DataIQ names Europe's top 10 influential data & AI leaders
DataIQ has published its 2026 Top 10 ranking of Europe's most influential data and AI leaders, led by senior executives from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and BAE Systems.
Drawn from the wider DataIQ 100 Europe selection, the list reflects the growing prominence of Chief Data Officers and other senior data roles in large organisations. This year's Top 10 spans sectors including consumer goods, defence, aviation, utilities and financial services.
Women hold four of the ten places. Those named include Laia Collazos of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Johanna Hutchinson of BAE Systems, Sarah Barr-Miller of British Airways, and Paola Cagliani of Admiral.
Collazos, based in London, is Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Her remit covers data platforms, governance, insight services, data product delivery, data science and AI across the group's global operations.
Hutchinson is Group Chief Data Officer at BAE Systems. She leads data and AI transformation in regulated environments and is responsible for strengthening operational performance, resilience and strategic decision-making across a 90,000-strong workforce at the FTSE 50 manufacturer.
UK concentration
Eight of the ten leaders are based in the UK. The organisations represented include Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, BAE Systems, BP, British Airways, National Grid, Heathrow and Admiral, alongside Veolia and Entain.
Veolia's Karl O'Hanlon ranks third. He joined the company in 2010 as a data analyst and now leads its global data and AI agenda.
BP's Gary Goldberg ranks fourth. As Chief Data Officer for Supply, Trading & Shipping, he leads data work linked to business change across trading and commercial operations.
Entain's Perry Philipp is fifth. The gambling group's Chief Data Officer, he leads its data and AI agenda, with adoption, mentoring and workforce upskilling highlighted as priorities.
The remainder of the Top 10 includes James Morgan, Chief Data Officer at The Crown Estate, in sixth place; National Grid Chief Data Officer Gavin Goodland in eighth; and Heathrow Chief Data & AI Officer Wade Munsie in ninth.
Leadership expectations
The ranking comes as organisations across Europe increase investment in AI and update governance and operating models. Data leaders are often tasked with improving data quality, managing risk and implementation, and building internal understanding of how AI systems influence day-to-day decisions.
David Reed, DataIQ's Chief Knowledge Officer and Evangelist, said influence now extends beyond building teams or platforms.
"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 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."
Alongside the Top 10, DataIQ highlighted leadership themes it expects to matter for senior data and AI executives in 2026. These include organisational communication, culture change, and maintaining a clear link between data work and measurable outcomes.
Collazos described data as a business language rather than only a technical asset.
"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," Collazos said.
Hutchinson pointed to the practical work of making data and AI initiatives stick inside large employers.
"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," Hutchinson said.
O'Hanlon highlighted cross-disciplinary communication as a core skill when working with non-technical stakeholders.
"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," O'Hanlon said.
In the aviation sector, Barr-Miller described a role spanning technical delivery and internal influence.
"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," Barr-Miller said.
Munsie, who leads data and AI at Heathrow, focused on maintaining pressure to deliver clear value as budgets tighten.
"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," Munsie said.