Oct 2024 – May 2025 · 7 mos · Hybrid

• Kaikaku is pushing the boundaries of robotics and AI in the food and beverage industry by using AI. Our automated bowl plating system is used by Common Room in the Brunswick Centre, London. eatcommonroom.com. It can assemble a salad from up to 26 ingredients every 10 seconds.

May 2023 – Oct 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos · Hybrid

Jul 2023 – May 2025 · 1 yr 10 mos · London Area, United Kingdom · Hybrid

• In addition to my role as Co-founder of Kaikaku.ai, I help clients with IT, AI, robotics, automated warehousing and strategic technology challenges. I am also an experienced IT Expert witness, Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator. Please contact me at davidsharp@davidsharp.co for an initial discussion.

Jun 2021 – Mar 2023 · 1 yr 9 mos · Welwyn Garden City, England, United Kingdom · Hybrid

• Led a team of multidisciplinary (software, electronics, mechanics, safety, automotive) engineers creating systems that will enable Ocado Group to offer a self-driving grocery delivery service.

May 2019 – May 2025 · 6 yrs · London · On-site

• The Industrial Liaison Boards help Imperial College maintain its world-class reputation in science, engineering, business and medicine.

Oct 2013 – Jun 2021 · 7 yrs 8 mos · Hatfield · On-site

• As Head of Technology 10x at Ocado, I grew and led an elite innovation team developing state-of-the-art, disruptive machine learning and robotic technologies to enable Ocado and its Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) clients to deliver a superior customer service with high operational efficiency. OSP contains the latest proven software, electronics, mechanics, robotics and artificial intelligence technologies for online grocery ecommerce.
• My multidisciplinary team of around 30 "10x Innovation Engineers" managed "moonshot projects" to research, develop and deliver cutting-edge, state-of-the-art systems that combine e-commerce, artificial intelligence, machine learning, electronics, wireless communications, real-time software, mechatronics and mobile robot technologies
• We advanced Ocado's business and technology strategy innovation processes, leading to transformational impacts on business effectiveness and efficiency, saving £ms per year in supply chain and customer service.
• 15+ patented inventions
• Highly honed skills in assimilating complex information rapidly, creating lucid analysis and facilitating decision making, presenting to audiences of all sizes.
• I applied my multidisciplinary background (including software, electronics, mechanics, robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, IT, telecoms, multimedia,, wireless, intellectual property) and additional dimensions (Chartered Arbitrator; CEDR-accredited Mediator and Expert Determiner) to create commercial and technical innovations. I have worked as a consultant in many sectors including technology, IT, insurance, banking, retail, finance, law, healthcare, e-commerce, media, retail, private equity and government. I bring technical flair, innovative thinking, insight, management skill, leadership, strategy and risk control in complex technology projects involving talented teams
• I have experience of client relationship development from first contact to established loyal client

Apr 2011 – Oct 2013 · 2 yrs 6 mos

• Provided clients with exceptional consulting teams combining expertise in business transformation, programme management, refreshing IT systems and outsourcing negotiation.
• Led client assignments in business/IT strategy; IT system procurement, IT programme management; outsourcing arrangements and was a trusted independent advisor to CxOs;
• Delivered services as a Chartered Arbitrator, CEDR-accredited Mediator, Expert Determiner and Expert witness for large disputes involving IT, telecoms, multimedia, electronics, television technology.
• Grew an excellent reputation as a trusted C-suite advisor on commercial and IT issues, contract negotiation and dispute resolution.
• Special skills in assimilating complex information rapidly, creating lucid analysis that facilitates decision making, presenting to audiences of all sizes, achieving collective agreement amongst diverse stakeholders.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution/mediator/arbitrator/expert
• Technical and market due diligence for Private equity investors
• Intellectual property protection / work-arounds in IT and electronics.

Aug 1999 – May 2011 · 11 yrs 9 mos

• Trusted advisor to CIOs / VP IT
• Facilitated senior management decision making, creating a shared vision amongst multiple stakeholders
• Facilitated contract negotiations/deal making/IS procurement
• Reduced risk in complex implementation and change programmes
• Market and technical due diligence for private equity and corporate investors
• Improved business performance through identifying and managing changes to process, organisation and information systems support
• Expert witness for IT disputes
• Arbitrator

Jan 1997 – Aug 1999 · 2 yrs 7 mos

• Membership Chairman, Global Mobile Commerce Forum
• Technology consulting alongside Arthur D Little strategy consulting
• Orange Mobile Videophone development
• Interactive multimedia sales systems
• Technology due diligence of businesses for private equity and corporate investors

Jan 1997 – Jan 1999 · 2 yrs

• Faciliated cross-industry discussion and workshops to generate a shared vision of potential opportunities in mobile commerce

Jan 1992 – Jan 1996 · 4 yrs

• Lectured on Multimedia Systems, Networks & Communications (including security) and Microprocessor Interfacing to 190 undergraduate and MSc students. Managed EPSRC funded research into pattern recognition algorithms and parallel computing, sponsored by The Technology Partnership. Carried out consulting for ICON (Imperial College Consulting) and The Technology Partnership.

Oct 1989 – Sep 1992 · 2 yrs 11 mos

• Led research in pattern recognition, parallel computing and functional languages

Jan 1983 – Jan 1990 · 7 yrs · London Area, United Kingdom

• Electronics design and development
• Robotics design and development
• Digital radar design and development