EY has announced the appointment of Richard Clough as its new Global Chief Data Officer (CDO). This strategic decision reflects EY’s focus on building a strong data infrastructure, essential for its operations and the success of its clients.
Clough’s role is particularly important at this moment as businesses across various industries are recognizing the transformative potential of AI and the critical need for data readiness. His main responsibility will be to lead EY’s AI-Ready Data Strategy and Data Governance. This will ensure that both the firm and its clients can effectively utilize data to drive growth and create value. “We are all in on building AI-ready data capabilities for EY teams and clients, to accelerate ethical data and tech-enabled transformation,” stated Clough.
A Foundation of Experience
Richard Clough brings over two decades of experience to his new position at EY. Throughout his tenure, he has provided advisory services to global organizations in critical areas such as tax transformation, finance, data strategy, and digital tax initiatives. This extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between data and business operations.
Before being appointed Chief Data Officer (CDO), Clough played a key role in shaping EY’s approach to AI-ready data. He collaborated across various departments and regions to ensure the firm was prepared for the growing demands of AI-driven solutions. His efforts have been crucial in aligning EY’s data strategies with the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Prior to joining EY, Clough spent five years at GE Capital, where he led projects focused on acquisition integration, tax treasury initiatives, tax reporting, and process improvements. His experience in a high-volume, transactional environment equipped him with practical skills in managing complex data and driving operational efficiency.
Clough holds an ACA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and has degrees in corporate strategy and economics. These qualifications provide a strong foundation for his strategic approach to data management and demonstrate his ability to understand and navigate the complexities of data within a business context.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
Clough succeeds Marco Vernocchi, EY’s first Global Chief Data Officer (CDO), who laid a strong foundation for managing generative AI (GenAI). Vernocchi made significant contributions, including the creation of EY’s “Trusted Data Fabric.” This framework connects platforms using a semantic layer for managing metadata and policies. He also advocated for the use of knowledge graphs, which improve AI applications’ ability to understand relationships and context within data. Vernocchi’s emphasis on targeted data readiness, ensuring AI implementations meet specific business needs, has been a cornerstone of EY’s data strategy.
Vernocchi will now transition to the role of Global Innovation Commercial Leader, where he will focus on scaling key innovation investments. This change allows Clough to build on the existing framework and advance EY’s data strategy further.
Strategic Priorities and Future Direction
In his new role, Clough will continue to build on the foundation established by Vernocchi. His key priorities include strengthening the data foundations necessary for AI, leveraging synthetic data, and enhancing collaboration with EY’s technology alliances. These initiatives are crucial for ensuring that both EY and its clients are well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by AI.
“As the Global CDO, I look forward to driving our AI Ready data strategy to deliver tangible value for EY and our clients. This includes building a strong AI Ready data foundation, leveraging synthetic data and partnering with stakeholders both external and internal across our ecosystem, including our tech alliances,” noted Clough.
Clough will report to Joe Depa, EY’s Global Chief Innovation Officer, under the leadership of Raj Sharma, Global Managing Partner for Growth and Innovation. This reporting structure ensures that the data strategy is closely aligned with EY’s overall innovation and growth objectives.
Looking ahead, Clough’s immediate focus will be on implementing the next phase of the “Trusted Data Fabric,” ensuring it can scale to handle the increasing volume and complexity of data required for advanced AI applications. He will also collaborate closely with EY’s sector-specific teams to tailor AI-ready data solutions to address the unique challenges faced by industries such as healthcare and financial services. This targeted approach will help EY move from foundational data infrastructure to specialized, client-focused AI implementation.
