Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Affiliations
Volunteer work
References
Generic

Stephen Reid

Head of Data Science
Perth,UK

Summary

Strategic Data Science & AI leader with 10+ years delivering enterprise-scale machine learning solutions and over 5 years spearheading a pioneering Data Science function at SSE. Proven track record of multimillion-pound cost savings, commercial impact, and organisation-wide recognition for innovation and strategic delivery.

Expert in building and scaling high-performing, multidisciplinary teams—data scientists, engineers, architects, and analysts—while embedding structured career progression and a culture of excellence. Deep domain expertise across energy, finance, trading, and hedging, underpinned by 15 years of sector experience. Trusted by executive leadership to define and execute ambitious data strategies, modernising legacy environments into scalable, cloud-native AI capabilities.

Recognised as a principal data leader and mentor, driving adoption of MLOps best practices and integrating GenAI, LLMs, and Agentic AI frameworks into core business processes. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, agile delivery, and advanced platforms including AWS, Azure, and Databricks.

Named on SSE’s succession risk register for irreplaceable strategic impact across data, AI, and operational transformation.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certificate

Work history

Head of Data Science

SSE plc
Perth, UK
04.2020 - 08.2025
  • Built and scaled Data Science capability in Business Energy from ground up; now recognised as Data Science Centre of Excellence.
  • Recruited and cultivated high-performing team, onboarding PhD/Master's-level talent via academic partnerships with UCL and University of Edinburgh along with more experienced, seasoned senior data scientists.
  • Delivered 8+ high-impact ML/AI projects last year across forecasting, pricing, hedging, and trading—generating £1m+ annual cost savings
  • Secured strategic pivot to Databricks; implemented Lakehouse architecture and production-grade ML pipelines with low-latency, reliable pipelines and access to heavy-duty GPU compute.
  • Led SSE's first PoCs for GPT-based LLMs and Agentic AI, positioning team as enterprise pioneers in AI adoption.
  • Embedded scalable frameworks for MLOps, AI governance, and reusable project delivery.
  • Managed £3m+ annual departmental budget; nominated for MD Awards for innovation and strategic impact.
  • Launched internal training programmes, put area through DataCamp and Databricks certifications and secured funding for data analyst to pursue postgraduate Masters in DS, to upskill analysts and foster career progression.

Head of Continuous Improvement

SSE plc
Perth, UK
07.2019 - 04.2020
  • Led BE Continuous Improvement area (circa 25 FTE down 3 tiers) to deliver CI initiatives that achieved £5m+ in cost savings in 3 years and significant operational efficiency gains.
  • Applied Lean Six Sigma methodologies to streamline operations and eliminate waste in operations.
  • Designed and rolled out White and Yellow Belt training programmes to embed CI culture across business.
  • Mentored 4 direct reports who progressed into leadership roles—demonstrating strong talent development impact.
  • Delivered measurable improvements in KPIs and cost savings across collections/debt and onboarding/sales functions.
  • Engaged key stakeholders throughout delivery to ensure post-implementation sustainability and ownership.

Continuous Improvement Data Lead

SSE plc
Perth, UK
12.2018 - 07.2019
  • Mastered Python, PySpark, SQL, and C++ programming, earning DataCamp and BCS data science certifications, and furthering ambition to focus career path in emerging AI and data space.
  • Performed advanced statistical analysis to uncover outliers identifying £500K+ in quick-win cost-saving opportunities.
  • Earned Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, leading project that increased Direct Debit conversions by 10% and reduced bad debt.
  • Designed and launched Business Energy's first machine learning tool, predictive bad debt model, reducing aged debt by ~£25M.
  • Pivoted into managing and heading up area when previous Head Of left. Personal ambition to influence strategic decision-making was realised.

Analytics Insights Manager

SSE plc
Perth, UK
10.2017 - 12.2018
  • Conceptualised and built dedicated analytics and insights function within SSE domestic retail space - recruiting team and developing data-driven insights capability to improve customer experience and reduce complaint volumes.
  • Led dynamic team of 15 passionate analysts and fostered collaborative work environment.
  • Designed and implemented strategic KPIs dashboard used for years as primary resource by Exco.
  • Oversaw implementation of strategic initiatives for improved operational efficiency - introduced automation into existing complaints reporting
  • Collaborated with cross-functional service and customer experience teams to deliver changes insights and data highlighted.

Process Improvement Analyst

SSE plc
Perth, UK
05.2015 - 10.2017
  • Developed and maintained KPIs, performance metrics, and dashboards-promoting cultural shift toward data-driven decision-making.
  • Identified CI project opportunities by using SQL + statistical analysis of CRM system.
  • Established standardised methodologies for CI project financial validation, enabling consistent benefit quantification and giving Finance confidence to sign-off changes in budgets.
  • Nominated for 'best deliverable' award for project (2016) for regression model calculating relative cost of unresolved complaints.

Education

LLB (Hons) in Scots Law - Law

University of Glasgow
Glasgow
09.2006 - 04.2010

Skills

Leadership & Strategy

Strategic Leadership across Data Science, AI, and Analytics

Building and Scaling Multidisciplinary Teams (ML Engineers, Data Scientists, Analysts)

Driving AI Strategy and Execution with Measurable P&L Impact

Mentorship & Capability Building

Team Building & Talent Development

AI, ML & Advanced Analytics

Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning

Generative AI (GenAI), LLMs, RAG Systems

Quantitative Data Science

Statistical Analysis & Modelling

Programming Languages: Python, SQL, PySpark, C

Tooling & Libraries (Hugging Face Transformers, LangChain, XGBoost, LightGBM)

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Overfitting Mitigation & Generalization

Model Accuracy & Evaluation

Engineering, Platforms & Delivery

Cloud Platforms & Architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP)

Data Engineering & Pipelines (ETL, Kafka, Snowflake, Databricks)

MLOps Frameworks (CI/CD Pipelines) for Reliable, Low-Latency Delivery

Domain Expertise

15 years Energy industry expertise

AI Algorithmic Solutions for Trading, Hedging, Forecasting

Governance, Ethics & Communication

Data Governance & Ethics, Responsible AI & Regulatory Compliance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Translating Technical Insights into Business Outcomes

Accomplishments

  • Winner of 3 SSE Exco awards for project delivery; 2023
  • Nominated for annual SSE board 'Excellence' award for bad debt prediction model; 2019
  • SSE Shadow Board alumni - was one of 6 chosen to shadow our Exco board inc. CEO for 4 months and pitch ideas and present a comprehensive strategy to pivot business direction; 2021
  • SSE Retail Continuous Improvement Awards best project nominee; 2017

Certification

- ICAgile Certified Professional - Product Management, 2023
- ICAgile Certified Professional - Agile Methodologies & Agile Leadership, 2023

- Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate, 2022

- DataCamp Data Science Certified Associate, 2021

- Databricks Certified Professional ML Engineer, 2021
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Process Management International, 2021

- Inclusive Leadership Certified, LSE, 2020

- BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT - Professional Certificate in Data Analysis, 2019
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Process Management International, 2017

Timeline

Head of Data Science

SSE plc
04.2020 - 08.2025

Head of Continuous Improvement

SSE plc
07.2019 - 04.2020

Continuous Improvement Data Lead

SSE plc
12.2018 - 07.2019

Analytics Insights Manager

SSE plc
10.2017 - 12.2018

Process Improvement Analyst

SSE plc
05.2015 - 10.2017

LLB (Hons) in Scots Law - Law

University of Glasgow
09.2006 - 04.2010

Affiliations

  • Keen golfer, currently playing off a handicap of 11.5
  • MENSA member, admitted via in-person IQ test (2019)
  • Algorithmic FX Trading: Built and have continued to iterate a successful ensemble indicator model during the COVID period, still operating as a second income stream
  • Certified as a ‘Professional' Trader by a leading broker with additional privileges and access to capital; actively mentor and advise aspiring traders

Volunteer work

  • Volunteer mentor with One Million Mentors (1MM), supporting young people facing personal, educational, or social challenges to unlock their potential and build confidence through structured guidance and long-term development.
  • Support 3 local mental health groups focused on supporting people suffering with long-term anxiety, depression.

References

References available upon request.

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