Matthew Farrelly
AI/ML Leader
London
Summary
Applied Machine Learning leader specialising in agentic AI systems, with a track record of translating state-of-the-art research into production-scale impact. As Head of AI at a leading technology company, delivered innovative AI-powered products, including large-scale, tool-using agent architectures that serve millions of users. Expert in Python, cloud platforms, and end-to-end ML systems, from model design and optimisation to deployment and continuous learning. Known for fostering high-performance, cross-disciplinary teams and aligning cutting-edge ML capabilities with real-world applications that redefine user experience.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Head of Machine Learning Engineering
Trainline
02.2024 - Current
- Leading AI transformation at Trainline, shaping strategy to redefine how users interact with our products. Setting the vision and roadmap for AI-driven innovation.
- Subject matter expert in Generative AI, particularly multi-agent systems. Succesfully led delivery of the Trainline Assistant. Regular speaker at industry events, including AWS Summit.
- Heading three AI & Machine Learning teams, focused on transforming Search, Payments, and Travel products.
- Delivered AI-powered products, including a multi-agent Generative AI Travel Assistant, ranking models, fraud risk detection, and a real-time summarisation / translation system.
- Contributed over £30M in annualized revenue growth within my first year at Trainline.ine.
- Fostered a high-performing, supportive team culture, achieving the highest team satisfaction scores in the company.
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Farfetch
10.2022 - 02.2024
- Developed 2 high performing teams of 12 Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers (including direct and indirect reports) to maintain and develop core machine learning services (including Rankings and Multichannel Marketing) for a large ecommerce platform with around 30 million visitors per month and 4 million active customers.
- Technical mentoring and leadership including development of a culture based on scientific and engineering foundations with effective always-on A/B testing, adherence to ML best practices and agile ways of working.
- Working with product and commercial teams to provide solutions to core business challenges. An example includes the development of a Multi-Objective Ranking Optimisation System (MORO) leading to a 6% uplift in Group Gross Profit from Marketplace transactions, as well as a 4% uplift in transactions.
- Working with Product Analytics, Product Managers and commercial stakeholders to drive data-driven decision making. Through supporting and leading deepdive analysis' as well as defining core metrics for experiments and on going reporting.
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Infogrid
03.2022 - 10.2022
- Hired, developed and led a team of 6 Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers who worked across a range of specialisms.
- Drove several key initiatives to develop a core microservice which delivered ML driven insights into the Infogrid app (this includes hands-on coding).
- Put in place ML best practice, including on MLOps and training data acquisition.
- Worked with Product Managers, Designers to create a data driven product roadmap.
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Domestic and General
12.2020 - 03.2022
- Member of the Data Science leadership team, responsible for managing a team of 6.
- Management and delivery of core projects relating to marketing using an agile approach. Key projects included: marketing lead prioritisation, which reduced marketing costs by 20%, and channel optimisation.
- Led and delivered several pricing optimisation projects, utilising XGboost based demand models combined with a genetic algorithm for optimization, resulting in £6m increase per annum on renewals.
- Rebuilt Data Science team by hiring all direct reports and supported their development through ongoing personalized technical coaching.
- Created team coding and ML development standards including improved architectural approaches, version control and Test Driven Development.
Senior Manager, Zipcar for Business
Zipcar
02.2018 - 12.2020
- Developed and grew the Zipcar for Business product, leading cross functional team of 16 people, including Sales, Customer Success, Partnerships and a Data Analyst.
- P&L responsibility for £8M revenue line, achieved +8% YoY revenue growth through successful implementation of key mobility initiatives with large organisations including London boroughs, NHS and several multinationals.
- Used data science knowledge and python abilities to promote data-driven decision making for Zipcar for Business. An example included improved B2B revenue forecasting (using ARIMA based models).
- Developed new B2B partnerships strategy with a core focus on partnership development, successes include Revolut, 3 Mobile and Barclaycard.
Marketing Manager
Zipcar
06.2017 - 01.2018
- Developed and executed new B2B marketing campaigns for Zipcar for Business.
- Managed creative, performance, and B2B specialist agencies to deliver effective B2B marketing campaigns.
- Achieved growth in inbound leads by 380% by leading a project to fully renovate the Zipcar for Business pre-sales website.
Business Development Manager (Sales Manager)
Spherea (Formerly Airbus Defence and Space)
01.2015 - 06.2017
- Developed and managed new projects in the energy and automotive industry, developed highly technical product solutions for obsolescence management and R&D testing.
- Generated more than £1.1M in new projects, managed key projects including delivery of high critical reactor control equipment to a major nuclear power station.
Marketing Specialist
Airbus Defence and Space
02.2014 - 01.2015
Education
Master of Science - Data Science
Birkbeck College, University of London
London 09.2019 - 06.2021
Skills
Senior leadership and AI strategy
Excellent communication skills and media trained
Project management (Agile, Prince2)
Experienced leader with 7 years management experience
Technical skills: Python (5 years), deep ML knowledge
Cloud technology: AWS (Sagemaker, EC2, S3, Athena, EKS), Azure, Databricks
Advanced SQL skills (7 years), Experienced with Pyspark
Timeline
Head of Machine Learning Engineering
Trainline
02.2024 - Current
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Farfetch
10.2022 - 02.2024
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Infogrid
03.2022 - 10.2022
Data Science Manager (ML Engineering)
Domestic and General
12.2020 - 03.2022
Master of Science - Data Science
Birkbeck College, University of London
09.2019 - 06.2021
Senior Manager, Zipcar for Business
Zipcar
02.2018 - 12.2020
Marketing Manager
Zipcar
06.2017 - 01.2018
Business Development Manager (Sales Manager)
Spherea (Formerly Airbus Defence and Space)
01.2015 - 06.2017
Marketing Specialist
Airbus Defence and Space
02.2014 - 01.2015
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