UK continues to foster an environment conducive to safe, ethical and impactful AI integration, these Champions will play a central role in shaping the future of financial services — one where technology and governance go hand in hand.

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