Rikhil P Shah

In this dual role, I have combined strategic product ownership with technical consultancy, leading the development of AI-driven internal tools while managing a large portfolio of R&D clients. I’ve delivered four full-cycle AI products that streamlined internal workflows, reduced manual effort, and improved operational efficiency across teams. These tools were developed from the ground up, driven by real pain points, and built in close collaboration with developers and stakeholders.

Alongside product leadership, I’ve worked with over 150 clients across AI, SaaS, FinTech, and ML, acting as the main technical contact for CTOs and CEOs. I’ve guided them through identifying eligible R&D activity, translating complex innovations into HMRC-compliant claims, and contributing to over £2 million in claim value since joining.

This experience has given me a well-rounded skillset across product vision, stakeholder engagement, and delivery execution. I thrive on identifying inefficiencies, driving innovative solutions, and seeing ideas through to measurable impact.

Key Highlights:

• Delivered four AI-powered internal tools from the ground up, each aimed at reducing inefficiencies and improving consultant workflows.
• Generated over £2 million in revenue through my portfolio of R&D claims, supporting clients in sectors including AI, SaaS, FinTech, and more.
• Acted as the main UK product owner, managing roadmaps, features, and deployments across multiple platforms.
• Led sprint planning and backlog management while ensuring development teams had clear, well-prioritised tasks aligned with business value.
• Championed the use of automation and AI within legacy processes, improving turnaround times and team output.
• Balanced the demands of client-facing consulting with internal product strategy, showing adaptability across commercial, technical, and delivery functions.
• Increased customer satisfaction by prioritising user experience in product development.
• Streamlined workflow processes with effective cross-functional team collaboration.

Key Skills Gained:

• Client Relationship Management: Managed a portfolio of 150 clients, serving as the primary contact for CEOs and CTOs.
• Project Management: Oversaw financial and technical project aspects from inception to completion.
• Product Development: Led the development and maintenance of multiple products as the main UK owner.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborated with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Technical and Financial Acumen: Prepared and reviewed R&D tax claims across various industries, including FinTech, AI, and Machine Learning.
• Stakeholder Management: Conducted regular meetings to track project progress and mitigate risks.
• Risk Management: Identified risks and developed mitigation strategies.
• Problem-Solving: Found and implemented solutions to technical and business challenges.
• Requirement Translation: Managed development teams by translating business requirements into actionable terms.
• Timeline Management: Ensured product timelines were met and communicated deployments with key stakeholders.

• Implementing the Smart Communications solutions (SaaS/Cloud and Hybrid option)(SmartCOMM, SmartIQ and SmartCOMM for Salesforce)
• Advise clients on best practices for the implementation and configuration of Smart Communications
• Identifying how a Smart Communication product would fit into a customer's legacy system.
• Creating System architecture design for customers
• Ability to read and create class diagrams, sequence diagrams, data flow, interaction diagrams and component diagrams.
• Working with teams around the world to ensure customer needs are met
• Working with appropriate team members to achieve successful project completion
• Regular reporting, identifying and diagnosing issues and needs, escalating potential risks as far as necessary to resolve for both Smart Communications and the customer
• Meeting delivery schedules and budgets
• Meeting client expectations and ensuring we provide the best service

Key Skills Gained:

• Analytical Ability – effectiveness in analyzing situations and identifying key issues.
• Planning and execution – monitoring progress, taking action when necessary to rectify situations / meet deadlines.
• Proactive – taking responsibility for making things happen.
• Social Magnetism – taking actions, which show awareness of one’s own impact on others.
• Teamwork – collaborating with and promoting collaboration between different parts of the business.
• Technical expertise – keeping up to date technically within one’s own functional area.
• Adaptability – stability of performance under uncertainty and pressure.
• Communication & influence – using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods of communication to influence others positively to obtain agreement between different interests.