Stephen Farquhar
Edinburgh,UK
Summary
Strategy specialist with a strong focus on optimising decision making with analytics. A proven track record in driving change and continuous improvement across startups, scale-ups, and enterprise organisations. Expertise in simplifying complex concepts and fostering teamwork to achieve clear, measurable outcomes. Committed to reverse engineering from target objectives and making evidence-based decisions while maintaining a strong customer focus.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Director of Business Consulting
CGI
London
10.2021 - 01.2026
- Drove strategic data and AI consultancy proposition within Business Consulting.
- Developed collaborative team aligned with organisational objectives.
- Successfully embedded digital advisory, data, and AI proposition across business units.
- Recruited and developed team of 20 consultants with diverse skillsets in data analysis, process re-engineering, service design, and change enablement.
Commercial Director
Merkle
Edinburgh
01.2019 - 10.2021
- Led initiatives to expand Merkle brand and enhance Digital Agency offerings.
- Ensured robust brand presence, effective sales pipeline management, and strong P&L performance.
- Secured substantial client wins following successful market entry.
- Drove team expansion from 1 to 35 in two years while delivering over 50% operating profit.
Client Director
Merkle
Edinburgh
01.2014 - 12.2018
- Delivered analytics and consultancy projects for leading global brands, driving substantial business growth.
- Created key components of analytics and consultancy offerings for renowned consultancy firm.
- Oversaw project teams to guarantee quality outcomes in client engagements.
- Drove new business sales by developing compelling propositions for potential clients.
Principal Consultant
Oracle Maxymiser
London
01.2011 - 12.2013
- Established consultancy proposition from initial concept, positioning firm as leader in multivariate testing.
- Oversaw delivery team and enhanced financial outcomes for portfolio with 20 clients.
- Created global digital optimisation team from Edinburgh to drive client success.
- Expanded Finance vertical client base by five times within three years, ensuring retention of highest-value client.
Senior Consultant
Indicia Global
Edinburgh
08.2007 - 01.2011
- Managed pre-sales activities and analysis delivery for diverse multi-channel clients in various industries.
- Drove creation of unique email targeting strategy, utilising combined data from multiple sources.
- Identified significant data issues through comprehensive analysis, preventing £10 million yearly losses for key client.
- Implemented effective solutions to restore client performance metrics.
Customer Strategy Consultant and Project Manager
Sainsbury's Bank
Edinburgh
07.2006 - 08.2007
- Supported board in developing new product and customer strategy with detailed consumer insights.
- Led project management across three essential workstreams for finance and retail integration.
- Completed full review of customer strategy, highlighting significant acquisition opportunities.
- Optimised balance and activity profiles on savings accounts through targeted data-driven strategies.
Head of Market and Customer Insight
Intelligent Finance
Edinburgh
01.2004 - 07.2006
- Directed daily management of six-member research and analysis team.
- Crafted and evaluated customer engagement strategies focused on acquisition and retention.
- Cultivated relationships with third-party organisations, including consultancies and parent organisation.
- Established fully operational strategic insight team amid ongoing growth and change.
- Designed strategy to safeguard more than £1.5bn in mortgage balances at risk.
- Executed data quality solution, resulting in approximately £1.5m in annual savings.
Senior Analyst, Business Analysis Dept
Intelligent Finance
Edinburgh
04.2000 - 01.2004
- Performed data analysis on UNIX and Oracle databases through Base SAS applications. Utilised statistical data modelling techniques to support business activities.
- Established online and offline market research capabilities to support qualitative insight driven strategies.
- Delivered presentations of findings and recommendations to senior management for review.
Senior Marketing Assistant, Analysis and Planning Dept.
Scottish Widows
Edinburgh
02.1999 - 04.2000
- Ensured high data quality through meticulous maintenance of 5 third-party product databases.
- Delivered comprehensive support to hundreds of UK financial advisers using product analysis software.
- Generated reports and statistical analyses for over 20 sales consultants and product managers, enhancing insights for business development.
Various
Scottish Widows, Eurostar, Stena Line and George Street Research
Various
07.1995 - 01.1999
- Pre 1999 - held other roles at Scottish Widows, Eurostar, Stena Line and George Street Research
Education
B.A Commerce - Economics, Financial Decision Making, Accounting, Marketing, Computing/IT, Statistics and Languages
Napier University
Edinburgh 01.1991 - 01.1995
Skills
- Executive communication
- Data & AI strategy
- Analytics & Insight
- Digital optimisation
- Customer Value Management
- Change Enablement
- Programme definition and management
Training
2026
- Databricks: Advantages of Expanding EDW with Data Intelligence
- Databricks: Advantages of Data & AI Governance
2025
- Databricks: Data & AI Governance with Unity Catalogue
- Skillsoft: Weighing Risks and Opportunities of Implementing Sustainability Initiatives
- CompTIA: Data and Data Governance
2024
- Skillsoft: AI for leaders and mobilisers
- Skillsoft: Establishing AI guardrails and Governance
- Skillsoft: Prompt Engineering with generative AI tools
2023
- Skillsoft: Generative AI and it's impact on every day business
- QA: The essential role of the agile product manager
2021
- Imperial College: Introduction to Corporate Sustainability, Social Innovation and Ethics
2018
- Merkle University: GDPR interpretation and compliance
2010
- Speed Trap (now Celebrus): Capturing and analysing real time digital interaction data
- Huthawaite: SPIN selling
2003
- SAS: Applying Statistical Concepts Using SAS
- Statapp : Building Propensity Models
2000 Change Management International
- Course : ‘Breakthrough' - implementing change in large organisations
1998-99
- CII : FPC Paper 1 - Financial Services and their Regulation
- CII: FPC Paper 2 - Protection, Savings and Investment Products
- CII : FPC Paper 3 - Identifying and Satisfying Clients Needs
Personal Interests
Family time (father of 2), adventures in the great outdoors, keeping fit, live music, positive change/progress
Timeline
Director of Business Consulting
CGI
10.2021 - 01.2026
Commercial Director
Merkle
01.2019 - 10.2021
Client Director
Merkle
01.2014 - 12.2018
Principal Consultant
Oracle Maxymiser
01.2011 - 12.2013
Senior Consultant
Indicia Global
08.2007 - 01.2011
Customer Strategy Consultant and Project Manager
Sainsbury's Bank
07.2006 - 08.2007
Head of Market and Customer Insight
Intelligent Finance
01.2004 - 07.2006
Senior Analyst, Business Analysis Dept
Intelligent Finance
04.2000 - 01.2004
Senior Marketing Assistant, Analysis and Planning Dept.
Scottish Widows
02.1999 - 04.2000
Various
Scottish Widows, Eurostar, Stena Line and George Street Research
07.1995 - 01.1999
B.A Commerce - Economics, Financial Decision Making, Accounting, Marketing, Computing/IT, Statistics and Languages
Napier University
01.1991 - 01.1995